This weekend, 24-26 February, we say our goodbyes to summer as the Canberra region runs hot with events.
The Royal Canberra Show returns to Exhibition Park from Friday to Sunday bursting with displays, demonstrations, rides and goodies to keep the whole family happy.
The National Arboretum comes to life with musical hits from the likes of dancing queens, a rocket man and a solitary man on Saturday night in Amplify Tributes.
Lake Burley Griffin plays host to Canberra’s biggest ever contingent of canoe polo players from around Australia when the action-packed Canoe Polo Summer Series comes to a head at Molonglo Reach this weekend.
Hot-rods at the Canberra Mustang Show raise funds for the Australian Federal Police Veterans Association at Vikings Park on Sunday.
EVENTS
2023 Royal Canberra Show: Showbags, sideshow attractions and rides, fireworks, FMX performances and the chance to meet new furry friends are just some of the highlights of the annual Royal Canberra Show. Exhibition Park in Canberra, 24-26 February; canberrashow.org.au
Air Play: A circus-like adventure brings to life the air we breathe, with flying umbrellas, enormous balloons, giant kites, and more. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, 24-26 February; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Sunset Cinema: Continues at the ANBG with its signature mix of new release blockbusters, classics and family favourites; Wednesday-Sunday until 25 February; sunsetcinema.com.au/canberra
Canoe Polo Summer Series: The final event of the Australian Canoe Polo circuit comes to a head at Molonglo Reach, 25-26 February.
Canberra Bonsai Society: Has teamed up with the Australian National Botanic Gardens to present Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition 2023. Australian National Botanic Gardens, 25-26 February; parksaustralia.gov.au
Amplify Tributes at the Arboretum: Three of the country’s best tribute acts come together to celebrate the music of Neil Diamond, Elton John, and ABBA. National Arboretum Canberra, Saturday 25 February 5pm; stickytickets.com.au
The Canberra Retirement Village & Resort Expo: Discover the latest in living and holiday options for the over 50s. Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, 26-27 February; retirementexpo.com.au
Mustang Show and Shine: The Mustang Owners Club of Australia NSW & ACT chapters host their biennial show with over 120 beautiful autos to get up close and personal with, along with food and drink stalls. Viking Park, Erindale, 26 February 8.30am-2.30pm.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
White Rabbit Red Rabbit: With the actor getting the script only once they step on stage, in a role they can only play once, this play promises to be something different. The Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, until 24 February; humanitix.com
Downtown: The Mod Musical: The Queanbeyan Players present a fun and upbeat celebration of the 1960s in this colourful musical. Belconnen Community Theatre, 24 February-5 March; trybooking.com
Lakeside at 5: This month’s Friday afternoon concert features The Fuelers, bringing their blend of country-rockabilly-dieselbilly to Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 24 February 5.30pm; tuggeranongarts.com
Two of Us: Darren Coggan and Damien Leith celebrate two of the biggest songwriters of all time, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The B, Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall, 24 February 8pm; theq.net.au
The Tasman Soloists: Perform the hauntingly beautiful Schubert and Britten – Love and War at Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, 26 February 3pm; trybooking.com
Ash Grunwald: The Blues artist brings his intoxicating sounds to Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo, 26 February 6.30pm; tallagandrahill.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Beaver Galleries: Canberra artist Alex Asch explores constructed landscapes through recycled materials in Climacteric, and Tasmanian-based ceramic artist Kelly Austin showcases her still life arrangements in Duality, at Beaver Galleries, Deakin, until 25 February; beavergalleries.com.au
Memory Persists: Dan Maginnity, aka byrd, showcases his incredible works at the Nancy Sever Gallery, until 26 February; nancysevergallery.com.au
Net Worth: Emerging artists combine ideas of identity, societal stereotypes, and technology with history and craftmanship. Canberra Glassworks, until 26 February; canberraglassworks.com
Scapes: Valeska Tilly’s works are on display in the newest exhibition at Kyeema Art Gallery, Capital Wines, Hall, until 28 February; capitalwines.com.au
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
Strathnairn Arts: Welcomes two new exhibitions to its galleries, Amelia Mollett’s collage and mixed media pieces in Shorelines and Cassandra Dove’s acrylic and mixed media works in The Heartland. Strathnairn Arts, Holt, until 12 March; strathnairn.com.au
Viewfinder: Photography from the 1970s to Now exhibition at the National Library of Australia, until 13 March; nla.gov.au
X Rainbow takeover: A patchwork of pieces celebrating LGBTIQA+ pride and community, created by queer artists from around the country. Craft ACT, until 23 March; craftact.org.au
Found Metaphors: Artist Sophia Child showcases her multi-layer, non-compositional works at Cox Gallery, Kingston, 27 February- 31 March; coxarchitecture.com.au
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