All is merry and bright around the Canberra region this weekend, 15-17 December.
The penultimate weekend before Christmas and the festive spirit is in abundance – get any last-minute gifts at The Little Burley Market’s Big Christmas Bash or the festive-themed Old Bus Depot Markets.
If you’re feeling a little grinchy, check out some of the great events that leave Christmas at the door – like the Broadway Brunch, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, and Prom Night at the NFSA.
EVENTS
Canberra Potters 2023 Christmas Fair: Looking for unique gifts? Local potters and ceramicists showcase a curated selection of ceramic art and pottery at Watson Arts Centre, until 17 December 10am-4pm daily.
Big Christmas Bash: The Little Burley Market celebrates 12 hours of festive fun with markets showcasing the best of Canberra’s small businesses, live entertainment and two visits from Santa. Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Lake Burley Griffin, Saturday 16 December 8am-8pm; thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Christmas Carols: Mt Rogers Community Christmas Carols Sing-along is proudly supported by St Paul’s Ginninderra and Mosaic Baptist Churches. Bring a picnic or choose from onsite BBQ options. Christmas songs old and new. Friday 15 December from 5pm. Plenty of parking off Curley Street, Spence.
Kath & Kim Xmas Drag Bingo: Celebrate the Christmas season with two Aussie icons, hosted by foxy morons Prada Clutch and Conchita Grande. Dress up as your favourite character for your chance to win. Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, Friday 15 December 7pm; eventbrite.com.au
Broadway Brunch: A theatrical extravaganza, step inside and be transported to a world where all your favourite shows coexist, accompanied by brunch. Saturday 16 December 11am; tickettailor.com
Book Launch: Wouter Van de Voorde launches Nucleo, a book following the Van de Voorde family life from the birth of his son, Felix. PhotoAccess, Manuka, 16 December 1pm; Facebook
Prom Night at the NFSA Carrie Special Screening: For one night only, the NFSA will be transformed into a quintessential American prom night, complete with balloons, refreshments and music. Frock up and enjoy canapes in the 1970s-styled courtyard, with a drink on arrival, before the screening. National Film and Sound Archive, Saturday 16 December 6pm; nfsa.gov.au
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience: Be part of the action as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up a 3-course meal with a side of mayhem and non-stop laughter. Mercure Canberra, 16 December 7pm; eventfinda.com.au
Christmas at The B: The Queanbeyan Players host their third annual charity event featuring Christmas carols, trivia and a raffle to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease NSW. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 16 December 7pm; theq.net.au
Christmas at OBDM: The beloved Kingston markets turn festive with handcrafted gifts, Christmas trees and photos with Santa. Sunday 17 December 9.30am-2.30pm; obdm.com.au
Carols in Town Park: The Tuggeranong Salvation Army invites you to an afternoon of community fun with entertainment, children’s activities, a sausage sizzle and community carols. Tuggeranong Town Park, Sunday 17 December 4pm; facebook.com/carolsintownpark
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Goldilocks and the Three Bears: The beloved children’s tale continues to delight audiences in this travelling musical rendition. Various locations, Queanbeyan, Braidwood and Bungendore, 14-17 December; theq.net.au
People You May Know: A passion project from the promising young mind of Canberra theatre makers, Lucis Theatre Co. presents its debut production. Canberra Theatre Centre, 14-16 December; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Christmas Classics: The Luminescence Chamber Singers and friends, accompanied by the angelic strains of Luminescence Children’s Choir, present a program of classic Yuletide songs and traditional Nativity hymns. Wesley Uniting Church, 15 and 17 December; trybooking.com.au
A Very Canberra Comedy Festival Christmas: Join the best Canberra Comedy Festival comedians as they deliver a Santa sack full of laughs to have you ho-ho-hoing until Christmas Day. Canberra Theatre Centre, Friday 15 December 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Harry Connick Jr.: Touring Australia for the first time in a decade, the musician brings a catalogue of original hits and covers to The Royal Theatre, Friday 15 December 8pm; premier.ticketek.com.au
Eden Dance Academy: Presents Send It!, a performance that throws caution to the wind as they embrace fun with a heart of passion, and Ready Set Rainbow, a colourful dance extravaganza exploring the theme Life is full of colour. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 16-17 December; theq.net.au
Celebrate Christmas with Llewellyn Choir: The Llewellyn Choir presents their end-of-year celebration concert, featuring traditional carols and music from Holst, Vaughan Williams, Bach and more, with soloist Rohan Thatcher and accompanist Anthony Smith. Griffith Neighbourhood Centre, Saturday 16 December 6pm;llewellynchoir.org.au
Ben Drysdale: The local indie folk launches his debut single If I Don’t Lie Down with a free performance. The Canberra Irish Club, Sunday 17 December 4pm.
EXHIBITIONS
William Yang’s Mardi Gras: An exhibition celebrating the works of the photographer, artist and filmmaker from the 1981-2003 Mardi Gras events. National Library of Australia, until 3 November 2024; nla.gov.au
Tailings: Bridget Baskerville examines the social, ecological, economic and health impacts of extractive industries on regional communities through the lens of the artist’s hometown Kandos, NSW. CCAS Manuka, until 17 December; ccas.com.au
Creative Distractions: Artists Di Dibley, Roz Dibley, Anne Kennedy and Marion Schumacher present an exhibition in different mediums as a response to the natural world. Rusten House Art Centre, until 16 December; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Pacific Navigators: John Gould shares works informed by a fascination with how objects and artefacts reveal culture and history of place and people. Strathnairn Arts, until 17 December; strathnairn.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
BLAZE: The emerging artists showcase by the Canberra Contemporary Art Space with bold and challenging works as curated by Alexander Boynes. CCAS Parkes, until 27 January; ccas.com.au
Personal Mythology: A look into the past, current and future myths of the young artists in the Messengers non-clinical support program. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, until 27 January; tuggeranongarts.com
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
Grit & Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation: Relive the highs and lows of Australia through our rich sporting history. National Library of Australia, until 28 January; nla.gov.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.
