Canberra’s Nara Candle Festival celebrates the capital’s relationship with its sister city in Japan. Photo: ACT Government.
Canberrans have plenty to do in the days ahead, with a packed schedule of expos, rugby matches, free kids’ sports days, tennis events, candle festivals, live music and more.
The Canberra Nara Candle Festival gives Canberrans a chance to celebrate our partnership with our sister city of Nara, with lots to enjoy like live music, lantern-making classes, Japanese arts and crafts, cosplay competitions, martial arts demonstrations and more.
But if you want a more active weekend, we’ve got you covered!
The Wallaroos take on the Scotland National Women’s Team; there’s sports for the kids in Viking Park, and the Festival of Tennis is back. The Festival of Tennis is an awesome weekend that’s guaranteed to get you moving, smiling and dreaming of what might have been – or ignite that flame in the little ones!
All this and much more across the capital; read on for all the best to see and do.
Multiple Days
Enjoy a week celebrating Greek culture at events around Canberra and at the Hellenic Club. Image: Hellenic Club.
When: 26 October to 1 November, various times
Where: Hellenic Club and around Canberra
Cost: Prices may vary | More information online.
Join the Hellenic Club for a memorable week of celebration as they embrace and share their Greek heritage, honour rich cultural traditions, and celebrate the spirit of Hellenism through a vibrant program of inspiring events, meaningful connections, and unforgettable experiences!
From Monday, 26 October, to Sunday, 1 November, you can expect dances, music, cooking classes and art events held at Hellenic Club and around Canberra.
Find out more and view the full schedule at Hellenic Club.
Have you been thinking of entering the world of caravans? Photo: Events Canberra.
Canberra Caravan Lifestyle Expo
When: 23 October to 25 October
Where: Exhibition Park, Flemington Road, Mitchell
Cost: Tickets from $12 to $16 | Book online.
Exhibition Park in Canberra is transforming into a huge showcase of recreational vehicles, outdoor gear, food and wine displays and holiday destinations. As Summer nears, it’s the perfect time to explore the best way to enjoy your next holiday, with more than 140 exhibitors and plenty of chances to speak to the experts.
If you’ve been looking to holiday the caravan way, head to Exhibition Park and get all the info you need.
Discover how much fun science can be when you get hands on at Questacon.
Buy tickets
Friday
The Wallaroos go head-to-head with the Scots this week. Image: Ticketek.
Global Series – Wallaroos v Scotland Women
When: 23 October, 7:30 pm
Where: GIO Stadium, Battye St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $10 to $15 | Book online.
The Wallaroos had one hell of an outing last week against Scotland, winning 56-12 at Accor Stadium.
This week, the WXV Global Series comes down the highway to Canberra and the Scots will be eager to avenge last week’s loss.
If you’re a rugby fan, you know how good and free-flowing the women’s game is, so get out to GIO and cheer on the women in gold (or blue).
The best music from The Eagles comes to the Canberra Theatre. Photo: Canberra Theatre Centre.
When: 23 October, 8 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets $99 | Book online.
Celebrate the iconic sound of The Eagles at this two-hour tribute concert coming to the Canberra Theatre Centre for one night only.
Great for Eagles superfans and rock lovers alike, this show will feature plenty of the greatest hits from The Eagles, including Take It to the Limit, Desperado, Lyin’ Eyes, and, yes, Hotel California.
This will be presented by a six-piece band led by David Thompson and Jethro Andrews.
Saturday
Head to Goodwin Village Farrer for the Farrer Market Day, and pick up some pre-loved treasures, handmade goods, books, plants and other goodies. Photo: Goodwin Village.
Goodwin Village Farrer Market Day
When: 24 October from 9 am to 1 pm
Where: 6 & 10 Marshall St, Farrer, Above Café Nina
Cost: Free entry | Find out more.
Join Goodwin for Farrer Market Day, a special community event organised by the residents who call Goodwin Village Farrer home.
They’ve been busy bringing the day together, with stalls packed with pre-loved treasures, handmade goods, plants, books, cakes and plenty more to discover. There’ll also be children’s activities, entertainment, a sausage sizzle and something delicious waiting at Café Nina.
Entry is free, so bring your family and friends and enjoy a morning of shopping, food and community spirit.
Celebrate Canberra’s relationship with Nara, Japan. Photo: Events Canberra.
When: 24 October, 4 pm to 9 pm
Where: Canberra Nara Peace Park, Lennox Gardens, Flynn Drive, Yarralumla
Cost: Free entry.
The Canberra Nara Candle Festival celebrates the capital’s relationship with its sister city in Japan, promoting peace and goodwill while lighting up Lennox Gardens with thousands of candles and offering plenty of great experiences.
There’s more than just candles; enjoy live music, lantern-making classes, Japanese arts and crafts, cosplay competitions, martial arts demonstrations and plenty of food and markets.
Sunday
Don’t miss out on free tennis this Sunday. Image: Tennis ACT.
When: 25 October from 10 am to 12 pm
Where: Tennis World Canberra (Canberra Tennis Centre), Lyneham, ACT
Cost: Free | Register now.
Come and find your way to play at the Festival of Tennis. Whether you’re 5 or 75, picking up a racquet for the first time, already love being on court, or looking for a new way to play, there’s something for everyone.
Try Hot Shots, jump into Cardio Tennis, test your serve, have a crack at POP or take on the 1 Point Slam. Or simply come along, enjoy the music, grab something to eat and join the fun.
It’s all free, with plenty happening on and off court.
Free sport for the kids at Viking Park this week. Image: Vikings Group, Facebook.
When: 25 October, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Viking Park, 6 Ricardo Street, Wanniassa
Cost: Free.
Sunday Funday is back at Viking Park this week, offering plenty of free, family-friendly fun with Tuggeranong community teams visiting and more than 20 sports clubs providing plenty of opportunities for kids to pick up some new sports.
Kids can try just about every kind of sport, including water polo, rugby, triathlon, cricket, athletics, baseball, tennis, netball, archery and more.
Enjoy spring differently at the National Arboretum. Photo: Humanitix.
Poetry of Spring – Guided Walk
When: 25 October, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: National Arboretum Canberra – Visitors Centre
Cost: Tickets $10 | Free from 12 to 16 | Book online.
Join the National Arboretum’s expert guides for a walk through the Arboretum’s forests, where visitors can see trees emerging from the long winter and enjoy the warmth of spring.
This two-hour experience focuses on appreciating trees and the natural world from a poetic, botanical perspective.
It’s a great way to enjoy a leisurely walk in one of Canberra’s most beautiful spaces.
Monday
Interested in stories of migration? Head to the National Archives for some fascinating stories. Photo: National Library of Australia.
From the Archives: Germany to Australia – Stories of Migration at the National Archives
When: 26 October from 11 am to 12:15 pm
Where: National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes
Cost: Free | Book online.
What can records reveal about someone’s journey to Australia?
Join the National Archives during German Week to explore stories of German migration and heritage in Australia through records held in the national archival collection.
See a selection of original archival records, learn how to search the collection using RecordSearch and hear from National Archives staff about the records available for exploring German migration stories.
Hear from Klaus Scharrer as he shares his story of building a life in Canberra as a young German carpenter in the early 1950s, and making a new country home while staying connected to where he came from.
To learn more about Klaus’s story, check out his feature as a Generational Canberran before you go.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about researching your family history using the collection.
Dr Choi presents her research regarding North Korean Cold War geopolitics. Photo: National Library of Australia.
North Korea’s Third World Diplomacy through Culture and Art – Lecture at the National Library
When: 26 October from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Canberra
Cost: Free | Registration essential.
Dr Shine Choi presents her recent Fellowship research, focusing on North Korea’s connections with the visions of the global world. Dr Shine Choi has focused on North Korea’s relations with the Third World.
This anti-colonial, anti-imperial group of countries gained global visibility at the 1955 Bandung Conference. It was later supported by the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 and the Tricontinental Conference in 1966.
This research explores how diplomatic relations are forged in and through subjective texts and visuals.
Diplomats, policy experts and foreign policy buffs will find much to learn in this lecture on Cold War politics, with a legacy extending into the 21st century.
Thursday
Piers Lane in Concert at Snow Concert Hall
When: 29 October from 7 pm
Where: Snow Concert Hall, Canberra Grammar School, 40 Monaro Crescent, Red Hill
Cost: Tickets from $60 | Book online.
With a career spanning continents and decades, the godfather of Australian piano playing performs one of the most iconic and enduring works in the solo piano repertoire — Chopin’s revolutionary Nocturnes.
Far from mere “night pieces”, Chopin’s Nocturnes are studies in contrast—combining delicate lyricism with moments of deep turbulence and unresolved longing, and representing a pinnacle of Romantic introspection. The Nocturnes continue to influence generations of composers and pianists, not only for their technical finesse but for their unmatched ability to express the inexpressible. They are not just central to Chopin’s legacy — they are central to the very idea of what Romantic piano music can be.
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