Things to do in Canberra this week (20 - 26 February)

Canberra is buzzing this week with plenty of events, from exciting displays of daring to much-awaited yearly events, skating fests, live music, special music and much more.

The Royal Canberra Show is back this week, with plenty of agricultural events, sideshows, great food, more than 150 attractions, camel rides and fireworks.

The Lunar New Year Festival celebrates a landmark in the Chinese cultural calendar, with performances, cultural displays, interactive sessions and workshops to get keen for.

Along with a whole lot of music of just about every type. All this and everything in between across Canberra, in this week’s guide.

Multiple Days

Bald Archies Prize at the Watson Arts Centre

When: Open from 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday to Friday, or 10 am to 2 pm Saturday and Sunday
Where: Watson Arts Centre, 1 Aspinall Street
Cost: Entry from $7 to $10.

Australia’s favourite satirical art prize is back on tour this year, critiquing Australia’s rich and powerful through the visual arts. What began in 1994 is now a feature of Australia’s arts scene, combining comedy and the arts to poke fun at the people we see on the news every day.

This year’s winner, Emperor Australis by Mark Davis, portrays Albanese, our humble PM from social housing, as our nation’s Bonaparte, with an appropriate mount and even a Rabbitohs cap.

Royal Canberra Show

When: 20 February, 21 February and 22 February, see the schedule for more details
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Road, Mitchell
Cost: Tickets from $13 | Book online.

The Royal Canberra Show is here, with more entertainment and excitement than ever before.

This year’s show is a three-day extravaganza, with a mixture of agricultural events and family activities, more than 150 attractions, 450 trade displays and 5000 animals.

Don’t miss out on live demonstrations, educational exhibits and hands-on experiences, including woodchopping competitions, free camel rides, plenty of food vendors, fireworks, show jumping and so much more.

Belco Bowl Jam

When: 20 February, 21 February, 22 February, see Instagram page for more info
Where: Verity Lane and various locations around Canberra City
Cost: Free.

The Belco Bowl Jam has made a name for itself in Canberra and across the nation as one of the most popular and best annual skateboarding events, for good reason. This year’s event will feature three days of skateboarding and music around Canberra. Some of the best skaters in the nation will compete for more than $30,000 in cash prizes.

It all kicks off with the Street Party in Verity Lane, with live performances from Aussie punk rock bands, world premieres from Volcom and demonstrations of skating excellence.

See their Instagram page for more details.

Australia Plants as Bonsai – Exhibition at the Australian National Botanic Gardens

When: 21 February and 22 February, 9:30 am to 4 pm
Where: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, Australian Capital Territory
Cost: Tickets from $3 to $5.

The Canberra Bonsai Society presents Australian Plants as Bonsai in ‘The Secret to Looking Old’. This exhibition of more than 40 Australian plants shows off the tips and tricks that it takes to make a bonsai look far older than it actually is. Both bonsai enthusiasts and novices will enjoy learning the techniques of a millennia-old art form. Beyond the art of bonsai, visitors will also see the results and enjoy the unusual impression of seeing trees in miniature.

Snake-tacular 2026

When: Saturday 21 February and Sunday 22 February
Where: National Zoo & Aquarium
Cost: Adult (ages 16+) $60.00, Child $36.00, Families (2 adults + up to 3 children) $165.00, Seniors $53.00, Students $53.00, Infants (under 3yo) $1.00

Slither into the National Zoo & Aquarium on the 21 and 22 February for the Zoo’s spectacular Snake Celebration Weekend! Enjoy special keeper talks, family-friendly activities, and limited-edition collectables.

Plus, visit the zoo this weekend to go into the running for one of their lucky door prizes!

• Grand Prize: Jamala stay, any uShaka room for 2 adults, off peak (starting value $1795)
• Awesome Roarsome for two ($374 value)
• Animal Encounter for 2 ($182 value)
• $50 voucher for gift shop or $30 bistro voucher

Winners drawn on 23 February and contacted via email.

Friday

The Korean Feast with Chef Jung-Su Chang

When: 20 February, 7 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $285 to $295 | Book online.

The National Museum of Australia opens its doors for one night only for an exclusive after-hours experience, as part of its exhibition celebrating Korean culture.

The Executive Chef of Sydney’s restaurant ALLTA visits the museum to showcase the flavours and aromas of Korean cuisine, curating a special three-course menu paired with premium Australian wines or Korean teas, along with a themed cocktail.

Beyond this incredible meal, the evening will also include after-hours access to the exhibition of Hallyu! The Korean Wave, along with live performances by Sydney’s Stringspace Quartet. Bookings are essential and will go quickly.

House of Heroes at the National Portrait Gallery

When: 20 February, 7 pm to 12 am
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Adult $40 | Concession $36 | Circle of Friends $36 | Under 30 $30 | Mob $20 | Book online.

The Gallery’s annual Late Night event is back in 2026!

Curated by sensational duo Will and Garrett Huxley (The Huxleys), this iteration celebrates Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey and her vibrant exhibition Super Kaylene Whiskey.

Get ready for an evening of glittering live performances, creative pop-ups, the incredible art of Kaylene Whiskey and a dancefloor soundtracked by Kaylene’s favourite music superstars like Dolly Parton, Cher and Tina Turner.

Save the date, blast your favourite pop anthems and prepare your most fabulous party outfit. Please note that this is an 18+ event.

Saturday

Canberra Lunar New Year Festival 2026

When: 21 February, 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Woolley Street, Dickson
Cost: Free | More information here.

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Dickson as Woolley Street comes alive with colour, music and community spirit. From morning until night, enjoy a full day of performances, food and family fun as they welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.

The main stage will feature Celestial Chronicles, a signature choreographed performance created especially for Dickson’s Lunar New Year celebration. Enjoy K-Pop Heroes, a major attraction for families and young audiences, along with large-scale performances from national artists. The evening will close with pyrotechnics lighting up the event in true Fire Horse style.

On the community stage, experience traditional and contemporary acts from local cultural groups, workshops in dance and kung fu, and interactive sessions for children.

Across the event, discover roving zodiac performers sharing Hongbao and Lai See Bao, the popular Zodiac Gallery with horoscope insights for the coming year.

Food lovers can explore the extended food village showcasing Woolley Street favourites and ACT-based vendors, along with bar offerings from local businesses.

Freestyle Kings Live World Tour in Canberra

When: 21 February, 6 pm
Where: GIO Stadium, Battye St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $60.15 to $121.35 | Book online.

The Freestyle Kings Live World Tour brings spectacle to new heights, with action sports legends such as Robbie Maddison, his sons Kruz and Jagger, FMX world champions Clinton Moore and Pat Bowden, and X Games gold medalist Robbie Adelberg putting on a show to remember.

If you want excitement this weekend, book now for front flips, double backflips and gravity-challenging BMX stunts sure to excite. This is the best show on two wheels, with two full hours of amazing tricks, along with fire artists, pyrotechnics and music.

Sunday

2026 Memory Walk & Jog

When: 22 February, 7:30 am
Where: Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, Parkes ACT
Cost: Family (2 adults + 2 children) $180.00, Adult (18 – 59 years) $60.00, Senior (60+ years) $55.00, Child (6 – 17 years) $50.00, Junior (0 – 5 years) free, Dog $10.00 | Book online.

Dementia is a growing public health crisis, and the leading cause of death in Australians.

Goodwin is deeply committed to providing high-quality care for seniors and is proud to sponsor the 2026 Memory Walk & Jog for the second year in a row.

Join Team Goodwin and help make a difference in the fight against dementia.

Ben Folds & A Piano Tour

When: 22 February 2026, 8 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $89.90 to $119.90 | Book online.

Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter and New York Times Best Selling author, Ben Folds, is back in Australia in 2026 as part of his Ben Folds & A Piano tour.

The tour features an intimate live musical experience, with Folds performing past and current hits and sharing stories from his more than three decades as a platinum-selling singer-songwriter and former frontman for Ben Folds Five.

Monday

Harp Revolution with Adriano Sangineto and Jacopo Dessi

When: 23 February, 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Where: McGregor Hall, 76 Alinga St, Melbourne Building, Canberra City
Cost: Tickets from $20 to $25 | Book online.

Italian harpist Adriano Sangineto is known for his skill in revolutionising the way that the harp is used as an instrument, reinventing it through rhythm, experimentation, and a stage presence focused on energy.

His background in classical music and passion for diverse folk traditions from around the globe inform his ability to push the boundaries of his medium.

This solo project, Harp Revolution, blends these traditions with his own innovations, reimagining the harp as an exploratory device. Don’t miss out on this musical innovator as he breaks the confines of genre.

Thursday

Divine Degustation Vegetarian Dinner at Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong

When: 26 February, 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong
Cost: $69 Members | $83 Non-Members | Optional Matched Wine Package: $30 per person | Book online.

Divine Degustation is a vegetarian four-course experience that showcases bold flavours, exciting textures and creative cooking that puts vegetables in the spotlight. Curated by Executive Chef Bradley Howden, the menu highlights the natural versatility and richness of seasonal vegetarian ingredients, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully balanced.

Guests can enhance their experience with a wine pairing, available for an additional $30 per person.

Upcoming Events

• Digi Culture & Music – 28 February
• Queen Forever Greatest Hits Tour – 28 February
• Lakespeare at Pialligo Estate – 1 March
• International Women’s Day Luncheon at the Yacht Club – 3 March
• Scenery – 7 March

Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly What’s On guide.