Canberra is bursting with events this summer, offering something for everyone.
DinoFest Canberra: More than 30 huge dinosaurs will stomp into Acton for Canberra’s first-ever showing of the ultimate outdoor dinosaur event that has taken Australia by storm, featuring life-size, real walking and moving dinosaurs, Black Mountain Peninsula, Acton, 11 January to 2 February; dinofest.com
Raiders open training session: Fans can attend the Raiders Centre to watch an open training session as the Canberra Raiders prepare for their Las Vegas trip and the 2025 season. The team mascots, Victor and Velda, will be there and there will also be an opportunity to try out Wheelchair Rugby League, Raiders Centre, Braddon, 17 January, 2-4pm; facebook.com/share/12DFHnB2R5v
FLIGHT: Drone SkyShow + Night Markets The FLIGHT: Drone SkyShow + Night Markets returns to the National Capital on the Australia Day weekend for a series of shows to reflect, respect and celebrate the ever-evolving story of our nation, Commonwealth Place and Regatta Point, 24-26 January; nca.gov.au/events/flight-drone-skyshow-night-markets-2025
Festival of Speed: More than 200 of the world’s most exotic road and race cars will take part in the “ultimate garden party”. Cars will blast past the spectators around the purpose-built exhibition circuit. There will also be interactive trade stalls and a European food village, EPIC, from 4pm Saturday and 9am Sunday, 25-26 January; canberrafestivalofspeed.com
Australia Day Afro-Aboriginal Cultural Dance Fusion: An African and Aboriginal cultural showcase. Experience the fusion of cultures to celebrate Australia Day, with free food and drinks included, Yerrabi Pond District Park, Gungahlin, January 26, 1-5pm; eventbrite.com.au/o/celebration-of-african-australians-act-inc-8572581937
Canberra Lunar New Year Festival: Welcome the Year of the Snake with cultural performances, traditional food, live music and more, Woolley Street, Dickson, 1 February, 10am-10pm; events.canberra.com.au/whats-on/6752405b087b4181358ba1c5/canberra-lunar-new-year-festival
National Multicultural Festival: The iconic festival brings together more than 170 multicultural communities to share their culture, history and heritage through food, art, song and dance, Garema Place and Glebe Park, 7-9 February, Friday 5-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 10am-5pm; multiculturalfestival.com.au/
The Big Gay Yoga Day: A yoga, meditation, breathwork and sound healing event for the LGBTQ+ community, their friends and chosen family. Lead by four local queer wellness facilitators. It includes lunch and snacks. $5 from every ticket purchase will be donated to the queer youth charity Minus18, The Griffith Neighbourhood Centre, 15 February, 10am-4pm; andreasembodiment.com/biggayyogaday
2025 Royal Canberra Show: This year’s show will include BMX trick bicycles, showjumping, a grand parade, fireworks, dog races, animals, rides, showbags and more, Exhibition Park in Canberra, 21-23 February; canberrashow.org.au/
Pompeii: Step inside Pompeii and discover life in the ancient city before the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago. The exhibition is a multi-sensory immersive experience combining a 360-degree recreation of the volcanic eruption alongside more than 90 objects from the ancient city, National Museum of Australia, until May 4, 9am-5pm; nma.gov.au/exhibitions/pompeii
Lindy Lee: This exhibition brings together highlights from across the artist’s career as well as a monumental new installation and works on paper. Exploring themes of ancestry, spirituality, the environment and the cosmos, this display of new and recent works will shed light on Lee’s ever evolving and ambitious practice, National Gallery of Australia, until 1 June, 10am-5pm; nga.gov.au/exhibitions/lindylee/
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