All corners of Canberra are set to come together this week with the return of Canberra Fair and Haig Park transformed into a Winter Wonderland.
Community spirit will also be on full display in Braddon with a Kate Bush flash mob and in Lyneham with the iconic lantern walk making a comeback.
Or if you’d prefer to keep warm indoors, there’s Harmonie German Club’s celebration of schnapps, a special rendition of Hans Zimmer’s film scores and more.
Friday
Schnappsfest 2023
When: Friday 28 July, 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah
Cost: $16.84 per person, book here.
Celebrate all things schnapps with Harmonie German Club this July. Expect beerhall games like Beer Puppeteer and Stein Hold, an authentic Oompah band playing traditional German Oktoberfest-style music and 20 different types of schnapps, alongside beer, wine and spirits. Plus, grab a bite to eat from Knuckles German Restaurant (from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm).
The Music of Hans Zimmer
When: Friday 28 July, from 7:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: $69.90 to $149.90 plus transaction fee, book here.
Experience Hans Zimmer’s breathtaking film scores live in concert with the George Ellis Symphony Orchestra. For one night only, more than a dozen of the legendary composer’s scores will be brought to life. Expect tracks from Gladiator, The Da Vinci Code, Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Kung Fu Panda, The Last Samurai and The Lion King.
Friday to Sunday
Antiques and Collectable Fair
When: Friday 28 to Sunday 30 July, various times
Where: Albert Hall, 100 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla
Cost: $10 to $12 per person entry donation (children free).
Search for a treasure or one-of-a-kind to take home this week and help raise money for a good cause. Up to 30 local and interstate dealers will showcase a blend of antiques, old-world nostalgia, books, art, jewellery, pottery, silver, bronzes, furniture, linen, glassware, gift ideas and more. All entry proceeds will go towards beneficiary charities supported by the Rotary Club of Murrumbidgee Canberra.
Saturday
The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever
When: Saturday 29 July, 10 am to 11 am
Where: Haig Park, Braddon
Cost: Free, no booking required.
Kate Bush-loving Canberrans of all abilities are invited to join in or watch as more than 100 people dressed in red perform their rendition of Bush’s 1978 Wuthering Heights music video this Saturday – all while raising money for the ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service. Dancers will warm up to Rubber Band Girl followed by two plays of Wuthering Heights and a fashion parade and prize for the best-dressed Wuthering Heights dog.
Intertidal: Jennifer Procter artist’s workshop
When: Saturday 29 July, 11 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway
Cost: Free, book here.
Join multi-disciplinary artist Jennifer Procter for an experiential workshop presented in support of her Intertidal exhibition. Jennifer will lead you in a guided seated meditation exploring the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. Follow on with movement practice and conclude with a cuppa and a short discussion on how body-centred practices can be a source of creativity.
Light Up Lyneham
When: Saturday 29 July, 3:30 pm to 8 pm
Where: Lyneham Shops and Wetlands, Lyneham
Cost: Free, view full program here.
Canberrans are invited to don their gloves and coat and join their neighbours and friends in the winter community tradition of Light Up Lyneham. The event will be ushered in by a pre-event family bike ride, followed by live entertainment, illuminated art installations, about 20 market stalls and the hallmark lantern walk from Lyneham Shops to the Lyneham Wetlands and back.
Sunday
Canberra Fair
When: Sunday 30 July, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: National Convention Centre, 31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra
Cost: Free to $30, book here.
Promising to provide ‘inspiration for any occasion’, Canberra Fair will showcase more than 100 providers of food, entertainment, photography, fashion, style, beauty, decor and everything in between from Canberra and the surrounding region. Plus a full roster of live entertainment, including two fashion parades, performances by aerial artists and dance troupes and live music.
Winter Wonderland at Haig Park Village Markets
When: Sunday 30 July and Sunday 6 August, 8:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Haig Park, Braddon
Cost: Free, no booking required.
Get into the winter spirit with a cosy community event beneath the pines of Haig Park. Think: toasting marshmallows over open fires, twinkling lights, steaming mugs of mulled wine, live local talent from magicians to marching bands, kids activities and multicultural cuisines. And of course, a range of market stalls with food, drinks, fresh produce and handcrafted artisan designs.
Wednesday
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice: A Dialogue
When: Wednesday 2 August, from 5 pm
Where: Llewellyn Hall, Building 100, William Herbert Place, The Australian National University, Canberra
Cost: Free, book here.
Hear diverse perspectives and learn more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum. A special panel moderated by Professor Mark Kenny will canvas key issues and points of contention relating to the Voice and respond directly to questions from local students and members of the general public.
Thursday
Sydney International Piano Competition First Prize Winner Recital
When: Thursday 3 August, 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest
Cost: $30 to $55, book here.
Award-winning Berlin-based pianist Jeonghwan Kim will bring his musical talent to Canberra fresh from being announced as the Grand First Prize winner of the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition. Kim emerged victorious from the competition known as ‘the Olympics of the piano’ in July after almost three weeks of gruelling competition against 31 other young pianists from around the world.