We might be experiencing false spring in Canberra this weekend, 6-8 September, with a few showers predicted.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great indoor options to keep you busy. It is your very last chance to experience Discovering Ancient Egypt at the National Museum of Australia before it packs up.

If you feel like venturing outside (with an umbrella), you can’t go past the Botanica Festival with fine gins and food at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

There is no shortage of great live performances to check out. The opening weekend of the long-awaited Chicago the Musical at Canberra Theatre Centre heads the line-up.

EVENTS

Canberra Disability Expo: Two days of information on how providers and products can enhance the lives of people with disability, along with some fantastic entertainment and food. Exhibition Park, 6-7 September; canberradisabilityexpo.com.au

Botanica Festival: Not your usual gin festival, Botanica is an experience like no other. Taste, smell, and learn about the botanicals that are expertly crafted. Australian National Botanic Gardens, 7-8 September; botanicafestival.com.au

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Ordinary Days: The lives of four young people living in New York City intersect in this funny yet moving musical. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 5-7 September; theq.net.au

English: A small classroom in Iran is the birthplace for a big-hearted comedy in which the laughs fly thick and fast. From the absurd conversations you’ll only hear in a language lesson to the hilarity of serious subjects lost in translation. Canberra Theatre Centre, 5-7 September; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

August: Osage County: Recipient of the 2008 Tony Award® for Best Play and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harbouring shady little secrets. This tragi-comedy unflinchingly—and uproariously—exposes the dark side of family life. ACT Hub, Kingston, 5-15 September; acthub.com.au

Liam Cooper’s King of Keys: Australia’s piano man performs a concert that celebrates the tunes of Elton John, Peter Allen, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury, Ray Charles and more. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Friday 5 September 7:30pm; theq.net.au

Once Upon A Grimm Night: You have stumbled onto the domain of the Narrator as characters of Everafter are spilling into our world. You must join the quest and uncover the truth. Tuggeranong Homestead, 6-8 September; odysseytheatre.com.au

Enemies of Grooviness Eat Sh!t: After a decade of playing within her spiritual access point and avatar, Betty Grumble performance artist Emma Maye Gibson re-emerges, bringing her latest offering. Canberra Theatre Centre, until 7 September; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Chicago the Musical: The longest-running Broadway musical finally arrives in Canberra, step back into the dazzling 1920s as two accused murderesses defend their innocence. Canberra Theatre Centre, 7-29 September; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Music fit for a King: Presents exquisite music by Mozart and Boccherini, two of the most celebrated composers from the ‘golden age’ of Classical music. Wesley Uniting Church, Saturday 7 September 7pm; trybooking.com

Yamandu Costa: One of the world’s greatest 7-string guitar virtuosos showcases the depth and breadth of Brazilian musical traditions. Snow Concert Hall, 7 September 7:30pm; snowconcerthall.com

Swing into Spring: Leisa and the Keen Kats, Canberra’s littlest big band with a big sound perform classics from the American Songbook with a unique flair. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Sunday 8 September 2pm; theq.net.au

Heroes and Villains: The National Capital Orchestra shares the magic of cinema through tunes of your favourite films. Snow Concert Hall, Sunday 8 September 3pm; snowconcerthall.com

EXHIBITIONS

Beaver Galleries: Presents two exhibitions – Compression by Alex Asch & Mariana del Castillo and Pictures From an Imaginary World by Thornton Waler. Beaver Galleries, 5-21 September; beavergalleries.com.au

National Threatened Species: The open photographic exhibition shines a light on Australia’s at-risk plants and animals. Wildbark at Mulligans Flat, 5 September – 11 December; belcoarts.com.au

Discovering Ancient Egypt: On loan from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities is a deep dive into the culture of the ancient society with more than 220 objects, spanning more than 3,000 years. National Museum of Australia, until 8 September; nma.gov.au

Sean Martin: The self-taught artist showcases a series of drawings and paintings in Anonymous Sentiment. Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Manuka, until 8 September; ccas.com.au

Ella Barclay: Presents works developed whilst on residency at ZK/U The Centre for Art and Urbanistics I Berlin. CCAS, Lakeside, until 14 September: ccas.com.au

ANCA Gallery: This is Not a Solo Show (v2) by Peter Sharp and Michelle Cawthorn explores how couples engage, collaborate or ignore each other’s arts practices. ANCA Gallery, Dickson, until 15 September; anca.net.au

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024: The 12 finalists for the Little Darlings competition that saw students from kindergarten to year 12 respond to the theme My Story through different mediums. National Portrait Gallery, until 15 September; portrait.gov.au

Malcolm Cooke: An exhibition highlighting more than five decades of practice, dedication and creating ceramics in 55. Canberra Potter Gallery, until 22 September;  canberrapotters.com.au

Cobi Cockburn: The contemporary artist uses glass, light and line to create works that explore the notion of the temporal nature of existence in Pink Moon. Canberra Glassworks, until 22 September; canberraglassworks.com

Other Worlds: Photographic exhibition by Aart Groothuis. A personal journey showing images from several countries and different subjects. Each image tells a story and evokes an emotional response. Humble House Gallery, Fyshwick, until 29 September;humblehouse.com.au

Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao: Experience the enduring art of the French Post-Impressionist Paul Gaugin through some his most recognised works. National Gallery of Australia, until 7 October; nga.gov.au

Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Showcases three exhibitions – Anitu, Old Gods, Beliefs and Superstitions by IDioM; Longing and Belonging a group show; and Kambah 50 a group exhibition. Until 12 October; tuggeranongarts.com

Plate to Plate: Local artist collective Hands on Studio! Collaborates with Robbie Karmel, Caren Florence and programs at Mulch! Community gardens in this exhibition. Megalo Print Studio, until 12 October; megalo.org

Rusten House Art Centre: Welcomes two exhibitions- Reflections in Blue by Melanie Lenaghan and Postcards from Queanbeyan by Queanbeyan Quilters. Until 20 October; qprc.nsw.gov.au