Canberra is buzzing with a plethora of exciting things to see and do. Photo: Cirque Alice.
There’s no shortage of great things to see, do and experience this week in Canberra, with events for the whole family.
The National Botanic Gardens hosts Snakes Alive!, a popular summer event inviting Canberra’s kids to check out some of Australia’s reptile inhabitants. There are snake encounters, python feedings, meetings with crocodiles and excitement aplenty in between.
Canberra Theatre Centre is hosting a fantastic spectacle with Cirque Alice, telling the familiar story of Alice in Wonderland as you’ve never seen it before, with aerialists, dancers, puppetry, contortionists and more.
American band Wheatus comes to Canberra for a one-night show celebrating 30 years of performance.
Don’t miss out on this and so much more across town this week.
Multiple Days
Dive into Korean culture this summer. Photo: National Museum of Australia.
Hallyu! Dive into Korean Culture at the National Museum of Australia
When: 16 January to 22 January, during normal gallery hours
Where: Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Canberra
Cost: Tickets are $25 | Book online.
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.
Don’t miss out on Punjabi drama Monsoon Wedding. Image: NFSA.
This week at the NFSA
When: 16 January to 22 January
Where: Arc Cinema, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $12 to $25 | Book online.
The NFSA’s Hot Summer Nights series continues this week with a Friday screening of Punjabi family drama Monsoon Wedding after a live performance from Karisha & The FunKaars, as well as a special Saturday screening of Mamma Mia! preceded by a live performance from Natalie Magee.
On Tuesday, catch a screening of Australia’s classic children’s film Babe, the charming story of how a farm pig discovers a talent for sheep-dogging. Then on Thursday, there’s something for everyone with stop-motion classic Chicken Run as well as Blade Runner: The Final Cut.
Get up close with some of Australia’s most iconic animals. Photo: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Facebook.
Snakes Alive! at the National Botanic Gardens
When: 16 January to 18 January; sessions at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm and 2 pm
Where: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $8.72 | Book online.
Get ready for reptile-related fun at the National Botanic Gardens as the ACT Herpetological Association brings heaps of scaly excitement with Snakes Alive! This exhibition showcases a great variety of Australia’s incredible endemic wildlife, with both reptiles and amphibians making an appearance, many of which are threatened or rarely seen.
Kids will have a chance to get up close and experience live displays, as well as feeding and even handling of snakes, frogs, turtles and crocodiles, all in the service of education. More information is available on the exhibition website.
Friday
Come with us Friday, don’t say maybe. Image: University of Canberra.
Wheatus — 25-Year Anniversary Tour at the University of Canberra
When: 16 January, 7 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: UC Hub, 11 Kirinari St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets are $69.90 | Book online.
Wheatus is on tour in Australia for 11 massive shows, one of which is coming to the University of Canberra. They will be celebrating 25 years of Teenage Dirtbag and will be reminding audiences of that smash hit as well as their debut album. Fans can also request songs from across their 30-year career. It’s a great chance to listen to a nostalgic classic played live.
Saturday
Catch Round 13 of the A-League women’s soccer competition this Saturday. Image: Canberra United.
Canberra United vs Wellington Phoenix — Round 13 of the 2025/26 Ninja A-League women’s soccer season
When: 17 January, 5:30 pm
Where: McKellar Park, Walkley Pl, McKellar
Cost: Tickets from $14 | Book online.
The 2025/26 Ninja A-League women’s soccer season is well and truly underway, with Canberra United playing a home game against Wellington Phoenix this week.
There will be new talent in the host team as well as some familiar faces giving their all as they face the Phoenix in the 13th round of the competition.
Sunday
Tuck into some sweet treats at the markets. Photo: Haig Park Village Markets
Haig Park Village Markets
When: 18 January, 8 am to 2 pm
Where: Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon
Cost: Free.
The Haig Park Village Markets run each Sunday in the grounds of Haig Park, providing a great atmosphere to check out the diverse range of market stalls. Check out the jewellery, art, body care products, homewares, candles and clothes as well as a host of food stalls selling fresh produce, artisanal desserts and cuisine from around the world. There will also be live music, an artist’s table and plenty of family-friendly activities like face painting.
Feast your eyes as the Kite Flying Festival lights up the sky. Photo: Events Canberra.
Canberra’s Kite Flying Festival
When: 18 January, 10 am
Where: Patrick White Lawns, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free | Register online.
The Kite Flying Festival on the Patrick White Lawns invites Canberrans to enjoy a celebration of summer fun set to light up the sky with colour. There will, of course, be vibrant kites riding the winds, and other family-friendly entertainment and outdoor activities. The attractions will include amusement rides, face painting, henna art, a DJ, food and dessert trucks, market stalls and merchandise vendors.
Enjoy delicious smoked meats every second Sunday at the Old Canberra Inn. Photo: Old Canberra Inn.
Smoked Meats with Colonel Fatboy von Bootleg
When: 18 January, from midday
Where: Old Canberra Inn, 195 Mouat St, Lyneham
Cost: $19 for tacos and $26 for a brisket roll.
A collaboration between Colonel Fatboy von Bootleg and the Old Canberra Inn (OCI) is live! The organisers are inviting everyone to come down and enjoy the smoked treats.
The meat is smoked onsite at OCI and the kitchen team helps serve up meat perfection. Mark your calendars for every second Sunday. The smoker will be fired up, and smoked goodness will be prepared, cared for and watched to ensure the perfect temperature is achieved and maintained.
Thursday
Don’t miss out on Alice in Wonderland, as you’ve never seen it before. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Cirque Alice at the Canberra Theatre Centre
When: 22 January, 6 pm
Where: Civic Square, London Circuit
Cost: Tickets from $75.90 to $125 | Book online.
See the enchanting world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland like never before, with gravity-defying feats and exciting showmanship. This spectacle for the senses will include aerialists, contortionists, puppetry, skilled dancers, musical guests, comic artists and more, all set against the backdrop of classical hits.
Upcoming Events
- FLIGHT: Drone SkyShow 2026 — 24 January to 26 January
- Australia Day at the Southern Cross Club — 26 January
- John Williamson at the Canberra Theatre Centre — 6 February.
Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly What’s On guide.
