The Canberra region is blooming with great events and activities this weekend, 13-15 September.

The country’s favourtie flower festival Floriade returns to Commonwealth Park with the theme Art in Bloom on Saturday.

Canberra Museum and Gallery transforms into a pop-up bar each afternoon with live music, exquisite local drops and fine cheese.

Take in a show- Chicago continues its run while August: Osage County wraps up and Bell Shakespeare returns to Canberra.

EVENTS

Pizza & Pyjamas: Toy story,The film that introduced audiences to Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their talking toy friends. Come in your comfiest PJs and enjoy this extra-cosy family special, with pizza on arrival. National Film and Sound Archive Friday 13 September 6pm; nfsa.gov.au

Floriade: Australia’s biggest celebration of spring returns with the theme of Art in Bloom with countless bulbs and plenty of stalls and entertainment lined up. Commonwealth Park, 14 September- 13 October; floriadeaustralia.com

The Epic Travel Expo @ Epic: Great holiday ideas and even better travel deals as more than 50 of the world’s best travel brands come together in this one day event. Exhibition Park, Saturday 14 September 10am; jamisontravel.com.au

Gungahlin Moon Festival: Celebrate the Middle Autumn Festival when the moon is at its brightest and fullest with a family-friendly fun day of music, traditional performance, food and more. Gungahlin College, 14 September 10am-4pm; fccci.org.au

Pop Up Bar: Canberra Museum and Gallery has partnered with Le Cheeserie, Ravensworth Wines and Capital Brewing Co. to bring drinks, snacks and live music to the heart of the city. Each a drop, bite and tunes on Thursday- Sunday in Civic Square, until 29 September; cmag.com.au

LIVE PERFORMANCES

In A Nutshell: The Poetry of Violence: Bell Shakespeare Artistic Director Peter Evans and team of actors jump from play to play, scene to scene in a stunning exploration of Shakespeare’s relationship with violence. Canberra Theatre Centre, 13-14 September; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

The Listies: Make Some Noise!: A comedy concert for humans aged 4-400. Join the maestros of mirth Rich and Matt, as they belt out a bunch of songs with the LOLs turned up to 11. The Q- Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 13-14 September; theq.net.au

DC Fit Revue’24 DEITY:  A diverse variety of dance styles from Hip Hop to Tap, Burlesque to Classical alongside vocal divas. Belconnen Arts Centre, 14 September 5:30pm & 8:30pm; belcoarts.com.au

Kristy Webeck: After sell-out shows at the Canberra Comedy Festival, the comedian returns with an encore performance in I’ll Be the Judge of That. Fun Time Pony, 14 September 7pm; comedyact.com.au

August: Osage County: Recipient of the 2008 Tony Award® for Best Play and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harbouring shady little secrets. This tragi-comedy unflinchingly—and uproariously—exposes the dark side of family life. ACT Hub, Kingston, until 15 September; acthub.com.au

Ellery String Quartet: Is joined by Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s principal bassoonist Ben Hoadley to present a dynamic recital of works old and new. Wesley Uniting Church, Sunday 15 September 3pm; trybooking.com

Chicago the Musical: The longest-running Broadway musical finally arrives in Canberra, step back into the dazzling 1920s as two accused murderesses defend their innocence. Canberra Theatre Centre, until 29 September; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

EXHIBITIONS

Wrappers: An evolving, experimental work by Ham Darroch transforms throughout the exhibition run time as visitors are invited to suggest themes and concepts. CCAS Manuka, 13-22 September; ccas.com.au

Ella Barclay: Presents works developed whilst on residency at ZK/U The Centre for Art and Urbanistics I Berlin. CCAS, Lakeside, until 14 September: ccas.com.au

Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia: The collection returns to Canberra for its final showing, with a survey of historical and contemporary world by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists drawn from the Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art. National Gallery of Australia, 14 September- 24 August; nga.gov.au

Observing Shorelines: Petros Papoulis focuses on the borderlines between land and water. Contemplation of the role of objects such as bollards, ropes, and piers and the stories they tell extend the concept of shorelines observed. These are translated in Petros’ meticulous lines, textures, and subtle palette. Humble House Gallery, Fyshwick, 14 September-13 October; humblehouse.com.au

Gardens of Spain: Artists Sarah Louise and Rose Holcombe, present a concert exploring arrangements of ancient and popular Spanish folk songs. Wesley Music Centre, 14 September 3pm; wesleymusiccanberra.org

ANCA Gallery: This is Not a Solo Show (v2) by Peter Sharp and Michelle Cawthorn explores how couple engage, collaborate or ignore each other’s arts practices. ANCA Gallery, Dickson, until 15 September; anca.net.au

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024: The 12 finalists for the Little Darlings competition that saw students from kindergarten to year 12 respond to the theme My Story through different mediums. National Portrait Gallery, until 15 September; portrait.gov.au

Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao: Experience the enduring art of the French Post-Impressionist Paul Gaugin through some his most recognised works. National Gallery of Australia, until 7 October; nga.gov.au

Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Showcases three exhibitions- Anitu, Old Gods, Beliefs and Superstitions by IDioM; Longing and Belonging a group show; and Kambah 50 a group exhibition. Until 12 October; tuggeranongarts.com

Plate to Plate: Local artist collective Hands on Studio! Collaborates with Robbie Karmel, Caren Florence and programs at Mulch! Community gardens in this exhibition. Megalo Print Studio, until 12 October; megalo.org

Napier Waller Art Prize 2024: Featuring 17 highly commended entries by Australian Defence Force veterans, this powerful exhibition is open to the public at Australian Parliament House until 13 October. More info: awm.gov.au/napier-waller-art-prize-hub

Belconnen Arts Centre: Showcases four new exhibitions- Light and Shade by Donna Lawrence; The Materialisation of Testament by Kerry Martin; The Walls Once Built by Holly Meehan; and Over Seas by Canberra’s migrant communities. Until  13 October; belcoarts.com.au

Canberra Daily is keen to hear from you about a story idea in the Canberra and surrounding region. Click here to submit a news tip.