Whatever the weather, there’s plenty on in and around Canberra this weekend, 8-10 April – which is also the start of the ACT autumn school holidays. From a free fan day with the Matildas to heritage festivals in the ACT and Queanbeyan-Palerang regions, if you’re looking for something to do, somewhere to go, check out our handy guide below.
Pixar Putt: Australia’s much-loved pop-up mini-golf phenomenon, Pixar Putt, opens at Civic Square in Canberra City from 8 April through to 1 May. Tickets on sale now via www.pixarputt.com.au
READ MORE: Pixar Putt set to take Canberra to infinity and beyond this April!
Hamlet: Bell Shakespeare’s critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at The Playhouse, Civic, 7-16 April. Tickets: canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Canberra Choral Society: Rejoice in the Lamb, English sacred music for choir and organ, on Friday 8 April 7pm at Wesley Uniting Church, Canberra; and Saturday 9 April 2pm at St Saviour’s Cathedral, Goulburn. Tickets: www.trybooking.com/872849 or at the door (cash only).
Carbon Neutral: An exhibition of works by contemporary Australian artists that addresses the climate crisis, at Canberra Contemporary Art Space, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes until Sunday 10 April; open 11am-5pm.
John Williamson: Brings his popular Winding Back tour to the Southern Cross Club, Woden, 8 April 8pm; johnwilliamson.com.au
Canberra and Region Heritage Festival: A celebration of our local heritage with a host of events across Canberra, 9 April–1 May.
Saturday 9 April – Duntroon Dairy Open Day: Enjoy a day of activities at one of Canberra’s oldest European buildings and an important part of our local heritage. There will be tours and talks about Duntroon Dairy, entertainment, refreshments, classic cars, stalls and things to do for the whole family. Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language session: Join members of the Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Aboriginal Corporation to learn Ngunnawal greetings and children’s songs. Guided and self-guided cemetery tours: Ever been curious about how you will be commemorated, and how your history will be preserved? Learn more on a guided tour of Gungahlin Cemetery. Or download the map and take a self-guided tour of the Woden Cemetery including the resting places of notable Australians like author Bryce Courtney. Canberra fire museum open day: Visit the historic Forrest Fire Station, opened in 1939. Enjoy our exhibitions of equipment, uniforms and vehicles, including our new displays, and take a tour to discover astonishing stories of Canberra from the firefighter’s perspective.
Sunday 10 April – Junior Heritage Walks: Join the Conservation Council ACT Region and Friends of Jerrabomberra Wetland as we explore the natural treasures that live in and around Jerrabomberra Wetlands! Roaring twenties in Reid: Dress to impress! Follow historic signposts and hear stories of the time from guides in their glad rags. Bring something to sit on and a picnic to enjoy in Dirrawan Gardens Reid at walk’s end. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BXKSI. Tuggeranong Schoolhouse Museum open day: Tour the Tuggeranong Schoolhouse, now a museum, and an excellent example of an 1880 schoolroom with attached schoolmasters residence.
You can also find more information about what’s on in this year’s Canberra and Region Heritage Festival on the Heritage Festival website.
READ MORE: Curious about Canberra? Come to the Heritage Festival
Canberra Classic Boatfest: See traditional boats, both restored old ones and new recreations, out on Lake Burley Griffin on the weekend of 9-10 April. See the boats at Lotus Bay, near Canberra Yacht Club from 9am on Saturday or on the water later that day or again during the Grand Parade from Lotus Bay to Kingston Harbour on Sunday morning.
READ MORE: Ahoy! Canberra Classic Boatfest on Lake Burley Griffin
Queanbeyan Palerang Heritage Festival: An opportunity to celebrate the unique history of the region, 9 April–14 May; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Greek Cultural Festival: Back by popular demand, the Agora returns to the National Museum of Australia, Saturday 9 April 10.30am-4.30pm; nma.gov.au/greek-festival
Saturday Afternoon Tunes:Â Free live music in Gungahlin at Yerrabi Pond District Park, Saturday 9 April 3-5pm;Â belcoarts.com.au
Matildas Fan Day: The Commonwealth Bank Matildas will hold a free Fan Day this Sunday 10 April at Viking Park in Canberra. Football fans will be able to watch the Matildas train from 10am followed by a player signing session, where gates open at 9.30am. The Matildas will train ahead of the Young Matildas arriving for their match against the New Zealand Junior Football Ferns, which is free for all to attend and kicks off at 2pm. Fans can also get involved in a series of free activities including face painting and football skills sessions run by Capital Football.
Old Bus Depot Markets: Canberra’s much-loved markets have returned to the Old Bus Depot in Kingston every Sunday 9.30am-2.30pm; obdm.com.au
National Capital Orchestra: Conducted by Louis Sharpe with talented young Canberra cellist James Monro in the monumental Cello Concerto by Antonin Dvorak at The Q, Queanbeyan, Sunday 10 April 3pm; theq.net.au/whats-on/productions/national-capital-orchestra-dvorak/
Polifemy: Women’s vocal ensemble directed by Robyn Mellor present Palms Ashes Rebirth, music from the Renaissance for Palm Sunday and Holy Week, at Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, Sunday 10 April 5pm. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BXSDT
Belconnen Arts Centre: Hosts new exhibition, Precious by Cam Michael, until 15 May; belcoarts.com.au
The 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Featuring 35 artists from across Australia, the exhibition, titled Ceremony, is on now at the NGA until 31 July. Bookings: nga.gov.au
READ MORE: NGA Indigenous Art Triennial ‘another stitch in a timeless heritage’
Canberra Potters: The Watson Gallery hosts new exhibition, Connections: EASS 2022, 7 April-1 May; canberrapotters.com.au
Rusten House: The Queanbeyan venue hosts new exhibition Site Specific – artists respond to Rusten House, 8-30 April; qprc.nsw.gov.au
Queanbeyan Quilters: Their 2022 exhibition with more than 100 quilts at Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall, 9-10 April.
Jenny Blake: The Canberra artist’s solo exhibition Tipping Point is at Gallery 2 Strathnairn Arts, Holt until 1 May; strathnairn.com.au
