Christmas is in the air around the Canberra region this weekend, 8-10 December.
Finish off your Christmas shopping or buy yourself a festive treat as the beloved Handmade Markets return for their last event of the year. Continue the shopping at the Canberra Potters Christmas Fair, or spend to help animals in need at the RSPCA ACT Shelter Christmas Market.
Take a picnic or buy a meal as you’re serenaded by the jolliest of festive tunes at Carols by Candlelight at Stage 88 on Saturday night.
Live performances include Canberra’s own ARIA Award winner Genesis Owusu at University of Canberra and the Thundamentals at The Baso in Belco.
EVENTS
Handmade Markets: The popular markets return just in time to finish your festive shopping; give the gift of handmade goods this Christmas. Exhibition Park, 8-10 December; handmadecanberra.com.au
Canberra Potters 2023 Christmas Fair: Looking for unique gifts? Local potters and ceramicists showcase a curated selection of ceramic art and pottery for sale at Watson Arts Centre, 8-17 December 10am-4pm.
RSPCA Shelter Christmas Markets: Support animals in need across our region with this festive fun day, featuring stalls, live performances, kids’ activities, dog photos, Christmas trees for sale, and the chance to adopt a new furry family member. RSPCA ACT, Weston, Friday 8 December 4-8pm; rspca-act.org.au
Carols by Candlelight: The annual event returns with performances from the Woden Valley Youth Choir and Canberra City Band. Bring a blanket and a picnic or choose from some of the region’s best food vendors as you listen to festive tunes. Stage 88, Saturday 9 December 6pm; facebook.com/CanberraCarols
Carols on the Lawn: An evening of community fun with kids’ activities, BBQ and festive carols. St Peter’s Anglican Church, 9 December 7pm; westonmolonglo.church
Christmas at OBDM: The iconic Old Bus Depot Markets at Kingston turn festive with handcrafted gifts, Christmas trees and photos with Santa. Sundays 10 & 17 December; obdm.com.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Trip A Little Light Fantastic: The Kim Harvey School of Dance presents their end of year production at Canberra Theatre Centre, 8-9 December; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Allen Stone: The powerful showman of soul brings his Off The Beaten Path Tour to UC Hub, University of Canberra, 8 December 7pm; moshtix.com.au
Carabosse: GDANCE presents its end of year dance concert with a showcase of artistry and grace in this immersive production. The Q in Queanbeyan, 9-10 December; theq.net.au
Canberra International Improv Festival: The improv comedy tournament returns with improvisers from around the world performing works before your eyes. The Street Theatre, City West, 6-10 December; thestreet.org.au
When You Wish Upon A Star: The Lisa Clarke Dance Centre presents their end of year production at Canberra Theatre Centre, 9 December 10am & 2pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Genesis Owusu: The multi-ARIA award-winning artist celebrates the release of his sophomore album, Struggler, with a national tour stopping in at UC Refectory. University of Canberra, Saturday 9 December 7pm; moshtix.com.au
Thundamentals: Back and ready to flex their live show skills, the beloved band brings the More This Life tour to The Baso, Belconnen, 9 December 7pm; tickets.oztix.com.au
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody: Thomas Crane and band Bohemian Rhapsody return to town with a brand new tribute show. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 9 December 7.30pm; theq.net.au
Deliverance: The Capital Dance Studio presents a showcase of their students and choreographers across two shows. Canberra Theatre Centre, Sunday 10 December 11am & 4pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Canberra Choral Society: Presents a Christmas concert full of choral music and carols from the Middle Ages to the modern day in Hodie Christus Natus Est. Wesley Uniting Church, Sunday 10 December 6pm; trybooking.com
EXHIBITIONS
Graduating Exhibition: The ANU School of Art & Design 2023 graduates showcase their works. ANU School of Art & Design, until 10 December; soad.cass.anu.edu.au
Wood Spirits Unearthed: Myron Mykytiuch showcases a collection of carved wood works crafted in the spirit of nature in recycled and repurposed materials. Yarralumla gallery, until 10 December; ygob.com.au
Illuminate 2023: The 10th annual exhibition of the Friends of the ANBG Photographic Group showcases photos taken within the Gardens of Australia’s unique flora and fauna. Australian National Botanic Gardens, until 10 December; parksaustralia.gov.au/botanic-gardens
Threatened Species Open Photographic Exhibition: Photographers from around Australia share their works to shine a light on our at-risk native plants and animals and celebrate the conservation practices that are supporting their plight. Wild Bark at Mulligans Flat, until 13 December; belcoarts.com.au
Creative Distractions: Artists Di Dibley, Roz Dibley, Anne Kennedy and Marion Schumacher present an exhibition in different mediums as a response to the natural world. Rusten House Art Centre, Queanbeyan, until 16 December; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Pacific Navigators: John Gould shares works informed by a fascination with how objects and artefacts reveal culture and history of place and people. Strathnairn Arts, until 17 December; strathnairn.com.au
Small Works: A showcase of over 100 small scale artworks in a variety of mediums from a collective of artists. Beaver Galleries, until 22 December; beavergalleries.com.au
BLAZE: The emerging artists showcase by the Canberra Contemporary Art Space features bold and challenging works as curated by Alexander Boynes. CCAS Parkes, until 27 January; ccas.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
Capturing Canberra: A display of Canberra Museum and Gallery’s recently acquired Press Photography Collection with over 3,500 images telling the story of our region. Canberra Museum and Gallery, Civic Square, until 28 January; cmag.com.au
Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize: Nearly 100 works share the rich history of the competition at the National Portrait Gallery, the final destination of the exhibition’s three-year tour. Until 28 January 2024; portrait.gov.au
On the Move: This new child and family exhibition takes you on a journey through different modes of transport in an interactive space. Canberra Museum and Gallery, until 28 January; cmag.com.au
Belconnen Arts Centre: Hosts four new exhibitions: Visual Expression from The Bunker Studio Artists; Scenes from the Mall from Spiros Coutoubas; Hesitation from Eliza Adam; DISCRIMINATE from John Brookes. Until 11 February; belcoarts.com.au/exhibitions
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