The festive season has arrived in the Canberra region this weekend, 24-26 November.
Get in the spirit of the silly season with the Hall Village Christmas Fair and enjoy a day of artisan and handmade market stalls, live performances and car display.
Experience magic like never before at the world’s first interactive magic spectacular, Metaverse of Magic, where you are part of the journey, at Canberra Theatre.
EVENTS
Every Colour In Between Film Festival: Celebrates diverse voices in LGBTQIA+ cinema with new films from across the globe. Palace Cinemas Canberra, 23-26 November; films.fan-force.com
The People’s Blockade: Rising Tide invites Canberrans to a peaceful civil disobedience protest of the world’s largest coal port at Horseshoe Beach, Muloobinba/Newcastle, 24-27 November; risingtide.org.au
Scott Leggo Gallery: Get your Christmas shopping sorted with local and Australian-made art as the gallery opens its doors with a special offer – spend $100 for your chance to win $2,500! Kingston, 24-26 November; scottleggo.com
Fright Night Cult Cinema Classics: An American Werewolf in London, Venus Mantrap hosts a screening of John Landis’ genre-blurring horror-comedy about two American backpackers who stray right into the path of a ravenous werewolf. National Film and Sound Archive, 24 November 8pm; nfsa.gov.au
Airing of the Quilts: Braidwood’s annual outdoor quilt display returns along with a vintage car show, market stalls, buskers and more. Braidwood NSW, 25-26 November; braidwoodquilters.com.au
Flourish: Experience the makers of Murrumbateman in this exciting new event, indulge in the flavours of the region with wines and chocolates, meet baby alpacas, experience farm life and more. Venues across Murrumbateman, 25-26 November. Full program: makersofmurrumbateman.org.au
Hall Village Christmas Fair: A fun-filled not-for-profit community event created to support local small businesses, artisans and entertainers with performances, car display and festive markets stalls. Hall Showground, Saturday 25 November 10am-3pm. Entry by gold coin donation.
Veterans and Families Expo: The inaugural event aims to connect the 22,000+ veterans in the Canberra region with support services. There will be family-friendly activities, food and ACT Fire and Rescue trucks. Australian Catholic University, Watson, 25 November 10am-4pm; actrsl.org.au
Art from Australia: An Indigenous art exhibition and talk, plus refreshments. St Paul’s Anglican Church, Spence. Saturday 25 November 10am-5pm; stpaulsginninderra.org.au
Book Launch: Local 17-year-old authorLochana Radaliyagoda her children’s book Feel the Flame to inspire kids to follow their dreams. National Arboretum Australia, Saturday 25 November 11am; ticketleap.events
For Our Elders: The NAIDOC Concert Dinner invites all community members and allies for an evening of celebration with live performances, grazing platter and roast dinner. Ainslie Arts Centre, 25 November 6pm; ainslieandgorman.com.au
Cunard British Film Festival: Showcases the best in of new and classic British films. Palace Electric Cinema, Canberra, until 29 November; britishfilmfestival.com.au
SpringOUT: Canberra’s Pride festival celebrates the fabulous diversity of our LGBTQIA+ community through events, exhibitions and performances. Until 30 November. Full program: springout.com.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Spilt Milk: Kicking off at the best time of the year, with the biggest names in art, music, food and culture. Headline act this year is global superstar Post Malone; spilt-milk.com.au/canberra/
Triceratop: A re-imagining of prehistory as our main character discovers he is the last dinosaur in this camp, cabaret performance lecture. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 24-25 November; theq.net.au
Mariedl, Selfies with a Giantess: Austro-Australian actor Maxi Blaha steps into the life of one of the tallest women ever seen. The Street Theatre, City West, 25-26 November; thestreet.org.au
Lakeside at 5: The latest event in the series brings to the stage one of Canberra’s most popular jazz combos, The Lisa Keen Trio. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Friday 24 November 5.30pm; tuggeranongarts.com
360: The Aussie rapper brings his Back to Life regional tour to The Basement, Belconnen, Friday 24 November 7.30pm; 360music.com.au
The Young Soloists: A showcase of talented young virtuosos aged between 13 and 23 from over 20 nations in a world class ensemble. Snow Concert Hall, Saturday 25 November 7pm; humanitix.com
Josh Pyke: Performs songs from his album, Revisions, live in this intimate show. The Street Theatre, City West, Sunday 26 November 7pm; thestreet.org.au
Canberra Rep: Present their final work for the season, a rollercoaster comedy of history and tragedy in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]. Canberra Rep Theatre, until 2 December; canberrarep.org.au
Metaverse of Magic: The world’s first interactive magic spectacular takes audiences on a journey through theatre and magic with some of the world’s most renowned illusionists. Canberra Theatre Centre, until 3 December; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
Illuminate 2023: The 10th annual exhibition of the Friends of the ANBG Photographic Group showcases photos taken within the garden of Australia’s unique flora and fauna. Australian National Botanic Gardens, 23 November-10 December; parksaustralia.gov.au/botanic-gardens
Sunset Cinema: Back for its 11th season, Sunset Cinema will be screening a mix of new releases, family faves, and all-time classics over 3 glorious months. Thurs 23 Nov 2023 to Sat 24 Feb 2024 — Eucalypt Lawn; parksaustralia.gov.au/botanic-gardens/do/whats-on/sunset-cinema/
Processed: Emeirely Nuciforna-Ryan presents an observation of daily practice, captured over seven months and displayed in the style of a Gregorian calendar. CCAS Manuka, 24 November- 3 December; ccas.com.au
Deep Inside My Heart: Bringing together sculptures, drawings and other works from the national collection by female artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. National Gallery of Australia, 25 November-19 May; nga.gov.au
Beaver Galleries: Hosts two exhibitions – Lucienne Rickard’s Threads, and Cathy Franzi’s Where the River Flows. Until 25 November; beavergalleries.com.au
Colours of the Forest: Josephine Townsend presents a collection of ceramics exploring the unique characteristics and surroundings of the natural environment. Humble House Gallery, Fyshwick, 25 November-24 December; humblehouse.com.au
Belconnen Arts Centre: Hosts five exhibitions – Kaleidoscope II, Shiver by Michelle Day, Remnants by Isobel Kennedy, The Future Unfolds by Faith Kerehona, and Zero Waste: Doing It Imperfectly by Nancy Lane. Until 26 November; belcoarts.com.au
Cox Gallery: Showcases selection from the C. Nikolakopoulos collection Derek F. Wrigley Furniture as functional art. Kingston, until 1 December; coxarchitecture.com.au
Canberra Potters: Presents the Canberra Potters 2023 Members’ Exhibition, at Watson, until 3 December; canberrapotters.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
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