Need some weekend plans? We have a book sale for a great cause, activities to get the kids out from under your feet (yes, school holidays are back … again), we have a four-course dinner with matching cocktails (now we’re talking!), a chance to meet new people (and maybe have your next great idea) and some live music – and that’s not all.
Multiple days
When: 26 September to 28 September; shows at various times
Where: The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Civic
Cost: Tickets cost between $39 and $56 (plus transaction fee) and are available via the Theatre Centre’s website.
ARC is an extraordinary story of self-discovery and wonder – but above all, it’s a look at our natural world. The show is a chance for young people to get up close and personal with snow leopards, hammerhead sharks, microbats, elephants, and more animals (all in puppet form), with chances for audience involvement. Which of the puppets will be your favourite?
The show may contain haze, strobe lighting and loud sound effects and is suitable for kids aged five or older (or younger with parental discretion).
Lifeline Canberra September Bookfair
When: 27 September (9 am to 6 pm), 28 September (9 am to 5 pm), 29 September (9 am to 4 pm)
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), corner of Northbourne Avenue and Flemington Road
Cost: Entry is via gold coin donation.
Lifeline Canberra’s Bookfair is returning to the northside for three days of book sales – and fundraising for a good cause. The organisation has spent months accepting and sorting through donations of a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books (including rare books and collectables), children’s books, textbooks, magazines, sheet music, maps, records, jigsaws and more. It is now your turn to browse their collection and give the items a new home.
If you’ve done some spring cleaning and have some books you want to give a new lease on life to, bring them along – donations will be accepted on-site.
Make a Mini Musical with Mr Tim and Ms Nath
When: 30 September to 4 October, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway
Cost: Tickets cost $450 per child and are available via TicketTailor.
Get the kids out from under your feet and send them off to burn off some energy in this five-day workshop. Mr Tim and Ms Nath will guide the children as they create and develop a mini-musical – complete with story, songs and dialogue, as well as props and backdrops.
On the last day, the kids will take to the stage in a public performance at the TAC Theatre. The workshop is aimed at kids aged between eight and 13, and no experience is necessary.
The Jetty’s beer garden opening
When: from 29 September, 11 am
Where: The Jetty Bar and Cafe, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free entry.
Keen for a chance to relax after a long day? Head to the beer garden at The Jetty and enjoy a drink or two – and if you get there this weekend, you can be among the first to enjoy it this spring. If you’re after a feed, Fricken and Hem & Co Pizza are on hand to make sure no one goes hungry.
Friday
All in Good Spirits Dinner
When: 27 September, from 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Yacht Club, Lotus Bay, Mariner Place, Yarralumla
Cost: Tickets cost $95 per person and are available via the venue’s online booking system.
Did someone say dinner and drinks? Canberra Yacht Club has partnered with Underground Spirits for this dinner. Sip a Rhubarb Gimlet cocktail when you arrive before enjoying a four-course menu presented by Executive Chef Bradley Howden – complete with matching cocktails. The menu includes a gin-cured ocean trout, a dragon fruit and pear salsa and Hawkesbury duck. As for the drinks, you will enjoy a Hugo Spritz, Pink Dragon fruit Martini, and Cherry Blossom. The night closes with dessert, paired with caramel vodka.
People will be seated at tables of 10, meaning anyone booking individually or in smaller groups will be placed on shared tables.
Lakeside at 5: Rachael Thoms Trio
When: 27 September, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm (bar open from 5 pm)
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway
Cost: Entry by donation.
Rachael Thoms (vocals), Lachlan Coventry (guitar) and Chris Pound (bass) will sooth your worries from the working week at the next instalment of Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s monthly jazz program, Lakeside at 5. Unwind after a long week with the trio – all you have to bring is yourself.
Saturday
Hops & Hooves Festival Race Day
When: 28 September, from 12 pm
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: General admission tickets cost $21.95 and are available via Thoroughbred Park’s website.
Thoroughbred Park, home of the Canberra Racing Club, will celebrate the region’s best producers, distillers and wineries. Producers from across the ACT and NSW will showcase their wares and food vans will make sure no one goes hungry.
Footy fans will gather to watch the Swans do battle against the Lions in a dedicated watch area, and attendees can also enjoy the live music and spring racing. Hop to it!
Kids Day Out
When: 28 September, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa Drive, Tharwa
Cost: Tickets cost $10 for adults, $20 for children and $50 for families and are available via Humanitix.
Sends the kids off to run around the expansive gardens at Lanyon Homestead this Saturday. They can test their problem-solving skills in the garden discovery challenge, paint a flower portrait, tackle crafty activities and even try their hands at some science experiments.
Sunday
Le Cheeserie x Mount Majura Vineyard Cheese and Wine Masterclass
When: 29 September, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: Canberra Museum and Gallery Pop-Up Bar, Canberra Museum and Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Civic
Cost: Tickets cost $90 (plus booking fee) and are available via Humanitix.
Le Cheeserie and Mount Majura Vineyard are setting up an afternoon of fine wine and artisanal cheese pairings. Attendees will taste four cheeses paired with four wines – and maybe find a new favourite.
The pop-up bar will pour its last drinks on 29 September, so make sure to see what the city offers in the after-work hours. It features wines from Ravensworth Wines, craft beers from Capital Brewing Co, and artisanal cheeses from Le Cheeserie.
Family Fun Day
When: 29 September, 11 am to 3 pm
Where: lawns near Southern Cross Yacht Club, Yarralumla
Cost: Free entry.
The lawns of the Yacht Club will be taken over with a day of family fun. Send the kids off to enjoy free activities with Kidtastic, a visit from Canberra Reptile Zoo, roving entertainment with Warehouse Circus, lawn games and more. The young and young-at-heart alike can also check out a range of food and beverage stalls, as well as visits from community organisations.
Tidbinbilla Open Day
When: 29 September, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Tidbinbilla Reserve Road, Paddys River (off Paddys River Road via Cotter Road or Tidbinbilla Road via Point Hut Crossing/Tharwa)
Cost: Free entry.
Get outside and into nature when Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve opens its doors to the public. Make some animal friends during your visit and enjoy live music, food stalls operated by local businesses and community groups, as well as kids activities (like face-painting and NaturePlay activities with ParkCare volunteers). For those interested in exploring nature, there will be displays from the National Parks Association of the ACT, ACT Wildlife, Tidbinbilla Pioneers Association, Canberra Bushwalking Club and Brindabella Bushwalking Club and the bravest of us can check out a snake display and talks by ACT Snake Removals. This event is cash only.
Monday
Palate Cleanser
When: 30 September (from 5:30 pm) and 1 October (at various times)
Where: Such and Such, 220 London Circuit, Civic
Cost: Tickets are between $110 and $350 and are available via the venue’s online booking system.
Palate Cleanser is a two-night collaboration that combines art and food. Organised as part of the 2024 Canberra Art Biennial, previous Rochford head chef Nagesh Seethiah will create a treat for the stomach, while diners will treat their eyes to an internal exhibition curated by Grace Blake featuring Jac Bradley, Tully Moore and Shaun Hayes.
The restaurant will display locally designed and hand-crafted objects, including glasses, vases and coasters. Diners will also be able to tour the public art sculptures positioned outside for the Biennial.
Wednesday
Australian Transplant Games 2024: Community Triathlon
When: 2 October
Where: Stromlo Leisure Centre, Stromlo Forest Park, Dave McInnes Road, Stromlo
Cost: Single entry costs $45, group entry costs $80; participants can register online.
Are you ready to put your body on the line? The Australian Transplant Games aim to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation through a triathlon. Adults can tackle a 600 metre swim, a 19 km bike ride, and a 5 km run, with individual and group entries available.
First Wednesday Connect October 2024
When: 2 October, 5 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Ann Harding Centre, University of Canberra, 24 University Drive, Bruce
Cost: Free entry, though attendees need to register via Eventbrite.
Make some new mates (or become inspired for your next great idea) at this monthly networking event. These sessions are organised by the Canberra Innovation Network and seek to bring entrepreneurs, students, mentors and investors together.
This October, the session is being held at the University of Canberra campus in Bruce. (It will also be photographed – let the photographer know on the day if you’d prefer to stay low-key.)
Deadly Dialogues: Karlie Noon and Celeste Carnegie
When: 2 October, 6 pm to 7 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes; view live online via the Library’s Facebook and YouTube pages
Cost: Free entry; registration via StickeyTickets is essential for in-person attendees.
When was the last time you thought about how the stars got their names? Astrophysicist and author Karlie Noon will sit down for a chat with technology communicator Celeste Carnegie. They will talk about the astronomic heritage of Noon’s Kamilaroi People and her journey as an ambassador for youth and astronomy.
The discussion is the latest instalment of the National Libary’s Deadly Dialogues series, which brings together experts to chat about the knowledge from First Nations people’s diverse cultures.
Thursday
Canberra Community NAIDOC Celebration
When: 3 October, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Canberra College, 2 Launceston Street, Phillip
Cost: Free entry.
The ACT Community Sector is inviting the public to join their celebration for their 10th annual NAIDOC celebration. Billy T will deliver a Welcome to Country and perform the Smoking Ceremony before Uncle Johnny Huckle provides sweet sounds during the celebration of First Nations culture and achievements at Canberra College.
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