Things to do in Canberra this week (28 April - 4 May)

Canberra International Music Festival storms into town this week, flanked by two more festivals, one celebrating the south coast’s oysters and the other local wine.

It’s sure to be a busy week with Ausdance ACT’s Australian Dance Week and the ACT Government’s Tree Week programs also running through into May.

There are also three special market exhibitions featuring handmade Australian wares, quilting and locally made ceramics and pottery. Plus more!

Saturday and Sunday

Stomp Festival Canberra

When: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April; various times
Where: Canberra, various locations; see the full program here
Cost: $29.50, other events may incur an extra cost; book here.

The inaugural Stomp Festival celebrates local winemakers and producers over two days of wine, food, entertainment, activities, demonstrations and more. Over 25 participating wineries and producers will be showcased over a weekend featuring exclusive wine releases, grape stomping, behind-the-scenes tours, barrel room tastings, back vintages and more.

Canberra Potters Emerging Makers Market

When: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Canberra Potters Gallery, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation; no booking required.

Venture into the handmade artisan world with some of the finest emerging potters and ceramic artists in the capital region. Canberrans are invited to come and meet and buy directly from a wide range of up-and-coming makers (many of whom have never sold to the public before). Treasures for sale will include tableware, planter pots, sculptures, jewellery, vases and more.

Handmade Market Canberra

When: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Exhibition Park, Flemington Road, Mitchell
Cost: Free; donations accepted at market entry.

This quarterly market returns for the first time in 2023 with products from more than 250 designers and producers on sale – all of which are ethically made and designed in Australia. Some of these items include limited edition fashion, handcrafted furniture, original sculpture, ceramics, fine art and prints, textiles, jewellery and accessories. Plus, there’s a gourmet food and wine hall.

Thursday

TEDxCanberra 2023 Open Mic Night

When: Thursday 4 May, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Sydney Building, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra
Cost: Free; book here.

Watch fellow Canberrans share their ideas worth spreading in three minutes or less at this laid-back open mic night. As an audience, your role will be to cheer on the speakers and fuel the conversation as the speakers stress-test their visions with the community and audition for the opportunity to appear on the TEDxCanberra flagship event stage this coming September.

Until Saturday

Quilt Exhibition

When: Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 April, from 9:30 am to 4 pm
Where: Former Transport Depot, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston
Cost: $18 to $30, free for children 14 and under; book here.

Quilting and community will be on display over four days at the Canberra Quilters Inc Members Exhibition, held in conjunction with Craft Alive Canberra. Over 130 quilts and other items will be part of the judged exhibition, alongside works honouring five long-term members who have passed. A variety of craft and creating wares and quilted items will also be for sale on the day.

All week long

Canberra International Music Festival

When: Friday 28 April to Sunday 7 May, various times
Where: Canberra, various locations; see the program here
Cost: Various prices; book here.

The annual Canberra International Music Festival returns in 2023 for 10 days with a unique Canberra-inspired program of classical and contemporary art music. Headlining performances from the UK’s Brodsky Quartet and France’s Quatuor Van Kuijk will lead a line-up of artists. Through the magic of music, the audience is invited to find ‘the child within’ (which also happens to be the 2023 festival’s motto!)

Ausdance ACT presents Australian Dance Week

When: Friday 28 April to Sunday 7 May, various times
Where: Canberra, various locations; see the program here
Cost: Various prices; find booking links here.

Ausdance ACT brings Australia’s largest Dance Week program to the capital. The capital’s diverse local dance scene will be placed front and centre through a blend of interactive studio classes, workshops and activities and professional performances, including Seeds of Life, to mark the 10th anniversary of the National Arboretum and 20 years since the Canberra bushfires.

Canberra Tree Week

When: Saturday 29 April to Sunday 7 May; various times
Where: Canberra, various locations; see the program here
Cost: Various prices; find booking links here.

All things trees will be celebrated during the territory’s annual Tree Week this April and May. The purpose behind the week is to provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about the value of trees to the community through a series of free and paid events. Fun fact: the ACT Government is responsible for over 800,000 public trees in streets and public spaces across Canberra.

Coming up

Narooma Oyster Festival

When: Friday 5 May to Sunday 7 May, various times; see the full program here
Where: Quota Park, Narooma, NSW
Cost: From $15; book here.

Celebrate the rock oyster on the NSW South Coast, the only place in the world where the delicacy naturally grows. The three-day program features a blend of food experiences and entertainment, beginning with a twilight affair and fireworks on Friday, a day of tastings, exploring and competition on Saturday, rounded out with a Sunday brunch at the Hangtown Fry at Club Narooma.