Drone SkyShow & Night Markets will be held from 25 January to 27 January, and there’s plenty to keep you entertained! Photo: National Capital Authority.
The long weekend is just around the corner, so there’s no better time to get out of the house and make the most of what’s on offer – and there’s quite a bit to keep you active, entertained and enthralled.
Multiple days
It’s a bird, it’s a plane – no, it’s a drone show set to light up the skies above Lake Burley Griffin Photo: National Capital Authority.
FLIGHT: Drone SkyShow and Night Markets
When: 25 January to 27 January, 5 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Commonwealth Place, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free entry and optional registration via Eventbrite will mean you receive event updates.
Inspired by the Vivid Festival in Sydney, this one-of-a-kind show will transform Lake Burley Griffin. The night will start at 5 pm with a night market. The drone show will take flight from 8:30 pm when 600 drones begin their programmed display.
Each show will last for 12 minutes and be visible from the main event hub (located at Commonwealth Place), as well as Mount Ainslie and anywhere along the shoreline of the Central Basin.
John Cowper and Jane Wheaton from the Canberra Railway Museum are testing the waters with diesel railmotor tours – and you can get involved this long weekend. Photo: James Coleman.
Molonglo Valley Explorer tours
When: 26 January and 27 January, various times
Where: Railway station, Burke Cresent, Kingston
Cost: Tickets cost between $20 and $40 and are available via the 123Tix website.
Their names are Neville and Joan, and they live in Kingston. They’re not human, but rather heritage railmotors who began their lives in 1964 and recently loaned to the Canberra Railway Museum for the summer. This long weekend, they’ll return to the train tracks for trips between Canberra and Bungendore.
Friday
Head to Regatta Point for some family-friendly fun on Friday. Photo: Events ACT/Facebook.
Australia Day at Regatta Point
When: 26 January, 10:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Regatta Point Precinct, end of Barrine Drive
Cost: Free entry.
Regatta Point will be the place to be on Friday! Canberras are invited to join in on various family-friendly activities, including face painting, balloon twisting and various giant outdoor games. There will also be roving entertainment, live music from artists Minh Ha and Areta Kaur and surprise appearances from special guests. A sausage sizzle will keep everyone fed and energised – and it’s free for the first thousand attendees; others can donate gold coins to support the Rotary Club of Murrumbidgee Canberra.
Special Screening: WINHANGANHA
When: 26 January, from 1 pm
Where: National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Free entry, though booking through the Archive’s website is essential.
Commissioned by the National Film and Sound Archive, WINHANGANHA is a re-imagining of archival collections by Wiradjuri artist and poet Jazz Money, set to an original score by Filipino-Aboriginal Rhyan Clapham. The film looks at how archives and the legacy of colonisation continue to affect Indigenous Australians – and what that means.
This is your chance to check out cultural activities, demonstrations, and so much more at the National Museum. Photo: National Museum of Australia.
Community Day 2024: Australia Day
When: 26 January, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cresent, Acton
Cost: Free entry overall, though bookings for some events are essential and can be made via the Museum’s website.
The National Museum has organised a day of fun, promising cultural activities and events. Attendees can sit and relax by Lake Burley Griffin while eating a picnic, taking in hands-on activities, watching performances (or even getting involved in art and dance workshops). The National Museum will also host curator-led tours for those interested in learning more about their current exhibitions. To avoid missing a park, people are encouraged to find alternative ways of travel.
This evening is based on reflection, respect and celebration of Australia’s diversity. Photo: Harmonie German Club/Facebook.
Australia in Harmonie
When: 27 January, from 6 pm (show starting at 7:30 pm)
Where: The Zeppelin Room, Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah
Cost: Free entry, though booking a spot via Eventbrite is essential as there will be no tickets at the door.
If you’ve been wanting to have a dance, this is your chance. Performers of all kinds (and genres) will converge on The Zeppelin Room for an evening of storytelling and music. The night will start with a traditional smoking ceremony and Welcome To Country address before the performers take to the stage. The venue’s Keller Room (a smaller performance room) will be open for those who want to have a moment of quiet reflection, and a silent auction of Aboriginal art will be held on the night, with funds raised to be donated to a variety of Indigenous charities.
Saturday
Music to our ears! Turkish musician Korkmaz Can Sağla will be stopping by Canberra. Photo: Emma Collison Publicity.
Piano + presents Korkmaz Can Sağlam
When: 30 January, from 7:30 pm
Where: Wesley Music Centre, 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest
Cost: Tickets cost between $20 and $60 (plus booking fee) and are available via the Sydney Opera House’s website.
Korkmaz Can Sağlam has performed in concert halls across the globe and is preparing to release his first studio album in early 2024. The Turkish musician took out the People’s Choice Award at the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition – and this is your chance to listen to him perform music by Bach, Shostakovich, Chopin and Liszt at the Wesley Music Centre. The concert will also kick off a national tour as part of the Piano+ 2024 Emerging Artists Recital Series.
Tuesday
The UC Capitals will take on the Fire on Tuesday. Photo: UC Capitals.
UC Capitals v Townsville Fire
When: 30 January, from 7 pm
Where: National Convention Centre, 31 Constitution Ave, Canberra
Cost: Tickets for the games can be purchased via the UC Capitals website.
Canberra’s UC Capitals will take to the court once again on Tuesday. Their latest game is against the Townsville Fire in Round 13 of the Women’s National Basketball League.
Thursday
Will you try your best and fail miserably (as Homer Simpson himself once said)? Photo: The Durham/Facebook.
Themed Trivia Night
When: 1 February, 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: The Durham Comedy Club, 52 Jardine Street, Kingston
Cost: Tickets cost $10 per person; book through the Pub’s website.
Think you know a lot about The Simpsons? This annual trivia night is dedicated to the first 10 seasons of the animated show, so book a ticket and head on to Springfield. There are prizes for those who do well and those who dress best.
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