‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la … and there’s plenty of festive fare and fairs on offer in and around the ACT all month long. Check out the highlights of what’s on across Canberra throughout December 2022, with everything from exhibitions to live theatre, music, markets, and more.
MoAD: Behind the Lines 2022 – Out of this World, featuring the best political cartoons of the year, opens 1 December 2pm and continues until November 2023. There are also plenty more exhibitions to explore at MoAD. Free entry; bookings encouraged; moadoph.gov.au/whats-on/
Christmas in the City: Free merry-go-round rides until 24 December, a variety of musical performances and roving entertainment at different times and dates; visit christmas.inthecity.com.au/events for the program
Canberra Christmas Park: Raising funds for St. Anthony’s Bread to help families in need, enjoy an evening of Christmas cheer with a jumping castle, Santa sighting and food available. Hall Pony Club, until 24 December; christmaspark.com.au
Creatively Ageing: Residents from the Calvary Haydon aged care home showcase work in their first public exhibition. Belconnen Arts Centre, until 5 February; belcoarts.com.au
Canberra Glassworks: Shop handcrafted Australian glass at Canberra Glassworks, Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm and during our extended trading Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 December 9am-5pm. In the Gallery, exhibitions by Hannah Gason and Consuelo Cavaniglia have extended until late December 2022; canberraglassworks.com
Canberra Museum + Gallery: Tom Moore’s Abundant Water, and Blanche Tilden’s ripple effect – a 25 year survey, continue until 12 February 2023. Jingo Was Born in The Slum, Matthew Thorne’s powerful exhibition reflecting on Ned Kelly and his gang, continues until 4 March 2023; cmag.com.au cmag.com.au
Who Are You: Australian Portraiture brings together pieces from the National Gallery of Victoria and Canberra in a rich study. National Portrait Gallery, until 29 January;portrait.gov.au
Viewfinder: Photography from the 1970s to now exhibition at the National Library of Australia, until 13 March 2023; nla.gov.au
Cressida Campbell: The artist’s largest exhibition features more than 140 of her works, spanning her entire career, National Gallery of Australia, until 19 February; nga.gov.au
Cloud Country: Canberra’s Caroline Reid showcases paintings of the rich water resources from the ACT to the Victorian border. Raglan Art Gallery, Cooma, until 21 January; raglangallerycooma.com
Emilia: The West End comes to Canberra in this powerful historical drama featuring an all-female creative team, Canberra Theatre, 1-3 December; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Dainere’s Rainbow Christmas Lights: Charity Christmas lights display at Delma View, Gungahlin, 1-24 December, raising funds to give hope for children diagnosed with brain cancer; daineresrainbow.com.au/events
Photo Access: Pop-up ecological exhibition onsite at Bluetts Block, Uriarra Rd, Denman Prospect, Thursday 1 December 6pm; photoaccess.org.au
Sunset Cinema: Returns to the Australian National Botanic Gardens with their signature mix of new release blockbusters, classics and family favourites; Wednesday-Sunday until 25 February 2023; sunsetcinema.com.au/canberra/
The Torrents: A comedy with an all-female cast takes you back to a local newspaper in the 1890s, Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, until 3 December; events.humanitix.com
Sense & Sensibility: Canberra REP bring Jane Austen’s classic tale to the stage, Canberra REP Theatre, until 3 December; canberrarep.org.au
Sunset Cinema: Returns to the ANBG with their signature mix of new release blockbusters, classics and family favourites; Wednesday-Sunday until 25 February 2023; sunsetcinema.com.au/canberra
Travelling Dance Hall: Finucane & Smith bring legends of burlesque, cabaret and variety to Tuggeranong Arts Centre, until 3 December; trybooking.com
Dirty Janes: Extended trading hours to 6.30pm Thursdays in December, with free gift wrapping and personal shopping assistants, 80B Collie St, Fyshwick; dirtyjanes.com
Night Markets: The community-run event runs every Friday 4-8pm at Anketell Street, Tuggeranong.
A Stellar Line-up: Launches The Stellar Company as a new and inclusive voice in the community arts scene, Belconnen Arts Centre, 2-3 December; belcoarts.com.au
Isla Patterson: Open studio for an exhibition and sale of her watercolours, 2-4 December 10am-4pm, 10 Mainoru Place, Hawker.
Pictures of You: Empowering and representing people with disabilities through art, Belconnen Arts Centre, opens 2 December 6pm, ends 5 February; belcoarts.com.au
Sydney Comedy Festival: A showcase of some of the festival’s hottest acts hits the stage for two hours of laughs, Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall, 2 December 8pm; theq.net.au
Kangara Waters Christmas Market: Kangara Waters Retirement Village, 2 Joy Cummings Place, Belconnen will host a Christmas Market on Saturday 3 December 8.30am-1pm.
CWA Belconnen Xmas stall: CWA Belconnen’s “get in early for Christmas” stall is back again on Saturday 3 December from 9am at Charnwood Shops.
Capital Region Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal produce and gourmet goods at EPIC, Saturdays 7-11.30am; capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
The Little Burley Market: Lakeside Christmas markets at Elizabeth Terrace, Saturdays 3, 10, 17 and 24 December 9am-1.30pm; thelittleburleymarket.com.au
The Wizards Den: An immersive magical cocktail experience at Zoo Bar, until 18 December; explorehidden.com
Kim Yang: Before heading overseas for a few years, the Canberra-based singer-songwriter hosts a farewell show on Saturday 3 December 12-2pm at Smith’s Alternative, City West; smithsalternative.com
Moon in a Dew Drop: Artist Lindy Lee’s travelling survey exhibition at Canberra Museum + Gallery, until 3 December; cmag.com.au
Mt Ainslie Music Club: The community ensemble meets for improvisation every first Thursday of the month 8-10pm, Ainslie Arts Centre; ainslieandgorman.com.au
Canberra Nara Candle Festival: Celebrating our sister-city Nara, Japan, Nara Peace Park at Lennox Gardens comes alive with light, music, food and culture, 3 December 4-9pm; events.canberra.com.au
Moon in a Dew Drop: Artist Lindy Lee’s travelling survey exhibition continues at Canberra Museum + Gallery, until 3 December; cmag.com.au
Canberra Choral Society: Celebrates the festive season with Handel’s Messiah, Llewellyn Hall, ANU, 3 December 7.30pm; ticketek.com.au
A Very Canberra Comedy Festival Christmas: A night packed with laughs to get you into the festive spirit, Canberra Theatre, 3 December 7.30pm; canberracomedyfestival.com.au
Desperado: The Eagles Show celebrates the major hits of the iconic band, Southern Cross Club Woden, 3 December 8pm; cscc.com.au
Terrestrial Urbanism: The month-long program hosts markets, exhibitions and an opportunity to explore the future of Dairy Road, until 4 December; full program at dairyroad.com.au
Dainere’s Rainbow Christmas concert: The Andante Andante (ABBA) Choir will host a special Christmas fundraising performance and afternoon tea on Sunday 4 December in Braddon for Dainere’s Rainbow. Cost: $15. Bookings essential; email [email protected] with the heading ‘ABBA Choir’ to secure your seats.
Summer Magic: Maruki Community Orchestra’s next concert features works by Mozart, Gounod, Beethoven and Haydn, Sunday 4 December 3-5pm, Albert Hall, Yarralumla; tickets via marukicommunityorchestra.org.au/
Aarwun Gallery: Wendy Sharpe’s latest exhibition Paintings About Magic And Time Passing, closes 4 December; aarwungallery.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets: The much-loved markets continue at the Old Bus Depot in Kingston, Sundays 9.30am-2.30pm; obdm.com.au
Haig Park Christmas Markets: Haig Park Village Markets get into the festive spirit on Sundays 4, 11 and 18 December 8.30am-2pm; haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Terrestrial Urbanism: The month-long program hosts markets, exhibitions and an opportunity to explore the future of Dairy Road, until 4 December; dairyroad.com.au
Canberra Potters: 2022 Members Exhibition featuring works created in the past year, until 4 December; canberrapotters.com.au
Bric-a-Brac Rummage: Hunt for second-hand treasure in front of South.Point, Tuggeranong, Sundays 9am-3pm.
Smith’s Alternative: Irish Jam each Friday from 4pm; Comedy Open Mic, first Sunday of the month 7pm; smithsalternative.com
Weird Years: An exhibition birthed in the final years of a teenager struggling with mental illness hopes to highlight the importance of support for young people and their carers. Smith’s Alternative, 6 December- end of January.
The Psychic Tests: Ginger Gorman hosts Gary Nunn’s Canberra book tour event, which includes a psychic or two, Smith’s Alternative, Tuesday 6 December 7pm; smithsalternative.com
Wesley Music Scholars: Present On the Road to Christmas concert, Wednesday 7 December 12.40pm, Wesley Music Centre, Forrest; wesleycanberra.org.au/music
Trespass: A hybrid arts event presented by Promenade theatre exploring the act of crossing boundaries. Hotel Mottainai, 7-9 December; stagecenta.com
Frew Fellowship Public Lecture: The Australian Academy of Science hosts Nobel Prize Winning Canadian physicist Dr Donna Strickland at The Shine Dome, Acton, 7 December 5:30pm; science.org.au
ACT Hub: Presents Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest, 8-17 December 7.30pm, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston; acthub.com.au
NatureArt Lab: Present its annual end of year student art and photography exhibition. NatureArt Lab, Griffith, 8-11 December; natureartlab.com.au
Winging It! The Musical: Lightbulb Improv will thrill you with songs made up on the spot to create a full musical, Canberra Theatre, 8-10 December; www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Disrupt, Persist, Invent: Discover the stories of the many ways Australians have achieved social change in this new exhibition at the National Archives of Australia, 8 December- 12 June; naa.gov.au
Feared and Revered: Explore feminine spiritual power through the ages in this exhibition on loan from the British Museum. National Museum of Australia, 8 December- 27 August; nma.gov.au
National Opera: Perform Handel’s Alcina at Llewellyn Hall, ANU, 8 & 10 December; nationalopera.org.au
Midland: The US country music trio bring The Last Resort tour, with special guest Travis Collins, to UC Refectory, 8 December; midlandofficial.com
Wildbark: Meet our new chef, Jamie McGahey, enjoy the sunset from the deck, while the kids play in our nature play area. There will be a local wine and beer menu and tasty grazing platters. Hear more from Jamie about our new nature-dining experiences starting next year. At Wildbark, 25 Rosenberg Street, Throsby, Friday 9 December 7-10pm (arrival from 6.30). Free entry; food and drink purchased at own cost; bookings essential.
Handmade Markets: A special festive edition of the iconic Markets, in time to tick off your gift list, EPIC, 9-11 December; handmadecanberra.com.au
Guilty Pleasures: The 2022 members’ showcase at Canberra Contemporary Art Space, 9-11 December; ccas.com.au
Candlelight: Best of Hans Zimmer classical music performance by candlelight at National Gallery of Australia, 9 December; feverup.com
ANU Classics Museum: Voluntary guides conduct free tours on the second Friday of each month at 12.30pm in the A D Hope Building, ANU; call 0438 883 373.
Christmas Fair: The Canberra Potters festive market gives you the opportunity to share gifts made with love this giving season. Canberra Potters, Watson, 10-18 December; canberrapotters.com.au
Daydream Machine: An expo showcasing the small businesses of our neuro-divergent youth with markets, live music, and more. Daydream Machine, Fyshwick, 10 December 10am-2pm.
Christmas in Queanbeyan: Two festive events bring joy- a Christmas Street party on Crawford Street 10 December 5pm and Community Christmas Carols 15 December 6pm; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Googong Christmas: Returning after three years the Googong Christmas Carols and markets make their return. Bunyip Park, Googong, 10 December, 5pm; googong.net
Carols by Candlelight: The Woden Valley Youth Choir in association with Canberra City Band kick off the festive season with our favourite merry tunes. Stage 88, 10 December, 7pm.
Roland Bull: The triple RAW Comedy state finalist returns home to Canberra with his new show, Mess with the Bull!, 10 December, Sideway Bar, East Row; tickets via linktr.ee/robucomedy
Canberra Qwire: (proudly LGBTIQ+) Merry and Gay, a concert full of beautiful, fun and queer vocal music that will bolster your spirits and propel you into the festive season with a full heart, Sunday 11 December 3pm, The Q, Queanbeyan; canberraqwire.org.au
Spring Garden Experiences: Gourmet food and drinks in an inspiring spring garden in Braddon, 10 & 11 December; gardenswithfleur.com.au/events
Alan Carr: The English comedian brings his brand-new stand-up show Regional Trinket to Canberra Theatre, 11 December 7.30pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Human Nature: The Aussie superstars bring their A Christmas Celebration tour to Canberra Theatre, 14 Dember 7:30pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Comedy ACT Christmas Show: Come along and finish the comedy year with a bang as the best and upcoming local talent take the stage. Transit Bar, 14 December 7:30pm; trybooking.com
Goldilocks & The Three Bears: The children’s classic comes to life on stage at The Q, Queanbeyan 15-18 December; theq.net.au
Photobrick Art Workshop: Join the adult workshop of Photobrick Art at Canberra Centre, Saturday 17 December 1–2pm, canberracentre.com.au
A Luminous Christmas: Ring in the festive season with some of Canberra’s finest music from the Luminescence Chamber Singers, Wesley Uniting Church, 16- 18 December;luminescence.org.au
Darren Hanlon: The singer-songwriter brings his intimate Xmas show to Ainslie Arts Centre, 16 December 7pm; ainslieandgorman.com.au
Traditional Boat Display: Members of the Traditional Boat Squadron will be displaying their boats at Commonwealth Place, Lake Burley Griffin from 6pm Saturday 17 December.
Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Final exhibitions for the year Swoon! We are Dizzy with JOY! And All That Glitters. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, until 17 December; tuggeranongarts.com
Family Space: Free creative activities for families inspired by the Who Are You: Australian Portraiture exhibition. National Portrait Gallery, 17 December- 29 January;portrait.gov.au
Mr Fezziwig’s Ball: Sing while you dance to carols and bring Christmas’s past alive at Folk Dance Hall Hackett, Saturday 17 December 2-6pm; monarofolk.org.au
Kippax Marketplace: Indoor market to run 3rd Saturday of every month 8am-12pm, at Kippax Uniting Church Community Centre; free entry.
Community Market: The monthly markets come to Calwell shopping centre on the 3rd Saturday of the month 9am-3pm and Queanbeyan Park on the 3rd Sunday 9am-2pm.
Drill Hall Gallery: Presents Still in my mind: Gurindji location, experience and visuality, ANU, until 18 December; dhg.anu.edu.au
A Christmas Carol: The Charles Dickens classic gets you ready for the festive season as it comes to life at Canberra Theatre, 20-24 December; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Christmas Parkrun: Connect with the community witha morning walk or run, grab your best festive gear and head to Lake Burley Griffin or Yerrabi Pond, Sunday 25 December; parkrun.com.au/special-events
Draw In: Audiences are invited to draw and listen to the live music of Bella Groove. National Portrait Gallery, 28 December 1pm; portrait.gov.au
The Basement: The Belconnen venue presents a night of tribute acts, including tributes to Devo, the Violent Femmes and others, on New Year’s Eve, 31 December; thebasementcanberra.com.au
NYE Celebrate by the lake: Ring in the new year at Lake Burley Griffin with firework displays at 9pm and midnight, grab a rug and head to one of the four hubs with live entertainment and food vendors, 31 December from 6pm; events.canberra.com.au
New Year’s Eve Dance: The Monaro Folk Society invites all to see the year out with a dance and performance by the Woolshed Hoppers, bring a plate to share with tea, coffee and cordial free flowing. Yarralumla Woolshed, 31 December 8pm.
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