Things are getting chilly and festive in the Canberra region this weekend, 30 June-2 July.

Enjoy some mid-year celebrations at Xmas in July at the Parkes Place Lawns with markets, mulled wine and melted cheese. Mmm … Then continue to embrace the cool weather at Winter in the City, featuring real snow, ice skating and live entertainment – right in the heart of Canberra.

Looking for something a little more prehistoric? MEGAfauna returns to the Australian National Botanic Gardens, as does its beloved afterDARK event. Spot some creatures from long ago moving amongst the plants!

EVENTS

Xmas in July: A winter wonderland of Christmas festivities with markets, mulled wine, melted cheese and live entertainment. Parkes Place Lawns, 29 June-2 July; christmasinjuly.com.au

Truffle Season: Winter means it’s truffle season in the Capital Region and there’s an array of truffle hunts, events, activities and gourmet truffle fare to savour this July; southernharvest.org.au/winter-festivities/

Winter in the City: Canberra city centre transforms into a winter wonderland with ice-skating, real snow, live entertainment, food, drink and more. 30 June-16 July; full program at winter.inthecity.com.au

International Gin Festival: Hosted by the Australian Gins Distillers Association, come dive into the world of gin through informative and fun masterclasses. University of Canberra, 30 June-1 July; ginevents.com.au

The New Boy: An advanced showing of the film as part of NAIDOC Week screenings. An orphaned Aboriginal boy is sent to a home for boys in this story of spiritual resilience. National Film and Sound Archive, 30 June 6pm; nfsa.gov.au

MEGAfauna – a walk through time: Step back in time with a discovery trail of science, art, culture and, most of all, fun, lined with prehistoric plants and creatures. Australian National Botanic Gardens, 1-31 July; anbg.gov.au

MEGAfauna afterDARK: After the sun goes down, the prehistoric creatures come to life. Spot them and other prehistoric friends on the adventure trail. Australian National Botanic Gardens, 1-7 July; anbg.gov.au

Tac-Taster: Jampacked with family fun, the free day invited you to drop in and catch one of the ongoing craft activities and the live entertainment or sign up for class, exploring the worlds of art, dance, drama and music with local creatives. Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Saturday 1 July 10am- 3:30pm; tuggeranongarts.com

Salters Grand Opening: The chefs will be delighting customers with Salters’ winter menu, Bentspoke Brewing Co. will be serving beer and local wine, live music from Ollie McGill from the Cat Empire, kids’ activities and more. Salters at Dirty Janes, Fyshwick, 1 July 12-5pm; instagram.com/salters_canberra

Afrobeat Dance Party: A Christmas in July special event that will get your body warmed up on the coolest of days with dance, music, food and drink. Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, Saturday 1 July from 5pm; eventbrite.com.au

Samson and Delilah: Part of the NAIDOC Week screenings, this heartfelt story of two First Nation teens and a plan to escape their small community. National Film and Sound Archive, 1 July 6pm; nfsa.gov.au

Spanish Film Festival: Deep dive into the wonders of Spanish language, culture and art with an exceptional line-up of films to enjoy. Palace Electric Cinema, until 5 July; spanishfilmfestival.com

LIVE PERFORMANCE

Pony: Australia’s answer to Fleabag, Hazel is ready to pop pregnant but not ready to accept that life changes with motherhood in this hilarious show from Briallen Clarke. Canberra Theatre Centre, until 1 July; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Home, I’m Darling: Canberra Rep performs the Laura Wade play about a struggling 1950s housewife trying to fit in a 2018 world. Canberra REP Theatre, until 1 July; canberrarep.org.au

St John Passion: The Canberra Symphony Orchestra presents a powerful performance in this setting of the Passion of Christ from the Gospel of John. Llewellyn Hall, Friday 30 June 7.30pm; cso.org.au

Australian Gifts, a Sound to Behold: Musica da Camera and Sally Greenaway present a tapestry of Australian music by a string of Australian composers, with afternoon tea. Holy Covenant Church, 1 July 3-5pm; trybooking.com/CIDXA

Listening to the Heart, Understanding the Voice: A workshop to learn about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament with Professor Asmi Wood, and ACT Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Rachel Stephen-Smith, including tea, coffee and sandwiches. Canberra City Uniting Church, Saturday 1 July 1pm; eventbrite.com.au

Burntout Turns Two!: Join Burntout Bookings as they enter their terrible twos and party it up at The Polo! They’re bringing their friends Suzi, Box Dye, Bad Lunar, and Goon Gremlins along to join in party festivities and help sing Happy Birthday to Burntout. The Polo, Turner, Saturday 8 July 7pm; burntoutbookings.com.au

Come From Away: The hit Broadway show and heart-warming true story of a small town in Canada taking in passengers in the wake of 9/11. Canberra Theatre Centre, until  9 July; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

EXHIBITIONS

PhotoAccess Canberra: Launches three new exhibitions: You are close be-side me by Chin-Je Melodie Liu; Resistance Relapse by Nico Krijno; and Parallel Play by Rory Hamovit. Griffith, 29 June- 12 August; photoaccess.org.au

Zig Zag: A chromatic exhibition of abstract paintings from Al Munro, Hannah Beasley, Ham Darroch and Kate Vassallo. The Mixing Room Gallery, Thor’s Hammer, 30 June-12 August; thors.com.au

Craft ACT: Hosts two new exhibitions: Speculation Nation: Making Utopia, a seven-artist collab, and 2022 CO:LAB, the culmination of a year long professional development program. Craft ACT, London Circuit, until 1 July; craftact.org.au

Belconnen Arts Centre: Shows four new exhibitions: Annika Romeyn’s Body of Work; Emma Rani Hodges’ The voice of fire shakes me awake, wild flowers bloom under trees that turn to ashes; The National Exhibition’s 100 Canberra; and open ceramic work exhibition, Hold. Until 2 July; belcoarts.com.au

Bark: Nathan Hughes presents a solo exhibition responding to Canberra and the idea of making a meaningful life in a time of significant global change. Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka, until 2 July;  ccas.com.au

Tell Me a Story: Canberra artist Catherine Forsayeth reimagines the tales of the Brothers Grimm in these beautiful, realistic artworks. Humble House gallery, Fyshwick, until 16 July; humblehouse.com.au

Baayangalibiyaay: Lucy Simpson presents a story of materiality and memory encompassed in the art of glassmaking. Canberra Glassworks, Kingston, until 16 July; canberraglassworks.com

My Country: Artist Pam Slattery presents an exhibition of textured works that capture her love of the sea, outback, rivers and birds. Bungendore Fine Art Gallery, until end of July; bungendorefineart.com.au

Jessica Loughlin: Solo exhibition of light comes from the JamFactory ICON series celebrating South Australia’s most influential artists. ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, until 4 August; soad.cass.anu.edu.au

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