As the weather is predicted to cool down, we can finally enjoy Autumn in Canberra this weekend, 5-7 April.

Local makers, creatives and sustainable fashion enthusiasts are sharing their wares this weekend with the return of the Handmade Markets at EPIC, the Suitcase Rummage at Haig Park and the monthly Hartley Hall Markets.

See talent up on the stages as plays and concerts spread art across the region, or check out one of the great exhibitions that are coming to a close.

EVENTS

Woden Seniors Big Book Fair: Something for everyone to love with more than 25,000 books up for grabs as well as puzzles, DVDs, CDs and games. Woden Seniors Club, Friday 5 April 10am-4pm; wodenseniors.org.au

Vinyl Lounge: The NFSA’s monthly listening party for vinyl enthusiasts. National Film and Sound Archive, Friday 5 April 5.30pm; nfsa.gov.au/events

Handmade Markets: The Autumn edition of the beloved markets brings a smorgasbord of handmade goods ready to go home with eager shoppers. Exhibition Park, 6-7 April; visitcanberra.com.au

Queanbeyan-Palerang Heritage Festival: Learn about the history of the region and get connected where you live with workshops, exhibitions and events. Various locations, 6 April- 25 May; qprc.nsw.gov.au

Taste Bud Boogie: Embrace the creative and exciting taste experiences from six local makers in the Murrumbateman and Gundaroo regions. Various locations, 6- 14 April; tastebudboogie.com.au

Mardi Gras Film Festival: Queer Screen’s highly acclaimed Festival is set to dazzle audiences, bringing an expanded tour lineup of the most talked-about films to The National Film and Sound Archive, until 6 April; queerscreen.org.au

The Road to Patagonia: Filmmaker Matty Hannon comes to this special Q&A screening of his world-first expedition to surf the west coast of the Americas by motorbike, from the top of Alaska to the tip of Patagonia. Palace Electric Cinema Canberra, Saturday 6 April 6pm; garage.com.au/the-road-to-patagonia

Suitcase Rummage: Pack your suitcase with items you wish to sell and find yourself a spot on the grass and await buyers in this community market. 6 April 11am-3pm.

Brumbies double header: The rivalry renews when the ACT Brumbies host the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium on Saturday night, 6 April. The Brumbies women’s team play Fijian Drua in the earlier match starting at 5:05pm. The men kick-off at 7:35pm. Click here for tickets.

Raiders vs Eels: The Raiders will be looking to bounce back when they take on the Eels at GIO Stadium on Sunday evening, 7 June. Kick-off at 6:15pm, click here for tickets.

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Potted Potter: Relive the seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes as this funny, absurd whirlwind of a production makes its way back to Canberra Theatre Centre on 4-7 April; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Emma Donovan: The celebrated Indigenous singer/ songwriter shares her unique R&B, soul and country sounds with audiences including tracks from her upcoming album Til My Song is Done. The Q- Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Friday 5 April 7:30pm; theq.net.au

Tenzin Choegyal: Artist, composer, cultural ambassador and son of Tibetan nomads, Choegyal shares traditions through song in Heart Strings. The Street Theatre, City West, 5 April 7:30pm; thestreet.org.au

Michael Jackson History Show: Dedicated to the king of pop comes a tribute show like no other with a full-scale stage production. Canberra Theatre Centre, Friday 5 April 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Son et Lumiere: Musica da Camera with soloist Christina Wilson presents a program of string music and song accompanied by matching artworks. Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Saturday 6 April 2:30pm; trybooking.com

Charm of Finches: The next instalment of Smith’s@Belco welcomes the Melbourne sister duo who share their folk-pop tunes. Belconnen Arts Centre, 6 April 7pm; belcoarts.com.au

Sharon & Slava Grigoryan: The talented musicians share their repertoire of colliding genres and generations in Our Place. The Street Theatre, City West 6 April 7:30pm; thestreet.org.au

A Kind of Hush: The Magic of Karen Carpenter: Katie Noonan, Melinda Schneider and Abby Dobson are accompanied by an all-female band as they perform the music of Carpenter. Canberra Theatre Centre, 6 April 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Romantic Masters: Art Song Canberra’s next concert features Andrew Goodwin and Roland Peelman performing works from Schumann, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. Wesley Music Centre, Sunday 7 April 3pm; trybooking.com

EXHIBITIONS

Belconnen Arts Centre: Showcases 6 exhibitions; Lee Crisp Life Drawing; Emergence of Materials and Self by Natalie Hall; Hold III group exhibition; The Bone People by Brenda Runnegar; Place by Alexander Thatcher; Dog by Lisa Jose. 5 April- 19 May; belcoarts.com.au

Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Showcases three exhibitions: Sitting Standing Turning by Robbie Karmel; Abode; and I Know My Age and I Act Like It by Louis Grant. 5 April- 8 June; tuggeranongarts.com

With Nature: A group exhibition curated by Alexander Boynes brings together artists who have been influenced by landscape in their works. CCAS Lakeside, until 6 April; ccas.com.au

Beaver Galleries: Presents two exhibitions The Village Within, a collection of paintings by Derek O’Connor and Colossal Wreck, a series of drawings by Kirrily Humpries. Until 6 April; beavergalleries.com.au

Kyeema Gallery: Presents a collection of stunning images in Birds and Nature- A Photographer’s Perspective by Le Thanh. Capital Wines, until 7 April; capitalwines.com.au

Nathan Nhan: Presents It’s never quite as it seems a chess tournament installation where the audience is invited to play four games. CCAS Manuka, until 7 April; ccas.com.au

MARKETS

Night Markets: The community-run event runs every Friday 4-8pm at Anketell Street, Tuggeranong.

Capital Region Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal produce and gourmet goods at EPIC, Saturdays 7-11.30am; capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au

The Little Burley Market: Bringing gourmet food and artisan handicrafts lakeside each week. Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes, Saturday 9am-1.30pm; thelittleburleymarket.com.au

Trash and Treasure: Hunt for second-hand goods, fresh produce and homewares every Sunday at the Jamison Centre, 7am-12.30pm; trashandtreasuremarketjamison.com.au

Bric-a-Brac Rummage: Hunt for second-hand treasure in front of South.Point, Tuggeranong, Sundays 9am-3pm.

Old Bus Depot Markets: The much-loved markets continue at the Old Bus Depot in Kingston, Sundays 9.30 am-2.30pm; obdm.com.au

Hartley Hall Markets: The beloved monthly country-inspired markets return with handmade wares, fresh produce, plants, clothing and more. Hall Showground, Sunday 7 April 10am- 3pm; hartley.org.au