Everything from ships to planes, tanks and soldiers are shrunk down in this week’s ScaleACT showcase. Photo: ScaleACT.
Canberra is buzzing with things to get up to this week, so let’s get into it!
Palace Cinema hosts a great selection of films, both old and new, during the British Film Festival, an exciting showcase featuring directorial debuts, much-loved classics, blasts from the past, and experimental movies. Don’t miss out.
ScaleACT holds its annual modelling event this week, showcasing incredible works from some of the best artists in the field as they display their painstakingly assembled, painted and distressed pieces.
On Sunday, Tuggeranong Arts Centre hosts Volant Jazz Ensemble, a Sydney group of artists inspired by the beauty of birds, as they perform jazz unlike anything you’ve heard.
All this and so much more in our weekly guide to Canberra events.
Multiple Days
Science of sound in the spotlight at Questacon. Photo: Questacon.
Science Time: Music and Sound – Kids’ science event
When: 7 to 13 November, 10 am, 11 am (extra show at 12:30 pm on Saturday)
Where: Blue Door Room, Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: The event is free, but general admission to Questacon is $17.50 to $23. Children under 4 enter free. Book online.
Science Time gets kids involved in fun and interactive science, and this week’s session is all about sound.
Each Science Time session starts with a scientific inquiry, and this session explores why some sounds are loud and others are quiet, and why notes can be either high or low. Kids and their caregivers will work together to find out, discover and then share their findings, like real scientists. There will be hands-on activities, experiments and crafts to help kids learn and discover themselves. Science Time concludes with a demonstration and an activity sheet, allowing kids to continue their science journey at home.
Science Time is best suited for kids aged three to five.
Tina Modotti’s 1927 work “Mexican sombrero with hammer and sickle”. Image: National Gallery of Australia.
Women Photographers 1853 to 2018 – Exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia
When: 7 November to 13 November, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes
Cost: Free.
This exhibition at the National Gallery showcases the profound impact of women on the art of photography over nearly two centuries. The NGA has been collecting and cataloguing the photography of female artists since its inception, making it uniquely qualified to show off the history of women in the field. The exhibition explores how photography has impacted the lives of women and how women, in turn, have influenced photography.
Photography showcased will include a broad spectrum of work, ranging from the pioneering work of English botanist Anna Atkins, who developed her field of study through scientific accuracy in the illustration of natural history, to more modern photography from the 1970s that documents the women’s movement.
Don’t miss this exhibition, which interprets women’s history through a new lens.
Daniel Day-Lewis stars in his first film since Phantom Thread. Image: Place Cinemas British Film Festival.
British Film Festival at Palace Cinema
When: 7 November to 13 November
Where: Palace Electric Cinemas, 2 Phillip Law St, Canberra
Cost: Tickets from $19 to $27 | Book online.
The British Film Festival at Palace Cinema is bringing the best films from the UK to Canberra, featuring a mix of new, exciting releases and much-loved classics.
Classic movies such as The English Patient, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Gandhi, and Chariots of Fire will be gracing the screen throughout the week, featuring star-studded casts including Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, and Alec Guinness.
New films cover a broad spectrum, but a few highlights include the first film in eight years to star Daniel Day-Lewis, Anemone, about two estranged brothers who reunite after years of trauma and enmity.
In Hamnet, a new film from Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloe Zhao, the audience is taken on a journey following a young Shakespeare as he starts an affair while trying to pursue his burgeoning career in theatre.
Sick tricks and full sends at ACT JAM. Photo: Events Canberra.
ACT JAM – BMX event
When: 7 November to 9 November, 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: Elouera St, Braddon, Elouera Street and UC Canberra Stromlo Forest Park
Cost: Free.
ACT JAM is the biggest freestyle BMX event in the southern hemisphere, and it’s back for three days this week.
Right outside BentSpoke Brewery and Blackfire Restaurant, ACT JAM is set to bring the suburb to life with high-air, trick competitions and long jump competitions, featuring some of the best BMX riders in the country. On Sunday, riders will head to one of Australia’s best freestyle jump parks at UC Canberra Stromlo Forest Park, where they will really get loose and send it.
If you’re a BMX-head, this is your chance to see the best in the scene do some great tricks and show off their skills.
The HMS Dreadnought revolutionised naval power in the early 20th century, seen here in miniature. Photo: ScaleACT.
ScaleACT 2025
When: 8 and 9 November, 8 am to 5 pm
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: Children and concession $5 | Adults $10 | Family pass $20 | Purchase tickets on the day.
The ACT Scale Modellers Society (ACTSMS) is holding a two-day scale modelling event, Scale ACT 25, at Thoroughbred Park.
You can see model displays, competitions, a swap & sell, modelling goods and books for sale, and expert ‘how to’ workshops presented by some of Australia’s best modellers.
The competition is open to all modellers – everyone is welcome to participate, whether you are a complete amateur or a seasoned pro.
A guided journey told through PowerPoint. Photo: Joseph Mayers.
Queer Powerpoint at TAC, BAC and The Q
When: 13 November, 7:30 pm, 14 November, 7 pm and 15 November, 7:30 pm
Where: Across three locations, the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Tuggeranong Arts Centre and the Belconnen Arts Centre
Cost: Prices vary. Check the website for more details.
A three-night spectacular and a rare opportunity to see Canberra’s queer creativity unleashed across the region’s premier arts venues – Belconnen Arts Centre, Tuggeranong Arts Centre and The Q. After selling out shows nationwide, a local lineup of queer brilliance is finally getting its moment in the spotlight.
Co-hosts Harriet Gillies and Xanthe Dobbie will take you on a guided journey through this fantasia of hot takes, heartfelt moments, and heated debates, with legendary DJ Stereogamous providing the soundtrack to this corporate rebellion.
Watch the deepest recesses of your notes app come to life as queer artists, thinkers, babes and glorious weirdos from across the ACT share their burning passions, strangest theories and secret desires for your viewing pleasure. The only rule is that they must use Microsoft’s most mundane medium, PowerPoint.
Friday
Make your own set of resin wine charms with Reindeer’s Retreat. Photo: Reindeer’s Retreat.
Resin Wine Charms Workshop (Set of 6) – Christmas Edition
When: 7 November, 6 pm to 7 pm
Where: The Reindeer’s Retreat, 45 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah
Cost: Tickets are $45 + booking fee | Book tickets now.
Get ready to add a sparkling, personal touch to your Christmas entertaining. In this fun, hands-on workshop, you’ll design and create a set of 6 resin wine charms, each glittery, colourful, and uniquely yours.
They’re perfect for keeping track of drinks at festive gatherings, gifting to friends, or adding that extra flair to your holiday table.
Spots are limited, so gather your friends and book today for a creative night of Christmas magic.
Saturday
Jazz comes to the Tuggeranong Arts Centre in a big way this week. Image: courtesy of the artist.
Volant Jazz Ensemble at Tuggeranong Arts Centre
When: 8 November, 1:30 pm to 3 pm
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
Tickets: $10 per person | Book online.
Volant has bloomed from a long-standing curiosity of the beauty and intricacy of birds – both in their song and movement, and as enduring symbols of freedom.
Led by acclaimed saxophonist Matthew Ottignon, the quartet features pianist Lauren Tsamouras, bassist Hannah James, and drummer Hayley Chan.
Ottignon has dug deep, burrowing into a brand of spiritual jazz rooted in the music of John and Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders.
With the release of their debut album (Earshift Music, 2024), Volant’s sound resonated internationally. The album received soaring 4 and 5-star reviews in The Age, Jazzwise (UK), Dingo Jazz Magazine, and The Sydney Morning Herald, and was named Best of Jazz Bandcamp (August), as well as a Feature Album on ABC Jazz and Eastside Radio.
Don’t miss thrills and spills on the track this Saturday. Photo: ACT Speedway, Facebook.
ACT Speedway – Race Night Action
When: 8 November, gates open at 3 pm, racing starts at 5 pm
Where: ACT Speedway, 563 Pialligo Ave, Majura
Cost: Adults $30 | Concession $25 | Kids 5-15 years $15.
Get ready for an afternoon of roaring engines and torn-up tracks this Saturday as the ACT Speedway hosts track racing.
Featuring sprint cars, SSA production sedans, legend cars and lighting sprints, this is going to be a thrilling afternoon of thrills, spills and excitement. Cheer on as racing vehicles of every shape and size take to the track and compete for first place.
Sunday
Get a new piece for yourself or a loved one this week. Image: Old Bus Depot Markets.
Jewel of Canberra
When: 9 November, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Old Bus Depot Markets, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston
Cost: Free.
Jewel of Canberra showcases amazing works from some of the region’s best designers, artists, craftspeople, and artisans, featuring silver, gold, precious stones, and stunning costume jewellery.
Come check out the stalls and find a handmade piece as a gift to a loved one or to yourself. Each one is unique, and pieces will cover a wide range of styles and price points.
Expect earrings, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, pendants, cufflinks, rings, broaches and more made using recycled metal, stone, glass, resin, ceramics and everything in between.
Wednesday
A musical career in detail at the National Library. Photo: National Library of Australia.
Living Collection: The music of Luke Styles
When: 12 November, 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra
Cost: Free | Book online.
Luke Styles, one of Australia’s leading and most widely performed international composers, joins the Library for an evening of music and conversation, inviting the audience to explore the collection of Luke’s works.
Musical collaborator Tobias Cole joins Luke Styles to discuss Luke’s work, his career and the role the Library plays in creating a living collection of prominent Australian artists’ works.
Performances from the collection include Luke’s vocal music and two of his chamber works for strings. Performing on the evening are violinist Brad Tham, members of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra chorus, Canberra Children’s Choir (Music for Canberra), Vocal Fry (ANU Community Music Centre), pianist Linus Lee and conductor Tobias Cole.
Upcoming events
- Shakespeare on the move: Gold rush to Great War at the National Library – 18 November
- The craft of historical fiction at the National Library – 27 November
- Round 7: UC Capitals v Perth Lynx – 29 November
Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.
