While the weather in Canberra this Queen’s Birthday long weekend may be dreary, there are plenty of things to do that’ll get you out of the house and feeling cheery.
If you’re going stir crazy sitting by the heater, try out any of our nine top picks happening in the Capital Region.
Botticelli to Van Gogh at the NGA ends Monday
If you haven’t been along to it yet, Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London, finishes up at the National Gallery of Australia this Monday 14 June.
The first major international exhibition in Australia since COVID-19, the display comprises 61 masterpieces from 56 artists covering over 500 years of Western European art.
Although attendees are asked to pre-book their tickets online for an allotted timeslot via Ticketek, the bad news for those hoping for a last-minute peek is that this magnificent exhibition is fully booked out through to closing time on Monday.
Get your Creative Juices flowing
An exciting (Queen’s Birthday) long weekend of creative arts with local food and wines at Contentious Character Vineyard, Wamboin, Creative Juices is on from 11 to 14 June; contentiouscharacter.com.au
The live entertainment line-up features performances from Australian Dance Party, Somebody’s Aunt, Dianna Nixon, a kids’ workshop from Kulture Break, and a Sparkling Perfect long table lunch with The Street Theatre.
Some of the performances have already booked out, so book here while you still can.
Bluey’s Big Play
Join The Heelers in this live theatre show made just for the stage! Featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life!
A theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey’s creator Joe Brumm, this production comes to the Canberra Theatre Centre, 12-13 June; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Get along to the footy
The Brumbies and the Raiders are both playing at GIO Stadium this weekend for the rah-rah fans and the leaguies happy to brave the cold.
Tonight, the Brumbies host their second match at home after playing three games across the ditch, and will look to build on their hard-fought 12-10 win over the Hurricanes from NZ last weekend.
They host the Highlanders tonight, 11 June at 7.45pm; tickets here.
Meanwhile, on Saturday night the Green Machine will look to turn their season around when they host the Brisbane Broncos, with kick off at 7.35pm; read our preview here and click here for tickets.
Braidwood Book Fair
The ever-popular Braidwood’s Monster Book Fair will be going ahead this weekend, 11-14 June, at the National Theatre, Wallace Street, Braidwood.
Browse a huge selection of pre-loved books for all ages, DVDs, CDs, LPs, magazine and other treasures with plenty of terrific and sometimes rare finds on offer.
Open 9am to 4pm 11-13 June, and 9am-2pm on 14 June, the Braidwood Book Fair is a community event organised by the Anglican Parish of Braidwood.
A morning well spent at the markets
Canberra’s acclaimed farmers markets are all up and running this weekend, making it a great time to get along whether you’re a regular, a first timer, or an ‘I’ll decide on the morning’ type of customer.
With a vast range of produce and onsite ready-made meals and food available, do your shop for the week and grab some breakfast while you’re there.
The Capital Region Farmers is on at EPIC on Saturday from 7am to 11.30am; click here for more.
The Southside Farmers Market, the self-proclaimed best little market in the south of Canberra, is on this Sunday from 8am till 11.30am; visit their Facebook for more.
And in the heart of Canberra, the new Haig Park Village Markets run every Sunday from 8am to 2pm; visit their website for more.
Meanwhile, the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets is open Thursday to Sunday 7am-5.30pm.
Across town, the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets are open Wednesday to Sunday 8am-6pm; some stores open 7 days.
LGBTIQ+ Dance Club
Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centre hosts the LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Club Canberra, a free monthly dance event for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender and intersex people over 55.
On this Sunday 13 June from; booking through Humanitix.
Off the beaten track guided walks
Venture into parts of the Australian National Botanical Gardens not frequently visited with a volunteer guide to see beautiful plants growing there.
From 14 to 20 June with tours 11am-12pm and 2-3pm daily, each walk will feature some examples of work done by Gardens staff to conserve their vulnerable, threatened and endangered native plants, as well as plants in flower.
No bookings are required, just meet at the clock near the entry bridge at your preferred time; click here for more.
Sprechen sie Deutsche?
The German Film Festival ends this weekend, highlighting the best of German cinema that will have you saying “Ach du Lieber”, at Palace Electric, New Acton, until Sunday 13 June; germanfilmfestival.com.au
With 27 Australian premieres and a festival line-up that includes box office hits and award-winning dramas straight from this year’s Berlinale, the festival is a fantastic celebration of German culture and filmmaking.
View the list of films screening in Canberra over the weekend here.
For more entertainment:
