There’s plenty of sport to catch during the holiday period. Photo: Tennis ACT.
We may be busy celebrating Christmas but with New Year’s Eve still to come and most people enjoying a holiday break, there’s plenty more to do across the Canberra region. It’s time to make a plan – you can enjoy sport, film screenings, New Year’s celebrations, exhibitions, school holiday programs and much more.
The capital is seeing an absolute boom in sport this week, with tennis festivals bringing plenty of activities and games to excite, as well as two basketball games and a cricket match at Manuka Oval.
Of course, school holidays means classes, programs and workshops. We’ve found a week-long circus class teaching kids how to perform their own acrobatic stunts and juggling tricks, as well as a kite-making workshop at the National Arboretum.
All this and much more in our weekly guide to the best events happening across Canberra.
Multiple Days
There are plenty of classic movies at Arc Cinema this week. Image: NFSA.
This week at the NFSA
When: 26 December to 8 January
Where: Arc Cinema, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $12 to $16 | Book online.
The NFSA is busy over the holiday break, playing everything from classics to sci-fi icons.
The NFSA has restored some classic Australian films which are screening across the Christmas break period. Don’t miss out on special showings of Storm Boy, Starstruck, The Year My Voice Broke, Radiance and of course, Muriel’s Wedding.
To start off the NFSA’s sci-fi series, Arc Cinema will screen the director’s cut of RoboCop, the Paul Verhoeven classic satirising corporate greed and police states.
A fascinating exploration of history through photography. Image: Canberra Museum and Gallery.
LOVING: Photographs of Men in Love 1850s-1950s
When: 26 December to 8 January
Where: Canberra Museum and Gallery, corner London Circuit and City Square, Canberra City
Cost: Free.
Loving: Photographs of Men in Love 1850s-1950s showcases the sometimes forgotten, often hidden world of gay men in love at times when it was taboo or legally penalised.
By searching flea markets, auction houses and family albums, artists Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell found unmistakable portraits of illicit romances which defied convention.
The journey began 25 years ago when Nini and Treadwell discovered an old photo of two men in an antique store, kicking off a mission to uncover a hidden history.
Head to the Tuggeranong Southern Cross Club for steak specials this week. Image: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Steak & Frites at The Terrace, Tuggeranong
When: 3 January to 8 January
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong
Cost: Members $29 | Non-Members $35.
The Terrace welcomes the new year with exceptional value and culinary focus, serving one signature dish, crafted with consistency, confidence and care.
On the plate: a premium grass-fed Scotch fillet, perfectly seared and paired with shoestring fries and your choice of bold, house-made sauces. If you feel like kicking back and letting someone else do the cooking, head to the Tuggeranong Southern Cross Club.
João Fonseca won at the Canberra International 2025. Who will take out this year’s crown? Photo: Tennis ACT.
Workday Canberra International 2026
When: 4 to 10 January
Where: Canberra Tennis Centre, 3 Riggall Place, Lyneham
Cost: Tickets from $10 to $199 | Book online.
Tennis hits home as the Workday Canberra International returns to the Canberra Tennis Centre this summer.
It’s your chance to witness the next generation of tennis players compete for the title in a thrilling showcase of skill and determination.
But there’s more than just tennis on offer – enjoy live music, refreshing drinks, delicious bites and family fun.
Enrol kids in this week-long circus program these holidays. Photo: Warehouse Circus.
Warehouse Circus School Holiday Program
When: 5 to 9 January, 9 am to 3 pm
Where: Warehouse Circus, Chifley & Kaleen, 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Central Gym, Chifley
Cost: $420 for the full week | Book online.
The Warehouse Circus School Holiday Program is offering plenty of classes and workshops, giving curious young people aged from eight to 12 the chance to immerse themselves in the world of the circus.
This particular program for the first week of the holiday program is all about juggling, acrobatics and other circus tricks. The week’s classes will end with a performance in which family and friends get a front-row seat to the amazing new tricks they’ve learned.
Take advantage of the summer warmth at the Arboretum. Image: National Arboretum.
Summer Kite-Making Workshops
When: 6 and 7 January, 10 am to 11 am and 11 am to noon
Where: Terrace Room, National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive
Cost: Tickets $15 | Book online.
Empower your kids’ creativity over the holiday break with kite-making workshops.
Artists will create, decorate and of course fly their kites at one of Canberra’s most beautiful vistas. The kids get to take their kites home, where they can enjoy them throughout the holidays.
Don’t miss out on basketball across the holidays. Photo: UC Capitals.
UC Capitals Round 11 and 12
When: 27 December, from 7 pm and 4 January, 12:30 pm
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier Street, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $30 to $40 | Book online.
Fireworks are starting early in Canberra as the UC Capitals close out 2025 with a sizzling showdown in round 11 against the Sydney Flames. Caps sharpshooter Isabella Brancatisano takes on her former side in a fierce battle where every possession will count.
Next year the UC Capitals are starting 2026 in style, hosting the Perth Lynx in their first game of the new year in round 12. Expect high energy and fierce competition as the Caps aim to start the year on a winning note against one of the league’s toughest opponents.
Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show playing at the Canberra Theatre Centre on 7 and 8 January. Photo: Canberra Theatre Centre.
Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show
When: 7 and 8 January
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $54.90 to $109.90 | Book online.
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans. Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag.
Bluey’s Big Play is a theatrical adaptation of the Emmy award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and new music by Bluey composer Joff Bush.
Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets.
Sunday
Head to Thoroughbred Park for the Clan O’Sullivan Race Day on 27 December. Photo: Thoroughbred Park.
Clan O’Sullivan Race Day 2025
When: 28 December, from noon
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: General admission free | Packages available for purchase | More info online.
Celebrate the end of the year and your holidays at the heart of Canberra entertainment.
Also featuring live music, enjoy the last racing day of the year.
Melbourne Stars will go head-to-head with the Sydney Thunder on Sunday. Photo: Manuka Oval.
BBL: Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder
When: 28 December, 7:15 pm to 10:15 pm
Where: Manuka Oval, Manuka Circle, Griffith
Cost: Tickets from $6 | Book online.
Head to the Manuka Oval on Sunday to watch the Melbourne Stars go head-to-head with the Sydney Thunder.
Check out the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Tom Curran as they play David Warner, Sam Billings and Cam Bancroft.
Wednesday
Canberra is getting ready to send off 2025 with a bang. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
New Year’s Eve Events Across Canberra
When: 31 December
Where: Various locations
Cost: Prices vary.
Canberra is celebrating the New Year in style, with plenty of special meals, parties, drinks packages, buffets and more across a whole range of price points.
Check out our main article on the best places to celebrate the arrival of 2026.
Saturday (4 January)
Head to the Yacht Club and spoil yourself with “tipsy tea”. Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Tipsy Tea at the Southern Cross Yacht Club
When: 4 January, 3 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club, Mariner Place, Yarralumla
Cost: Members tickets $95 | Members tickets $115 | Book online.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon by the lake with bottomless prosecco and three signature cocktails paired with a grazing station of traditional finger sandwiches and a selection of desserts.
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