29 September 2016

8 things to do around Canberra this long weekend (30 September - 3 October)

| Amy M
Join the conversation
1
fashfest

Keep your fingers crossed for warm weather this Labour Day long weekend. Between Floriade Nightfest, Murrumbateman’s Moving Feast and the Living Green Festival, there are plenty of springtime activities to keep you busy. Less keen on the great outdoors? Buy a ticket to Fashfest, or ask your election candidates the tricky questions at Polit Bar on Friday evening.

All weekend

Fashfest 2016
When: Friday and Saturday (show one at 6.30pm, show two at 8.30pm, both nights) | Where: National Convention Centre
Canberra’s largest red-carpet, annual fashion event is back for 2016, showcasing new collections by over 40 local, interstate and overseas fashion designers. Kicking off on Thursday evening, each show is themed and begins with an original film. There are four shows over this weekend, starting with Praxis on Saturday at 6.30pm. Tickets start at $50, available from Ticketek.

floriade night fest

Floriade Nightfest
When: 6.30pm to 10.30pm, every night until 2 October | Where: Commonwealth Park
If one million flowering bulbs and annuals weren’t impressive enough, Floriade presents its popular after-dark experience NightFest across five illuminated nights. My picks: head to the food and wine market to enjoy local cuisine from producers like Mount Majura Vineyard, Frugii, Burrabee Farm and Canberra Cake Boutique. Tickets start at $27, available from Ticketek.

Art Cart: Bugs and Blooms
When: 11am to 4pm every day during ACT school holidays | Where: National Portrait Gallery
Looking for free ways to entertain the kids these school holidays? Art Cart: Bugs and Blooms offers free activities inspired by Floriade and the National Portrait Gallery collection for families to enjoy together.

makers of murrumbateman

Moving Feast – Makers of Murrumbateman
When: 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday | Where: Various Murrumbateman wineries and venues
Spend your weekend roving from winery to winery, indulging in the best food, wine and scenery the Murrumbateman region has to offer. Participating wineries and venues will offer fine food matched with their nationally and internationally recognised wines. For $20 savoury fare and $15 desserts, each winery will present a tasting plate matched to one of their wines.

Friday

Canberra 2016 election Q&A at Polit Bar
When: 6pm to 7pm, Friday | Where: Polit Bar, 8 Franklin Street Manuka
Do you have questions for candidates in Kurrajong? Drop by and ask them in person. Each candidate/party representative will have three minutes to share their key messages, followed by 30 minutes of moderated Q&A. You’ll have a chance to hear from Steve Doszpot MLA, Marea Fatseas, Jacob Gowor (representing Mr Roman Gowor, Liberal Democrats candidate for Kurrajong), Shane Rattenbury MLA, Rachel Stephen-Smith and Martin Tye (representing Oliver Tye, Sustainability Australia Party candidate for Kurrajong).

nerf arena westside

Saturday

Nerf arena at Westside Village
When: From 11am, Saturday | Where: Westside Village
You know it’s school holidays when the nerf guns come out. Kids of all ages can join in the fun this Saturday at Westside Village, with all nerf blasters and darts supplied. There are also plenty of other free activities including face painting, balloon modelling and rides.

Sunday

Living Green Festival
When: 10am to 4pm, Sunday | Where: Albert Hall, 100 Commonwealth Avenue Yarralumla
You don’t need to be a vegan or environmental crusader to enjoy the Living Green Festival. This free event features over 80 market stalls selling plant-based cuisine including pies, a cruelty-free barbecue, Mexican food, milkshakes, chai and ice cream. Kids can enjoy free rock climbing, face painting and arts and crafts, while dogs and their owners can relax at Carson’s Cafe, a cafe that caters for humans and canines.

aph meet the gardeners

Meet the gardener tour
When: 10.30am to 2.30pm, Sunday | Where: Parliament House
Parliament House gardeners will lead this in-depth tour through the gardens and hidden courtyards of Parliament House. You’ll see how they manage intricate systems and plantings that keep the gardens looking their best. The tour will finish with tea in Queens Terrace cafe. Tickets start at $50, available from Canberra Ticketing.

What are your plans this long weekend? Let us know in the comments.

Join the conversation

1
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

A scenic drive, not too far from Canberra, and a Sunny Sunday is forecast:
http://www.irishwoolfest.com.au/

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.