Ring in the Year of the Snake at Lunar New Year celebrations. Photo: City Renewal Authority.
Drone shows, live theatrical adaptations of a beloved series, perfume-making classes and car festivals, there’s something for everyone over the Australia Day long weekend, so no matter your interest, we’ve got you sorted.
Multiple Days
The story and culture of Australia told in the sky. Photo: Ben Appleton.
Flight: Drone SkyShow + Night Markets
When: 24 to 26 January. Markets from 5 pm, Flight Drone SkyShow from 9 pm to 10 pm.
Where: Commonwealth Place and Regatta Point
Cost: Free.
The skies of Canberra will host an award-winning drone show across the Australia Day long weekend while the streets below will be filled with markets and stalls specialising in everything from Italian pizza and pasta to African curries, Turkish gozleme, and Spanish paella. Dragon and lion performers, as well as samba dancing and magic, will liven up the city as the drone show above celebrates Australia’s history and culture in a dazzling display of 3D designs, music and stunning choreography.
Australia’s multicultural and Indigenous history will be told through the innovative and colourful medium of 600 drones across the backdrop of Canberra’s wide open sky.
There will be free public transport from 5 pm and shuttle buses from the City and Woden interchanges from 7 pm.
Bluey comes to the stage this weekend. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show
When: 24 January 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm. 25 January 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit
Cost: Tickets from $54.90 to $109.90.
Gear up for more Bluey goodness, based on the Emmy award-winning series. Creator Joe Brumm and Bluey composer Joff Bush have teamed up to bring you an original story on stage. The creators use puppets to tell another Bluey story, as dad wants some Sunday time off, Bluey and Bingo conspire through a series of clever tricks to get him up and about. It’s got something for kids and adults, featuring all the heart, humour and soul that audiences have come to expect of Bluey.
Learn a little bit about your city and what makes it so special at the National Capital Exhibition. Photo: Events Canberra.
Lake Life Exhibition
When: 24 January to 30 January, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point
Cost: Free.
The National Capital Exhibition is commemorating the 60th anniversary of Lake Burley Griffin, and there’s no better place to do so than at Regatta Point, overlooking the tranquil waters.
Learn about the history of the lake, from its genesis as a small body of water to the centre of the Canberra vista and the Canberra way of life, as well as the best spot for walking and cycling. Through photographs from times gone past, artefacts and footage, you’ll better understand how early Canberrans forged their manmade lake and made it something special to themselves and their city.
If you’ve got the need for speed, Thoroughbred Park’s the place to be. Photo: Events Canberra.
Canberra Festival of Speed
When: 25 January, 2 pm to 8:30 pm and 26 January, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Thoroughbred Park, Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: Youth tickets $27.05 (under 10 free), adult tickets from $53.55.
If you still have V8s ringing in your ears from Summernats and you miss the smell of burning rubber, don’t worry, the Canberra Festival of Speed is here. Thoroughbred Park in Lyneham will echo with the sounds of some of the world’s rarest cars as they tear down a purpose-built circuit. There’s a little something for every kind of auto-enthusiast: open-wheel racing cars, historic racing legends, classic Aussie cars and once-in-a-blue-moon supercars.
The festival also features music, an AV experience and a European food village with cuisine from Italy, Germany and France.
Create a unique scent and gift yourself or a loved one something truly special. Photo: ClassBento.
Perfume Making Class for Beginners
When: 24 January to 26 January and 29 January to 30 January
Where: Teacher’s studio, Ori Building, 63/30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon
Cost: $98; bookings required.
Use over 100 fragrance choices to create your own perfume suited to your unique scent profile. Feel like you can’t find the right perfume to suit you? Craft something just for you with floral, spicy scents as well as perfumers alcohol, extracts, oils and resins. Come with a partner and make something for each other. You’ll get to name your unique fragrance with a custom-made label to really make it yours.
All-you-can-eat Parrilla Feast and Good Vibes. Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Australia Day Weekend Feast
When: 25 January and 26 January
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong
Cost: $49pp + free drink on arrival, bookings available via the website.
Enjoy live music and great grilled food in one of Canberra’s best venues for a cruisy weekend. The Club’s Chef will bring you the best of open-flame barbeque food with flavours from Australia to South America. This 18+ event has all-you-can-eat BBQ meat, fresh crisp salads and the laid-back atmosphere you can expect from your local Southern Cross Club. For just $49 a person, share a meal with friends and family, with a drink on arrival to help you savour the best of the grill.
Wednesday
Lunar New Year at The Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Photo: Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
Lunar New Year Buffet at the Hyatt Hotel
When: Wednesday, 29 January
Where: 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla
Cost: $108 per adult; $54 for children aged 6 to 12. Reservations are essential.
Welcome the coming of the Lunar New Year with a feast at the ever-elegant Hyatt Hotel. The Promenade Cafe buffet will be stocked with authentic Asian dishes to get you in the festive mood, as well as the freshest seafood. While you dine and celebrate, enjoy a live lion dance performance by the Prosperous Mountain Lion Dance Troupe at 7 pm.
Dancers give it their all to bring in the Lunar New Year. Image: Events Canberra.
Canberra Dragon Dance Performance at Canberra Centre Lunar New Year
When: 29 January from 3 pm to 3:45 pm
Where: Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra
Cost: Free.
Welcome the Lunar New Year with a performance of lion and dragon dancing, as well as a martial arts display as the Year of the Snake starts in Canberra with the banging of cymbals and the beating of drums. Bring along family and celebrate a cultural show you’ll never forget.
Thursday
UC Capitals player Nicole Munger takes a shot. Photo: UC Capitals.
WNBL Round 14: UC Capitals v Sydney Flames
When: 30 January 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $20 to $40. All junior tickets are 50 per cent off with the code KIDS50.
Doors open from 5:30 pm for the Thursday night match against the Sydney Flames. With only two home games remaining in the regular season, chances are running out to cheer on the Caps as they go toe-to-toe with long-term rivals the Sydney Flames. There’s food and drink available and other fun to be had off the court, so come along and see how it’s done in the Capital.
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