Things to do in Canberra this week (28 February to 6 March)

There’s always plenty to see and do in Canberra, but there’s even more this week. We’ve got films old and new, art shows and performances, a panel discussion to inspire and, of course, the glorious return of Enlighten!

It’s all happening in the Capital, so let us bring you the best of what’s to come.

Multiple Days

Enlighten 2025

When: 28 February to 10 March
Where: Various locations, see website for more detail
Cost: Prices vary per event.

Enlighten is now in its 15th year, and the celebrations across Canberra are huge. With installations and events in the National Botanic Gardens, National Zoo and Aquarium, Mt Stromlo Observatory, NFSA and everywhere in between, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place in the Capital not getting into the Enlighten spirit.

Symphonies, exhibitions on history, science, art, live music, light shows, a food park and a short film festival are sure to get you excited for one of Canberra’s best events of the year.

The Omega Series

When: 28 February to 1 March and 5 March to 6 March
Where: Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit
Cost: Free.

Artist Pamela Irving re-contextualises discarded material into new novel creations. The foundational object for the series is a tin of sardines, an object made to be easily thrown away that nonetheless serves its utilitarian purpose perfectly.

The series is named for both the oil found in sardines and the final letter of the Greek alphabet, representing the product that the tin holds as well as the end of the product’s life cycle (and Revelation 22:13 while we are at it!)

Her art seeks to reflect the absurdity of material culture and its waste by breathing second life into objects now without use.

The National Zoo and Aquarium’s Enlighten Exclusive Tour

When: 28 February and 6 March, starting at 4:45 pm and 5:00 pm
Where: National Zoo and Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla
Cost: Adults $100, Children $77. Tickets available from The National Zoo and Aquarium.

The National Zoo and Aquarium hosts a special educational exclusive tour to celebrate Enlighten 2025.

The exclusive 90-minute guided tour will take you and your family through the fascinating stories and history of the zoo’s animals. A tour guide will take you through the zoo’s open range section, and you’ll get to feed one of the zoo’s many residents. Visitors with a fear of scaly creatures can face their fears by meeting a reptile ambassador.

With the zoo closed to the public, this is the perfect opportunity to explore without the crowds.

Fit to Print at the National Library of Australia

When: 28 February to 6 March
Where: Exhibition Gallery, National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West
Cost: Free.

The National Library has invited Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers to select the best images from the Fairfax Photo Archive for display at the library’s exhibition gallery. With images printed from original glass-plate negatives, Fit to Print explores the history of press photography in Australia in the early 20th century.

The exhibit gives life to a long-gone time in Australian history by showing us how the journos of yesteryear photographed and documented their countryman at play, work and leisure.

This week at the NFSA

When: 28 February to 2 March
Where: 1 McCoy Circuit Acton, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $12 to $20.

Never stale and always inspired, the NFSA brings a great mix of films this week, with something for every taste.

Their cult classics series brings you 1990’s Ghost. This showing of the classic romance with psychic mediums and sultry scenes of tandem pottery includes a pre-screening introduction and live performance by the irreverent and always hilarious drag artist Venus Mantrap.

Old Hollywood flair doesn’t get much better than Rita Hayworth. Catch her with Orson Welles in 1947’s The Lady from Shanghai. When a husky Irishman (Welles) agrees to bodyguard the beautiful, mysterious and married Elsa Bannister (Hayworth), he quickly finds himself in over his head, caught in a web of deceit.

Also showing is a very special double feature of The Great Train Robbery (1978) alongside the seriously retro The Great Train Robbery (1903). It’s a great pairing of one of America’s oldest surviving films that pioneered numerous techniques alongside a more modern retelling.

Saltbush

When: 4 March to 6 March 2025
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Cct
Cost: Tickets from $40 to $48, plus transaction fee. Tickets are available at the Canberra Theatre Centre.

This interactive performance invites children to play and explore as they are taken throughout the diverse landscapes of Australia, from river country to crowded cities and barren deserts, by a cast of two friends and their spiritual companion. Through technology like sensors and infrared cameras, the audience engages with the performance, making each iteration of the show uniquely meaningful to the individual.

Based on the Indigenous cultures of Western Australia, the story celebrates the connection between people, land and storytelling through dance, music and painting.

Book now, as tickets are quickly selling out.

Saturday

Karaoke with Mitch

When: 1 March, from 9 pm
Where: The Durham, 52 Jardine St, Kingston
Cost: Free.

There’s nothing wrong with singing in the shower or grabbing the hairbrush and belting out ‘Livin’ on a prayer’ in your lounge room. In your jocks. To the cat. But you’re better than that – it’s time you shared your undeniable vocal talent with the world!

So drop the brush, put on some pants and get out to The Durham and belt out some classics with Mitch!

Yass Picnic Races

When: Saturday 1 March 2025, 11:30 am to 5 pm
Where: Marchmont Racecourse, Gums Lane, Marchmont, Yass, NSW
Cost: Tickets start from $30 + service fee. Visit the Yass Valley website for more information.

This country picnic race atmosphere promises to keep all visitors entertained. Racing enthusiasts can enjoy on-track facilities, ladies, men and junior fashion on the fields, the iconic Yass patron foot races, plus free children’s entertainment and free transport from Yass’s main street.

Bring your picnic, bring an esky, find some shade and enjoy country racing!

Wednesday

United in Progress: Paving the way for tomorrow (panel lunch)

When: 5 March, 11:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Old Parliament House, 18 King George Terrace, Parkes
Cost: $180.

The Women in Information and Communication (WIC) organisation is hosting a panel lunch for International Women’s Day with a remarkable array of guests, including industry leaders, tech industry experts and top public servants to inform and inspire you in your life or career.

WIC is a non-profit fighting gender inequality in the tech field by promoting women in the sector and amplifying their voices.

First Wednesday Connect

When: Wednesday 5 March 2025, 5 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Level 4 ScaleUp Hub, 1 Moore Street, Canberra
Cost: Free. Registration here.

First Wednesday Connect (FWC) is a regular monthly networking event that aims to broaden the innovation ecosystem in Canberra and encourage collaboration.

Hear from Canberra’s emerging entrepreneurs as they take the stage in the high-intensity pitch blitz. Learn about groundbreaking innovations that are pinning Canberra on the map for The City of Innovation.

Thursday

Alliance Francaise French Film Festival 2025 – Opening Night Gala

When: Thursday 6 March from 6 pm
Where: Palace Electric Cinemas, 2 Phillip Law St, Canberra
Cost: Alliance Française & Palace members: $95, non-members: $100. Tickets available via French Film Festival.

Opening the Alliance Française French Film Festival and premiering in Australia, MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR is a dazzling biopic celebrating the life and music of the legendary Charles Aznavour, starring Golden Globe-nominated actor Tahar Rahim. On arrival, you can enjoy drinks, cheese and live music. After the film, the fun continues with a live DJ set, canapés and French wine.

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