As we celebrate Labour Day this long weekend, 29 September – 2 October, we hope you can enjoy three glorious days with time to relax or head out and enjoy what the Canberra region has to offer.

Step outside and sail the winds at Arboretum Kite Fest, experience the beautiful blooms at Floriade, or wait until the sun has set and soak up the extra entertainment at NightFest.

Venture beyond the city and spend the day indulging at the Murrumbateman Moving Feast, find some treasures at the Braidwood Lions Antique Fair, or jump on the Queanbeyan-Palerang Arts Trail.

Stay indoors and enjoy an incredible offering of live performances and exhibitions like The Whitlams Black Stump Band at The Basement, Belconnen, or the Threatened Species Open Photographic Exhibition at Wild Bark at Mulligans Flat.

And remember! Daylight Saving starts this Sunday 1 October when clocks jump forward one hour from 2am to 3am.

EVENTS

NightFest: After the sun has gone to bed, Floriade’s dark side comes to life, full of illuminated colours, live entertainment, stalls, food and more. Commonwealth Park, 28 September–1 October. Tickets: floriadeaustralia.com

The Australian Chopin Festival: A number of events and masterclasses celebrating the works of composer Frédéric Chopin. Various locations, 28 September–2 October; friendsofchopin.org.au

Braidwood Lions Antique Fair: Treasure hunt for antiques, collectables, bric-a-brac, linen, porcelain, jewellery, clothes and furniture. Braidwood National Theatre, 29 September–1 October.

PlayUp: Soak up the sunshine, play some giant lawn games or just sit back with a book in this school holiday event. Old Parliament House, 25-29 September; moadoph.gov.au

Mid-Autumn Festival: Also known as the moon festival, the Chinese cultural event brings a program of food, culture and beautiful lanterns to Westfield Woden until 30 September; westfield.com.au

Murrumbateman Moving Feast: A roving degustation allows you to experience wine and food from the finest makers of the region. 30 September–1 October; makersofmurrumbateman.org.au

Japanese Film Festival: Experience the rich tapestry of Japanese storytelling at this year’s festival, at two venues in Canberra. Special series: 30 September–1 October at NFSA; japanesefilmfestival.net/films-schedule 

Arts Trail: Celebrate the local artists and makers of the Queanbeyan-Palerang region with studios and galleries opening their doors. This weekend, visit creatives in Braidwood, 30 September–1 October; queanbeyanpalerang.com.au

Back to Nimmity: Explore the historic sites and venues that will be open, support Nimmitabel’s cafes and gift shops and make a whole day or weekend of it, just 90 minutes south-east of Canberra. Nimmitabel, 30 September–2 October; facebook.com/Nimmitabelevents

Good Goodies: A community flea market with art, clothes, cakes, gifts, vinyls and more. Gang Gang Café, Downer Shops, Saturday 30 September 3-6pm.

Arboretum Kite Fest: Spend the day in the sun with kites flying high, kite workshops, live entertainment, pop-up food and drinks, and more. National Arboretum Canberra, Sunday 1 October 10am-3pm; nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Tulip Top Gardens: Explore the incredible display of tulips, blossoms and other flowers along with birds, live entertainment, food and wine. Tulip Top Gardens, Sutton NSW, until 15 October; tuliptopgardens.com.au

Floriade: Celebrate the change of season with Australia’s favourite Spring festival of beautiful blooms, engaging entertainment, workshops, markets, food and wine, art displays, events and more. Commonwealth Park, until 15 October. Free entry; floriadeaustralia.com

ST. ALi Italian Film Festival: A stunning selection of the best in contemporary Italian cinema – award-winning dramas, comedies and documentaries. Palace Electric until 18 October;  italianfilmfestival.com.au 

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Rosieville: Canberra Youth Theatre presents the unlikely story of a homing pigeon becoming a saving grace for a young girl experiencing heartbreak. Canberra Theatre Centre, 29 September–8 October; canberrayouththeatre.com.au

Tubular Bells for Two: A spellbinding performance from two men and too many instruments, returning to the stage for one final tour. The Street Theatre, City West, 29-30 September; thestreet.org.au

The Whitlams Black Stump Band: Hits the road with a tour of Australian country music stops and festivals. The Basement, Belconnen, Friday 29 September 7pm; bandsintown.com

Alpha Men Australia: Six sexy men steam up the stage in a night of comedy, romance, dance, cocktails and fun. Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, Friday 29 September 7pm; eventbrite.com.au

The Rat Pack Show: Three fantastic singers, two swingin’ sets, and one smokin’ big band present the very best from Sammy, Frank and Dean. Harmonie German Club, Saturday 30 September 7pm; eventbrite.com.au

Masterworks for Winds: The Band of the Royal Military College presents an evening of entertainment from one of the country’s premier wind ensembles. Llewellyn Hall, ANU, Saturday 30 September 7pm; eventbrite.com.au

The Russian Doll: Premiere of David Coles’ new work exploring the complex relationship between mother and son at a transitional time of life. Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, Saturday 30 September 7.30pm; goulburnpac.com.au

Travelling with Clouds – Yun You:  ANU’s Chinese Classical Musical Ensemble presents a program of beautiful tunes. Cook Community Hub, Sunday 1 October 2pm; trybooking.com

EXHIBITIONS

Threatened Species Open Photographic Exhibition: Photographers from around Australia share their works to shine a light on our at-risk native plants and animals and celebrate the conservation practices that are supporting their plight. Wild Bark at Mulligans Flat, until 13 December; belcoarts.com.au

Canberra Potters: Presents Emerging from the Earth: Clay & Flowers, a group exhibition challenging the idea of floral designs being relegated to flowers in vases. Canberra Potters Gallery, Watson, 28 September–22 October; canberrapotters.com.au

You, as a train station: Through the medium of oil paints, Brennan O’Brien shares a journey of acknowledging powerlessness and the acceptance of letting things travel through you. CCAS Manuka, 29 September–8 October; ccas.com.au

Cruel Optimism: An exhibition exploring the liminality of queer experiences, construction of community, and the line between fantasy and fact. Gorman Arts Centre until 29 September; tributaryprojects.xyz

Rusten House Art Centre: Presents two new exhibitions – David Smith’s Tales from the late Anthropocene: Rise of marine megafauna, and Cartography of Now by the Canberra Printmaking Group, 5 Ink. 30 September–21 October; qprc.nsw.gov.au

Silk Road: The one day only exhibition showcases a true sense of multiculturalism through written word and visual and performing arts from a number of artists. Cuppacumbalong Homestead, Tharwa, 1 October 10am-1pm; petrajungmanova.com

Networks Australia – Artists at work: Various mediums feature 2D and 3D works alongside photographs of their creators give the viewer an insight into the life of the artist. ANCA Dickson, until 1 October; anca.net.au

Gulgawarnigu – Thinking of something, someone: A collection of digital works from young artists from Ngarluma country. National Portrait Gallery, until 2 October; portrait.gov.au

Ngura Pulk – Epic Country: One of the largest First Nations community art projects, created and directed by the Anangu people. National Gallery of Australia, until 8 October; nga.gov.au

Making it Modern: The latest part in the Know My Name project celebrating the world of pioneering women artists who shaped art in modern Australia, featuring works by Ethel Spowers, Olive Cotton and more. National Gallery of Australia, until 8 October; nga.gov.au

Canberra Glassworks: Presents two new solo exhibitions – a circular logic by Lisa Sammut, and What Gave You That Idea by Zoe Brand. Canberra Glassworks, Kingston, until 8 October; canberraglassworks.com

Slow Looking: A solo exhibition from Elisa Crossing invites the viewer to contemplate the present through colourful paintings. Nancy Sever Gallery, 17 September–8 October; nancysevergallery.com.au

How Cities Work: The 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

Belconnen Arts Centre: Presents four new exhibitions – Sally Blake’s Wise Parliament, Shani Nottingham’s Plasticus Organicus, Dr Noriko Tanaka’s End Point of the Silk Road, and We Need to Talk by the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra. Until 8 October; belcoarts.com.au

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

Canberra Contemporary Art Space: Presents two new exhibitions – Sad State by Dean Cross, and Signal to Noise by Anna Madeleine Raupach. CCAS Lakeside, Parkes, until 14 October; ccas.com.au

ACT Historic Places Art Prize: Features 29 works from 26 artists with locals invited to come along and vote for their favourite piece. Lanyon Homestead, until 15 October.

Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Presents three new exhibitions – Georgia Claridge’s Open Home, Yamile Tafur and Carlos Sanchez’s In the Warmth of the Kitchen, and group collaboration, Dust Collectors. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, until 21 October; tuggeranongarts.com

The Overwintering Project: The newest iteration of this continuing exhibition explores the plight and habitat of migratory shorebirds at ‘Jerrabomberra Wetlands’. Megalo Print Studio, Kingston, until 28 October; megalo.org

Aggregate – Perspectives in Recycled Glass: A group exhibition from local artists and makers utilising recycled glass in beautiful and utilitarian ways. Thor’s Hammer, Griffith, until 28 October; thors.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

Flights of Fancy Feathers: An exhibition of works celebrating our avian friends, at Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, until 30 November; bwoodworks.com.au

White Out: From sheets to shirts, this refreshing exhibition from CIT Fashion School features upcycled garments to challenge fashion industry norms. Canberra Museum and Gallery, until 14 January; cmag.com.au

Capturing Canberra: A display of Canberra Museum and Gallery’s recently acquired Press Photography Collection with over 3,500 images telling the story of our region. Canberra Museum and Gallery until 28 January; cmag.com.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 shots. Viewer discretion advised. National Gallery of Australia, until 28 January; nga.gov.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; moadoph.gov.au/visit

Canberra/Kamberri, Place & People: Discover the story of Canberra as the place where nationhood found a home – the people, places and history that make up this city and region. Canberra Museum and Gallery; cmag.com.au

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