What's on this October in Canberra

🌷 Floriade (until 11 October)

The Floriade Festival continues through to 11 October. More than one million blooms bring Commonwealth Park to life. This year’s displays are inspired by seasonal harvest and the rituals of gathering, cooking and sharing meals. But it’s not just about the flowers - there’s a packed program of entertainment, family-friendly activities, workshops and more each day during the spring festival. Details here.

🌃 NightFest (1-4 October)

Visit Floriade after dark for NightFest! This year’s entertainment lineup is headlined by Tim Finn, Busby Marou & Christine Anu, Pacific Avenue and The Temper Trap. Details here.

🧸 Play School Live (2-3 October)

Celebrate 60 years of the iconic Australian children’s program Play School in a joyful 40-minute live concert of songs, surprises and family fun. Details here.

🪵 ACT Woodcraft Guild Annual Exhibition and Sale (2-5 October)

The ACT Woodcraft Guild is holding their annual members’ exhibition and sales event this October. Discover the finest work of the Guild, meet the members and see them in action in a variety of woodworking demonstrations. Details here.

🎸 The National Guitar Show (3 October)

The National Guitar Show is Australia's premier celebration of vintage, boutique, rare, and collectible acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers, and accessories. There will be a large number of exhibitors with an exceptional range of instruments and gear. Details here.

🪴 Jungle Collective Plant Sale (9-11 October)

The Jungle Collective is back in Canberra. They’ve loaded up the trucks and will be at Capital Brewing in Dairy Road over three days with lots of indoor plants from affordable desk buddies to holy-grail collector items. Details here.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Highland Gathering (10 October)

A day of Scottish sporting and heavy events, music and dance, food and produce, and plenty of family-friendly activities. There will be piping and drumming displays, opportunities to learn about your family ancestry and identify your clan tartan, haggis to try, and kilted warriors competing in the caber toss and stone lifting. Details here.

👑 Government House Open Day (10 October)

Government House, the official residence of the Governor-General, will open its gates to the public on 10 October. Come and explore one of the country’s most historic properties, meet the Governor-General and learn more about the role in Australian society. There will be several stalls on the grounds. Details here.

🎞️ Canberra Short Film Festival (10-17 October)

The Canberra Short Film Festival is one of Australia’s longest-running competition-based short film festivals. Screening at Dendy and Smith’s Alternative, the program features shorts by local, Australian and international filmmakers. Details here.

🪴 CBS Bonsai Exhibition 2026 (10-11 October)

The Canberra Bonsai Society is hosting their annual exhibition. The display will feature high-quality bonsai from CBS members and, this year, some traditional Japanese tokonoma-style displays. Alongside the exhibition will be a bonsai market with plant sales, stock trees, styled bonsai, pots and other equipment. Details here.

🐶 Dogs’ Day Out (11 October)

On the last day of Floriade, dogs are invited into the festival to experience the sights and smells of spring. There are dedicated dog-friendly activities, meetups, live entertainment on stage and a range of market stalls offering dog-friendly goods. Entry is free. Details here.

🎨 Canberra Colour Frenzy (11 October)

The Colour Frenzy is a colourful 5km run for all ages. Walk, jog, run or crawl through the five colour stations, a foam station filled with bubbles and exciting crawl obstacles. It’s suitable for all fitness levels and abilities. Details here.

🪏 The Great Big Bulb Dig (12 October)

Take home a piece of Floriade! After the festival concludes, the public is invited to The Great Big Bulb Dig. Purchase a bag, which acts as your ticket, and bring your tools to dig up bulbs from the garden beds to take home. The money raised from bag sales goes to the YWCA. Details here.

🚲 Canberra Ride2Work Day (14 October)

National Ride2Work Day is coming up on 14 October. Brave the magpies and swap four wheels for two. This year, head to Veterans Park in Civic for a free breakfast, free bike checks and the chance to win a prize. Details here.

🏀 NBL Kings v Breakers (14 October)

The National Basketball League is back in Canberra for two games. In the first, the Sydney Kings will be taking on the New Zealand Breakers at AIS Arena. Details here.

📚 Canberra Writers Festival (15-18 October)

Canberra’s premier literary festival returns with a packed program of author talks, launches, awards, insightful panel discussions and meet-and-greets happening at venues across Canberra. Details here.

💃 Menopause the Musical (15-18 October)

This one’s for the ladies: Menopause the Musical is a night of laughs, music and celebration dedicated to The Change. It features parodied hits from the '60s, '70s and '80s - including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, What's Love Got to Do With It, and We Are Family. Details here.

🎮 Questacon After Dark: Rewind (16 October)

Remember low-rise jeans, flip phones, MSN and late-night gaming sessions? Relive 2000s nostalgia at the adults-only Questacon After Dark: Rewind. There will be hands-on science experiences, 2000s anthems, a photo booth, friendship bracelet making and classic video game music. Details here.

🖼️ Canberra Art Fair (16-18 October)

A three-day art fair bringing together artists from the local region as well as interstate and international artists. Meet the artists and buy directly from them. Details here.

🏋️‍♀️ Canberra Fitness Expo (17-18 October)

A massive weekend of fitness showcasing natural bodybuilding, functional fitness, strongman, powerlifting, grappling, and arm wrestling. Alongside the competitions will be an expo featuring leading fitness, nutrition and wellness brands. Details here.

💎 Canberra Spring Gem Show (17-18 October)

You’ll find a wide selection of gems, minerals, jewellery, fossils, crystals, opals and more. There will be displays from Canberra Lapidary Club members, faceting demonstrations and fossil exhibits from the Age of Fishes Museum. Details here.

🧩 ACT Jigsaw Puzzle Competition 2026 (17 October)

Take part in the friendly competitive puzzling at the ACT Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. Enter solo, in pairs or teams. There will also be a puzzle swap, pop-up shop and raffle on the day. Details here.

🎻 CSO Live at Lanyon (17 October)

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra will be back at Lanyon Homestead this October for a family-friendly outdoor concert with music from Shakira, Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin and Astor Piazzolla. Details here.

🔔 St John’s Fair (17 October)

The popular spring fair returns to the historic St John’s in Reid - Canberra’s oldest church. There will be stalls with books, plants, clothes, cakes, craft and second-hand goods. The bellringers will be playing familiar tunes every hour, and there will be a medieval display and tournament. Details here.

🌸 SpringFest (17 October)

A family-friendly community festival in Erindale. There will be market stalls with handmade goods, collectibles, toys, gourmet teas, craft wood pieces, homemade jams and cakes, plants and more. There will also be free kids’ craft, live music, face painting, classic fairground games and more. Details here.

🇯🇵 The Canberra Japanese Motor Festival (18 October)

A one-day enthusiasts’ spectacular celebrating the vehicles and culture of Japan. Come along and see Japanese-branded vehicles of all shapes, sizes and eras. Details here.

👗 Canberra Fashion Market (18 October)

The Canberra Fashion Market features stallholders selling new and quality second-hand fashion, including clothing, shoes, boots, bags, jewellery, accessories and much more. Details here.

🏌️‍♂️ ACT PGA Seniors Golf Championship (22-23 October)

Fairbairn Golf Club will be hosting the ACT PGA Seniors Golf Championship, with the chance to watch the Legends Tour professionals. The event will include a pro shootout on the par-3 14th hole on Thursday evening. The event will run alongside the Pro-Am event for local amateur players. Details here.

⛺️ Canberra Caravan Expo (23-25 October)

There will be a large caravan and lifestyle expo at EPIC with over 140 exhibitors showcasing everything needed for your dream getaway. Details here.

🏉 Wallaroos v Scotland (23 October)

The Wallaroos will close out their 2026 home rugby Test season against Scotland at GIO Stadium. Details here.

📕 Books In-Sight (24 October)

Meet the authors who’ve made you laugh, cry and stay up far too late turning pages. There will be dozens of authors represented and a number of vendors. Details here.

🍺 Oktoberfest in the Gardens (24 October)

A large Oktoberfest-themed party on the Patrick White Lawns with live entertainment throughout the day, a silent disco, carnival rides, competitions and plenty of German-style food. Details here.

🕯️ Canberra Nara Candle Festival (24 October)

The Canberra Nara Candle Festival celebrates Canberra’s sister city relationship with Nara and promotes the values of peace and goodwill. See the Nara Peace Park in Lennox Gardens light up with thousands of candles and experience Japanese cuisine, music, dance and demonstrations. Details here.

🔮 Canberra Psychic Fair (24-25 October)

Enjoy a weekend of everything psychic and spiritual. There will be stalls with crystals, handcrafted jewellery, candles, clothing, scents, Wicca and witchcraft items and more. Plus psychic, wax art and aura readings, spirit drawing and reiki healing. Details here.

🚒 Molonglo Emergency Services Station Open Day

The Molonglo Emergency Services Station is inviting the community to explore the newly opened building. Join fire fighters and paramedics on a guided tour of the station, grab a sausage sandwich and coffee, and say hi to the crews. Details here.

🏑 Sunday Funday (25 October)

Viking Park is hosting a day of family-friendly sport and fun. Kids can test their skills across local sports and meet with Tuggeranong teams. Details here.

🍻 Oktoberfest at the Harmonie Club (30-31 October)

The Harmonie German Club will be celebrating Oktoberfest over two huge days of traditional German fun, laughter and competition. There will be bier-filled festivities with plenty of activities and entertainment for all ages. Expect authentic German food, beer, costumes and family-friendly fun. Details here.

🚣 Golden Oar (30 October - 1 November)

The Golden Oar is Canberra’s premier rowing regatta festival. Elite Australian and international rowers will compete on Lake Burley Griffin, and alongside the competition there will be a three-day festival with food, entertainment and family-friendly activities. Details here.

🚂 Canberra Brick Show (31 October - 1 November)

The Canberra LEGO User Group’s Canberra Brick Show is back with more than 300 tables showcasing some of Australia’s best LEGO builders. There will be a massive train layout, Technic displays, Star Wars, historic collections and more. Details here.