25 July 2025

Things to do in Canberra this week (25 – 31 July)

24 July 2025 | By John Murtagh

A winter feast with all the trimmings awaits at the Hyatt Hotel. Photo: The Hyatt Hotel.

There’s a lot to get excited about in the capital this week.

Get in the Christmas (in July) spirit at the Hyatt, have a laugh and learn about wine at Pialligo Estate or shout yourself hoarse when the top-of-the-table Raiders take on the Knights.

Or if the grind of winter’s getting you down, take yourself to South America with Latin Night at the Eastlake Football Club … And that’s just for starters.

Multiple Days

Christmas is still a long way off, but you can still enjoy the best holiday dishes at the Hyatt. Image: Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

Celebrate Christmas in July at The Promenade Café

When: 25 July and 26 July, 6 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue
Cost: $129 adult includes a glass of mulled wine on arrival | $64.50 child (6-12 yo) | To make a reservation, call 02 6105 9271.

Experience the magic of a Northern Hemisphere Christmas at The Promenade Café at Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

This July, guests are invited to indulge in a festive buffet dinner featuring all the classic Christmas favourites – roasts, puddings and seasonal delights – served in true holiday spirit.

Illume, playing at the Canberra Theatre Centre on 25 and 26 July. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.

Illume at the Canberra Theatre Centre

When: 25 July, 7:30 pm, 26 July, 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit
Cost: Tickets from $74.00 to $104.00, plus transaction fee | Tickets available from Canberra Theatre Centre.

Step out of the shadows and into the phenomena of light – the central life force of our planet. From the extraordinary Bangarra Dance Theatre comes an iridescent new theatrical experience, drawing together music, visual arts and dance to explore the ways light has captivated and sustained Indigenous cultural existence for millennia.

Mirning choreographer Frances Rings and Goolarrgon Bard visual artist Darrell Sibosado’s collaboration explores the awe of light, a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. It charts the impacts of light pollution in the context of a climate emergency. Illume asks the urgent question: is the deep wisdom passed down from elders enough to illuminate a path forward from the shadows of a dark future?

Get the inside info on the wine world with a healthy dose of comedy. Photo: Events Canberra.

Merrick Watts’ An Idiot’s Guide To Wine — Canberra

When: 25 July, 5:30 pm to 6:40 pm and 26 July, 5:30 pm to 6:40 pm
Where: Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo
Cost: Tickets $70 | Book online.

Merrick Watts’ hit show, An Idiot’s Guide to Wine, is coming to Canberra this weekend.

Watts is a qualified wine expert who has judged at prestigious wine shows around the country and he’s bringing that expertise, as well as his comedic chops, to audiences around the capital.

Throughout the evening, audiences will taste six standout Aussie wines, handpicked by Merrick. Watts will share tasting notes, snack pairings, and a wealth of wisdom.

Part sommelier masterclass, part stand-up show, all fun.

Friday

A four-course dining experience inspired by local produce comes to the Yacht Club this Friday. Image: Canberra Southern Cross Club

Canberra Truffle & Wine Dinner at Yacht Club

When: 25 July, from 6:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club
Cost: Tickets per person $130 | Book online.

Canberra Truffle & Wine Dinner at Yacht Club is a four-course dining experience inspired by the region’s finest local produce, with fresh, aromatic truffles. Each course is thoughtfully paired with Australian wines to complement the depth of flavours.

Saturday

Ready to Dance Like Kate Bush? Join the Global Red Dress Revolution. Photo: NFSA.

The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever at the National Film and Sound Archive

When: 26 July, 10:30 am
Where: The front lawn of the NFSA, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton. If it rains, the event may be relocated to the NFSA courtyard, located just past the front entrance.
Cost: Free, donations encouraged. The event supports the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) in the ACT.

The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is a whimsical global tribute to Kate Bush and her iconic 1978 hit Wuthering Heights. Inspired by a 2013 performance art piece by the UK collective Shambush, the event began as a flash mob and has since evolved into an annual global celebration, where participants gather, dressed in red, to re-enact Bush’s wild and wonderful dance. Since 2016, it has spread to cities worldwide, blending performance with purpose by raising funds for women’s charities.

Want to learn the dance? You can do it online from the comfort of home here, join a free community rehearsal at Canberra Dance Theatre (dates and details) or turn up on the day — no dance experience needed.

Explore the new Giralang Shops on 26 July. Photo: TP Dynamics.

Giralang Shops launch

When: 26 July, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: 72 Canopus Crescent, Giralang
Cost: Free | Registrations essential.

Giralang Shops are finally opening and you’re invited!

Join TP Dynamics for the grand opening and enjoy live music, great food and plenty of activities as you explore the new shops.

This event is free, but registration is essential.

Sunday

Hands up if you thought the Raiders would be setting the standard in 2025? Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.

Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights

When: 27 July, 2 pm
Where: GIO Stadium Canberra, Battye St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $35 | Book online.

Remember when the ‘experts’ thought the Raiders would be making room in the trophy cabinet for a wooden spoon this year? Hardly! They go into round 21 on top of the ladder, but they’re anything but complacent and a team like the Knights could cause mischief, so make your voice heard and get out to GIO and give the Green Machine a boost as they head into the finals.

Monday

Northside Latin Nights at Cornerstone Pub. Photo: Eastlake Football Club.

Latin Night at the Eastlake Football Club

When: 28 June, 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: Cornerstone Pub, 51 Hinder St, Gungahlin
Cost: Free | Bookings required.

Head to the Cornerstone Pub for Latin Night on the last Saturday of the month with $10 Margaritas all night, $6 house wines, $1 schooner to pint upgrades, beer jugs and a free dance lesson from Kokoloco Dance Studio at 7:30 pm.

Sheldon Keys and DJ Paisa are bringing the beat, so you better bring your dancing feet.

Enjoy great drinks at great prices from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm with Pre’s At The Pub.

An adaptation of the hit sequel to the beloved kids’ book. Image: Canberra Theatre Centre.

The Gruffalo’s Child

When: 31 July, 10 am, 1 pm and 6 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit
Cost: Tickets from $40.00 to $45.00, plus transaction fee | Tickets available from Canberra Theatre Centre.

If you loved The Gruffalo, don’t miss the sequel, which returns following previous sell-out Australian tours – now in a new West End production! Join the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in this magical musical adaptation of the much-loved picture book.

One wild and windy night, the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep, dark wood. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist … does he?