{"id":252826,"date":"2025-10-31T08:42:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T08:42:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/252826\/"},"modified":"2025-10-31T08:42:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T08:42:40","slug":"things-to-do-in-canberra-this-week-31-october-6-november","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/252826\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do in Canberra this week (31 October – 6 November)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Fashions<\/p>\n

Fashions on the Field returns for Melbourne Cup day at Thoroughbred Park on Tuesday. Photo: Dalice Trost.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot to get up to this week in Canberra, with plenty of things to see and do for just about everyone.<\/p>\n

The inaugural Golden Oar Regatta brings races, live music, family-friendly activities and heaps of food to the Red Shed. Be there in 2025 for the start of a new Canberra tradition!<\/p>\n

The Melbourne Cup is almost here and there are a lot of celebrations going on across Canberra. Whether you want to get dressed up to the nines or just use it as an excuse for a cheeky champagne, we\u2019ve found a venue for you.<\/p>\n

All this and more in our weekly guide to the best events to do in Canberra.<\/p>\n

Multiple Days
\n\"Craft<\/p>\n

Meet local designers and craftspeople at the Craft and Design Canberra Open Day. Photo: Craft and Design Canberra.<\/p>\n

Craft and Design Canberra Open Studios and Organisations Open Day <\/a><\/p>\n

When: 2 November to 6 November, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building
Cost: Free.<\/p>\n

The Craft and Design Canberra Open Studios Day invites you to step into the world of local creatives, craftspeople, designers and artists to better understand their process.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of organisations and artists taking part across Canberra, from North to South, in all sorts of disciplines. This is a great opportunity to gain a greater understanding of an art form or craft you may want to know more about, either for your own interest or to begin your own journey in the discipline. Don\u2019t miss out on this great opportunity this week.<\/p>\n

\"Tasting<\/p>\n

Australian culinary history at the National Museum of Australia. Photo: National Museum of Australia.<\/p>\n

Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp<\/a><\/p>\n

When: 31 October, 12 pm and 2:30 pm, and 1 November 10 am
Where: National Museum\u2019s Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden, Lawson Cres, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $25 to $35 | Book online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This guided walk through the Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden will show you the plants that have served as medicine and food for Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. The program will begin with a guided tour by Adam Shipp, a Wiradjuri man of Yurbay Consultancies and a passionate advocate for bush foods. The event will finish with a tasting of some bush foods. It\u2019s a unique way to learn about Australia\u2019s culinary history and how native foods were discovered and consumed over time.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss out on the first Golden Oar Regatta. Photo: The Golden Oar.<\/p>\n

Golden Oar Regatta<\/a><\/p>\n

When: 1 November, 9 am to 7 pm and 2 November, 8 am to 5 pm
Where: Red Shed, 41 John Cardiff, Acton
Cost: Free entry.<\/p>\n

The inaugural Golden Oar Regatta is set to begin a tradition in Canberra\u2019s sports and events calendar.<\/p>\n

Over two days, the Red Shed on Lake Burley Griffin will host a range of competitions and sporting events, including 1500 m rowing races, 3 k time trials, sprints and pro-am dashes, as well as more casual races such as cardboard boat events and warm-ups.<\/p>\n

There will also be plenty of events for non-rowers, as the event organisers seek to turn rowing into a spectator sport. Over the weekend, there will be DJs, discos, lunches, buffets, face painting for kids, bar service, kids\u2019 activities, and more. Don\u2019t miss out on the first Golden Oar Regatta.<\/p>\n

Saturday
\n\"Day<\/p>\n

Day of the Dead at Dickson Taphouse on Saturday, 1 November from 4 pm. Image: Dickson Taphouse.<\/p>\n

Day of the Dead at Dickson Taphouse<\/a><\/p>\n

When: 1 November, 4 pm
Where: Dickson Taphouse, 30 Wolley St, Dickson
Cost: Free entry | Find out more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Head to the Dickson Taphouse to celebrate the Day of the Dead. There will be Chilli Boy Marg Cerveza on tap, $16 margaritas all night, cocktail specials, tapas and shared plates to pair with drinks, and live music to keep the party going all night.<\/p>\n

\"6-Week<\/p>\n

Eleanor and Giovanni, still from animation \u2018Lucas Villa SOS Columbia\u2019, 2021, Image: Eleanor and Giovanni.<\/p>\n

6-Week Short Course: Lights, Camera, Animation at Tuggeranong Arts Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

When: Saturdays 2 pm to 4 pm, 1 November to 6 December 2025
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
Tickets: $280 per person | Book now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Join award-winning Canberra-based artists and designers Eleanor and Giovanni to make your own animation! Eleanor and Giovanni will guide you through an exploration of the world of claymation and stop-motion, as well as share specialised techniques in the creation of your own scenes and characters.<\/p>\n

Ages 15+ and all skill levels are welcome. All materials will be provided.<\/p>\n

Sunday
\n\"Hartley<\/p>\n

Hartley Hall Markets are on the first Sunday of each month. Photo: Hartley Hall Markets.<\/p>\n

Hartley Hall Markets<\/a><\/p>\n

When: 2 November, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Hall Showgrounds
Cost: Gold coin donation on entry.<\/p>\n

The Hartley Hall Markets, organised by Hartley Lifecare, are one of Australia\u2019s largest home-made and home-grown goods markets.<\/p>\n

Held on the first Sunday of the month, the Hartley Hall Markets are open from 9 am to 2 pm. You will find stalls offering a variety of products, including food, locally grown vegetables and fresh produce, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, children\u2019s toys, arts and crafts, unique gifts and more.<\/p>\n

Stroll among the trees, stay for lunch and enjoy the fresh air, live entertainment and children\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n

\"Hit<\/p>\n

Plenty of fun kids\u2019 and family events await at Dairy Road\u2019s Play Day. Image: Dairy Road.<\/p>\n

Hit n\u2019 Miss Drummers at Dairy Road Play Day <\/a><\/p>\n

When: 2 November, 12 pm to 4 pm
Where: Dairy Road, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick
Cost: Free.<\/p>\n

Play Day at Dairy Road is a fun, family-friendly afternoon, inviting families to come and sit in their gardens and have a good time. It\u2019s a great day for kids, thanks to building props around the grounds and the garden water features.<\/p>\n

This Sunday\u2019s Play Day will feature a fun drumming group bringing West African rhythms to life, giving visitors the chance to dance and play along under the guidance of an enthusiastic teacher.<\/p>\n

Tuesday
\n\"TAB<\/p>\n

There are plenty of spots all across Canberra to celebrate Melbourne Cup Day. Photo: Thoroughbred Park.<\/p>\n

Melbourne Cup Day in Canberra<\/a><\/p>\n

When: 4 November, various times throughout the day
Where: Various locations depending on the event
Cost: Various prices depending on the event.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of events across Canberra to celebrate the Melbourne Cup \u2013 whether you follow every race or just the big one, it\u2019s a community event that\u2019s guaranteed to get your heart racing.<\/p>\n

Across the entire capital and ranging across different budget points, there\u2019s bound to be somewhere hosting your kind of celebration, from a live grill and bottomless Spritzes at the Hyatt, to three-hour food and beverage packages with free-flowing champagne at Midnight Bar, to more laid-back events at your local Southern Cross Club, we\u2019ve got something to suit.<\/p>\n

Wednesday
\n\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Mark McKenna speaks about his new book, delving into the nation\u2019s history. National Library of Australia.<\/p>\n

Book launch: The Shortest History of Australia<\/a><\/p>\n

When: 5 November, 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra
Cost: Free | Bookings essential<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mark McKenna sits down with Frank Bongiorno to discuss Mark\u2019s new book and how it came together at the National Library of Australia.<\/p>\n

In The Shortest History of Australia, Mark McKenna offers a compelling new version of our national story. This is a modern Australia permeated by First Nations history; a multicultural society with an island mindset; a continent of epic beauty and extreme natural events; a country obsessed by war abroad but blind to its founding war at home; and a thriving nation-state still to realise its political independence.<\/p>\n

McKenna\u2019s wise and humane history reveals the surprising in the familiar, and reframes the past so we can see the present more clearly.<\/p>\n

\"Sepia<\/p>\n

A lecture on Australian diplomatic history at the National Library. Image: National Library of Australia (MS 5700, Papers of William Douglass Forsyth, nla.obj-3196532130)<\/p>\n

Power and Vision: Australia and the South Pacific Commission<\/a><\/p>\n

When: 6 November, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra
Cost: Free | Bookings essential<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Join 2025 National Library of Australia Fellow, Dr Alexis Bergantz, to discuss his recent Fellowship research focused on the history of the South Pacific Commission.<\/p>\n

In 1947, Australia helped establish the South Pacific Commission (SPC, now the Pacific Community) to promote cooperation and improve the welfare of Pacific peoples. Based in Noumea, it was the first body to bring together colonial powers and later, Pacific Islander voices, yet its history is little known in Australia.<\/p>\n

Dr Bergantz\u2019s research draws on the archives of diplomat William Douglass Forsyth, a founding figure of the SPC, to uncover the political and personal struggles involving Australia, France, and Indigenous leaders that shaped the organisation and contemporary vision of today\u2019s Blue Pacific.<\/p>\n

Upcoming events<\/p>\n

Submit your event here<\/a> to be considered for our weekly events guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fashions on the Field returns for Melbourne Cup day at Thoroughbred Park on Tuesday. Photo: Dalice Trost. There\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":252827,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[64,63,75,128],"class_list":["post-252826","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-environment","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-environment","tag-science"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252826","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=252826"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252826\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/252827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=252826"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=252826"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=252826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}