Who says Canberra is boring? Photo: Bryce Lightbody.
There’s really no predicting what is going on in Canberra at any given moment.
Whether you’re after medieval combat, drone shows, night markets, silent discos, sport, school holiday programs, Australia Day celebrations and just about anything in between, you’ll find them in our weekly guide.
Harmonie German Club gets a little bit feudal this week as the Burly Griffins get together to pound some heads and split some armour with their medieval cage fighting event. If you’ve ever read about battles between knights and chevaliers and pined for such times, this is the event for you.
The Canberra Theatre Centre hosts an extraordinary interpretation of Alice in Wonderland with contortionists, aerialists, puppetry, plus plenty of enchanting dancers and musicians.
And FLIGHT, Canberra’s favourite drone show and night markets, brings a whole lot of spectacle and fun to the lake.
Multiple Days
Cirque Alice, playing at the Canberra Theatre Centre from 22 January. Photo: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Cirque Alice at the Canberra Theatre Centre
When: 23 January to 29 January
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $75.90 to $125 | Book online.
Step into Wonderland as Cirque Alice reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic adventure.
With stunning performances and gravity-defying feats in a fantastical extravaganza for all ages, experience an extraordinary new show from the creators of global smash hits The Illusionists, Circus 1903 and Le Noir.
This magnificent spectacle features mind-bending contortionists, mesmerising aerialists, larger-than-life puppetry, plus enchanting dancers, special musical guests and comedic artists set against a contemporary soundtrack of iconic classical hits.
With a limited number of VIP onstage seats also available, don’t be late to get your tickets to witness the world’s greatest acrobatic performers at Canberra Theatre Centre.
The home front in the limelight at CMAG. Photo: CMAG.
Australia’s Home Front: 1939-1945 – Exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery
When: 23 January to 29 January, during normal gallery hours
Where: Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Free.
This exhibition at CMAG explores the daily life of Australians during the home front in WWII. An oft-overlooked component of the war, the home front encompasses everything from the vital work done by women who had to take over from men sent to the front, the raising of war bonds, as well as the daily innovation and resilience of those working to defeat the enemy far from the battlefield.
Learn about the period with artefacts from the collection of local historian Rohan Goyne, with a focus on civil defence, wartime messages, rationing and more.
There will even be a special component linking Canberra to the Manhattan Project, the secretive military initiative that greatly contributed to the defeat of the Empire of Japan.
The sky above the lake lights up this weekend. Photo: ACT Government.
FLIGHT: Drone SkyShow and Night Markets
When: 24 January to 26 January, 5 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Regatta Point, Lake Burley Griffin, Parkes
Cost: Free.
One of Canberra’s most anticipated events is back this week, bringing a whole lot of excitement to the lakeside.
FLIGHT will feature a drone show, lighting up the sky and creating incredible images over the lake using hundreds of drones, alongside coordinated music.
There will also be food and drink stalls, with plenty of delicious dishes and unique gifts.
Dance alongside the meerkats these school holidays at the National Zoo and Aquarium. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Silent Disco at the National Zoo & Aquarium
When: 24 and 25 January, 9:30 am to 11 am and 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: National Zoo & Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla
Cost: Adult $60 | Child $36 | Families (2 adults + up to 3 children) $165 | Concession $53 | Infants $1 | Book online.
Dance like no-one is watching at the National Zoo & Aquarium these summer school holidays.
Bring your family and friends, pick up a headset and dance with the animals. Slushies will be available for purchase from the bistro to cool you down.
Learn the many ways collage can be used artistically. Photo: Photo Access.
School Holiday Summer Collage Workshop
When: 28 January and 29 January, from 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Photo Access, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith
Cost: Tickets $385 | Book online.
Photo Access is hosting a special two-day school holiday workshop exploring the world of collage. This hands-on workshop is led by artist Greta Cooper and will help kids (aged eight to 16) explore the world of collage and create their own masterpieces.
Students will head outdoors on the first day for a guided photo walk, exploring how light, colour, pattern and composition in the environment can be captured on film, which will form the basis of their artwork.
On the second day, artists will select their best photos and experiment with cutting, layering, ripping and intersecting various surface materials. Throughout the process, artists will be shown examples of other artists who use collage to great effect in their work.
Friday
Volleyball ACT’s Grass Volleyball Come and Try day draws participants of all ages and skill levels, who can register as individuals or in teams. Photo: drazenphoto/envato.
Grass Volleyball: Come and Try
When: 23 January from 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Where: Volleyball ACT Beach Volleyball Courts, Thurbon Rd, Lyneham
Cost: Free. Registrations essential.
Looking to try a new activity? Head down to Volleyball ACT in Lyneham this Friday to try out Grass Volleyball!
Come alone or sign up as a team and play a few games of volleyball. All abilities are welcome and skills sessions will be run for beginners.
Start your weekend right at Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Photo: About Yesterday.
Twilight in the Gardens
When: 23 January from 5 pm to 8 pm
Where: Rose Courtyard, Hyatt Hotel, 120 Commonwealth Ave Yarralumla
Cost: Free entry. Food and drink available for purchase.
Join Hyatt Hotel Canberra for a magical evening in the gardens every Friday from 5 pm.
Enjoy live music, gourmet grill stations, St-Germaine cocktails and a beautiful menu including cheese and charcuterie boards, oysters and vanella burrata.
No bookings required, so grab your mates and your picnic rug and head to the Hyatt Hotel Canberra for a lovely evening out!
Saturday
Ollies’ Garage opens its doors this Saturday. Photo: James Coleman.
Ollies’ Garage Car Display – Celebrating 100 years of Ford in Australia
When: 24 January, 9 am to noon
Where: Ollies’ Garage, 72 Gladstone Street, Unit 1, Fyshwick
Cost: Tickets $15 | Book online.
Ollies’ Garage is holding an open display day to celebrate 100 years of Ford in Australia, inviting motor enthusiasts and the curious to see an amazing collection of stunning classic cars.
If you are already missing Summernats this is a great way to get your vehicular fix, with classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles, cars from the annals of Canberra motorsports history, the world’s largest pushbike and heaps of memorabilia on display.
Combat comes to Canberra, 14th-century style. Image: Humanitix.
Canberra Burly Griffins Medieval Combat Cage Fights
When: 24 January, 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah
Cost: Tickets from $30 | Book online.
Harmonie German Club is inviting you to an evening of clashing steel, butting heads and thundering men in armour. This time-honoured tradition, originating in 13th century feudal Europe, is called buhurt. It is a method of combat which helped knights develop combat skills while entertaining the public.
The rules are simple: knock down the opposing team’s fighters or make them surrender and the last knight standing claims victory for his team.
Knights use weapons to decide who is the best on the battlefield and of course, it’s all best viewed with a German beer in hand.
Sunday
UC Capitals v Bendigo Spirit on 25 January at AIS Arena. Image: UC Capitals.
Round 15: UC Capitals v Bendigo Spirit
When: 25 January, 6:30 pm
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier Street, Bruce
Cost: Tickets $30 to $40 | Book online.
After four games on the road, the UC Capitals return home to host reigning WNBL champs the Bendigo Spirit for the first time this season.
With just two days since their last meeting, you can expect this Pride Round matchup to be intense and fast-paced, as both teams look to secure a win. Plus, juniors tickets are free! Don’t miss this special deal.
Monday
Australia welcomes new citizens on Monday. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Australia Day National Citizenship and Flag Raising Ceremony
When: 26 January, 8:45 am to 10:30 am
Where: Regatta Point and Commonwealth Park, Lake Burley Griffin
Cost: Free.
The Prime Minister, Governor-General, diplomatic corps and Australian of the Year Award recipients will be at Regatta Point this Australia Day to carry on with a time-honoured tradition to welcome new citizens to the community of the Commonwealth. Welcome new citizens and witness a helicopter fly past and a flyover from the RAAF, as well as music from the Band of the Royal Military College and a 21-gun salute.
After the formal citizenship and flag-raising ceremony, there will be a barbecue, live music, roving entertainment, face painting for the kids and lawn games.
Celebrate the lucky country at the Canberra Southern Cross Club. Image: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Australia Day BBQ & Trivia at Jamison
When: 26 January, 1 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Jamison, corner Catchpole and Bowman streets, Macquarie
Cost: Adult $65 | Child (U12) $39 | Book online.
Spend Australia Day the Aussie way, with great food, good company and a bit of friendly competition.
This relaxed afternoon will feature a generous Aussie BBQ buffet, complete with fresh salads and desserts.
Then stick around for Australia Day Trivia, hosted by Scott from Fame Trivia, with plenty of prizes to be won.
Wednesday
Has your child ever looked longingly at that dusty camera in your cupboard? Photo: Events Canberra.
Handmade Movies – Youth Workshop at the Canberra Museum and Gallery
When: 28 January, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets $45 | Book online.
Artist Nicci Haynes is hosting a hands-on creative workshop where young people aged 13 to 18 will get the chance to create their very own short movies on film.
During the workshop, attendees will draw directly onto 16 mm film, experimenting with film as a physical medium by drawing, stamping, collaging or scratching to create a unique end product which will be screened at the CMAG mini-theatre.
Parents and carers are welcome to join the viewing, which will then be made available on the CMAG website.
Upcoming events
- Rob Potter Racing Day – 6 February
- Ladies Day Luncheon February 2026 at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden – 12 February
- Valentine’s Day Dinner at Yacht Club – 14 February
Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.
