Things to do in Canberra this week (5 to 11 September)

The weather is finally getting warmer and you’re probably looking for something to get out and do now that the sun is showing its face. We’ve put together a list of all the best things happening this week, including Father’s Day events.

Canberra’s Moon Festival is building on the success of last year, bringing live entertainment, cultural showcases, music, dance and so much more across three days of fun, while Dads are spoiled for choice on Sunday, with special deals on buffets, steaks, wine and beer all across Canberra. Cut out the fuss of choosing something for Dad and take him out for a feed!

The National Library is hosting The Great Debate, bringing academics together to discuss a topical question: Whether or not Australian history unites us. It’s set to be a fascinating exploration of the role of history in our society and how our stories shape us and our sense of self.

All this, plus heaps of live music, films, festivals, and performances.

Multiple Days

Canberra Moon Festival 2025 at City Walk

When: 5 September to 7 September 2025
Where: City Walk and Petrie Plaza, Canberra, ACT
Cost: Free entry. For more information, please visit Canberra Moon Festival.

Canberra Moon Festival 2025 returns to the heart of the city from 5 September to 7 September, transforming City Walk and Petrie Plaza into a dazzling mid-autumn celebration of multicultural heritage, community spirit and festive joy.

Building on the success of last year’s event, the 2025 festival promises an even bigger program of live entertainment, cultural showcases and family-friendly activities. Visitors can enjoy music, dance and martial arts performances from more than 10 cultural communities, along with giant LED moon and rabbit installations and a spectacular lantern street.

Hands-on workshops will offer free cultural experiences for all ages, from mooncake making and lantern crafting to mother-of-pearl jewellery and lacquer fan painting. This year’s Local Youth Artist Awards will celebrate the creativity and cultural storytelling of emerging local talent.

Canberra Art Fair

When: 5 September, 1 pm to 8 pm, 6 September, 9 am to 5 pm, 7 September, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra, Corner of Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell
Cost: Free entry.

The inaugural Canberra Art Fair is coming to Exhibition Park, celebrating arts in the ACT. Both professionals and amateurs are coming to EPIC to showcase their art, offer demonstrations and lessons, and bring art to the masses. There will be sales of paintings, sculptures, glassworks, pottery, entertainment, and vendors selling frames and art materials. There will also be an open prize series with sports-related scenes or 3D works, with prizes up to $4000.

This week at the NFSA

When: 5 September to 11 September
Where: Arc Cinema, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $12 to $16 | Book online.

The NFSA has a packed schedule this week, with heaps of films to suit just about everyone.

On Friday, a sing-along showing of The Little Mermaid invites kids and their parents to enjoy the classic 1989 musical. Cinemagoers are encouraged to sing their hearts out to one of Disney’s best. For a complete change of pace, Saturday also features a showing of 2013’s Whiplash, telling the story of an obsessed musician pursuing greatness at any cost.

Saturday’s feature is the Jack Nicholson classic, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the story of a man faking insanity who must battle the order and control of his institution, represented in the domineering figure of Nurse Ratched.

On Sunday, catch On the Beach, based on the Nevil Shute novel. This Australian story sees the northern hemisphere annihilated by nuclear war, with a slowly creeping screen of radiation threatening the few southern havens left. Love and futility prosper in the dwindling days of humankind.

Saturday

Inspire Festival: Art, Nature and Sustainability

When: 6 September from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Dr, Holt
Cost: Free.

Be inspired by local artists, enjoy talks from special guests, soak up some live music or learn new skills. You’ll have an opportunity to explore Strathnairn Arts artists’ open studios, sample food and products from local artisans and producers, and participate in workshops and activities designed for all ages.

Whether you want to learn more about a sustainable lifestyle, get closer to nature, enjoy local art or are simply looking to enjoy a fun day out with the family, Ginninderry’s Inspire Festival is an all-ages and free event this Spring, with food, markets and workshops on composting, edible gardens and mindful meal planning.

In conversation: Tina Arena and Georges Antoni

When: 6 September from 11 am to 11:45 am
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free. Bookings essential.

Join Australian music icon Tina Arena in conversation with renowned fashion photographer Georges Antoni as they discuss the newly commissioned portrait, Tina. Facilitated by director Bree Pickering, hear about the process behind the portrait, what it takes to last 50 years in the music industry, and how the artist captured a legacy.

This new portrait, commissioned to celebrate Arena’s incredible career, will be on view for the first time from 6 September.

Can’t make it in person? Book a virtual connection ticket and attend the program online.

Sincere Apologies: Say Sorry, Really Mean It!

Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
When: 6 September, 7 pm (the bar opens at 6 pm)
Tickets: Pay what you can. Click here to book.

Created by award-winning artists Dan Koop, Jamie Lewis and David Williams, Sincere Apologies is a show about how we say sorry. Part theatrical ritual, part social experiment, Sincere Apologies explores what it means to apologise in a world full of broken systems, failed relationships, and bureaucratic disclaimers.

Funny, moving, and disarmingly sincere, the show creates space for reflection, repair, and shared responsibility.

Sunday

Hartley Hall Markets

When: First Sunday of every month, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Hall Showgrounds, Gladstone St, Hall
Cost: Gold coin donation on entry.

The Hartley Hall Markets, organised by Hartley Lifecare, are one of Australia’s largest home-made and home-grown goods markets.

Held on the first Sunday of the month, the Hartley Hall Markets are open between 9 am and 2 pm. You will find stalls offering a variety of products, including food, locally grown vegetables and fresh produce, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, children’s toys, arts and crafts, unique gifts and more.

Stroll among the trees, stay for lunch and enjoy the fresh air, live entertainment and activities for the little ones.

Father’s Day across Canberra

When: 7 September, various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Costs vary from free to $250. Check event details for more information.

Father’s Day is almost here, just in case you’ve forgotten, and there are plenty of things to get up to for Dad’s special day. It’s always hard figuring out what to do for dads, but we’ve put together a list of the best deals and events across the capital.

The Old Canberra Inn, Southern Cross Clubs, Dickson Taphouse, Hyatt Hotel, Steampacket Hotel, The Tradies Dickson and Capitol Bar and Grill are hosting special celebrations, with beer, buffets, steaks, slow-roasted lamb and everything in between. Need we say more?

Tuesday

Female Founders Event

When: 9 September, 12:15 pm to 1:30 pm
Where: Canberra Innovation Network, Level 4, 1 Moore Street, Canberra
Cost: Tickets are $15 | Book online.

Canberra’s Innovation Network is partnering up with Women With Altitude to deliver a special event focusing on giving professional women the advice and information they need to make career transitions. This event helps women explore career pivots, skill shifts and entrepreneurial skills with practical advice and real stories from professional women, such as panellist Anne Moore.

Moore has made a life of constantly evolving and sharpening her skills. Starting a company at 57, she revamped her professional trajectory and at 70 she began a PhD, showing all of us that it’s never too late to completely change gears.

If you’ve been seeking information on the practical steps needed to switch tracks, this is the opportunity.

Music Appreciation: Heavenly Music: Moon, Sun and Stars

When: 9 September, 4 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
Cost: Pay what you can. Book tickets now.

Explore different musical themes with musician Robert Harris in a relaxed conversational setting at Tuggeranong Arts Centre. New in 2025, this series of music appreciation gatherings kicks off with a celebration of the lunar eclipse in the appropriately named Space room.

His repertoire includes Debussy, both Strausses, Puccini, Beethoven, Dvorak and Holst.

Discover music for moonlight and starry nights, from Beethoven to movie themes. Robert Harris is a renowned viola player with a career in orchestras, opera, ballet, stage and screen.

The Great Debate 2025: That Australian history unites us

When: 9 September from 4 pm to 7 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Pl W, Canberra
Cost: $20 general | $10 concession | Discount for Friends members. Buy tickets.

Join the National Library for an evening of compelling debate as six of Australia’s premier academics tackle the complex question of whether Australia’s history unites us.

Don’t miss this thought-provoking event, packed with engaging discussions and opportunities for audience participation. Proudly presented by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the National Library of Australia, the Great Debate promises an evening that will challenge your perspectives and ignite your curiosity.

The question of the night is whether or not Australian history unites us.

The affirmative team is Georgina Downer GAICD, CEO of the Robert Menzies Institute; Professor Jakelin Troy FASSA, Director, Indigenous Research at the University of Sydney; and Professor Frank Bongiorno AM FASSA, Professor of History at the Australian National University.

The opposing team is Professor Michelle Arrow FASSA, president of the Australian Historical Association; Vonda Malone, former CEO of the Torres Strait Regional Authority, and first female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council; and Professor Dan Woodman FASSA, TR Ashworth Professor in Sociology at the University of Melbourne.

Upcoming events

• Defending Australian Territory with Dr Andrew Carr at the National Library – 17 September
• Duck Pond at the Canberra Theatre Centre – 18 – 20 September
• Hops & Hooves is back, bigger and better than ever – 27 September

Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.