Henry 5 at the Canberra Theatre Centre brings the glory and tragedy of the Battle of Agincourt to the capital. Photo: Canberra Theatre Centre.
The school holidays are almost here, which means kids are scrambling for things to do and parents are looking for something to fill the days.
Look no further as we’ve put together the best of what the capital has to offer in the next few days for the young, the young at heart and everyone else.
There’s another great week of movies at the NFSA, Shakespeare, amazing science workshops for curious kids, interactive exhibits, heaps of music and even a bit of magic (and a touch of Easter).
This week’s list is full of surprises, so make these school holidays special with some of our suggestions.
Multiple Days
Three young men each respond to their difficult surroundings in different ways in Boyz n the Hood. Image: NFSA.
This week at the NFSA
When: 11 April to 17 April
Where: Arc Cinema National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $8 to $16.
The National Film and Sound Archive brings great cinema to the forefront every week, and in the next few days they’ve got some real knockouts, from unsettling sci-fi movies to 90s crime drama classics.
If you’re in the mood for sci-fi on a Saturday, check out 2021’s Neptune Frost, a musical romance about a hacker collective in post-apocalyptic Burundi leading an anti-colonial struggle.
If you’re still buzzing from that, Wednesday’s feature is 2014’s Ex Machina, from the director of Annihilation (and the writer of 28 Days Later and The Beach). This film pre-empts the AI discussion as a young programmer is invited by his secretive billionaire boss to assess a female AI named Ava at his remote rural home. The film is followed by a panel discussion that will focus on science, technology, AI and women in culture.
For something a little bit kid friendly, Thursday will show the classic kids film Madagascar featuring an all-star cast of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinket Smith as zoo animals way out of their depth in the wilds of the titular island of Madagascar.
For something not-so kid-friendly, Thursday also features Boyz n the Hood, starring Cuba Gooding Jr and a young Ice Cube trying to survive in the harsh streets of South Central L.A.
The new King of England must retaliate against the French and satisfy an unruly nation. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Bell Shakespeare’s Henry 5 at the Canberra Theatre Centre
When: 11 April to 17 April, see website for times
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit
Cost: Tickets from $45.
Following an insult from the King of France, the newly minted King Henry of England embarks on the most English endeavour of all, attacking the French. The play follows the despair and misery of the campaign until King Henry brings glory to England with an eventual victory over the French at Agincourt.
This is one of the most beloved Shakespeare plays, embodying the English playwright’s love of tragedy, grand speeches and complex characters.
The play features one of the most famous speeches in the English language, the St Crispin’s Day Speech.
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd—
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
Seeing it live from the creative geniuses of Bell Shakespeare is an experience you’ll never forget.
Sharon Peoples, Red Gardener 2 (detail), 2021. Machine-embroidered lace. Image courtesy of the artist.
Exhibitions Opening at Tuggeranong Arts Centre
When: Opening night, Friday 11 April 2025, 6 pm. Showing until Saturday 7 June.
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
Cost: Free.
Join Peter McLean, Sharon Peoples, Lynne Flemons and the Networks Australia artists at the official opening of Walking with the Gardener, Meander and Pixel and Thread at Tuggeranong Arts Centre at 6 pm on Friday, 11 April.
Have a glass of wine with the artists, their friends and people from Canberra’s local arts scene. Hear from guest speakers and enjoy the celebratory atmosphere as you browse the artwork in three new exhibitions.
The capital is full of great events thanks to the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival. Photo: Events Canberra.
Canberra and Region Heritage Festival
When: 12 April to 17 April
Where: Various locations,
Cost: Price dependent on event; see website for more details.
The Canberra and Region Heritage Festival is back this April, bringing heaps of exciting events all across the ACT and its surrounds. It’s just the first week of the festival, but already it’s showing so much promise with events for kids and adults alike.
Take a quick peek at the opening week. You’ll find everything from fascinating lectures detailing bandicoots and their habit of nicking expensive French truffles, guided walks around some of the area’s stunning natural spaces, to boat festivals and architecture exhibitions.
Check their website for more details on the great events they’ve got planned.
Young witches and wizards are given everything they need to make their own custom wand. Photo: Events Canberra.
Wand-Making Workshop
When: 11 April and 13 April to 17 April
Where: Quizzic Alley, 5 Pirie Street, Fyshwick
Cost: All tickets $45.
Wizards, witches, mages and warlocks are welcome to create their personalised wands at Quizzic Alley’s wand-making workshop. They will be provided with everything they need to craft their own magical devices. Embued with the materials and magic of their choice, they’re sure to make something truly special.
Get the kids outdoors these school holidays with the Ginninderry Conservation Trust ranges. Photo: Ginninderry Conservation Trust.
“Our Place” Autumn School Holiday Program with the Ginninderry Conservation Trust
When: 15 April and 16 April, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Meet at The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn ACT 2615
Cost: $150 for the two days, register via Humanitix
Join the Ginninderry Conservation Trust rangers these school holidays for a time of exploration and fun! This hands-on program designed for children aged 7-12 connects them with nature whilst also teaching them the importance of environmental conservation.
Over two exciting days, children will engage in a variety of outdoor activities led by our experienced rangers. These activities include nature walks along the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor walking tracks, wildlife spotting, singing songs, creating art with nature based materials, and more.
Spark your kid’s imagination, and then let it run wild. Photo: Events Canberra.
Animals reimagined holiday program
When: 14 April to 16 April
Where: National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes
Cost: $5 or free for NAA members.
Prime your kid’s imagination and natural wonder at the 20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing the best nature photography that Australia has produced, then let them really go wild at the following interactive workshop.
Kids will get to create crazy mixed-media images and collages, reimagining the photography to form their own vision and art in the process.
Kids with an eye for shiny things will be thrilled at the chance to crack open their very own geodes. Photo: Events Canberra.
Rock on at the National Museum of Australia
When: 16 April at 11:30 am and 17 April, sessions at 10 am and 11:30 am
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton
Cost: $12 to $20; book now as tickets are selling fast.
The National Museum’s school holiday program includes this great geological event all about minerals, rocks and crystals. Kids are invited to explore the Great Southern Land exhibition’s collection of fascinating stones that can be found in Australia, then they’ll get to bust open their own geodes, marvel at the crystals inside and then create their own artworks with watercolours and sand, inspired by their fresh encounter with the amazing world of rocks and crystals.
Saturday
The Alt-Rock Fest is on at Old Canberra Inn on Saturday 12 April from 3 pm til late. Image: Old Canberra Inn.
Alt-Rock Fest
When: Saturday 12 April, 3 pm til late
Where: Old Canberra Inn, 195 Mouat Street, Lyneham
Cost: Free entry.
Join Old Canberra Inn for the Alt-Rock Fest this Saturday. Enjoy music from 3 pm featuring Australian alternative bands and artists such as:
- Falconwulf – 3 pm to 4 pm
- The Dusty’s – 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- The Bottlebrushes – 6 pm to 7 pm
- Dirty Suits – 7:30 pm to 9 pm
Vote for your favourite brewer out of Hop Nation and Black Hops this weekend at Dickson Taphouse. Photo: Thomas Lucraft
Battle of the Brewers – Round 1 – Hop Nation v Black Hops
When: Saturday 12 April, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Dickson Taphouse, 30 Woolley St, Dickson
Cost: Free entry
Join Dickson Taphouse as they host the Battle of the Brewers for 2025! Round 1 will see Black Hops and Hop Nation go head to head. With a range of beers available to try, you’ll be invited to taste each brewer and then vote for your favourite.
James Southwell will be playing tunes and the Taphouse team will be offering hourly giveaways.
The Sandy Evans Quartet is coming to Tuggeranong Arts Centre on Saturday, 12 April. Photo: Shane Rozario.
Sax Koto: A meeting of Jazz, Japanese and Iranian music
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
When: Saturday 12 April, 7 pm. The bar opens at 6 pm.
Cost: $45 full / $38 concession. Book tickets now.
For over four decades, the legendary Sandy Evans has shaped the landscape of Australian jazz.
The Sax Koto quartet is thrilled to present an exciting new collaboration with the Jazz Haus Canberra and the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
This concert will be a magical evening that transcends cultural boundaries and celebrates the freedom of the human spirit. It is an essential experience for enthusiasts of cross-cultural music as it combines the disciplines of Western jazz, Japanese and Iranian music into a unique and exciting treat for the senses.
Sunday
Free-flowing music for flute, piano and cello inspired by water, breath, spirit and song at Albert Hall on 13 April. Photo: CSO.
Water and Spirit
When: Sunday 13 April, 2 pm
Where: Albert Hall, Yarralumla
Cost: $16 to $55. Tickets are available via the CSO.
Debussy’s Syrinx takes its name from ancient Greek lore. Pursued by Pan, god of the wild, the nymph Syrinx is transformed into river reeds – from which we fashion ‘pan’ pipes. Water mythology also permeates Amy Beach’s ‘Water-Sprites’ Pastorale, which ripples with opalescent textures.
Water flows through the Variations and Rondo on ‘Schone Minka’ by composer and pianist Johann Nepomuk Hummel, a contemporary of Weber. Adapted from a Ukrainian folk song, it tells the story of a Cossack who bids his beloved farewell as he rides away to war along the river Danube.
Wednesday
Kids get to craft, parade their creations and then go on a classic egg hunt at the Southern Cross Club in Woden. Photo: CSCC.
Kidtastic Crafts – Easter Craft, Parade and Egg Hunt!
When: 10 am, Wednesday, 16 April
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna St, Phillip
Cost: $15 per child. Tickets are available via Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Make your own Easter hat with craft material, and show off your amazing design in the Woden Southern Cross Club’s Easter Hat Parade. Then venture around the club to see what goodies the Easter Bunny may have left for your kids to find.
Thursday
Kids will marvel and laugh at this combination of entertainment and science. Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
The Magic World of Crazy Science
When: Thursday 17 April, 1 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden
Cost: $20 per person. Tickets are available via Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Take a wild ride with host, multi-award-winning entertainer, scientist and teacher Richard Scholes through the ‘Magical World of Crazy Science’.
Crazy Science is a unique show that incorporates science, magic, comedy, mime and music.
Audiences will witness giant columns of elephant toothpaste, toilet paper flying high, smoke rings zooming, the incredible magic of polymers and gigantic bubbles that have to be seen to be believed.
Upcoming events:
- The Black Blues Brothers– 18 April.
- Rhys Darby – The Legend Returns – 19 April.
- Sweet Charity – 29 April to 18 May.
Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.
