
Don’t miss out on jazz, soul, pop, covers and originals at Lanyon Homestead this week. Photo: Canberra Museum & Gallery.
Canberra is buzzing with things to see and do, no matter what you’re in the mood for, from exciting new theatrical adaptations of classic tales, live music, sport and more.
The Australian Masters Games are coming to Canberra, bringing dozens of sports to watch, from powerlifting, shooting, netball, equestrian dressage and boxing. There will also be celebrations throughout Canberra related to the games, with drinks and meal specials at participating bars and restaurants to get keen for.
Canberra’s Writers Festival is back this year, with a full program of events all about reading, writing and the art of literature across just about every literary genre. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or you just want to hear from your favourite author, there’s a lot to do.
And the Canberra Theatre Centre hosts a ballet performance most foul with Dracula, a unique retelling of the classic Bram Stoker novel through dance, music and drama.
All this and more in the weekly Canberra event guide.
Multiple Days

More sports than you can shake a hockey stick at. Image: Australian Masters Game.
Australian Masters Games
When: 18 October to 25 October, various times, see schedule for more information
Where: Various locations across Canberra, see the schedule for more information
Cost: Ticket prices vary; see the website for more information.
The Australian Masters Games are bringing a whole lot of sporting excitement to Canberra.
Though entries for many of the sports have closed, spectators are still welcome to rock up and watch everything from archery to equestrian dressage, figure skating, judo, rowing, powerlifting, shooting, netball, golf, fencing, tennis, squash and table tennis.
There will also be events throughout the week to keep you entertained after the athletes have run their race and had their day. Parties at Mooseheads and a mid-week function in Braddon will offer a whole lot of great discounts on food and drinks.

Canberra’s celebration of reading, writing and the art of literature is back this year. Photo: Canberra Writers Festival, Facebook.
Canberra Writers Festival
When: 22 October to 26 October, various times, see program for more information
Where: Various locations across Canberra, see the schedule for more information
Cost: Ticket prices vary, generally between $20 and $30 | Book online.
The Canberra Writers Festival is the capital’s premier celebration of writing across just about every genre, from romance to crime, biography, self-help, short stories, history, memoir, young adult, current affairs, environment, Indigenous affairs and everything in between.
This is a great chance to get insights into the art of writing or simply to hear from your favourite Australian authors. Whether your primary interest is as a reader or a writer, there is something here for you.
It’d be impossible to mention every event coming to Canberra for the festival, but here is a sample:
A history of Australian childhood is told through a record of physical objects in Toys, Curios & Fragments of the Past. Pip Finkemeyer asks an important question for our century in Can Big Tech Really Save Humanity? And the unlikely story of Bob Hawke is told with plenty of colour in a talk from David Day about his book Hawke – From Larrikin to Legend.

The hit musical comes to Canberra at the Street Theatre. Image: Newsies Jnr.
Newsies Jnr
When: 17 October, 7 pm, 18 October, 3 pm and 6 pm, 19 October, 2 pm and 4 pm
Where: The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $25 to $44 | Buy tickets now.
A theatrical production inspired by the 1992 Disney film Newsies, Newsies Jnr is loosely based on the New York City newsboys’ strike of 1899, telling an uplifting story with unforgettable characters, outstanding choreography, wonderful songs by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a full cast of dedicated performers.

Dance as storytelling at the Canberra Theatre Centre. Photo: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Fortūna
When: 17 October, 7 pm and 18 October, 3 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $20 to $30 | Buy tickets.
In the Philippines, people often say kung ano ang itinanim, siya’ng aanihin — “what you reap is what you sow.” But does it really matter what we do, or is everything simply a matter of good fortune? What IS good fortune?
Fortūna is a powerful new solo dance/theatre work that dives into the themes of luck, wealth, and fortune through a vibrant fusion of Filipino folk dance, Hip-Hop and spoken word.
At its heart is the real-life story of dancer and choreographer Sugar Kaye Sañejo Grefaldeo, tracing her path from her first dance experiences in Manila to her current life in Australia. The work questions the concept of “fortune” while also reflecting on the challenge of communicating the value of dance to both family and broader society.

A two-day fitness Mecca at Exhibition Park in Canberra. Image: Canberra Fitness Expo.
Canberra Fitness Expo
When: 18 October, 9 am to 5:30 pm (ICN Pro Night from 6 pm to 8 pm) and 19 October, 9 am to 5:30 pm (ICN Pro Night from 6 pm to 8 pm)
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Road, Mitchell
Cost: Tickets from $49 | Book online.
The Canberra Fitness Expo is back this weekend with a whole lot for gym junkies and fitness freaks to get excited about.
Big names in the business will be there to show off what they’ve got to help you hit your goals, from nutrition to equipment, supplements, clothing, pre-workouts, competition tanning, in addition to stalls from the World Raw Powerlifting League.
And across both days, the ICN Australian Pro and Amateur Championships will show off the best of elite, natural bodybuilding. See the future of natural aesthetics at the Canberra Fitness Expo, or see the crowning of ACT’s Strongest Man and Woman.
Dracula – Ballet at the Canberra Theatre Centre
When: 23 October, 7:30 pm and 24 October, 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $71 to $149.50, plus transaction fee | Tickets available from Canberra Theatre Centre.
Dracula rises in a thrilling world premiere at the Canberra Theatre Centre this October.
Driven by masterpieces from Tchaikovsky, Bach, Stravinsky and Rachmaninov, this haunting retelling unleashes a collision of desire, torment and immortality.
Choreographed by Joel Burke, Dracula features a powerhouse alumni cast from the Mariinsky Theatre, English National Ballet, Queensland Ballet, Australian Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and more.
Friday

Join the Canberra Business Chamber for the 2025 Diplomatic Business Connections Gala Dinner. Image: Canberra Business Chamber.
Diplomatic Business Connections Gala Dinner
When: 17 October, 6:30 pm
Where: Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla
Cost: Member tickets $200 | Non-member tickets $260 | Table of 10 members $1,900 | Table of 10 non-members $2,500 | Buy tickets.
The Canberra Business Chamber Diplomatic Business Connections Gala Dinner is back this year on Friday, 17 October, from 6:30 pm. This is a premier opportunity to connect with Ambassadors, trade representatives, and dignitaries from around the world. Bringing Canberra’s diplomatic community under one roof, this event brings together entrepreneurs and business leaders to forge meaningful local and international connections, gain first-hand insights into global markets and explore opportunities.

Experience the Ultimate Eagles this week. Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
The Ultimate Eagles at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden
When: 17 October, 8 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: Dinner and Show $94 | Show only $49. Tickets available via Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Head to Canberra Southern Cross Club in Woden to experience a phenomenal tribute to the legendary American rock band, The Eagles. These talented musicians bring their unrivalled skills and passion to recreate the iconic sound and unforgettable performances of the Eagles.
Their collective talent, dedication, and love for the music create an unforgettable concert experience for fans old and new. The Eagles Tribute Show is a true celebration of the band’s legacy, transporting audiences back to the heyday of one of rock music’s greatest acts.
Saturday

Thousands of farmers and producers are heading to Murrumbateman for this family farming event. Photo: Yass Valley Council.
Murrumbateman Field Days
When: 18 October, 8 am to 4 pm
Where: Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds, 19 East Street, Murrumbateman
Cost: Tickets from $18 to $30 | Book online or buy tickets on the day.
The Murrumbateman Field Days is Yass Valley’s premier family farming event. Located just on the doorstep of Canberra, this ‘big farming day out’ welcomes thousands of farmers and families from across the region.
There is an exciting program of family entertainment all weekend and a huge range of exhibitors with something for everyone, from farm, livestock, and machinery to building, home improvement, lifestyle, shopping, and fashion, to local food and wine, with everything in between.

TEDxCanberra 2025 invites us to rethink how progress happens. Image: TEDxCanberra.
TEDxCanberra 2025: The People’s Blueprint
When: 18 October, 10 am to 4:30 pm
Where: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: General admission $109 | Tickets available via TEDxCanberra.
Get ready to design the future at TEDxCanberra 2025, where their theme, The People’s Blueprint, takes centre stage. In an era where change is inevitable but direction is uncertain, this event offers a bold new vision – one drafted not by the few but by the many.
It’s a celebration of the collective imagination, experience, and wisdom that shape our world from the ground up. The speakers will share powerful ideas that reframe systems, challenge the status quo, and propose bold, community-led solutions to today’s most pressing challenges.

All attendees will receive a festival ‘ochoko’ sake cup to take home. Photo: Supplied, Australian Sake Festival.
Australian Sake Festival – Kanpai and Canapes
When: 18 October, 11 am to 2 pm, 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: Manning Clark Hall, ANU, Canberra
Cost: Tickets are $119 | Book online.
The Australian Sake Festival is having its first event in Canberra this weekend with Kanpai and Canapes, a celebration of Japanese food and sake.
This exciting new festival, which has sessions all day, is all about Japanese rice wine, also known as Sake. Attendees can expect unlimited tastings of various sakes, with a full crew of sommeliers to guide newcomers through the experience.
Sake is uniquely suited for pairing with food due to its low acidic profile and the festival is taking full advantage of this with Japanese cuisine inspired canapes served throughout the day.

Don’t miss out on live music at the Lanyon Homestead. Image: Humanitix.
Live at Lanyon with Canberra Symphony Orchestra 2025
When: 18 October, 3:30 pm
Where: Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa Drive
Cost: Family (2 adults + 2 children) $100 | Adult $46 | Concession $42 | Under 30s $35 | Child (3-16 years old) $15 | Buy tickets.
Canberra’s beloved Spring outdoor concert Live at Lanyon returns on Saturday 18 October 2025, bringing jazz, soul and pop classics to the historic grounds of Lanyon Homestead.
This year’s program features the Canberra Symphony Orchestra Ensemble with powerhouse vocalist Kirrah Amosa, joined by a rhythm section and string quartet. The repertoire blends love songs, jazz standards and contemporary favourites from Adele, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Taylor Swift to legends like Duke Ellington, Etta James and Nat King Cole.
Audiences can expect two vibrant sets, flowing from smooth ballads to dance-worthy hits, creating a date-night atmosphere that also welcomes families. It’s the perfect picnic setting to enjoy the fantastic musical program.
Upcoming events
- Pegasus Riding for the Disabled 50th Anniversary Golden Gala – 25 October
- Japanese Film Festival 2025 at the National Film and Sound Archive – 27 October
- State of the Territory Business Address – 3 November
- Mary Beard at the Canberra Theatre Centre – 8 November.
Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.