Who doesn’t love a long weekend? Get out in Canberra and enjoy your days off with our what’s on list of 10 things to do, see and experience in our great capital.
1. Canbeurovision Final – Molo Live – Friday
Canbeurovision is the most popular suburb-based song contest in the ACT and surrounds – it’s the night where the whole world turns its head for three hours to face the limestone with wide eyes and bated breath. After three rounds of heats, only the finest performers in the Territory will remain to duke it out in glitter-spangled skin, crotchless leather pants, multiple key changes (or whatever other foul gimmick they’ve turned to) as they vie to win our hearts. With plenty of guests, surprises and interactive fun on offer, head to Molo Live at ANU Pop-Up Village a night that you will never forget – for all the good reasons. Check out the venue here.
2. Negroni Week – QT Canberra – all weekend
Get your drink on as QT Canberra’s Capitol Bar and Grill and Lucky’s Speakeasy celebrate Negroni Week. Try a classic QT Negroni of Bulldog Gin, Campari, Cinzano 1757 Rosso and an orange twist to really get into the swing of things. And for every Negroni sold, QT Hotels and Resorts will be donating $1 to Oz Harvest too.
3. Donate to Lifeline – Lock Up Your Boss – closes Friday
Lifeline Canberra fights to save those in our communities who are battling depression and suicidal thoughts. In Canberra, we lose one person every week to suicide. OutInCanberra and The Mark Agency’s CFO Ally Stephens is stuck behind bars for a good cause and fundraising for Lifeline Canberra’s invaluable 13 11 14 crisis support service. Help Ally and Lifeline by donating here.
4. Gringo – Palace Electric – all weekend
Harold (David Oyelowo) a meek, mild mannered executive at a pharmaceutical company, and his scummy bosses, Richard and Elaine (Joel Edgerton and Charlize Theron) head to Mexico to try and cover up their illegal dealings with a local drug lord in preparation for a corporate merger. When Harold realises his bosses are going to hang him out to dry in the merger, he stages his own kidnapping, unaware that the drug lord actually wants to kidnap him. And, of course, through miscommunications and misunderstandings, more characters are drawn in and chaos unfolds. Head to Palace Electric and catch a flick this weekend.
5. Truffle Season – multiple venues – all weekend
Beat the Canberra chill and indulge in a feast for the senses at The Truffle Festival – Canberra Region, a taste of mid-winter magic. Savour the flavours and aromas of heavenly truffle creations at local restaurants, cafes, bars and wineries. Enjoy the thrill of the truffle hunt and be amazed at the talented truffle dogs as they hunt for these highly-prized gems at nearby truffle farms. Learn from accomplished chefs at a cooking class or demonstration, then pop along to a market and buy some black truffle for yourself. The festival celebrates the seasonality of this special ingredient and runs throughout the entire truffle season. So come along this season (June to August), choose from a range of events and experiences and satisfy your taste for life’s finer things. Check out our Idiot’s Guide to Truffles here and find an event here.
6. Queen’s Birthday Celebrations – Museum of Australian Democracy – all weekend
Royal celebrations will be in full swing at MoAD with a host of regal activities on offer at the museum for the Queen’s Birthday. Visitors can join the fun at the craft table with our PlayUP facilitators to create their own royal corgi and wearable crafty crown between 10.30-12.30 daily. Keep out of the cold and curl up with a selection of beautiful books about royal adventures. Dress up as the Queen, a lady in waiting or a Princely Consort in costumes modelled on the 1954 state visit to Australia. On Monday, museum goers can marvel at a giant LEGO picture of the Queen on the steps of Old Parliament or get hands on with LEGO designs channelling all things royal. Capture the day by snapping a royal wedding selfie in King’s Hall after dressing up in a royal costume and striking a pose.
7. Australian Rope Skipping Championships – AIS – Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Canberra’s own Jazzy Jumpers are co-hosting this year’s National Championship with Skipping Australia at the Australian Institute of Sport. More than 300 skippers and officials from around Australia are coming to Canberra for three days of furious action, with Jazzy Jumpers accounting for 44 of the total competitors.
8. Raiders v Penrith – GIO Stadium – Friday
The Penrith Panthers and the Canberra Raiders have had some close battles in recent years and there has been somewhat of a rivalry created from the close games. Canberra will be looking to put things right this time around after Penrith effectively ended their season in round 24 last year. Under 16’s kick off at GIO Stadium at 3.45pm, with the main game at 6pm.
9. Opera Gala – Llewellyn Hall, ANU – Saturday
You can’t afford to miss this year’s Opera Gala, which features Australia’s finest young singers from Pacific Opera singing arias, ensembles, and directed scenes from operas such as Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Beethoven’s Fidelio, Verdi’s Rigoletto and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. This beautiful program is conducted by Simon Kenway and guarantees you a very special Saturday night.
10. Kids In The Shed – Old Bus Depot Markets – Sunday
This is your chance to celebrate being a kid and doing what kids do best – having fun! Bring your kids, parents and grandparents to this super fun family day out at the markets. All these kids having fun means a lively atmosphere and buzzing energy around the place, with loads of children’s entertainment, pony rides, a jumping castle, Milo the clown, face painting and more. You’ll find stacks of products that kids love including handcrafted toys, kids’ room accessories, artworks and lots of bright, modern handmade clothes for babies and little boys and girls. And of course, what’s a family day out without delicious treat foods?
