Things to do in Canberra this week (14 - 20 November)

The capital is abuzz with activities this week, offering something for just about everyone. Don’t miss out on all the best in our weekly guide.

SouthFest transforms the face of Tuggeranong this week, featuring a range of market stalls, performances, community activities, arts and crafts, and more.

Competition on the court is hot this week as the UC Capitals and the Sydney Flames go head-to-head in round 5 of the season.

All this, as well as plenty of live music, historic lectures, film screenings and more.

Multiple Days

This week at the NFSA

When: 14 November to 20 November
Where: Arc Cinema, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: $12 to $16 | Book online.

The NFSA hosts a full schedule of films this week, featuring a diverse range of recent hits and old classics, with something for everyone.

On Saturday, check out Barry Lyndon, Stanley Kubrick’s beautifully shot masterpiece about a poor Irishman conning his way up the English social ladder. Featuring duels, romance and war, this film has all the high stakes and brilliant direction one would expect from a Kubrick film.

Sunday’s feature is Contact, a Robert Zemeckis film in which Jodie Foster plays a radio astronomer who picks up a signal from space, instructing humanity on how to build a spacecraft.

Wednesday’s feature is the 2016 Denis Villeneuve film, Arrival. Before he reached his sci-fi zenith with Blade Runner 2049 and Dune, Villeneuve directed Arrival, telling the story of a linguist hired by the government to communicate with aliens that have landed across Earth but who speak in an unintelligible language.

Friday

Capital Brewing Co. Beer Dinner at Canberra Southern Cross Club Jamison

When: 14 November, 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Jamison, Corner Catchpole & Bowman St, Macquarie
Cost: Tickets are $85 | Book online.

If there’s a better way to cap off the week than with a four-course set menu (featuring grilled octopus, honey-glazed chicken, braised beef short rib and dessert) all served with matched Capital Brewing Co beers – we haven’t found it!

So head to the Canberra Southern Cross Club in Jamison for a special dinner celebrating locally made beer.

Served brews include pale ales, salty goses, hard lemonade and IPAs. Don’t miss out on a great meal and even better brews this Friday.

Saturday

Two wheels to adventure: Bikes and why we love them

When: 15 November from 10 am to 11 am
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Canberra
Cost: Free | Book online.

Tony Wheeler (founder of Lonely Planet) and historian Dr Daniel Oakman join the Library’s Rebecca Fleming in conversation, drawing on the National Library’s incredible collections to discuss all things cycling.

From small commutes to epic journeys, home-made contraptions to technical wizardry, come and hear why cycling remains one of the world’s most popular and enjoyable methods of travel, and how it continues to evolve.

The presentation can also be viewed online on the Library’s YouTube channel.

South Jerrabomberra Town Park Launch

When: 15 November, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: South Jerrabomberra Town Park, 1 Carnation Drive, Tralee
Cost: Free | More info online.

The gates to South Jerrabomberra’s brand-new Town Park are opening and you’re invited to join the celebrations.

Bring your family and friends for a fun-filled day as we mark this exciting milestone for South Jerrabomberra’s growing community.

The event will feature free food and live entertainment, kids’ activities and the official opening of the Town Park and Community Centre, two major additions to the heart of South Jerra.

It’s free to attend and everyone is welcome.

SouthFest 2025 – Community festival

When: 15 November, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Town Centre, (Anketell St, Laneways, Health Centre Carpark, and Cowlishaw St)
Cost: Free entry.

SouthFest is transforming the town centre with a vibrant community event with plenty for the whole family.

There will be plenty to see and do, with a marketplace showcasing unique, locally handmade goods, great for picking out a Christmas present, as well as arts and crafts stalls, games and activities, and a community hub with local organisations open for a chat.

There will also be local performers bringing live music to the town centre, in addition to health and wellbeing stalls encouraging sport and fitness.

Round 5: UC Capitals v Sydney Flames

When: 15 November, 3 pm
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets are $30-40 | Book online.

The Capitals are back home after a three-game road trip to face the Sydney Flames for the second time this season.

Last season’s matchups between these two squads went down to the wire, with Sydney’s two late-season wins proving the difference in the finals race.

The Caps will be looking for some payback in this early-season matchup.

Sunday

Sunday Buffet Lunch at Pavilion

When: 16 November, 12 pm to 3 pm
Where: Pavilion on Northbourne, 242 Northbourne Ave, Dickson
Cost: Kids tickets are $16| Adult tickets are $35 | Book online.

Gather your family and friends and enjoy a relaxing Sunday surrounded by the lush greenery of Pavilion on Northbourne’s iconic indoor atrium. Pavilion’s Sunday Buffet Lunch is the perfect way to share good food and great company.

Indulge in a generous spread featuring a selection of hot dishes, fresh salads, cold cuts, charcuterie and, of course, a dessert station.

Tuesday

Shakespeare on the move: Gold rush to Great War at the National Library

When: 18 November, 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Canberra
Cost: Free but bookings are essential | Book online.

Join the National Library for the third illustrated Shakespeare lecture and discover the objects and stories that reveal how Shakespeare made landfall in Australia.

In the nineteenth century, Australia could make or break Shakespeare stars. Far from being disconnected from the rest of the world, the discovery of gold in the 1850s made Australia a chief destination for international touring. Risking a wide ocean, wild country and hostile audiences, some companies learned and others failed to make Shakespeare speak to an Australian imagination. Among the success stories were many intrepid women. By the outbreak of the Great War, Australia was exporting, importing, and nurturing homegrown theatrical talent, with the Shakespeare repertoire at its centre.

The library’s collections preserve an extraordinary array of the physical remnants of Shakespearean performances in Australia—playbills, broadsides, portraits, photographs, manuscripts, music, and more.

James Johnston – Where You’ll Find Me 2025

When: 18 November, 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $69 to $269 | Buy tickets.

Known for his anthemic storytelling, down-to-earth charm, and high-energy performances, James has become one of the hottest names in Australian country music – racking up over 130 million streams, selling out shows across the nation, and taking Aussie country to the world stage.

These dates will bring the new album to life, blending stadium-ready country hooks with heartfelt storytelling that connects everyday moments to something bigger. Expect fan favourites like ‘Raised Like That’, ‘Same Songs’ and ‘Small Town’, plus brand-new tracks like ‘Where You’ll Find Me’ and ‘I Oughta Know Better’ performed with the electrifying energy that has won over crowds from Canberra to Cape Town, South Africa.

Thursday

CSO Down South – Flute and Harp: Tapestry

When: 20 November, 6 pm to 7 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway
Cost: Tickets from $32 to $38 | Book online.

Renowned flautist Sally Walker and harpist Rowan Phemister join forces this Thursday for an exceptional performance spanning a broad variety of music, including opera, Indigenous and contemporary Australian composition.

This showcase, named Tapestry, showcases the interplay between two different instruments played by two musicians and how their skills combine to form a unique sound experience. Works played include Bizet’s Entr’acte from Carmen, Christopher Sainsbury’s Djagamara and Chernin’s Blue Silence.

Upcoming events

• The craft of historical fiction at the National Library – 27 November
• Round 7: UC Capitals v Perth Lynx – 29 November
• John Bishop – 25 Years of Stand Up – 5 December

Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.