8 May 2023

Things to do in Canberra this Mother's Day (14 May)

| Travis Radford
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Haig Park markets

Haig Park Village Markets will host its annual ‘Mumfest’ celebration this Mother’s Day, with market stalls and much more. Photo: Haig Park Village Markets.

With celebrations abounding in the capital, there’s sure to be something to please all types of Mums this Mother’s Day (14 May).

If you’re after tasty nibbles and a drink, Hotel Realm, the Southern Cross Club, The Alby, Leyla Bar and many others will be competing for your booking.

Or immerse yourself in ‘Mumfest’ at Haig Park Village Markets, with cocktail-making classes, manicures and makeovers and of course, market stalls.

Looking for something a little different? Consider walking or running to support breast cancer, or going to a screening of The Greatest Showman. Here are some options to consider.

Small cakes and sparkling wine.

If you like champagne, scenic views and live jazz, Leyla will be sure to please this Mother’s Day. Photo: Leyla Bar.

Mother’s Day Champagne Party at Leyla

When: 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: Leyla Bar, 1 Burbury Close, Barton
Cost: $130 per person, book here.

Celebrate Mother’s Day perched high above the Burbury Hotel in Barton from the seventh-floor rooftop Leyla bar. You’ll be pampered with a buffet selection of savoury canapes and sweet treats curated by Leyla’s executive chef and, of course, free-flowing Moet champagne, while looking out on views of Parliament and leafy surrounding suburbs, listening to the rhythmic sounds of live jazz.

Hotel Realm cakes.

Treat yourself to a decadent three-course meal at Hotel Realm. Photo: Hotel Realm.

Mother’s Day at Hotel Realm

When: 12 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Canberra
Cost: $120 per person plus booking fee, $55 per person for children plus booking fee, book here.

Canberra’s five-star Hotel Realm is hosting a Mother’s Day luncheon with live music. The three-course meal is prepared by the executive head chef, beginning with shared grazing boards, before a selection of plated mains, completed by a dessert buffet. There’s also a purpose-made kids’ menu. Every Mum will receive a gift and have the opportunity to win lucky door prizes.

The Alby pancakes.

Bottomless brunch or your own Mother’s Day culinary adventure? The choice is yours at The Alby. Photo: The Alby.

Mother’s Day Brunch at The Alby

When: from 10 am
Where: The Alby, 45 Furzer Street, Phillip
Cost: various prices, book here.

The Alby is serving up fresh pastries, breakfast dishes, sweet treats, barista coffee and bubbles this Mother’s Day. Opt for a bottomless brunch with a selection of pastries, eggs your way, double-smoked bacon, bruschetta, hot drink, juice, and a choice of two free-flowing sparkling wines. Or choose your own culinary adventure and order from the special Mother’s Day brunch or all-day menus.

Southern Cross Club Mother's Day graphic.

Southern Cross Club is serving up an array of treats at its Mother’s Day breakfast buffet. Photo: Southern Cross Club.

Mother’s Day Buffet Breakfast at the Southern Cross Club

When: 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Where: Southern Cross Club, corner of Catchpole and Bowman Street, Jamison
Cost: $39 per person, $16 per child aged 12 and under, book here.

Canberra Southern Cross Club is turning up the temperature on Mother’s Day breakfasts with a buffet from 8:30 am. All the classics will be available from a cold food bar with an array of cereals, seasonal fruits, muesli and yoghurts, plus breads and juices. Or spoil yourself with a range of freshly baked breakfast pastries, including cinnamon swirls and strawberry danishes, and hearty hot foods.

The Greatest Showman movie poster.

Celebrate Mother’s and Other’s Day with the National Portrait Gallery. Photo: National Portrait Gallery.

Screening of The Greatest Showman at the National Portrait Gallery

When: 1:30 pm to 3:15 pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: free, book here.

The Portrait Gallery invites Canberrans to bring the family of their choice to celebrate Mother’s and Other’s Day with a screening of The Greatest Showman. Hugh Jackman stars, sings, dances and acts in this original musical inspired by the real life of P.T. Barnum, an American showman, businessman and politician who founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus with James Anthony Bailey.

Queen's Terrace Cafe cakes.

Celebrate Mum with an elegant high tea – and perhaps even a glass of sparkling wine. Photo: Australian Parliament House.

Mother’s Day High Tea at Parliament House

When: 3 pm to 4 pm
Where: Queen’s Terrace Cafe, Parliament Drive, Capital Hill
Cost: $55 to $65, book here.

Treat Mum to a high tea and beautiful views of Canberra at Parliament’s Queen’s Terrace Cafe. Choose from a traditional high tea with a choice of tea or coffee or a special ‘sparkling’ high tea with a glass of Gallagher sparkling duet to top off Mum’s hot drink. Plus, on the menu are savoury and sweet treats crafted by the in-house culinary team using the best regional produce of the season.

MUMFEST AT HAIG PARK VILLAGE MARKETS promotional graphic.

Celebrate Mum under the Haig Park pines this Mother’s Day. Photo: Haig Park Village Markets.

Mumfest at Haig Park Village Markets

When: 8:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Haig Park, 14 Girrahween Street, Braddon
Cost: free entry, some activities require bookings.

Relax on a picnic mat under the Haig Park pines to the sounds of live music at this year’s ‘Mumfest’. The 2023 program features free cocktail-making masterclasses with Ambrosia Distillery, a pamper palace with mini manicures and makeovers, sweet and savoury treats, a kids’ table and of course, market stalls. Plus, bookings are also available for a high tea from W Patisserie.

Mother’s Day Decadence at Jindii EcoSpa

When: 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Jindii EcoSpa, Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Cost: $101.90 per person, book here.

Indulge Mum in an eclectic afternoon of high tea, live music, chocolate meditation, essential oil relaxation, skincare and a masterclass in the science behind seed cycling at Jindii EcoSpa. The garden sanctuary’s treatments are inspired by the native flora found in the rainforest surrounding the Australian National Botanic Gardens and feature locally sourced botanical ingredients.

Mother's Day Classic map of activities.

Show your support for the one in seven Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer this Mother’s Day. Photo: Women in Super.

The Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic

When: details provided upon booking
Where: Rond Terrace, Parkes Way, Parkes
Cost: various prices, book here.

Get active this Mother’s Day to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Choose from a five-kilometre walk or a five or 10-kilometre run, which you can do by yourself or with a team to show your support for the one in seven Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer. Afterwards, participants can enjoy live entertainment, activities for the whole family and coffee and food.

Meerkats

This wine tasting with a twist will feature special guest appearances from some of the National Zoo’s furry and scaly residents. Photo: James Coleman.

Mother’s Day Wine Tasting at the National Zoo and Aquarium

When: From 1 pm
Where: National Zoo and Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla
Cost: $90 per adult, book here.

Enjoy an afternoon of wine and cheese right in front of the cheetahs and rhinos. Five wines from Lerida Estate Winery’s collection will be available for the tasting, which will also feature special guest appearances from the zoo’s furry and scaly residents. Zoo entry and a unique gift are also included in the ticket price, with all proceeds going to Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue.

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