Hello, 2023! Welcome to January, the month of fresh starts, resolutions and those warm summer evenings.
CW has compiled a list of things to keep you entertained throughout the work break, Christmas holidays, and whole first month of the new year.
Vines and Vibes: Celebrate the new year at Lake George Winery with delicious food, fine wine and live music, 1 January 12-5pm; lakegeorgewinery.com.au
Tennis: The P2 Advisory Canberra International 2023 makes a long-awaited return to Canberra Tennis Centre, 1-7 January; tennis.com.au/act
Summernats 35: The annual street machine festival returns to Exhibition Park in Canberra with displays, burnouts, live music and more, 5-8 January; summernats.com.au
Jothi & Le Fleur: The Melbourne artists bring a night of soul-pop and funk to Smith’s Alternative, Thursday 5 January 7pm; smithsalternative.com
Formidable Vegetable: Combining strings, horns, Ukulele and messages of positive climate action in an evening of musical fun. Smith’s Alternative, 7 January 6pm; smithsalternative.com
Portrait Play: Explores ‘My Favourite Things’ with children aged 4-8 encouraged to bring their own things to create a portrait, National Portrait Gallery, until 27 February, bookings essential; portrait.gov.au
Spread Your Wings: MOTANKA Theatre invites audiences back to another showing of the famous Ukranian play with an added second act, the Christmas Special with carols and merriment. Canberra College, 8 January 5pm; eventbrite.com
Smith’s Alternative: Transit jazz quintet start the evening with the compositions of Andy Vance from 4pm-6pm, then Gusto Gusto bring their raucous instrumental music to the stage after 7pm. Smith’s Alternative, 8 January; smithsalternative.com
Summer Music School: Returns with a program of song, dance, instrument making and learning for primary aged children, Macquarie Primary School, 9-13 January; youngmusicsociety.org.au
Snakes Alive: Get up close with snakes, lizards frogs, and turtles with funds raised going to help frog breeding programs. Australian National Botanic Gardens, 9-15 January; parksaustralia.gov.au
The Jellyman’s Daughter: The Scottish duo bring their unique musical sounds to Smith’s Alternative, Monday 9 January 7pm; smithsalternative.com
Grace Petrie: The UK folk artist brings her Australian tour to Canberra at Smith’s Alternative, 10 January 7pm; smithsalternative.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.
Net Worth: Emerging artists combine ideas of identity, societal stereotypes, and technology with history and craftmanship. Canberra Glassworks, 12 January- 26 February; canberraglassworks.com
Dickson Lunar Celebration: Welcome in the Lunar New year with food and goods stalls, a stage jampacked with talented artists, roving performers, lion dances, and the unveiling of the Zodiac Rabbit sculpture. Woolley St, Dickson, 13-14 & 21 January.
SoART Gallery: Presents Frida & Feathers celebrating the life of Frida Kahlo and all things bird-related by two local artists. SoART Gallery Narooma, 13-27 January.
The Sleeping Beauty: The Australian Ballet presents an interactive story ballet for children aged three and over, ballet inspired outfits encouraged. Canberra Theatre Centre, 13-15 January; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Circus of Illusion: Acclaimed illusionist and Australia’s Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd brings his death defying, mind blowing magic show to Canberra Theatre Centre, 14-15 January; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Bubbles & Beats: Indulge in a meal or grab a picnic to enjoy on the lawn as DJ Arrnott Olsen provides live entertainment at Lake George Winery, Saturday 14 January 12-5pm; lakegeorgewinery.com.au
Slam! Pro Wrestling: Experience a night unlike any other when the biggest names in wrestling battle it out at Ainslie Football Club, 14 January 7pm; eventbrite.com.au
Open Air PlayUP: A great day of school holiday fun, soak up some sun while playing giant lawn games or chill in the shade for story time in the stunning senate courtyard at Old Parliament House, 16-20 January; moadoph.gov.au
Story time: A reading of Do You Want to Meet Grandma? with author SV Middleby, National Portrait Gallery, 16 January 10.30am; www.portrait.gov.au
Little Faces: A special program for babies, toddlers and their carers, full of singing, play and discovery, National Portrait Gallery, 18-20 January; portrait.gov.au
This Vessel of Mine: Artist Jemima Campey highlights the consumerist nature present within the wellness industry in her exhibition at ANCA, 18-29 January; anca.net.au
Lunchulele: Every Monday 12.30-1.30pm, ukulele players perform at Smith’s Alternative; smithsalternative.com
Solastalgia: Barbara Hodgson and Sallie Saunders celebrate, remember and mourn the changing Australian environment and their own special places. 19 January- 12 February, M16 Artspace; M16artspace.com.au
Burnt Out: Created and performed by Penny Chivas, the solo dance theatre work is centred on the changing climate around us. QL2 Dance, 20 January 7.30pm; events.humanitix.com
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
Kippax Marketplace: Indoor market at Kippax Uniting Church Community Centre on the 3rd Saturday of the month 8am-12pm; free entry.
Community Market: Monthly market at Calwell shopping centre on the 3rd Saturday of the month 9am-3pm and Queanbeyan Park on the 3rd Sunday 9am-2pm.
CANCON: Canberra Games Society present the 43rd edition of the biggest gaming convention in the southern hemisphere, with players and retailers from around the coming to join the weekend of fun. Exhibition Park, 21-23 January.
Dragon Boat ACT: Locals are invited to come and try their hand at Dragon boating with a free come and try day, everyone over age 12 welcome. Grevillea Park, near The Boathouse, Barton,21 January, 10:00am.
Folk Dance Canberra: Test your dance skills with energetic and easy dances from cultures around the world in the community dance organisations free come-and-try day. Folk Dance Canberra Hall, Hackett, 21 January 2:30pm; folkdancecanberra.org.au
Yotam Ottolenghi: The chef restauranteur and much-loved author brings his Flavour of Life tour to Canberra Theatre Centre, 21 January 3pm & 7pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Twist & Shout: The Williams Brothers bring the Rock n Roll hits of the ‘50s & ‘60s to The Q, Queanbeyan, 21 January 8pm; theq.net.au
Sing Australia: Weekly sessions at: Belconnen, Thursday 9.30am; Duntroon, Monday 7.30pm; Greenway, Monday 1pm. Costs apply; singaustralia.com.au
Lights on the Lake: Night markets, food vendors, and water and light show to reflect, respect, and celebrate what it means to be Australian. Commonwealth Place, Lake Burley Griffin, 25-28 January; nca.gov.au
Family Day: A morning of First Nations Talka, activities and performances kicks off with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country. National Museum of Australia, 26 January 10am- 4pm;nma.gov.au
Australia Day at Regatta Point: Free family-friendly entertainment, kids activities and live entertainment as well as a free Aussie delight, the sausage sizzle. Regatta Point, 26 January 10:30am- 2pm.
Grapes of Mirth: After four years, the comedy event returns with some of the country’s best acts, live music, great food and wine, at Contentious Character, Wamboin, 26 January 2pm; moshtix.com.au
SummerSalt: Returns with an incredible line-up of homegrown and international acts including Angus and Julia Stone, Ben Harper and City and Colour, Stage 88 Commonwealth Park, 27 January; summersaltmusic.com.au
Dogfight: Local theatre company, Dramatic Productions presents the “hauntingly beautiful musical” Dogfight, at Gungahlin Theatre, 27 January – 4 February. Tickets $25-$55. Book at stagecenta.com or call 6253 1454.
Gershwin and More: Renowned concert pianist Simon Tedeschi is joined by jazz vocalist and violinist George Washingmachine for an evening of jazz/ Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, 27 January 6pm; trybooking.com
Daniel Champagne: Kicking off The Street’s 2023 Sound Encounters season, Champagne brings his worldwide tour home with a brand-new album at The Street Theatre, January 27 7.30pm; www.thestreet.org.au
Canberra Rod and Kustom Krooze: Around 200 gleaming machines taking part in the 33rd annual Canberra Rod and Kustom Krooze will be on display at a Show’n’Shine, entry by donation with proceeds going to Integra Service Dogs Australia. Queanbeyan Park, Saturday 28 January 10.30am-1.30pm; chra.org.au
Flazeda Open Day: The alternate performing art hub hists a free come and try day for locals to experience the art of feather fans, clowning, beginner burlesque, and more. Flazeda Hub, Belconnen, 28 January 11am; flazedahub.com
Hottest 100 Countdown Party: Celebrate great tunes and beers with both Triple J’s Hottest 100 tunes of 2022 and the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular with burgers, chicken, and brews. Capital Brewing Co., Fyshwick, 28 January 11:30am; capitalbrewing.co
Good Company: A mini festival with artists from interstate and overseas stops at Smith’s Alternative, 28 January 3pm; smithsalternative.com
Ross Wilson’s Cool World Tour 2023: Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks bring guest The Badloves and King Canyon to Tallagandra Hill Winery, 28 January 5:30pm; ticketebo.com.au
Strawberry Prince: Brings folk songs of silliness and sincerity to Smith’s Alternative, 29 January 7pm; smithsalternative.com
Blueprint: Discover objects that helped shape Australia at the new permanent interactive exhibition at the Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House; moadoph.gov.au
Who Are You: Australian Portraiture brings together pieces from the National Gallery of Victoria and National Portrait Gallery in a rich study, at the NPG until 29 January; free. Also a free creative activities family space inspired by the exhibition; portrait.gov.au
Nancy Sever Gallery: Presents Terrain by multimedia artist Janenne Eaton, exploring geopolitical influences and our impact on the environment, until 29 January; nancysevergallery.com.au
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, until end of January; hsmithsalternative.com
Night Markets: The community-run event runs every Friday 4-8pm at Anketell Street, Tuggeranong.
Smith’s Alternative: Irish Jam each Friday from 4pm; Comedy Open Mic, first Sunday of the month 7pm; smithsalternative.com
Capital Region Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal produce and gourmet goods at EPIC, Saturdays 7-11.30am; capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Creatively Ageing: Residents from the Calvary Haydon aged care home showcase work in their first public exhibition, at Belconnen Arts Centre, until 5 February; belcoarts.com.au
Pictures of You: Empowering and representing people with disabilities through art, Belconnen Arts Centre, until 5 February; belcoarts.com.au
MoAD: Home to a host of exhibitions, such as Behind the Lines 2022 and Statement: Jack Green’s Paintings at Old Parliament House, free entry; bookings encouraged.
Canberra Museum + Gallery: Two exhibitions – Tom Moore’s Abundant Water, and Blanche Tilden’s ripple effect – a 25 year survey, until 12 February; cmag.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
Bric-a-Brac Rummage: Hunt for second-hand treasure in front of South.Point, Tuggeranong, Sundays 9am-3pm.
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. In ‘Grazing by the Garden’, design your own grazing experience inspired by Campbell’s love of gardens and food between friends, Fri-Sun 11am-2.30pm until 19 February; nga.gov.au
Sunset Cinema: Nightly screenings at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, featuring a mix of new release blockbusters, classics and family favourites; Wednesday-Sunday until 25 February 2023; sunsetcinema.com.au/canberra
Jingo Was Born in The Slum: Matthew Thorne presents a powerful exhibition reflecting on Ned Kelly and his gang, Canberra Museum + Gallery, until 4 March; cmag.com.au
Viewfinder: Photography from the 1970s to Now exhibition at the National Library of Australia, until 13 March; nla.gov.au
Disrupt, Persist, Invent: Discover the stories of the many ways Australians have achieved social change in this exhibition at the National Archives of Australia, until 12 June; naa.gov.au
Feared + Revered: Explore feminine spiritual power through the ages in this exhibition on loan from the British Museum, National Museum of Australia, until 27 August 2023; nma.gov.au
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