Science, history and technology at the Stromlo Outer Space exhibit. Photo: Canberra Museum and Gallery/Facebook.
Looking for something to do before Christmas really hits? We’ve got science and tech, ancient history, musical theatre, Christmas parties, jazz shows, romcoms, and a real curveball at the end. Let us bring you the best of the events in the territory.
Multiple Days
Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars, celebrate 100 years of discoveries. Image: Canberra Museum + Gallery.
Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars
When: 13 December to 19 December, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Canberra Museum + Gallery
Cost: Free entry, no booking required.
Celebrate a century of the Mount Stromlo Observatory and discover the hidden history of one of Canberra’s most remarkable places. From humble beginnings to international fame, visitors will learn about Stromlo’s journey through oral histories, unique artefacts and interactive digital activities. Uncover the facility’s history designing and testing military equipment in the Second World War to defeat the Axis or deepen your understanding of First Nations astronomy in the Djara special exhibit.
This event is suitable for all ages, and both kids and adults will benefit from this eye-opening exhibit about Australia’s scientific history.
Creativity, passion and career pressures combine to make Jon question his future in Tick, Tick … Boom! Image: Act Hub.
Tick, Tick… Boom!
When: Running from to 21 December, check websites for dates and times
Where: ACT Hub at Causeway Hall
Cost: Tickets from $30 to $42.
Jonathan Larson brings you the tale of a questioning artist in his semi-autobiographical musical. Telling the story of aspiring New York composer Jon, Larson weaves a classical conundrum: stick to one’s passion for music, art and performance, or abandon it for the more sure-fire route of a ‘normal’ job.
With his 30th birthday approaching faster than he’d like, Jon looks around at his fellow performers leaving their passions behind and wonders if he, too, should give in.
Join two of Canberra’s best performers in this exploration of a much-asked question in our day-to-day lives: creativity or conformity? Passion or apathy?
Buddy comedy Sauce details the unravelling lives of a kleptomaniac and a compulsive liar united by one thing, Sauce. Photo: Smiths Alternative.
SAUCE
When: 13 and 15 December 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $25 to $30.
Two messes, one a kleptomaniac and the other a compulsive liar, become best friends over the course of one disastrous day where their lives seem to fall apart in front of them. This theatrical comedy production is a strange but hilarious foray into joy and disaster and how to deal with it by award-winning Irish writer Ciara Elizabeth Smyth. Throughout this full day of unmitigated mess, our two protagonists, Mella and Maura, find that they can bond over one thing … Sauce, of course.
Discover the ancient city of Pompeii at the National Museum Image: Fresco of a garden scene. National Museum of Australia.
Pompeii exhibit at the National Museum of Australia
When: 13 December to 19 December, during normal hours; bookings required
Where: National Museum of Australia
Cost: Tickets are from $12.50, and children under five enter for free.
Pompeii and its excavations have inspired archaeologists, amateurs, historians and buffs for centuries. The images and artefacts of a once thriving city captured in time by ash still grab the imagination nearly 2000 years after Vesuvius erupted. The NMA exhibits treasured items and artefacts of endless historical value so that the people of Canberra can see the bustling town of Pompeii with their own eyes. Some of these items have never been shown outside of Europe. Jewellery, sculpture, pottery and even dice will take you back in time, and show you the humanity of ancient people through the objects they used every day.
Single Days
Friday
Support the community Christmas spirit at the first event of what promises to be a yearly tradition. Image: Q Gallery/Facebook.
AINSLIE XMAS BLOCK PARTY
When: 13 December, 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: Edgar Street, Ainslie Shops
Cost: Free, cash preferred by vendors.
The Gallery Art Hub, along with a whole group of businesses at the Ainslie shops, are hoping to kick off a yearly tradition with the Ainslie Christmas Block Party! This inaugural event will feature local art, stalls selling food and goods, as well as musical performances by the Canberra Chordsmen Choir. Get into the holiday spirit and go present hunting for yourself or a loved one, there’s something for just about everyone: ceramics, pressed flowers, books, stickers and prints, culinary gifts, clothing and more. Come support your local shops at the Ainslie Block Party.
Saturday
Murrumbateman Village Markets are back for spring! Photo: Murrumbateman Village Market.
Murrumbateman Village Market
When: 14 December, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds, 19 East St, Murrumbateman
Cost: Free.
Murrumbateman Village Market is a friendly market with a wide range of local crafts, pottery and handmade goods. You can also get your weekly groceries as stallholders sell organic vegetables, local produce from local gardens, as well as bread, cakes, pastries, jams, honey, sauces, chillies, a range of meats, olives and olive oil, native plants, local wines and more.
A night of unforgettable jazz with Gene Perla. Photo: Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Gene Perla: The Jazz Haus at Tuggeranong Arts Centre
When: 14 December, 7 pm. Bar open from 6 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway
Cost: $45 full / $38 concession. Book tickets through Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Remember and revisit the iconic 1972 Jazz show Live at the Lighthouse, with one of the founding members of the Elvin Jones group, bassist Gene Perla. Gene Perla takes you through a nostalgic return to a seminal jazz concert, with his expertise in the field and his intimate knowledge of the material, it’ll be a night of fine jazz music with some time-honoured professionals of the art.
Thursday
Classic 90s Romcoms are on at the NFSA Image: NFSA.
You’ve Got Mail
When: 19 December, 7 pm
Where: Arc Cinema
Cost: $16 Full / $12 Concession.
Before Tinder, before Hinge or Bumble, the humble email was the king of online dating. Let Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks charm you into forgetting just how bad the internet speed was. Indie bookshop owner Kathleen and book chain owner Joe may be business rivals by day, but by night, they’re falling for each other. Enemies to lovers is a well-used trope for a reason – let the NFSA show you why Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan dominated the romcom scene in the 90s.
Jack Mahoney from the Canberra Cavalry. Photo: David Tate.
Canberra Cavalry v Melbourne Aces
When: The series runs between from Thursday, 19 December to Saturday, 21 December
Where: Narrabundah Ballpark
Cost: Adult $23, Concession $17, Child $12. Tickets from Vivenu.
The battleground for the second showdown between the Melbourne Aces and our own Canberra Cavalry has been chosen: Narrabundah ballpark! Saddle up as our Cavs go once more unto the breach against the Aces. Cheer on the Cavs and keep your mitt ready for home runs hurtling into the stands.
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