What to do and where to go for those who do (and donโt) celebrate Australia Day and the long weekend.
Many licensed venues around town in the ACT and New South Wales will also be cranking up the tunes to celebrate The Triple J Hottest 100 as it counts down to number one on 25 January.
FLIGHT: Drone SkyShow + Night Markets: The FLIGHT: Drone SkyShow + Night Markets returns to the National Capital on the Australia Day weekend for a series of shows to reflect, respect and celebrate the ever-evolving story of our nation, Commonwealth Place and Regatta Point, 24-26 January; nca.gov.au/events/flight-drone-skyshow-night-markets-2025
Numeralla Folk Festival: A free three-day folk festival with concerts, poetry, a Saturday night bush dance, music workshops, blackboard concert and open mic, Sunday morning markets, annual raffle and free camping by the river, Numeralla Diggers Memorial Hall, 24-26 January; facebook.com/NumerallaFolkFestival
Festival of Speed Canberra: More than 200 of the worldโs most exotic road and race cars will take part in the โultimate garden partyโ. Cars will blast past the spectators around the purpose-built exhibition circuit. There will also be interactive trade stalls and a โEuropean food village, EPIC, 25-26 January, 2-8.30pm Saturday and 9-4pm Sunday; canberrafestivalofspeed.com
ACT Open and Under 20 Athletics Championships: Canberra is set to host more than 600 track and field athletes from Australia, the US, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Canada. One of the featured athletes is dual gold medallist at the Paris Paralympics, James Turner, Australian Institute of Sport, 25-27 January; capitalathletics.au/events/264312
Australia Day Afro-Aboriginal Cultural Dance Fusion: An African and Aboriginal cultural showcase. Experience the fusion of cultures to celebrate Australia Day, with free food and drinks included, Yerrabi Pond District Park, Gungahlin, January 26, 1-5pm; eventbrite.com.au/o/celebration-of-african-australians-act-inc-8572581937
Australia Day Concert: The aim of the event is to reflect on our journey as Australian citizens, respect Australian First Nations people, and all Australian contributions, multiculturalism, cultural diversity and social harmony, and celebrate our common values and our bright future. It will feature traditional Chinese dance, music and singing, martial arts and dances by First Nations people, Beijing Garden, Nara Peace Park, Yarralumla, 26 January, 10am-2pm
Community Day 2025: Australia Day at NMA: A day of stories, song, creativity and cultural sharing with indie pop sensation Jem Cassar-Daley, award-winning Canberra singer songwriter Stewart Barton and Indonesian and Chinese dance groups among the free performances, NMA, 26 January, 11am-4pm, 26 January; nma.gov.au/whats-on/family-day-2025-australia-day-at-the-museum
Family fun day: Get ready for an afternoon of excitement at the Canberra Olympic Pool’s family fun day! There will be an inflatable, barbecue, outdoor and kidโs pool fun, 11am-3pm, 26 January; facebook.com/events/998579732319443
Haig Park’s Splash and Dash Paws Party: Join the ultimate summer celebration at Haig Park’s Splash and Dash Paws Party! Bring your furry friends for a day of fun under the sun with sprinklers, water pistols, and live music. Capture the joy with professional pet portraits that will make lasting memories. It’s the perfect event to cool off, socialise, and enjoy the atmosphere, Haig Park, Braddon, 26 January, 11am-1pm, 26 January 2025; act.gov.au/cityrenewal/whats-on
Australia Day at Regatta Point: Reflect, Respect and Celebrate on Australia Day. Relax at the park and enjoy a community sausage sizzle, which will be free for the first thousand attendees. There will be free family friendly activities including face painting, balloon shaping and various outdoor games, roving entertainment and a live DJ, Regatta Point (Ferry Gate), 26 January, 10.30am-2.30pm, 26 January; australia-day.events.canberra.com.au/
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