Things to do in Canberra this week (6 - 12 February)

Canberra is buzzing with things to see and do, with a little something for everyone, from the much-loved Multicultural Festival to sport, cinemas under the stars, stand-up comedy, wine expos and plenty of live music.

The Multicultural Festival is this weekend, and there’s almost too much to talk about. Canberrans can look forward to dragon dances, flamenco ensembles, visual art displays, folk music, meet-and-greets with the Raiders, and the festival’s standard offering of great food from all corners of the globe.

The Botanic Gardens are taking advantage of the warmer weather with their Sunset Cinema, bringing plenty of films to the great outdoors for the public to enjoy.

There’s so much to do this week in Canberra, so it’s a good thing we’ve found the best of the best and put it in our weekly guide!

Multiple Days

Footsteps to Federation Tour at Parliament House

When: 6 February to 12 February
Where: Australian Parliament House, 1 Parliament Drive, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $14 to $28 | Book online.

To mark 125 years since the Federation of the Commonwealth in 1901, Parliament House is holding a limited series of tours to tell the story of the country’s formation.

Guests will be guided through Parliament to see a range of artworks and artefacts representing Australia’s democratic story, from the 1297 issue of the Magna Carta to Queen Victoria’s writing table and Tom Roberts ‘ ‘Big Picture’, which depicts the opening of the first Australian Parliament.

Beyond physical artefacts and artworks, visitors will discover how international ideas, constitutional conventions, law and referendums have shaped the Australia we know.

National Multicultural Festival

When: 6 February, 7 February and 8 February
Where: Canberra CBD, Glebe Park, Canberra
Cost: Free.

One of Canberra’s most anticipated yearly events, the National Multicultural Festival brings people together from all over the capital to celebrate cultural performances, international cuisine, national dress and music.

There’s almost too much to cover in this year’s festival, with dragon dances, flamenco ensembles, visual art displays, folk music, a rowing cup, a language school showcase, meet and greets with the Raiders, yoga and plenty of great food on offer. A full program is available here.

There will be representatives of cultures from nearly everywhere, including Poland, Ukraine, the Pacific Islands, the Philippines, China, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Palestine, Croatia, Colombia, Peru, and beyond.

Lifeline Canberra Bookfair

When: 6 February, 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation. EFTPOS available.

Lifeline Canberra’s Bookfairs raise a major portion of the funding needed to keep our local crisis support service running.

In addition to their usual offering of books, the much-loved Dare to Care Bears will make a return. Dare to Care Bears are a cuddly keepsake, which cost $26, the same price it costs lifeline to answer a call, meaning every time you hold your bear you’ll know you’ve made an important difference in someone’s life.

There’s a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, including rare books and collectables, children’s books, textbooks and foreign language books. You’ll also find magazines and pamphlets, sheet music, comics, maps and atlases, talking books, records and CDs, DVDs, games and jigsaws.

Sunset Cinema at the National Botanic Gardens

When: 6 February to 12 February
Where: The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $16 | Book online.

The Sunset Cinema is back at the National Botanic Gardens, bringing great movies into the great outdoors while the weather is warm.

This week’s film schedule opens with Six: The Musical, reimagining the lives of Henry VIII’s wives as a pop-concert musical, followed by the modern classic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, satirising the lives of the nouveaux riche and the complications that can come from having too much money.

Then on Thursday, the late 2000s time capsule Twilight (you know what Twilight is about!)

Friday

Rob Potter Racing Day

When: 6 February, 12 pm
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: General admission free | Packages available for purchase | Find out more.

Summer racing is on at Thoroughbred Park, offering an exciting end to the week, with neck and neck competition, nail-biting finishes and high stakes.

If you want to elevate your race day experience, food and beverages are available at the Thoroughbred Cafe, the Winning Post Bar and the Black Opal Room (Members).

Whether you love the thrill of the track or you just want an excuse to get dressed up, this is the place to be.

Saturday

Round 17: UC Capitals v Geelong Venom

When: 7 February, 3 pm
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $30 to $40 | Book online.

The UC Capitals close out their regular season at home with a showdown against the Geelong Venom.

It’s the last chance for fans to catch the Caps before the post-season starts as they fight hard to finish strong and build momentum heading into the finals.

Don’t miss the energy, the passion, and the hometown pride on display in this final home game.

A Night in New Orleans at Molly Bar

When: 7 February, 10 pm to 12:30 am
Where: Molly, Odgers Lane, Wooden Door, Canberra
Cost: Free entry.

For one night only, Molly is transporting patrons to the streets of New Orleans with a special jazz performance.

Blending world-class jazz, a candle-lit atmosphere, fantastic drinks and great food, this Saturday night performance is sure to excite, creating a spirit of warmth and fun.

There will be themed cocktails, whiskey specials and food inspired by the cultural mixing pot that is the great city of New Orleans.

Sunday

Canberra Wine Day Out at the Fyshwick Markets

When: 8 February, 12 pm to 3 pm
Where: Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, 36 Mildura Street, Fyshwick
Cost: General admission free | Entry and charcuterie platter $25 | Book online.

The Fyshwick Markets is partnering with Plonk to host Canberra Wine Day Out, an exciting showcase of wines from the local Canberra region. There will be 12 stalls set up throughout the markets, with free tastings for those above the age of 18. If you happen to discover your next wine obsession, you’re welcome to purchase it directly from Plonk on the day.

The markets are also partnering with Deli Planet, which will be offering cheese and charcuterie platters for pre-purchase.

Wineries attending include Linear Wines, MADA Wines, Mount Majura Vineyard, Nick O’Leary Wines, Sapling Yard, Ravensworth Wines, Wimbaliri Wines, Capital Wines, Collector Wines, Dog, Trap Vineyard, Eden Road Wines and Kosciuszko Wines.

Rival Consoles – The Street Theatre

When: 8 February, 7:30 pm
Where: The Street Theatre, 15 Childers St, City West
Cost: Tickets are $55 | Book online.

London music producer Ryan Lee West, known as Rival Consoles, is a synth prodigy, renowned for a particular ability to create seemingly organic sounds from a cold mass of metal and wires.

Across a career spanning nearly 20 years, Rival Consoles has experimented from the electronic music of his earlier albums to more conceptual pieces. This performance at the Street Theatre is a great way to see a brilliant talent in the field, creating an immersive audio-visual experience, with material from his newest album as well as his older works.

Musicians, connoisseurs of the experimental and enthusiasts of electronic music will get a lot out of this fascinating combination of techno, ambient works and long-form narratives told through music.

Thursday

Ladies Day Lunch at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden

When: 12 February, 12 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna St, Phillip
Cost: Tickets are $40 per person | Book online.

Head to the Southern Cross Club in Woden for the Ladies Day Luncheons. Their two-course lunch is sure to be a delicious backdrop to a catch-up with friends, offering pan-fried chicken breast or Tasmanian salmon and for dessert, a white chocolate pannacotta or warm apple strudel.

With two courses, tea, coffee, entertainment and prizes, it’s sure to be a lovely afternoon.

Club Sandwich Comedy at Tuggeranong Arts Centre

When: 12 February, 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
Cost: Tickets from $20 | Book online.

Grab a mate and head into the Tuggeranong Arts Centre for one of the best nights of laughs you’ll have this year at Club Sandwich Comedy! Held only twice a year, the show is lovingly curated and hosted by award-winning national headliner, Chris Ryan, and is turning into a cult favourite in the Valley with a fresh line-up of hand-picked favourites to tickle your funny bones.

Just like the layers of its namesake, the delicious room service favourite, this month’s show is full of tasty treats, headlined by RAW Comedy National Finalist, Caitlin Maggs, whose effortlessly funny, charismatic style has made her a rising star on the Canberra comedy scene. Caitlin will be strongly supported by RAW Comedy National Finalist and surreal explorer of sexism and race, Suma Iyer; a character comedian who builds impossible imaginary worlds, Chris Marlton; manic musical maestro/ suburban Dad Jeffrey Charles, and the young man with a sardonic grin and a keen eye for the hypocrisy of overachievers, Simon Bower.

Upcoming Events

• Valentine’s Day Dinner Under the Stars at Hyatt Hotel Canberra – 14 February
• Simon Tedeschi and George Washingmachine in concert at Tuggeranong Arts Centre – 14 February.
• Royal Canberra Show – 20 February.
• Canberra Lunar New Year Festival 2026 – 21 February.

Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly What’s On guide.