The Weekend Edit

Posted on 14 December, 2018

Your essential guide to what’s on in Canberra this weekend!

Every Monday for more than seven years, we’ve published This Week in The Can, our comprehensive guide to everything happening around the city this week – but sometimes it’s just too epic to get through!

That’s why each Friday we publish our Weekend Edit… Here are the things you shouldn’t miss!

Merry + Bright Christmas in Civic

Celebrate the festive season this summer at Merry + Bright with bright vibrant colours, music, entertainment, picnics, movies, trackless train rides, and a dance party combined with all your favourite elements of Christmas – trees, presents and Santa!

Over the 10 days of Christmas, City Walk, Petrie Plaza and Garema Place will come alive and Civic will be dressed for the festive season, with street art, decorations, festive lighting, trackless train and a live Christmas tree forest.

See the full packed program of entertainment will get you into the holiday spirit on the website.

Happening 14 – 24 December along City Walk, Petrie Plaza and Garema Place in Civic.

See the website for the full line up of events and more information.

OPENING HOURS

• Friday 14 December – 4 pm – 8 pm
• Saturday 15 December – 12 pm – 8 pm
• Sunday 16 December – 12 pm – 5 pm
• Monday 17 December – 4 pm – 8 pm
• Tuesday 18 December – 4 pm – 8 pm
• Wednesday 19 December – 4 pm – 8 pm
• Thursday 20 December – 4 pm – 8 pm
• Friday 21 December – 4 pm – 8 pm
• Saturday 22 December – 12 pm – 8 pm
• Sunday 23 December – 12 pm – 5 pm
• Monday 24 December – 11 am – 4 pm

The Merry Go Round will be open at these times (standard fare applies)

Love and Desire Pre-Raphaelite Masterpiece from the Tate

Love and Desire NGA John Everett Millais Ophelia 1851-2 oil paint on canvas Tate collection presented by Sir Henry Tate 1894 © Tate.

Discover a stunning world of Love & Desire as the Tate’s pre-Raphaelite masterpieces come to Australia for this Summer’s most romantic exhibition.

Fall in love with John Everett Millais’ Ophelia and John William Waterhouse’s The Lady of Shalott, as the Tate’s most visited works of art leave the gallery together for the first time.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of brilliant colour, meticulous detail and exquisite layering in paintings inspired by the great love stories of history and literature.

Happening until 28 April 2019 at The National Gallery of Australia, Parkes from 10 am.

For more information visit National Gallery of Australia.

Lah Lah’s Christmas Spectacular

Lah-Lah’s Christmas Spectacular is hitting the road and coming to The Southern Cross Club Canberra 16 Dec at 10 am for 1 show only!

50 minutes of live music, singing and dancing with Lah-Lah and the band and yes, there will be a special visit from Santa Clause who has been practising his new musical instrument!

But best of all after the show you get to meet the band and play Lola the Double Bass, Mister Saxophone’s Saxophone, Squeezy’s accordion and Tom Tom’s drum.

Happening Sunday 16 December from 10 am. Hurry tickets are selling fast for show dates and to book now visit tickets.lah-lah.com.

SUMMER OASIS AT THE HOWLING MOON

This summer, Canberra’s first rooftop bar has transformed into a tropical retreat, offering guests an early afternoon happy hour, speciality cocktails, summer snacks, live music and an ambience that promises to cool things right down.

With local performers lifting the vibe from 1 pm – 4 pm every Saturday and Sunday, this incredible Braddon bar has your weekend plans covered.

Grab a cocktail pitcher and some snacks, capture your photo amongst the palm leaves and soak up the sun from the fully enclosed rooftop.

Happening every Saturday from 1 – 4 pm at The Howling Moon, The Rex Hotel.

See the website for more information.

SUNSET CINEMA

Sink into a beanbag, sip on fine wine…. laugh long and loud.

Sunset Cinema is back at the Botanic Gardens from November til January. Featuring foot-stomping blockbusters, family favourites and VHS classics under the stars.

With full bar facilities and more food than you can poke a fork at, Sunset Cinema is the ultimate way to soak up Summer in Canberra this year.

Feature films include Bohemian Rhapsody, Fantastic Beasts 2 & Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Check the website to see the full program.

Happening until 12 January 2019 at the National Botanic Gardens.

See the website for more information.

FRIDAY NIGHT DRINKS AT OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE

A Canberra must-do during spring and summer, Friday Night Drinks at Old Parliament House is happening again for summer 2018/19!

With seating across Old Parliament House’s gorgeous Senate Courtyard and its adjoining restaurant Hoi Polloi, Friday Night Drinks is an all-weather event, and the expansive venue means that large groups are welcomed, no matter the size. With its Parliamentary Triangle location, lots of parking and regular public transport access it’s also a perfect meeting place.

Happening every Friday from 4 pm until late at Hoi Polloi, inside Old Parliament House.

See the website for more information.

Red Nose Gift Wrapping at Canberra Centre

Have your gifts wrapped to perfection at Canberra Centre’s gift wrap bar for just a gold coin donation.

All proceeds go to Red Nose in support of the important work they do for families

Happening 10-24 December on the Ground level, outside Myer.

See the website for more information.

SANTA’S ENCHANTED GARDEN AT CANBERRA CENTRE

Santa has taken up residence in his brand-new Enchanted Garden at Canberra Centre. Father Christmas will be available for photos daily up until Christmas Eve…skip the queue and pre-book your ticket online.

Level One, Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, City. See the website for more information.

BREAKING THROUGH: 75 YEARS OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT

Why did it take so long for women to get elected? And once they were there, what was their experience within the parliament?

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first women elected to Australian Federal Parliament, Breaking Through exhibition at the Museum of Australian Democracy explores the journeys of 11 trailblazers who were the first to hold particular parliamentary positions.

These are stories of resilience, perseverance and ground-breaking achievements.

From 1943 when Dorothy Tangney and Enid Lyons were the first women elected to parliament through to today where woman have held the highest positions in all areas of parliament, including Prime Minister.

Breaking Through exhibition, recognises the significant contribution these women made in Australia’s democracy. Look back on their lives, uncover their motivations and what they view as their greatest achievements.

Told through never before seen portraits, each a unique representation by a young artist, and powerful stories of change-makers breaking through, this exhibition will inspire visitors to think about the role of women in parliament, what it took to get there and whether we’ve come far enough.

Showing until 28 August 2019 from 9 am – 5 pm daily at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

See the website for more information.

KIDS CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

Democracy. Are you in?

Your voice, your hands and even your feet have the power to be heard. Our freedoms and our way of life have been built on the foundation of democracy. This living system is sustained through the participation of each and all of us. Democracy is sustained by you. Australian democracy is a work in progress. Curiously, at a time of stability and unparalleled economic growth, confidence in our political and social institutions is at its lowest point in decades. But giving up on them is not the answer. Our democracy needs us. Are you in?

Open daily at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Find out more at moadoph.gov.au.

CHARITY CHRISTMAS WRAPPING AT SOUTH.POINT TUGGERANONG

Gift Wrapping, the not-so-fun part of Christmas.

No need to stress, simply visit South.Point’s gift-wrapping station in Centre Court and have all of your gifts wrapped for $1 each with all funds will be donated to the Lions Club.

Happening until 24 December from 9 am – 5 pm daily at Centre Court, South.Point Tuggeranong.

ROME: CITY + EMPIRE

Medallion of Constantine the Great minted in Thessalonica, Greece, 335 CE gold © Trustees of the British Museum Media credit line © Trustees of the British Museum, 2018. All rights reserved. Image supplied.

Stories of Rome and its vast empire continue to captivate and intrigue people almost 3000 years after their foundation.

Rome: City and Empire brings to Canberra more than 200 of the British Museum’s most engaging and beautiful Roman objects. They tell the story of how Rome grew from a series of small villages to become a mighty empire.

Explore how the empire was won and held, witness the grandeur of Rome and appreciate the rich diversity of its peoples.

Happening until 3 February from 9 am – 5 pm daily at the National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton.

See the website for more information.

Image via facebook.com/pg/CellarDoorCBR

Cellar Door is a new wine market for Canberra’s wonderful wine scene. Buy wines from local makers every Saturday afternoon in the iconic Nishi Grand Stair, NewActon Precinct.

Grab a souvenir glass, taste the latest drops, and buy at cellar door prices.

Wine stalls rotate each week with complementing stalls like flowers, cheese, chocolate and books. Capital City Soul Club are the resident DJs.

Make a day of it with a film at Palace Electric Cinema and NewActon’s leading food and drink destinations.

Happening every Saturday from 2-5 pm on the Nishi Grand Stair, inside the Nishi Building, Philip Law Street, NewActon.

See Facebook for more details.

HEATH LEDGER: A LIFE IN PICTURES

Heath Ledger. Credit: Karin Catt.

Audiences around the world know and love Heath Ledger as a charismatic movie star who pushed boundaries and created iconic roles. Now they have a chance to discover Heath’s creative process and deep passion for the film industry and the visual arts, in a unique exhibition curated in collaboration with his family.

Explore a selection of film costumes and props, Heath’s own character research journals, celebrity portraits and acting awards and more. A Life in Pictures offers a rare insight into the man behind the camera.

A program of special screenings and talks will complement the exhibition

Happening until 10 Feb 2019, National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton.

See the website for more information.

BEAUTY RICH AND RARE

An immersive sound and light experience illuminating the natural beauty of Australia through the eyes of Sir Joseph Banks.

Feel the excitement and wonder of Banks and his team of botanists, scientists, and illustrators as they documented Australia’s unique botanical and animal species, astonishing eighteenth-century Europe.

Open daily 10 am – 5 pm until 10 February 2019 at the National Library of Australia.

See the website for more information.

MATHSALIVE!

MathsAlive!, the one-of-a-kind interactive maths and science exhibit, that has drawn record-breaking crowds in five countries around the world is coming to Canberra in December!

Experience how maths plays a role in our everyday lives through sports, nature, robotics, design, dancing, movie-making and more. Ride in a live-action snowboard race, control a Mars rover, design your own 3-D animation or capture your image in a 360 freeze-motion video. 

MathsAlive!, a Raytheon Company initiative consists of dozens of immersive interactive exhibits and is suitable for years 3 – 10.

Happening until 17 March 2019 from 9 am – 5 pm daily (closed 25 December) at East Space, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Commonwealth Place, Parkes.

More information on the website.

EXTENDED TRADING HOURS AT CANBERRA CENTRE

Enjoy Canberra Centre’s extended opening hours this festive season so you can get more done.

For a comprehensive list of opening times, click here.

Happening 8 December 2018 – 2 January 2019 at Canberra Centre.

See the website for more information

EXTENDED TRADE AT WESTFIELD

Need more time?

With so much to do at this time of year, it feels like there is never enough hours in the day! Westfield Woden and Belconnen will be open longer to make it easy this Christmas. Enjoy extended trading hours at Westfield from Sunday 9^th December – Wednesday 26^th December.

Plus, this year Westfield will be offering customers the opportunity to shop until Midnight on Wednesday 19 December.

At Westfield Woden you will be able to enjoy a complimentary prosecco bar, live music and sweet treats while you shop!

Happening 9-26 December at Westfield Belconnen and Westfield Woden. Click on the centres now for opening hours.

PlayUP 

After an exciting transformation, the imaginative family space in the Museum of Australian Democracy has all-new hands-on activities to educate, excite and challenge young minds.

This creative exhibition space celebrates the role of children in our community and provides a welcoming environment for families to engage in the rights and responsibilities of children through imagination, discovery, role-play and fun.

Happening every day from 9 am – 5 pm at the Museum of Australian Democracy, King George Terrace, Parkes. Entry costs vary.

Visit the website for more details.