Things To Do In Canberra This Summer

There’s no shortage of activities in Canberra this summer!

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, make the best of the sunnier weather and Canberra’s thriving cultural scene for a unique, wonderful day out. 

Australia’s capital puts on some of the nation’s biggest events, from festivals to fun runs. This month’s calendar of events features something for everyone! 

Discover a lively scene of food, entertainment, music, sports and more as Canberra in November puts on a show for all who visit.

Art and Exhibitions

DESIGN Canberra Festival 2021: Transformation

From the 8th-28th November, DESIGN Canberra will host ‘Transformation’ – a festival celebrating the history of design.

Design is in the city’s DNA. This festival will feature over 200 events, exhibitions and artist studios and open homes to highlight the work and expertise of Canberra’s local designers. 

The festival is open to all ages and interests with most exhibitions free to look at.

Milky Way Photography Workshop with Ari Rex

Always wanted to learn night photography? Here’s your chance!

Award-winning photographer Ari Rex will be hosting night sky photography workshops where you will learn to capture stunning images of the Milky Way.

This is a family-friendly event and is suited to all photography skill levels. You may also request private or group bookings.

Sunset Cinema

Grab your family or group of friends, pack a bag full of popcorn and movie snacks and kick back and relax at Sunset Cinema!

Open multiple nights every week throughout November, Sunset Cinema is an outdoor open-air cinema held in the beautiful Australian National Botanic Gardens. 

This month, expect new Hollywood blockbusters, hilarious comedies, award-winning feature films and family-friendly favourites. Movies commence right after sunset, so you can marvel at the incredible golden sky as you have your picnic!

The Amazing Face

The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is providing a free online class to learn the language of portraiture.

The Amazing Face will feature iconic portraits from the NPG collection and include curatorial contexts and interactive elements to learn the basics in portraiture.

The class consists of 14 modules and will have you create your own portrait at the end to share with loved ones and online.

Recovery: Friends Photographic Group

The Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Photographic Group are hosting their 8th annual photographic exhibition this November through to mid-December.

This year’s exhibition ‘Recovery’ focuses on raising awareness of the aims and values of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, with images showcasing a wide range of flora and fauna.

The exhibited framed photographs will be available for purchase. The exhibition will be open daily for all visitors and has wheelchair accessibility.

Behind the Lines 2020: The year in political cartoons

Family fun is to be had at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old Parliament House!

Behind the Lines presents the best political cartoons of 2020. The theme this year is ‘A dog’s breakfast’ – with hilarious digital and non-digital cartoons helping us to make sense of ‘what the pup’ happened in the tumultuous year of 2020!

The event is open to all ages and is suitable for guests who require wheelchair access and who have a hearing impairment or vision impairment. 

Democracy, Are You In?

Have you ever wondered how our lives and freedom are built around democracy? 

Democracy, Are You In? is a modern exhibition held at the MoAD, inviting visitors to explore the history of democracy in Australia through a series of photographs, objects and audiovisual displays. 

The event is suited to all ages, with wheelchair access available. 

Happy and Glorious

MoAD at Old Parliament House presents an exhibition dedicated to Her Majesty, the Queen.

Happy and Glorious marks The Queen’s Visit in 1954. Old Parliament House was central to the royal tour, and the exhibition is presented in the very room the Queen used while she was at Parliament House.

Visitors will be treated to memories of a young Queen for a happy and glorious snapshot in time. 

Before you visit one of these amazing exhibitions and events, stop and grab something to eat at one of our eateries or pick up some movie snacks at Woolworths!

Food & Wine

Canberra BeerFest 2021

Cheers! The Canberra BeerFest returns in November with more craft beer, more food and more fun than before!

The festival will whet your appetite with tonnes of craft beer, cider, wine and cocktails along with food trucks and gourmet food options and plenty of live entertainment including beer masterclasses.

This year’s BeerFest will be held at John Dunmore Lang Place. 

High Jinks – Interactive Cocktail Class

Hands up if you want to learn how to make those spectacular cocktails you see at the local bar or club?!

High Jinks is offering an Interactive Cocktail Class that will teach you how to mix drinks like a pro. 

Upon attendance, you will receive beer, wine or bubbles as well as an antipasto platter prior to learning the fundamentals of cocktail making. In the class, you will get the chance to whip up three signature cocktails – and taste them for yourself!

Exercise & Charity

The Canberra Times Fun Run 2021

The Grapest 5K Run in Canberra is back this December with a new mini-marathon to take part in!

Grab a group of friends and challenge yourselves to either a 5km or 10km run. You will be running or walking across a picturesque winery and afterwards can enjoy a well-deserved wine tasting waddle. The day doesn’t end there, with grape dancing and live entertainment as the sun goes down. 

Tickets include the 5km or 10km run or walk, 8 wine tastings, 3 hours of live entertainment, a custom wine cup & lanyard, a finishers medal; and the current Wineselectors Magazine. If you’re not feeling up to the run, you can skip the fun run and just do the wine tasting.  

Proximity TriCanberra Triathlon Festival

The Proximity TriCanberra Triathlon Festival provides a fun-filled morning for triathlon enthusiasts – even if you’ve never taken part in one before!

There’s a distance for everyone, with the event ideal for anyone who has not attempted a triathlon before or anyone who wants to achieve the personal goal of being fit and having fun. 

Before heading out on your marathon, purchase running gear at Big W or Kmart and train at Fernwood Fitness. After the event, visit Gungahlin Massage Centre for a post-run massage.

For the kids

Canberra Kids Market

Looking for a child-friendly event in Canberra this November? Head straight to the Canberra Kids Market.

Discover new, handmade and pre-loved baby/children’s clothes, toys, books, games, accessories, furniture, equipment and more!

The Canberra Kids Market is a fun, relaxed day out and features a completely covered arena along with free parking, a cafe and a parent’s room. 

Theatre

Björn Again – Mamma Mia! We Are Back Again!

ABBA lovers, rejoice! The Canberra Theatre Centre is hosting Björn Again, playing all of ABBA’s greatest hits in one action-packed, entertaining concert for the entire family!

The concert promises an ABBA-solute fun night where you can dance and sing all your cares away. 

Björn Again are recognised as the most successful tribute show of all time, having been endorsed by ABBA and hosting over 7000 performances worldwide. 

COME FROM AWAY

The Canberra Theatre Centre is also host to the worldwide smash hit, COME FROM AWAY.

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical tells the true story of thousands of stranded passengers and the small town of Newfoundland, Canada that welcomed them all.

Watch the story play out as the show depicts culture clashes, enduring friendships and remarkable music and performances to lift your spirits.

For a quick and tasty pre-show meal or post-performance coffee and chat, head to one of our eateries.

Canberra has your event calendar sorted!

There are plenty more events in our wonderful capital! check out the Visit Canberra website, and come to Marketplace Gungahlin for all your event supplies this November.