Get all your Christmas shopping done this weekend at the Canberra Christmas Markets. File photo.
There are plenty of opportunities to get your Christmas shopping done this weekend without having to go to a shopping mall. The AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market is on Friday and Saturday, the Old Bus Depot Markets are open Saturday and Sunday, and both the Handmade Markets and the Canberra Christmas Markets are on this weekend at Exhibition Park. And if you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit, there are also carols at Lanyon Homestead or a Christmas picnic in Weston Park on Saturday and a Very Kranksy Christmas at the Canberra Theatre on Sunday. For those of you wanting to escape Christmas, at least for this weekend, the Canberra International Improvisation Festival is on all weekend at the Street Theatre.
All weekend
Indigenous Art Market
Where: AIATSIS, Acton Peninsular (next to the National Museum of Australia)
When: Friday 10 am–6:30 pm & Saturday 10 am–4 pm
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is having its annual Indigenous Art Market this Friday and Saturday. There will be stalls selling paintings—both traditional and contemporary—sculptures, pottery, jewellery, textiles and homewares. There will also be jewellery-making workshops, didgeridoo performances and food and drink. See the works of the following artists at the market:
- Loretta Halloran—Ngunnawal Pottery Artist & Traditional Owner
- Lynnice Church—Ngunnawal Artist
- Warlukurlangu Artists—Yuendumu, Northern Territory
- Tiwi Design—Nguiu, Bathurst Island, Northern Territory
- Leah Brideson—Contemporary Aboriginal Artist, Canberra
- Waringarri Aboriginal Arts—Kununurra, Western Australia
- Djilpin Arts—Beswick, Northern Territory
- Ikuntji Artists—Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
- Warnayaka Art – Lajamanu—Lajamanu, Northern Territory
Canberra Christmas Market
Where: Fitzroy Pavilion, Exhibition Park
When: Saturday & Sunday 9 am–3 pm
The Canberra Christmas Market is on at Exhibition Park this weekend. It will feature local creators, designers and artisans selling decorations, gifts, homewares, fashion, jewellery and even presents for pets. The market is a foodie’s delight, with stallholders selling gingerbread, Christmas puddings, specialty preserves and other festive food.
Handmade Market
Where: Budawang and Coorong Pavilions, Exhibition Park
When: Friday 5–9 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am–4 pm
The Handmade Markets is having its Christmas market this weekend. With stalls selling wares from 260 local and interstate designers and producers, it is a great place to get your Christmas shopping done. There will be stalls selling art, books, fashion, kids’ stuff, Canberra-themed produce, furniture, homewares, food, stuff for the garden and more. All set in a relaxed environment with plenty of food and good coffee to sustain you and live music to enjoy.
Christmas Markets at Old Bus Depot Market
Where: Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston
When: Saturday & Sunday 10 am–4 pm
The Old Bus Depot markets are open on Saturday and Sunday for every weekend between now and Christmas. The markets sell handcrafted homewares, fashion, artworks and jewellery, as well as food and drink.
The Illusionists
Where: Canberra Theatre
When: Friday 7 pm, Saturday, Sunday 3 & 7 pm
The Illusionists is a Broadway show opening in Canberra this weekend. It features eight illusionists and is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic. There will be grand illusion, levitation, mind-reading, and disappearances! The show is on until December 16, tickets are $99 for Premium, $79 for A-Reserve and $45 for children, book here.
Canberra International Improvisation Festival
Where: The Street Theatre
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Previously known as Improvention, the Canberra International Improvisation Festival is Canberra’s annual festival of unscripted theatre and comedy. It started on Tuesday and runs until Sunday night, with workshops to attend during the day and performances to see at night. This year, the festival is hosting performers and directors from France, Taiwan, Poland, Japan, Germany, Estonia, USA, Philippines, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Singapore, Greece, Sweden, United Kingdom and Austria, as well as local performers. Many of the shows are staged as double bills, and across the weekend is the Theatre Challenge where ten improvisers battle it out in heats on Friday and Saturday night for a place in the Grand Final on Sunday night. Ticket prices for shows vary, check out the program and buy tickets here.
Saturday
Lanyon Christmas Carols and Picnic
Where: Lanyon Homestead
When: 5–9 pm
Experience a nineteenth century Christmas this Saturday at the Lanyon Homestead. The homestead will be lit by candles and decorated for Christmas. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful Lanyon gardens and join in the carol singing with the Sing Australia Choir and Tuggeranong Valley Band. There will also be Christmas ornament-making for the kids and a sausage sizzle. The carols start at 7 pm. Tickets are $10+bf, book here.
Yarralumla does Christmas
Where: Weston Park
When: 5–7:30 pm
Yarralumla is celebrating Christmas this weekend in Weston Park. There will be a concert, bubble-blowing, tree decorating, coffee, ice-cream, and a prize for the best decorated bike or trike! Bring a blanket and picnic. Head to the Yarralumla Primary School if it’s raining.
Sunday
A Very Kransky Christmas
Where: Canberra Theatre
When: 7:30 pm
The Kransky sisters are inviting you to their dysfunctional family Christmas this Sunday. It will be a traditional affair with eggnog, panty-hose and painted chokos. Their musical tastes span many genres. Expect covers of Enya and Daft Punk and renditions of traditional Christmas tunes such as Silent Night and The Twelve Days Of Christmas, all accompanied by an unusual array of instruments including a cheese grater, toilet brush, tuba and musical saw. Tickets are $54.90 for adults and $49.90 for concession, book here.
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