15 December 2021

Ten things to do in Canberra this week (17 - 23 December)

| James Coleman
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Clothing

The Canberra Fashion Food and Wine Market has been around for 20 years. Photo: Supplied.

Christmas is literally around the corner, but the events scene in Canberra isn’t taking leave just yet.

This week is your last chance to get to the Christmas Edition of the Sesame Street Spectacular circus, the Canberra Potters Christmas Fair, and late-night shopping in Yass.

Decorate gingerbread with Mrs Claus at Westfield Belconnen, refresh the wardrobe and pantry at the Canberra Fashion, Food and Wine Market, sit back and enjoy the sounds of Christmas by the Queanbeyan River, or pick up a new book to read over the holidays at the Lifeline Bookfair.

Over 170 items from the British Museum have also made the journey to Canberra for a new exhibition showcasing the drama of ancient Greece.

All week

Elmo and Santa Claus

It’s the last week of the Christmas Edition of the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular. Photo: Sesame Street Circus.

Sesame Street Circus Spectacular – Christmas Edition

When: Friday 17 December to Thursday 23 December, various times
Where: Majura Park Shopping Centre (Opposite Costco) – Majura Park
Cost: $27.99-$84.06 (children under-2 free). Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Santa is welcoming guests under the big top to the last week of the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular – Christmas Edition, along with all the Sesame Street favourites.

There’ll be a six-metre tall Christmas tree decorated with Sesame Street characters and thousands of twinkling lights. A professional Santa photo booth will be on-site to capture those precious memories during intermission and after the show.

All weekend

Gingerbread

Decorate ginger treats with Mrs Claus. Photo: Westfield.

Mrs Claus Gingerbread Decorating Workshops

When: 20 minutes sessions between 11 am and 2 pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 December
Where: Level 1 near the Food Court at Westfield Woden
Cost: Free; only open to Westfield Plus Members; find out more at Westfield.

Westfield Woden is hosting Christmas fun this weekend, with a gingerbread decorating workshop with Mrs Claus and her trusty helpers. The workshop comes with gingerbread cookies, coloured frosting and treats, which you can take home to share with the family (or keep all to yourself).

Friday

Books

Books at Lifeline Canberra Bookfair at Southern Cross Stadium Tuggeranong. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

Lifeline Canberra Book Fair

When: 9 am to 6 pm, Friday 17 December and 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday 18 December and Sunday 19 December
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: Gold-coin donation on entry.

After losing many events the past two years, Lifeline Canberra is overjoyed to go ahead with the Thoroughbred Park Bookfair to help raise funds for their 13 11 14 crisis support line. Aside from the vast array of reading material encompassing all genres and many languages, customers will be able to browse comics, maps, games, records, jigsaws and many other wonderful items.

Antiquity

A new exhibition illustrates ancient Greek history through more than 170 objects from the British Museum. Photo: National Museum of Australia.

Ancient Greeks: Athletes, warriors and heroes

When: Friday 17 December 2021 to Saturday 1 May 2022
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton
Cost: $28 for adult, $22.50 for concession, $14 for child, $70 for a family; book online.

This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition showcases the competitive spirit of the Ancient Greek world through sports, politics, drama, music and warfare, illuminated by more than 170 objects from the British Museum.

From large marble statues of athletes and gods to exquisite jewellery, from richly illustrated pottery to bronze weapons, the objects reveal a vibrant and innovative society that endures in its art, culture and legends.

pottery

Canberra Potters Society: if you can’t relive Ghost, at least get a nice bowl. Photo: Daniella Jukic.

Canberra Potters Christmas Fair

When: 10 am to 4 pm, Friday 17 to Sunday 19 December
Where: Canberra Potters, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson Arts Centre, Watson
Cost: Free.

Local potters and ceramicists will have a superb selection of ceramic art and pottery at the Canberra Potters Christmas Fair, ending this Sunday. Between the fair and the shop, it still isn’t too late to get that perfect gift at the perfect price with the added joy that you’ll be buying from a local maker.

people riding a miniature train

Join Canberra Miniature Railway for their Christmas on the Rails event – from 17-19 December 2021. Photo: CSMEE.

Christmas on the Rails

When: 5:30 to 9:30 pm, Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 December
Where: Canberra Miniature Railway, southern end of Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston
Cost: $15 per person, children under-3 travel free; tickets available at Trybooking.

The Canberra Miniature Railway is holding its biggest and most spectacular event of the year: Christmas on the Rails. They have Canberra’s biggest animated light show with thousands of computer-controlled lights and dozens of lit Christmas figurines. Even Santa will make an appearance.

The canteen will be open with delicious hot and cold food and drinks available for purchase. Enclosed footwear is required to ride the trains – no thongs or sandals allowed.

Carols Queanbeyan event poster

Christmas carols in Queanbeyan are on Friday, 17 December, from 6 pm at Queen Elizabeth II Park. Image: Carols Queanbeyan Facebook.

Community Christmas Carols Queanbeyan

When: 6 to 9 pm, Friday 17 December
Where: Queen Elizabeth II Park, 41 Morisset Street, Queanbeyan
Cost: Free.

Join in the fun at Queanbeyan’s community Christmas carols, held in the centre of town. Bring your friends and family, a picnic, something to sit on and your best singing voice.

Event poster

If I Could Save Her is an original play by Shaylie Maskell about a man on a mission to save his wife’s life. Image: If I Could Save Her.

If I Could Save Her

When: 7 to 9 pm, Friday 17 December to Saturday 18 December
Where: Canberra College Performing Arts Centre, 2 Launceston St, Phillip
Cost: $25-$30 plus ticket fee; tickets available at TryBooking.

If I Could Save Her is an original play written by Shaylie Maskell and produced by Green Oak Theatre.

Gryffen knows the exact date when his wife is going to die. He doesn’t, however, know how she dies or the events leading up to her death. In a desperate race against time, he fights to keep his family safe, with no idea whether or not he’ll succeed.

Sunday

Don’t expect any musty mothballs – the Canberra Fashion Market is a classy affair. Photo: Canberra Fashion Market.

Canberra Fashion Market

When: 10 am to 3 pm, Sunday 19 December
Where: The Fitters Workshop, Printers Way, Kingston
Cost: Free entry.

Discover new and pre-loved fashion at the Canberra Fashion Market, the home of fashion, shoes, bags, jewellery, accessories and more. You can also expect plenty of designer labels and a wide range of styles for women, men, teens and kids.

Entry and parking are free. The Canberra Fashion Market is held indoors, so is not affected by the weather.

Thursday

Santa

Late night shopping in Yass. Photo: Camilla Duffy Photography.

Yass Valley Late-night Shopping

When: 6 pm, Thursday 23 December
Where: Comur Street, Yass
Cost: Free entry.

The Yass Valley community has come together to prepare for Christmas and thank the frontline workers with late-night Shopping. There will also be markets set up, so you can browse and buy from other local vendors. This Thursday will be its last night.

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