There are plenty of cultural events across the capital this week, including a unique exhibition exploring the use of the suit throughout the history of portraiture. Photo: National Portrait Gallery, Facebook.
Canberra is a busy place this week, with wine tastings, cooking classes, art exhibitions, a whole lot of sport, events for hopeful home buyers, giveaways, and so much more.
A new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery explores and prods at one of portraiture’s most sacred mainstays, the suit. What does it mean? What does it signify? Where does it come from? Find out!
Canberra’s Winter Gem Show is a must-see event for enthusiasts of crystals, gems, fossils, precious gemstones and things that sparkle.
All this and everything in between across the capital.
Multiple Days
This exhibition gets meta, exploring the meaning of one of portraiture’s staples. Photo: National Portrait Gallery.
Power Suits: The Fit Within the Frame – Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery
When: 29 May to 4 June, from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free.
Power Suits is a fresh exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery questioning the ubiquity of the suit in portraiture. We take for granted the use of suits in portraits of subjects from judges to politicians, musicians and businessmen, but this exhibition asks what a suit means.
A light-hearted display of more than 100 works from the collection and loans showcases famous Australians such as Johnny O’Keefe, Sherbet, Michael Hutchence and Nicole Kidman, from the 1930s to today.
Works include painting, mixed-media and photography, presenting a broad and unique exploration of one of portraiture’s staple features.
A two-day extravaganza of gems, minerals and crystals. Image: Canberra Lapidary Club Inc, Facebook.
When: 30 May, 10 am to 5 pm and 31 May, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Mallee Pavilion, EPIC Canberra, Canberra Kids Market, Lyneham
Cost: Entry $5-$8 | Pay at the gate.
The Canberra Winter Gem Show is all about the beautiful world of crystals, fossils, minerals and jewellery with plenty of shiny trinkets to catch your eye. From collector pieces to rough-cut gemstones, opals, rocks, unique specimens, crystals and more, there’s a whole lot here to love for enthusiasts, collectors, artisans looking for materials and laypeople after something to pretty up the shelf.
There will also be displays of members’ collections and jewellery-making demonstrations.
Saturday
Learn the art of Parrilla cooking at Canberra Southern Cross Club in Tuggeranong. Image: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Parrilla Masterclass Canberra Southern Cross Tuggeranong
When: 30 May, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong
Cost: Tickets are $79 per member | Book online.
Unlock the secrets of authentic parrilla cooking in this immersive, hands-on masterclass led by Executive Chef Bradley Howden.
Designed for lovers of fire, flavour and technique, this experience takes you beyond the grill and into the heart of traditional parrilla cooking, from bone to plate.
What you’ll learn:
Real parrilla skills, from fire management to butchery to grilling
Understand meat quality and how to select the best cuts
The confidence to recreate an authentic parrilla experience at home
The joy of sharing a communal meal, stories and the primal ritual of cooking over flame.
Whether you’re a seasoned grill enthusiast or simply curious about cooking over a fire, this masterclass offers a rich, hands-on experience in a relaxed, social setting.
The Burns Club Centennial Race Day is sure to be a big one. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
When: 30 May from 12 pm
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: General admission is free, packages available for purchase | Find out more.
Join the Burns Club and Thoroughbred Park for a great day of racing as well as a celebration of all things Scottish! There will be plenty of excitement on the track as well as great food and drink on offer from the Winning Post Bar and the Thoroughbred Cafe.
Come check out the bagpipes and get in the spirit.
Don’t miss out on the penultimate round of the Super Rugby Pacific Season. Image: Ticketek.
Brumbies v Moana Pasifika – 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Season
When: 30 May, 2:35 pm
Where: GIO Stadium, Battye St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $15 to $25 | Book online.
The recent 21-14 victory over the Waratahs, built on an incredible defensive performance, has given the Brumbies a bit of breathing space and opens the possibility of resting players ahead of the playoffs. But as Tim Gavel noted, there’s danger in that, especially as this is Moana’s final game. Ever. Whatever happens, get out to GIO and be part of history!
Sunday
Join the National Library’s Story Dogs program on the last Sunday of each month. Photo: National Library of Australia.
Story Dogs on Sunday at the National Library
When: 31 May, 11 am to 12 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West
Cost: Free, no bookings required | National Library of Australia website.
Join the National Library on the last Sunday of each month for a paw-sitive reading experience with the Story Dogs program.
Trained volunteers and their accredited dogs create a nurturing environment where children can enjoy a range of stories in a relaxed environment. This unique program aims to make reading fun, helping children enjoy books and become confident, lifelong readers.
Young people aged 7 to 12 are invited to enjoy stories and pats as they sit with a friendly reader and attentive dogs, just outside the Bookshop in the Library foyer.
Get some insight into everyone’s favourite drink. Photo: Events Canberra.
Introductory Wine Appreciation at the Canberra Cellar Door
When: 31 May, 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre, Parkes
Cost: Tickets are $90 | Book online.
Enjoying wine and understanding it are two different things. This fuss-free, relaxed introductory appreciation class is a great way for wine lovers to better understand one of our most beloved beverages, so you can enjoy it to a fuller extent.
Visitors will learn how wine is made, what makes a good food pairing and where it gets its flavour from. But it’s not all theory, sommeliers-for-a-day will taste a hand-picked selection of wines from the Canberra region.
The Raiders and the Cowboys lock horns. Image: Ticketek.
Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys
When: 31 May, 4:05 pm
Where: GIO Stadium, Battye St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $40 to $70 | Book online.
Can you believe the Raiders have won more away games than home games this year? Maybe we weren’t loud enough? Let’s change that this Sunday when the Green Machine takes on the 6th-placed Cowboys.
Monday
There are plenty of cultural events on Monday for Reconciliation Day. Photo: Events Canberra.
When: 1 June, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Various locations
Cost: Prices may vary.
Reconciliation Day gives the community an opportunity to come together and learn, partake in cultural events, hear from important voices and enjoy art.
This year’s program from the ACT Government has plenty of exciting events, including arts workshops, cultural performances, children’s choirs, dance, smoking ceremonies, guided tours and walks.
This year’s celebrations include a special headlining performance from ARIA Award-winning artist and Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti woman Casey Donovan at the Dunmore Lang Place in the National Triangle.
Dive into family history at the National Library. Photo: National Library of Australia.
Reconciliation Day: First Nations family history tour at the National Library
When: 1 June from 11 am to 1 pm
Where: National Library of Australia
Cost: Free | Bookings essential.
Since colonisation, the family history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is marked by forced removals, relocation to missions, and government policies that suppressed language and culture. Yet among these are stories of resistance, resilience, hope and survival. The National Library supports reconciliation by preserving and making available records that document the history, experiences, and voices of First Nations people.
Their special ‘behind the scenes’ tour includes an introduction to the Library’s Bringing Them Home Oral History Project. This project recorded 340 deeply personal stories from people affected by the laws and policies that created the Stolen Generations. The group will also meet with expert librarians for an introduction to the resources available at the Library for researching their own First Nations family history, and online via Trove.
Wednesday
Spruce up your garden this week, for free! Photo: City Renewal Authority, ACT Government.
When: 3 June, 11:30 am to 1 pm, or until the plants are gone
Where: Ainslie Place, City Walk, Canberra
Cost: Free.
Every six weeks, the plants and flowers that beautify Canberra’s public spaces are refreshed according to the season, and the ACT Renewal Authority gives these flowers out to the public for free, hoping to give them a second life and give Canberrans a chance to beautify their own homes and gardens.
Plants up for grabs include White Anzac, Dusky Bells, Ivory Chimes, Emerald Green (Hebe), Loropetalum Burgundy, Juniperus conferta, Viola hederacea and more. A full list of plants to be given away can be found on the ACT Government’s website.
Thursday
An exciting event for hopeful homebuyers. Image: TP Dynamics.
Your Dynamic Pathway to Home Ownership
When: 4 June from 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: 455 Northbourne Ave, Lyneham
Cost: Free | Book online.
Join TP Dynamics for an exclusive evening to launch Dynamic Pathway, a new initiative offering eligible First Home Buyers up to $25,000 in home ownership assistance when they purchase within the Newlyne precinct in Lyneham.
This event invites all First Home Buyers, whether you’re early in your research or close to making a decision. Bring a parent, partner or friend along.
On the night there will be canapes, light refreshments, a talk from the Director of Everstones Financial Services on first home loans, borrowing capacity and ACT First Home Buyer schemes, an introduction to the Newlyne masterplan and more.
Upcoming Events
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