29 October 2021

Ten things to do in Canberra this week (29 October - 4 November)

| James Coleman
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Beer

Oktoberfest and Melbourne Cup Day will bring on the beers. Photo: Louis Hansel.

The big news this week is that events are back!

The COVID-19 lockdown has released its grip on the ACT, meaning that all those events that were postponed are making a comeback. Venues are itching to bring the action back and give people a delicious or exciting reason to leave the house.

It just so happens to also coincide with the end of October, which means it isn’t too late to celebrate all that is German with Oktoberfest. Halloween is also lurking just around the corner, so expect to see a lot of skeletons, pumpkins and dress-ups.

The second day of November marks the day that stops the nation: Melbourne Cup Day.

All weekend

Oktoberfest

Enjoy a German-themed menu at The Durham over the weekend. Image: The Durham.

Oktoberfest at The Durham

When: Thursday 28 October t0 Sunday 31 October
Where: The Durham Castle Arms Pub, Kingston Shops, 52 Jardine Street, Kingston
Cost: Free entry; bookings essential – book online.

Oktoberfest is nearly upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with beer and German food? The Durham in Kingston will be featuring six different beers and food specials over the weekend that trace their roots back to Deutschland. There will also be the classic Aussie BBQ.

Friday

Halloween disco event poster

Lollipop’s Playland and Cafe is hosting a Halloween Disco on Friday, 29 October, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Image: Lollipop’s Playland and Cafe.

Halloween Disco – CANCELLED

When: 5 pm to 8 pm, Friday 29 October
Where: Lollipop’s Playland and Cafe Canberra, Majura Park Shopping Centre
Cost: $17.95 booking fee for kids 16 and under; adults over 16 free entry; tickets available online.

UPDATED Friday, 29 October 9:15 am: Following advice from ACT Health, indoor play centres will not be opening until the end of November. This event has been cancelled and all ticket holders issued a refund.

Saturday

Cottage Markets

The markets will bring a variety of stalls and handmade products to Rose Cottage. Image: Cottage Markets.

Canberra Cottage Markets

When: 9 am to 1 pm, Saturday 30 October
Where: Rose Cottage, 1 Isabella Drive, Gilmore
Cost: Free entry.

The Cottage Markets has a friendly atmosphere and a one-of-a-kind market environment located in the south of Canberra at Rose Cottage. Stalls will be selling handmade arts and crafts, plants, books, clothing and much more. Head over to the website to check out some of our stallholders.

Kingpin

The Kingpin bowling club is throwing a party for Halloween. Photo: Kingpin.

Dance with the dead at Kingpin

When: 8 pm to 11:59 pm, Saturday, 30 October
Where: Kingpin Canberra, Bunda Street, Civic
Cost: $60; 18+ plus only; tickets available online.

To celebrate the spookiest night of the year, Kingpin in Civic is throwing a scary-good party. You’re invited to “come dressed to kill”.

Sunday

Canberra Miniature Railway

Ride on a miniature train as the Canberra Miniature Railway opens again. Photo: Canberra Miniature Railway.

Canberra Miniature Railway

When: 10 am to 2:30 pm, Sunday, 31 October
Where: Canberra Miniature Railway, southern end of Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston
Cost: $10 entry for unlimited rides; food and drinks available for purchase.

The Canberra Miniature Railway is set to call out “all aboard” on Sunday, 31 October. Bring the kids, train enthusiasts, grandparents and neighbours. Enclosed footwear is required.

House of Bubbles van

Enjoy the great outdoors and get bubbly. Photo: House of Bubbles.

Sunday in the Park – Norgrove Park

When: 1 pm to 6 pm, Sunday, 31 October
Where: 56 Printers Way, Kingston
Cost: Free entry; no booking required.

Popping up in the lovely Norgrove Park, on the corner of Printers Way and Eyre Street, enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon near the shaded wetlands area in Kingston. A range of champagnes, prosecco, bubbles, beer, wine and cider will be on hand. Note that this is a card-only event.

Monday

Ronald McDonald promotional image

Join The Red Wig Challenge and Step Up for Seriously Ill Children. Photo: Ronald McDonald House Charity.

Ronald McDonald House Charity Red Wig Challenge 2021

When: Monday 1 November to Tuesday 30 November
Cost: $10 fee to register, find out more here.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities are asking people from Canberra and across the surrounding area of NSW to ride, walk, run, or glide your way towards your pre-determined number of kilometres this November.

They hope to raise at least $50,000 which will pay for almost 380 nights of accommodation to support families when their child is sick in hospital.

Vietnamese food

Learn to cook Vietnamese properly. Photo: Pialligo Estate.

Vietnamese Kitchen

When: 6 pm, Monday 1 November
Where: 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo
Cost: $129 per person; book online.

Learn to cook authentic Vietnamese cuisine at the Pialligo Estate Academy, across a range of traditional dishes using marinades, seafood and assorted salads. There will be bubbles on arrival, dinner, accompanying wines to enjoy and recipes.

Tuesday

Horse racing

Horse racing at Thoroughbred Park. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Melbourne Cup Day

Just because we’re not at Flemington doesn’t mean we Canberrans will be missing out on the action. Plenty of venues are raring to go. There will be racing at Thoroughbred Park, but if you just want to celebrate the occasion, Pialligo Estate and many other clubs, like the Canberra Southern Cross Club, and restaurants will be marking the occasion with drinks, dining and sweepstakes.

READ ALSO Your ultimate guide to enjoying Melbourne Cup Day in Canberra

Thursday

Tucker

Now that’s real bush tucker. Photo: National Museum of Australia.

Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp

When: 1 pm to 2:30 pm or 3 pm to 4:30 pm, Thursday, 4 November.
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton
Cost: $25 adult, $20 concession, $17.50 Museum Friends; book tickets online.

Join a seasonal walk through a living museum of Indigenous food and medicine plants from across Australia with Adam Shipp (Wiradjuri) of Yurbay Consultancies. Each tour finishes with the opportunity to sample some of the flavours found around the Canberra region.

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