Take Dad out for the day or let him put the wallet away for once and treat him to a meal. CW has put together a list of the best ways in and around Canberra to celebrate your dad this Father’s Day, Sunday 3 September.
CELEBRATE EARLY
Big Things in Store: Take Dad behind the scenes of the Australian War Memorial storage facility and check out all the treasures that are currently not on display in this special open day. Treloar Technology Centre Mitchell, Saturday 2 September 9am-4.45pm. Online bookings are essential: awm.gov.au/bigthingsinstore
Gin Tasting Cruise: Treat Dad to an evening tasting a range of exceptional gins while floating on the waters of Lake Burley Griffin. Cruise departs Kingston Foreshore, 2 September 4pm. Bookings: canberrapartyboat.com.au
SHARE AN EXPERIENCE WITH DAD
Father’s Day Car Show: The Meteors Hot Rod Association is fundraising for Beards of Hope in this car fiesta. Federation Square, Gold Creek, 3 September 9am-12.30pm.
Botanica Spirits & Food Festival: A step outside the usual gin festival where guests are invited to taste, smell and learn about botanicals that have been crafted into the drink. Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2-3 September; botanicafestival.com.au
Canberra Railway Museum Open Day: Explore the historic carriages and locomotives, learn about their history and enjoy a BBQ in this special Father’s Day event. 3 September 10am-3pm; canberrarail.org.au
National Dinosaur Museum: Take Dad to the ultimate dino day with an Ode to Dad gallery tour, fossil hunts, Dad & Me face painting and more. Paint Dad as a dinosaur to win a prize. 3 September 10am-4pm. Tickets essential: nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
Kitefest: Googong’s utterly uplifting kite festival is back with flying delights. Treat Dad to a gourmet beer and burger, or bring along a picnic, relax and enjoy the spectacle while a DJ provides inflight entertainment. Rockley Oval, Googong, Sunday 3 September 11am-2pm; googong.net/news-and-events/events
Canberra Contemporary Photographic Prize: Images that capture the essence of the contemporary in an ever-changing world. PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, until 14 October; photoaccess.org.au
How Cities Work: This exciting interactive exhibition explores the mystery, mayhem and magic of cities, with hands-on construction sites, a futuristic design station and more. Canberra Museum and Gallery, until 8 October; cmag.com.au
Capturing Canberra: A display of Canberra Museum and Gallery’s recently acquired Press Photography Collection which houses over 3,500 images telling the story of our region. Canberra Museum and Gallery until 28 January; cmag.com.au
Grit & Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation: Relive the highs and lows of Australia through our rich sporting history. National Library of Australia, until 5 November; nla.gov.au
The ballad of sexual dependency: Nan Goldin’s career-defining work captures the intimate lives of a community of friends in the 1970s-1980s in these raw and captivating shot. Viewer discretion advised. National Gallery of Australia, until 28 January; nga.gov.au
SIT BACK AND ENJOY WITH DAD
Korean Film Festival: A showcase of the very best of new flicks from South Korea’s burgeoning film industry, including comedies, thrillers and mysteries. Palace Electric, 1-3 September; koffia.com.au
The Children: In the wake of a man-made disaster, a pair of retired nuclear engineers and organic farmers are visited by an old colleague with mysterious motives. ACT Hub, Kingston, 31 August-9 September; acthub.com.au
To The Sun: The next instalment of the Art Song Canberra season sees Songmakers Australia presents a program of quartets. Wesley Music Centre, Sunday 3 September 3pm; trybooking.com
Maruki Community Orchestra: Present their Spring Concert program featuring works by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and more. Albert Hall, Sunday 3 September 3pm; trybooking.com
SHOUT DAD TO A MEAL
QT Brunch: Be greeted with a glass of sparkling or beer before indulging in the curated meal for foodie dad by the Capitol Bar & Grill team. Acton, 3 September 11am-1.30pm; qthotels.com
Father’s Day at the Pub: Treat Dad to wings, brisket and ribs, a paddle of beers and a stubbie cooler with this special offering at The Durham Castle Arms, Kingston from 12pm; thedurhampub.com.au
XO: A special Sunday opening treats Dad to a full seven-course meal from the beloved Canberra restaurant. Narrabundah, 3 September from 11.45am; xo-restaurant.com.au
Burger and Beer Lunch: Create your own burgers in this all-you-can-eat buffet with dessert station, cocktail on arrival and free-flowing beer. Hotel Kurrajong, 3 September 12-2pm; hotelkurrajong.com.au
Lazy Su: Check out the new menu and taste some favourites while Dad enjoys his first Sapporo on the house. Braddon, from 12pm; lazy-su.com.au
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