The Canberra Day long weekend is here, 10-13 March, and CW helps you celebrate our national capital’s 110th birthday with a list of entertainment and events happening around the region. Happy birthday, Canberra!
The Enlighten Festival continues with the Canberra Balloon Spectacular joining the fun bright and early each morning from Saturday 11 March. The Alliance Française French Film Festival keeps you entertained no matter the weather with a taste of France on the screen at Palace Electric.
Celebrate Pride month with FreshOut Fair Day on Saturday – think live entertainment, glamorous music and drag queens, stalls and a pet parade at Glebe Park.
Monday is a public holiday to celebrate Canberra. Why not visit a long-standing tradition at the National Sheep Dog Trials at Hall Showgrounds? Or you could learn about the history and people of the region at Canberra Museum and Gallery’s Canberra/Kamberri, People and Place exhibition, to be officially opened by Chief Minister Andrew Barr.
EVENTS
French Film Festival: Alliance Française brings a season of French cinema to Australia with 39 films showcasing the country and their people. Experience the AFFFF in Canberra at Palace Electric, 9 March-5 April; affrenchfilmfestival.org
Enlighten Festival: Canberra’s iconic institutions come to life with colour and moving images in the nightly Illuminations in the National Triangle. Grab a bite at the street food night markets, spot prehistoric creatures in Civic Square, or catch one of great activities on offer in and around Canberra City and the National Triangle, 3-19 March. For full details, head to enlightencanberra.com
It’s Not Rocket Science – Kids Space Workshops: The Space Station pop-up will play host to a range of intergalactic workshops and interactive pods, including a mix of educational games. Workshops for Jet Pack Making, Alien Slime, and Alien Headband cost $10 per person. Canberra Centre, 10-12 & 17-19 March; canberracentre.qicre.com
Antique and Collectible Fair: The Rotary Club of Murrumbidgee Canberra brings their seasonal collectible event back to Albert Hall, Yarralumla, 10-12 March.
Canberra Comedy Festival: Bringing laughs with its huge line-up of comedy superstars, the festival spreads joy across the capital at various venues, 10-26 March; canberracomedyfestival.com.au
Lights! Canberra! Action!: With just 10 days’ notice, local filmmakers are tasked with including 10 items from Canberra in their short films, and the final products are showcased at this short film festival. Senate Rose Gardens, Old Parliament House, Friday 10 March 7pm; enlightencanberra.com
Canberra Balloon Spectacular: It’s that time of year when Canberrans look to the skies in the early hours to check out the incredible display of colour and imagination; for nine mornings, hot air balloons float across Canberra with daily lift-off from Patrick White Lawns, weather permitting, 11-19 March; enlightencanberra.com
FreshOut Fair Day: The Territory’s biggest LGBTIQA+ event with live entertainment, a pet parade and over 50 market stalls from members of the community. Celebrate pride and diversity in this free day out at Glebe Park, Saturday 11 March 11am-5pm; freshout.au
FLiCKERFEST: Catch some the highlights of the country’s biggest Australian and international short film competition. Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, 11 March 7pm; goulburnpac.com.au
National Sheepdog Trials: Celebrating 80 years of dedication, passion and talent of Australian sheepdogs and their handlers. Hall Showgrounds, 13-19 March; nationalsheepdogtrials.org.au
Cockington Green Gardens: Visit the beloved miniature gardens for just a $5 entry fee with funds donated to Raw Potential Canberra as part of the Hands Across Canberra Giving Day Appeal. Cockington Green Gardens, Gold Creek, Monday 13 March; cockingtongreen.com.au
LIVE PERFORMANCES
New Owner: Go on an adventure through the eyes of a dog, and learn about how relationships grow, change and end in this children’s production from The Last Great Hunt. Canberra Theatre Centre, 9-11 March; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Ascent: Sydney Dance Company peppers classical contemporary with futuristic experimentation in this triple bill from local and international artists. Canberra Theatre Centre, 9-11 March; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
I Have No Enemies: Bare Witness Theatre Co. presents a play exploring the uncomfortable truths of living life through a lens. Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon, until 11 March; ainslieandgorman.com.au
Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges: The New Orleans blues artist brings his styling to Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, 10 March 7pm; canberrabluessociety.com.au
Busby Marou: Last tickets! One of the country’s favourite live acts bring their unique sounds to Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo, 12 March 6.30pm; tallagandrahill.com.au
EXHIBITIONS
The Essence of Space: The harmonics of space and light come together in abstract paintings by Magda Cebokli, at Nancy Sever Gallery until 9 April; nancysevergallery.com.au
Aventurine Spirit: A selection of works from renowned glass artist Tom Rowney focusing on Venetian traditions. Canberra Glassworks, Kingston, 9 March-7 May; canberraglassworks.com
Kate Baker: Research and art collide in Beyond the Material – At the Intersection of Glass and the Digital Image. ANU School of Art and Design Gallery, 10-23 March; soad.cass.anu.edu.au
Heaven and Earth: Solo exhibition of photography and soft pastels by Marilyn Hutchinson, focussing on the interconnections between sky, land and water. All are welcome to the official opening on Saturday 11 March 2pm and Artist Talk on Saturday 25 March 2pm. Humble House gallery, Fyshwick, 11 March-9 April; humblehouse.com.au
Strathnairn Arts: Welcomes two new exhibitions to its galleries – Amelia Mollett’s collage and mixed media pieces in Shorelines, and Cassandra Dove’s acrylic and mixed media works in The Heartland. Strathnairn Arts, Holt, until 12 March; strathnairn.com.au
Canberra/Kamberri, Place & People: Discover the story of Canberra as the place where nationhood found a home – the people, places and history that make up this city and region. Through objects, artworks and moving images, explore the stories of the people who have always been on this country and those who have come to make their lives here. Canberra Museum and Gallery, launching 13 March 12pm; cmag.com.au
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