Don’t wait until Christmas to catch everyone’s favourite ballet, The Nutracker. Photo: 6th Position, Facebook.
Canberra is bustling with things to do this week, including kids’ events, dance, art, music and sport.
The world’s favourite family-friendly ballet, The Nutcracker, is coming to Canberra College Performing Arts Centre. The show brings together the joy and wonder of Tchaikovsky’s music and world-class choreography.
It’s school holidays and the Canberra Raiders and McDonald’s are partnering to deliver a workshop to help young rugby league fans wanting to develop their skills.
The Tuggeranong Arts Centre hosts a multi-award-winning jazz artist performing some of his best work alongside the classics of jazz.
All this and so much more across the capital this week – here’s a taste of what’s happening.
Multiple Days
The multi-faceted work of Leopold Wimmer is on display. Photo: Strathnairn Arts.
Leopold Wimmer exhibition at Strathnairn Arts
When: 11 July to 17 July, open 10 am to 4 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday
Where: Strathnairn Arts Association, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt
Cost: Free.
This art show is a retrospective of the life and talents of Austrian-born artist Leopold Wimmer.
A multi-talented artist, Wimmer worked at the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia while creating his own works across the disciplines of painting, iconography, carving and mixed-media.
This exhibition gives viewers the chance for a kaleidoscopic look into his career spanning 70 years of creativity across a broad range of styles.
There’s a little something for everyone at the NFSA, including Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Image: NFSA.
This week at the NFSA
When: 11 July to 17 July
Where: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $10 to $16. Book online.
The NFSA has a full schedule of great movies this week, with everything from kids’ animation to action all the way to international films by indie darlings.
A family comedy double feature awaits on Friday, starting at 1 pm with 2014’s The Lego Movie, an animated modern hit with an all-star cast, followed by 1990’s Home Alone at 6 pm.
Then on Sunday, the original story of one of recent cinema’s most memorable heroines graces the screen in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Thursday’s showing is of Wong Kar Wai’s Happy Together, following a Hong Kong couple as they travel to the other side of the world to salvage their relationship, featuring Wong’s usual cinematic mastery over human tragedy told through visuals.
The Nutcracker is loved the world over. Image: Humanitix.
The Nutcracker in July – Presented by 6th Position
When: 11 July, 6 pm; 12 July, 12:30 pm; 13 July, 12:30 pm; 18 July, 6 pm
Where: Canberra College Performing Arts Centre, 2 Launceston Street, Phillip
Cost: Children under 12 $25 | Concession $35 | Adult $45. Book online.
The wonder of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is bringing some wintery magic to Canberra with plenty of shows across the week.
The Nutcracker is perhaps the most enduring and beloved of the ballets, with a fantastical storyline and excellent music by one of history’s finest composers. This performance promises to be a very special one, with experienced choreographers and professional dancers to bring the Nutcracker to life.
Matinee shows have been designed with kids in mind, there are 30-minute intervals with activities for kids to do and on 19 July there will be a sensory session with quieter music and low lighting for kids with sensitivities.
Saturday
Celebrate First Nations cultures at Belco Arts. Image: Belco Arts.
NAIDOC in the North 2025
When: 12 July, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen
Cost: Free.
Join Belco Arts for its 10th anniversary of NAIDOC in the North, a celebration of Indigenous culture in Canberra’s North.
This is a free, family-friendly event on the lands of the Ngunnawal People. All ages and backgrounds are welcome to attend, learn from the community and enjoy the world’s oldest continuing culture. In addition to the cultural showcases, there will also be workshops, performances, activities and entertainment.
The Jazz Haus hosts a very special talent, Paul Grabowsky. Photo: Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
The Jazz Haus Canberra | Paul Grabowsky
When: 12 July, 7 pm, bar open from 6 pm
Where: 137 Reed Street, Greenway, Tuggeranong, ACT
Cost: Tickets from $38 to $45. Book online.
To say Grabowsky is an accomplished artist is an understatement. Over the years he has picked up eight ARIAs, the Melbourne Prize for Music and an Order of Australia for his efforts in music.
This performance will show off the talent that earned him his many accolades. In addition to his unique music, Grabowsky will play music from the canonised Saints of the jazz world, such as Ellington and Monk.
Mel Buttle is coming to the Canberra Theatre Centre. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Mel Buttle – Taking My Sunglasses Off To Hear You Better
When: 12 July, 7 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: $49.00 to 52.00, plus transaction fee. Tickets from Canberra Theatre Centre.
Mel Buttle is a busy bee. From juggling a toddler to sold-out shows across the country to appearances on The Project and Taskmaster, plus keeping her millions of online fans happy as the creator behind Australia’s favourite online mum character Lyn, she needs a good lie down. Lucky for you she’s very good at comedy too.
You remember how it felt when the Book Club brochure arrived at school? She’s hoping this show brings you even just a sliver of that amount of joy/bliss/hope/happiness.
Sunday
Family band and YouTube sensation Mik Maks are coming to the CSCC. Image: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Canberra Southern Cross Club – The Mik Maks
When: 13 July, 11 am
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden
Cost: $20 pp. Tickets via Canberra Southern Cross Club.
YouTube sensations and family band The Mik Maks are performing at the Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Brothers Al and Joel, Joel’s daughter Ava and lovable friend Drums the Panda perform their live shows all across the country.
Don’t miss your chance to dance, giggle and sing with The Mik Maks at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden venue.
Drama with all the glitz and glamour of drag comes to the Hellenic Club. Image: Hellenic Club of Canberra.
Bring Back My Wives: The Ultimate Housewives x Drag Live Experience
When: 13 July, from 7:30 pm
Where: Olympus and Apollo Room, Hellenic Club, Woden
Cost: VIP: $325.50pp | Meet and Greet: $225.50pp | General Admission: $115.50pp (18+) Book online
Australia, are you ready for the wildest night in reality TV history? Bring Back My Wives is the all-star, no-holds-barred live experience that mashes up the high-drama world of the Real Housewives with the fierce fabulousness of RuPaul’s Drag Race live on stage.
Starring some of the most iconic personalities from both franchises, this theatrical extravaganza serves up unfiltered interviews, outrageous lip-syncs, explosive confessions, and jaw-dropping performances.
Hosted by TV & Red Carpet personality Justin Hill, the show’s confirmed cast is Teresa Giudice (The Real Housewives of New Jersey); Whitney Rose (The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City); Laganja Estranja (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6); Ashley Madison (Drag Race Down Under); Eureka O’Hara (RuPaul’s Drag Race Seasons 9 and 10) and Luxx Noir London (Drag Race Season 15).
Expect scandalous behind-the-scenes tea, hilarious unscripted chaos, and some of the fiercest drag performances on the planet.
Tuesday
Unleash kids’ creativity at the MEGAfauna Makers Workshop. Photo: Australian National Botanic Gardens.
MEGAfauna Makers Art Workshop
When: 15 July, 10 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Banksia Centre, Acton
Cost: Free.
In this exciting art workshop at the Botanic Gardens, kids become palaeontologists as well as budding artists by sculpting their very own creatures inspired by the garden’s outdoor exhibition of Australia’s past megafauna.
By using natural materials such as leaves, seeds, sticks and clay, young ones get to craft strange creatures of all shapes and forms, the only limit of which is their imagination.
Wednesday
Come along to the Macca’s Masterclass Holiday Clinic 2025. Image: Canberra Raiders.
Macca’s Masterclass Raiders Holiday Clinic 2025
When: 16 July, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Where: Raiders Centre, 14 Torrens Street, Braddon ACT 2612
Cost: $110 per participant plus fees, tickets available via Humanitix.
The Canberra Raiders will be delivering the Macca’s Masterclass Holiday Clinic for kids aged five to 12 years old.
The clinic will go for six hours, run by trained NRL Development Officers and staff. There will be multiple physical activity stations, with snacks and lunch provided during breaks throughout the day. At the end of the clinic, all participants will receive a Raiders gift bag.
Upcoming events
- The Hartley High Tea and Fashion Showcase 2025 – 19 July
- Illume at the Canberra Theatre Centre – 25 July
- Book launch: Anzac Guerrillas by Edmund Goldrick at the National Library Bookshop – 30 July
Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.
