Things to do in Canberra this festive season (20 December - 5 January)

Christmas and New Year’s are just about here, but don’t be fooled – Canberra doesn’t slow down as much as you may think! We’ve found lots of things to do over the break period, be it the much-anticipated return of Summernats, sunset cinemas, photography exhibitions or concerts by candlelight.

We’ve got enough to keep you occupied between the Christmas Day lunch and the New Year’s Eve blowout.

Multiple Days

Sunset Cinema

When: 20 December to 4 January
Where: The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $14 to $51.

Sunset Cinema returns to the Botanical Gardens over the summer, bringing the newest flicks with some time-honoured classics for good measure.

Catch the sunset, then sit down and watch a range of great new movies, such as Wicked, Paddington in Peru and Gladiator 2. Get some snacks and popcorn, or check out the licensed bar and the food truck for something a bit more substantial while you watch classics like Home Alone or the Christmas romance classic Love Actually.

Anne Dangar

When: 20 December to 5 January
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Level 1, Gallery 12
Cost: Free

An Australian pioneer of abstract art, Anne Dangar contributed to the European avante-garde in a way that almost no other Aussie did. She was an important figure in the field of cubism and brought her knowledge from her years in the French art scene back to Australia to advocate for modern art. This exhibition brings together her myriad artistic mediums, from ceramics to paintings and works on paper. Her pieces (especially ones like Gouache, 1936) have a sense of geometric planning, looking at once chaotic and intricately planned, her work with shape, colour and compositional balance reveals a deep understanding of her chosen styles.

Summer films at the NFSA

When: 20 December, 3 January, 4 January (check website for films)
Where: Arc Cinema
Cost: Tickets from $12 to $16.

Hitchcock staples, adaptations of Arabian folktales and the tale of a Buddhist monk grappling with faith and desire are all on the cards at the NFSA. The people at NFSA are always looking for the next film to show and they’ve searched far and wide for these international films to expand your cinematic universe.

20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

When: 20 December to 5 January
Where: National Archives of Australia, National Office, Kings Avenue, Parkes
Cost: Free.

The Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition has given Australian nature photographers a platform to show off their skills for two decades. This year, the National Archives will host a celebration of the medium at a time when interest in nature photography and documentary is at an all-time high.

This exhibition shows off the winners from each year of the competition’s run. Visitors will see how photography has evolved and how different methods, techniques and mediums have shaped nature photography. Featured shots are as large as the centre of a firestorm and as small as a frog’s head.

Pompeii Exhibition

When: Daily until 4 May
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cres, Acton
Cost: Adult $25, Children $12.50, Concession $20, Children under 5 get free entry. Tickets are available from the National Museum of Australia.

Step inside Pompeii and discover life in the ancient city before the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius almost 2000 years ago. Pompeii is the first time some of these newly discovered objects have been seen outside Europe.

Visitors will see stunning frescoes, jewellery, sculptures, pottery and other intriguing objects representing everyday life.

Summernats 37

When: 2 January to 5 January 2025
Where: Exhibition Park, Canberra (Mitchell, ACT)
Cost: Tickets vary; book here.

Revheads rejoice! Everyone else, cover your ears!

Summernats is just around the corner, and you can already hear the tyres begging for mercy.

Car enthusiasts show off their souped-up machines, and drivers perform eye-watering burnouts and doughnuts. It’s an all-around celebration of the internal combustion engine (especially the V8 kind).

Whether you’ve entered your car for a competition or you just want to spectate and watch the drivers rip it up, motorheads will always have something to look forward to at Summernats and 2025 looks to be no exception.

Canberra Cavalry v Adelaide Giants

When: The Series runs from Friday, 3 January, to Sunday, 5 January.
Where: Narrabundah Ballpark
Cost: Adult $23, Concession $17, Child $12. Tickets available here.

These games will be the Cavs’ first of 2025 and winning is their New Year’s resolution! The games will take place between the 3rd and 5th of January, with a doubleheader on the 4th.

Whether you’re a baseball fan or just looking for a great day out, the electric game-day atmosphere will keep you on the edge of your seat. Bring the whole family and cheer on the Canberra Cavalry – and spend the holidays with some new mates!

UC Capitals Games

When: Round 9 on Friday, 29 November, from 12:30 pm, Round 10 on Sunday, 5 January, from 12:30 pm
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $20, available from Ticketek.

With entertainment on and off the court, there’s no better way to spend your summer holidays than watching the UC Capitals at the AIS Arena.

Round 9 sees them go up against Perth Lynx. For round 10 they will be head-to-head with Geelong United. This is a team of up-and-coming superstars, so there will be a lot to cheer. Go Caps!

Friday

Candlelight Christmas Special: Christmas Movie Soundtracks

When: 20 December, 8:30 pm
Where: James Fairfax Theatre at the National Gallery of Australia
Cost: $83.

Christmas is in just a few days, so why not start the break period with some Christmas music from some of your favourite holiday movies? At this special concert, lit by candles to truly set the scene, you’ll listen to classics from The Nightmare Before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and much more. Watch the candlelight concert space for updates on upcoming performances in the Canberra area.

Saturday

Yoga in the Gardens

When: 21 December, 7 am to 8 am
Where: Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla
Cost: $20.

Early on Saturdays, the Canberra Hyatt Hotel hosts Yoga in the Gardens, where you can centre yourself, exercise and ditch the stress of the week surrounded by the luscious gardens of the hotel. The class is under the supervision of a senior instructor who will focus on strength, flexibility, health and wellbeing. If you want to start the holiday season with some spiritual and physical centreing, Yoga in the Gardens should already be on your calendar.

New Year’s Eve Canberra

When: 31 December (New Year’s Eve!)
Where: Lake Burley Griffin
Cost: Free.

The shores of Lake Burley Griffin are the best place to watch the fireworks this year. Celebrate the occasion at four main celebration hubs at Commonwealth Place, Rond Terrace, the lake shore at Regatta Point, and the Ferry Gate near Nerang Pool. Local DJs will provide the soundtrack and food trucks will provide the eats, so set up a blanket and toast the passing of the old and the birth of the new.

Friday

Gold Coast Turf Club Clan O’Sullivan Race Day

When: Friday, 27 December, from 12 pm
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: General admission is free.

Highlighted by the $50,000 Gold Coast Turf Club Clan O’Sullivan, the first leg of the $450,000 Gold Coast Turf Club Canberra Speed Series. There will also be a jumping castle and live music alongside the 10-race program.

Sunday

Tipsy Tea

When: Sunday, 5 January, 3 pm to 5 pm
Where: Yacht Club Balcony, Mariner Pl, Yarralumla
Cost: $95 Members / $115 Non-Members. Bookings essential.

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon by the lake with bottomless prosecco and three signature cocktails paired with a grazing station of traditional finger sandwiches and a selection of desserts.