12+ things to do this week in Canberra
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From pop-up champagne bars to hilarious theatre, Christmas light displays, markets and more, here’s what’s happening this week in Canberra.
Two Twenty Somethings Decide Never To Get Stressed About Anything Ever Again. Ever.
Winning the ‘best name ever’ award, this hilarious comedy summarises life as a Millennial in Australia, complete with pot pants, edamame and existential dread.
9–14 December | Canberra Theatre Centre | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
See the Mix 106.3 Mixmas Christmas Lights Trail!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Canberra—and the HerCanberra and Mix 106.3 Mixmas Christmas Lights Trail has arrived!
For some, it may not feel like Christmas until the back of our legs start to stick to plastic chairs or you can’t escape Mariah in the shopping centre, but real Canberrans know it isn’t Christmas until you’ve navigated the best Canberra Christmas light displays using the Mix106.3 Mixmas Christmas Light Trail!
House of Bubbles
Start the weekend with a glass of champagne in the beautiful surrounds of The National Rose Garden this afternoon, when The House of Bubbles pops up from 4 pm until sunset.
Can’t make it tonight? Make your way to Norgrove Park in Kingston from 2 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Chairs, tables and rugs provided—just gather your colleagues and friends! Bookings preferred for larger groups.
4 pm until sunset, Friday 3 December at National Rose Garden | 2 pm Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December at Norgrove Park, Kingston | facebook.com
Christmas Village Markets at Haig Park Village Markets
With Christmas just around the corner, Haig Park Village Markets will be getting Braddon into the festive spirit with their very own Christmas Village Markets throughout December, with cheerfully themed market days on Sundays in December.
Imagine a Summer Festive Drinks Garden, live Christmas carols, string quartet, and Christmas themed market stalls combining to delight your senses. Culinary delicacies from the region, fresh produce, artisan products, handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations and more – all of which will be setting the scene for a festive Christmas experience amongst the pines of Haig Park.
Kids can craft their own gingerbread ornaments to hang on the tree or see the big man in red himself. Why not sit back with a beer, wine or G&T and take it easy in the summer breeze, listening to a talented line up of local musicians with a charcuterie or cheese board.
Happening Sunday 5, 12 and 19 December from 9 am to 2 pm | Haig Park, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Sesame Street Circus Spectacular: Christmas Edition
Santa is ready to welcome guests on arrival to the sensational Sesame Street Circus Spectacular – Christmas Edition which is making its world debut in Canberra this December.
All your favourite Sesame Street characters and a cast of international circus stars will have audiences gasping, laughing and sitting on the edge of their seats in a fun, thrilling and entertaining show suitable for all ages from 1-23 December at Majura Park.
The fully themed venue is just like a Christmas festival with dozens of beautiful trees, Christmas themed sideshow games, Sesame Street bouncy castle and what would a Christmas event be without the chance to catch up with Santa to tell him if you‘ve been naughty or nice!
Happening until 23 December at Majura Park.
See sesamestreetcircus.com.au for tickets and more information.
Geek Markets Canberra
With over 50 traders, Families can spend the weekend wandering safely around the Coorong Pavilion at Exhibition Park (EPIC) checking out the original artwork from local artists while also browsing board games, clothing, toys, books, retro video games, collectables, comics, accessories or searching for a festive gift at the Geek Markets.
Saturday 11 December from 10 am–4 pm | Exhibition Park in Canberra | facebook.com
The Stranger
Renowned as one of the great character studies in modern literature, The Stranger is Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus’ masterpiece. One of Canberra’s most celebrated actors, Christopher Samuel Carroll, delivers a performance of searing intensity in this solo adaptation of a modern classic at Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centre.
8–11 December | Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centre | agac.com.au
Health and Wellbeing in the COVID-Normal, Community Lead(her)s Series
The CBR Gals Network has developed the Community Lead(her)s Series with the ACT Office of Women to deliver a seminar and networking event called ‘Health and Wellbeing in the Covid Normal’. The event will be held on Wednesday 8 December, from 5-8 pm at the aMBUSH Gallery at Kambri, ANU. Attendees will learn about and discuss ongoing health and wellbeing COVID normal context, and how Canberrans can thrive in a positive way, as uncertainty continues.
Attendees will witness two two keynote speeches, one presented by Registered Psychologist Brianna Thomas, founder of the My Colourful Mind Movement, who will focus on strategies to overcome stress and anxiety. The other keynote will be presented by Legal Scholar, Professor, Co-Director of the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, Kim Rubenstein, who will discuss the links between gender equality and wellbeing in the covid-context. Both Brianna and Kim will then take part in a panel discussion, facilitated by CBR Gals Founder and President, Rae Knopik.
Following these discussions, event attendees can join speakers for CBR Gals-style nibbles and networking, including the ability to speak with Brianna and Kim.
Tickets are by donation, and include food and wine, seminar materials, and the networking event. Funds raised will be donated to Lifeline Canberra.
Wednesday 8 December, 5 to 8 pm | aMBUSH Gallery, ANU | cbrgals.com
Sunset Cinemas
Gather your friends and family, sit back, relax and watch the stars at your new summer local! Open multiple nights each week in November through to February at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
The season is packed with new release blockbusters, quirky comedies, award-winning features and cult classics—perfect for a date night, girls’ night out or some family fun.
Until 26 February 2022 | Australian National Botanic Gardens | sunsetcinema.com.au
Get in the festive spirit at Westfield
This December, Westfield Woden and Westfield Belconnen are bringing the festive cheer with Santa Photography, craft activities, gingerbread decorating workshops, snow experiences, gift wrapping and more!
Read all about it at hercanberra.com.au
Lerida By The Lake
Join Lerida Estate at the Canberra Visitors Centre at Regatta Point for a one-hour personal wine tasting for two people with delicious antipasto and the best views in town!
One of the team will guide you through five different wines whilst you graze on meats and cheeses. When your wine tasting session concludes, grab a seat in the wine bar and relax with award-winning wine and views over Lake Burley Griffin.
12 noon–8 pm Friday | Canberra Visitors Centre, Regatta Point | eventbrite.com.au
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2021
Audience favourite, the National Photographic Portrait Prize, is back bigger and for longer this year. Selected from a national field of entries, this iteration incorporates photographs from the maelstrom that was late 2019 and 2020.
Accordingly, they’ve called it Living Memory to acknowledge a time like no other. This exhibition always reflects the distinctive vision of Australia’s aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
Until 16 January | National Portrait Gallery | portrait.gov.au
Christmas at Marketplace Gungahlin
Let the magic of Christmas begin at Marketplace, welcome to Santa Land. Your go-to destination this Christmas.
We’ve rounded up the ultimate festive season for you. Find Santa Land located outside BIG W home to Candy Cane Forrest, write a Letter to Santa and explore our range of FREE Kids Workshops!
Cost: Free for members of The Hub.
Until 24 December | Marketplace Gungahlin | marketplacegungahlin.com.au
Dancing In The Street
Join the parade! Friday and Saturday nights are coming to life in the lead up to Christmas with roving performances around Civic and Braddon.
While enjoying a meal at one of the Sydney and Melbourne building’s many restaurants on Friday evening or in Braddon on Saturdays, keep your eyes on the street for a Latin Christmas Samba Parade, the Christmas Angels and other Christmassy acts. Their dancers will include Liz Lea, Little Dove Performers, and Flazeda.
Various Fridays and Saturdays across December | See Facebook
Snap a photo with Santa at Canberra Centre
That’s right—the big man in red has landed at Canberra Centre and Santa Photo sessions are now open!
With COVID-safety front of mind, the crew at Canberra Centre have designed a safe and fun experience for kids big and small, including Sensitive Santa photo sessions.
