Ten things to do around Canberra this weekend (15–17 November)

SouthFest on Saturday includes stalls, food vendors, community art, activities, demonstrations, and heaps of live entertainment including dancing and live music. Photo: Supplied.

Plenty of outdoor events to choose from this weekend. On Saturday, head to Tuggeranong for SouthFest and then back up to Braddon in the afternoon for YesFest! Then on Sunday, the City Renewal Authority is hosting a Big Spring Picnic in Haig Park as part of Haig Park Experiments and ACT Cricket is hosting a community day of cricket at Phillip Oval. The Canberra Cavalry baseball team is playing two friendly games this weekend ahead of the opening of the 2019–20 Australian Baseball League season and Canberra United are playing their first game of the 2019–20 Westfield W-League season on Sunday afternoon against Perth Glory. The Wharf Review is also playing at the Canberra Theatre and the artists at Gorman House are opening up their studios to the public this Saturday as part of the DESIGN Canberra Festival.

All weekend

The Wharf Review

Where: Canberra Theatre
When: Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
The annual Wharf Revue opens in Canberra tonight and will run until next weekend, providing a much-needed dose of political satire. The show rakes through political dirt to find the comedy gold and much like the real political circus, the choreography is tight, the wigs are loose and the punchlines are loaded. It stars Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and pianist Phillip Scott. Tickets from $53 for adults, $50 for concession and $40 for under 27s. Book here.

Canberra Cavalry Season Opening Series

Where: MIT Ballpark, Narrabundah
When: Saturday 5:00 pm & Sunday 3:00 pm
Ahead of the 2019–20 Australian Baseball League season, the Canberra Cavalry are blowing away the cobwebs and playing two games this weekend. On Saturday, the Cavalry will play the Sydney Blue Sox at MIT Ballpark in Narrabundah and then on Sunday, they will play the Korean team, the SK Wyverns, also in Narrabundah. Sunday’s game is will be the first time a Korean team have played the Cavalry in Canberra. Tickets from $10 and include both games. Book here.

Friday

National Champions Golf Day

Where: Murrumbidgee Country Club, Kambah
When: 8:30 am–6:30 pm
Recruitment company Effective People is hosting a corporate golf day this Friday with all proceeds going to Lifeline Canberra, Menslink and Rise Above. The day will consist of a six-person ambrose competition with corporate teams of five supplemented with a player from either the Canberra Cavalry baseball team, UC Capitals basketball team or CBR Brave ice hockey team. Play 18 holes íncluding two ‘party’ holes and a charity hole. There will also be a breakfast, a silent auction, an island hole shootout and other activities. For more information email Effective People’s Dean Hill or Kris Milne.

Saturday

A Day in the Parc

Where: Parc Apartments, Macquarie
When: 11:00 am–2:00 pm
The Parc Apartments opposite the Jamieson Centre in Macquarie are hosting a community day this Saturday with live music, jumping castles, games and activities—including a scavenger hunt—and a free BBQ. Register here.

Yes!Fest

Where: Lonsdale Street, Braddon
When: From 3 pm
Yes!Fest returns to Londsdale Street this Saturday to celebrate the anniversary of the Yes vote for marriage equality. There will be dancing, music, drag, street art, food, drink and glitter! The festival will start at 3:00 pm with a family-friendly competition which organisers are calling the Rainbow Runway. Hosted by Felicia Foxx and judged by Electric Fields, contestants will have one minute on the Londsdale Street Rainbow Roundabout to demonstrate how fabulous they are! Then as the sun goes down, the party will ramp up with two distinct stages. Hopscotch will transform into Popscotch, playing pop and retro music and featuring fun pop performances hosted by local drag kings Zapp Backagain and Guy Alias. Whereas in the middle of Londsdale Street, the Electric Pride stage will feature more avant-garde, adult performances hosted by Shebah Williams. Performers include The Huxleys, Etcetera Etcetera, Charli Chapstick and Sarah Moany, Ellen Reed and many others.

Sunday

Big Spring Picnic

Where: Haig Park
When: 12:00 pm–5:00 pm
The City Renewal Authority is hosting a Big Spring Picnic in Haig Park this Sunday as part of its Haig Park Experiments project. There will be a picnic market with stalls selling wine, beer, baked goods, cheese, meats and everything you need for a delicious picnic; roving performers; live local music; and heaps of kids activities. Pack a picnic, invite your friends and bring your dog—they can have a go on the dog agility equipment—and celebrate Canberra in the springtime.

Canberra United vs Perth Glory

Where: McKellar Park
When: 4:00pm–6:00 pm
The Westfield W-League 2019–20 season kicks off this weekend and Canberra United’s first game is against last season’s grand finalists Perth Glory at home. Head to McKellar Park for a day of fun and games. Tickets from $9 and kids under 12 are free, book here.

Cricket All Stars for Mental Health Day

Where: Phillip Oval
When: From 12:00 pm
Cricket ACT is organising a community day to raise funds for Lifeline. There will be food; music; plenty of activities for the kids, including face painting and backyard cricket games; a raffle with massive prizes and, of course, cricket. The Northside Allstars will take on the Southside Allstars at 2 pm and then from 6:30 pm, the SCG XI will take on the Comets Old Boys. Entry is $10, kids under 12 are free.