Canberra is buzzing with things to do over summer. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
A lot of people think it gets quiet when summer hits Canberra, but there’s actually so much to do across the Capital, no matter what you’re in the mood for.
If you’re after cultural events like ballet performances, film screenings, art exhibitions and live music, there’s something here for you. Equally, if you’re after a summer of excitement, there’s plenty of sport, from tennis to basketball, as well as one of Canberra’s most awaited events – Summernats.
Across the summer, local musicians will perform in the NFSA garden. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The National Film and Sound Archive
Where: 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton
If you’re looking for something cultural, cinematic or musical, the NFSA is your go-to this summer.
Head to the NFSA and enjoy its Hot Summer Nights series, presenting bold cinematic visions with live performances from talented local artists. Local musicians will perform from 6 pm, while visitors enjoy local wines, summer cocktails and charcuterie. The movies start from 8 pm and the NFSA is screening everything from Michael Mann’s 1995 Heat, to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mamma Mia! The Sapphires, Blues Brothers and so much more.
They’re also restoring some Aussie classics and screening them across summer, including Radiance, Muriel’s Wedding and Strictly Ballroom. And don’t miss out on their sci-fi series, including Blade Runner, Akira, Robocop and The Matrix.
The Canberra International will take place in the first week of January 2026. Photo: Tennis ACT.
Workday Canberra International – Tennis
Where: Tennis World Canberra, 3 Riggall Place, Lyneham
From 4 to 10 January, the Canberra Tennis Centre plays host to an exciting event with plenty of fun for the whole family.
There will be exhibition matches, one point slams, a kids’ tennis day with superheroes on site to encourage young players, free ice block giveaways, racquet giveaways and face painting.
There will also be a fan zone with free mini tennis and pop tennis and free coaching.
Food and beverages will be available from Papa Deli, Sushi Sushi, Taco Ntento and Underground Spirits Canberra.
The National Portrait Gallery has some exciting new exhibitions. Image: National Portrait Gallery.
Summer at the National Portrait Gallery
Where: King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Head to the gallery for its new exhibition Super Kaylene Whiskey. Featuring more than 80 paintings, video projects and installations, this exhibition covers the full oeuvre of Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey from her beginning in the art world until now.
Relive the exciting days of the 2023 World Cup with the gallery’s new video portrait of the Matildas. An ambitious project filmed across three continents, five cities and seven separate occasions, this unique portrait is the first ever commissioned of a whole team.
It marks a unique moment in Australian sporting history and the nation’s most-watched broadcast, when the whole country was fixated on just 23 Australians as they soared to new heights in the World Cup. Also check out the Summer Play Space with free family activities and interactive installations.
Canberra’s centre for performance, dance, stand-up and live music is holding special events all summer. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Canberra Theatre Centre
Where: Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra City
The Canberra Theatre Centre is the capital’s premier centre for music, performance, dance, stand-up comedy, stage plays and absolutely everything in between.
There’s something for any interest and any age range at the Canberra Theatre Centre. Its summer program includes kids’ Storytime Ballet performances of the Nutcracker, the much awaited Cirque Alice adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, stand up comedy from stars such as Laura Johnston and Gianmarco Soresi, live music from Aussie country music icon John Williamson, Queen tribute acts and one-man shows starring singer Ben Folds.
There’s plenty of women’s basketball on offer during summer. Photo: University of Canberra Capitals.
UC Capitals games
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier Street, Bruce
The UC Capitals are busy this holiday season, with a stacked schedule of games across the next few weeks:
- 27 December – UC Capitals v Sydney Flames
- 4 January – UC Capitals v Perth Lynx
- 25 January – UC Capitals v Bendigo Spirit
- 3 February – UC Capitals v Southside Flyers
- 7 February – UC Capitals v Geelong Venom
Gain a fascinating insight into the NLA’s collection. Photo: National Library of Australia.
Our Treasures, Your Treasures – School Holiday Event at the National Library of Australia
Where: Parkes Place, Canberra
These school holidays the National Library is opening up its Treasures Gallery, inviting curious kids to check out some of the most fascinating objects in the collection.
This hands-on craft session on 28 January allows kids to design and decorate a keepsake box to store and display their own treasures. Don’t miss out on this celebration of the history of the NLA’s collection, which also gives kids a great free opportunity for self-expression.
Summernats is back and louder than ever. Photo: Summernats.
Summernats 2025
Where: Numerous locations, see program for more detail
Summernats is back from 8 to 11 January, promising to be better than ever with even more events.
Canberrans await Summernats all year for good reason, it’s a paradise for revheads with plenty of historic cars and supercharged vehicles tuned within an inch of their life. Whether you want to admire a historic automotive that’s been shined to a keen finish or you want to hear the roar of V8s and screeching tyres, if you like anything that moves on wheels, this is for you.
There will also be plenty of live music from bands such as Peking Duk, The Living End, The Screaming Jets and a festival zone with a whole lot of entertainment.
Questacon is a Canberra icon for a reason. Photo: Questacon.
Questacon
Where: King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Spark your kids’ scientific curiosity at Questacon over the summer with Zap! Clank! Pow!
This fun exhibit shows kids science in practical, fascinating ways, allowing them to safely interact with and understand forces such as electricity, machinery, gravity, magnetism and aerodynamics. There are 17 interactive exhibits, so there’s plenty to keep the kids occupied.
Also check out the Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light exhibition, all about exploring light through hands-on interactive play, where kids get to play with light and discover how it works and interacts with the world.
Cricket is back this Summer. Photo: Manuka Oval.
Summer Cricket at Manuka Oval
Where: Manuka Oval, Manuka Circle, Griffith
Don’t miss out on fast-paced cricket action this summer at Manuka Oval, as both women’s and men’s games come to town.
- 28 December, 6 pm: Sydney Thunder takes on Melbourne Stars
- 19 February from 5:45 pm: Women’s T20I Series against India.
CMAG excels at telling unknown stories and exploring strange corners of the culture. Photo: Canberra Museum and Gallery.
Canberra Museum and Gallery
Where: Corner of London Circuit and City Square, Canberra City
The Canberra Museum and Gallery is always packed with interesting exhibits exploring untold stories, unknown cultural artefacts or Australian artists and it’s all completely free.
Explore Sidney Nolan’s stunningly original designs for stage productions in the 60s with never-before-seen photographs and drawings in A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage.
Or check out Loving: Photographs of Men in Love 1850s-1950s, showcasing the sometimes forgotten, often hidden world of gay men in love at times when it was taboo or legally penalised.
Wearing Joy: Beautiful Broaches, organises Carla Velting’s eclectic collection of wearable art into a story about daily joy and expression.
High Tea at the Hyatt Hotel is a great way to beat the heat. Photo: Hyatt Hotel.
High Tea at the Hyatt Hotel
Where: Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla
The Hyatt Hotel’s high tea experience brings old-world charm and high class with a modern touch to Canberra.
The Hyatt’s selection of exotic and exciting teas brings flavours from all around the world to an unmatched setting in one of Canberra’s most adored heritage-listed buildings, which has stood proudly for more than a century.
Enjoy distinct tea flavours such as Australian Daintree, nutty Japanese genmaicha, floral French Earl Grey, and rich Sri Lankan tea, with hints of caramel and berries. All the classics are of course on hand, including peppermint, English breakfast, lemon and ginger, green tea, oolong, and more.
There’s no better way to cool off this summer. Image: Canberra Aqua Park.
Canberra Aqua Park
Where: Black Mountain Peninsula, Garryowen Drive, Acton
Canberra Aqua Park is returning to the lake this summer. The best way to cool off is a dip in the lake and there’s no better way to enjoy the water than on the Aqua Park’s slides, ladders and jumping pillow.
Sessions go for 50 minutes and bookings are required.
Note: All visitors must be able to swim.
Dive into Korean culture this summer. Photo: National Museum of Australia.
Step into Korean Culture at the National Museum of Australia
Where: Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Canberra
Hallyu! The Korean Wave is an exciting exhibition at the National Museum, giving Canberrans a chance to immerse themselves in the world of Korean culture.
Korean culture surged to international prominence thanks to major exports such as K-pop, K-drama, a dynamic fashion scene and a thriving beauty industry, all of which receive their due attention. The exhibition features more than 200 objects, including K-pop costumes, film props, interactive dance displays and fascinating artefacts of contemporary South Korean culture.
