One City, Many Stories: Why Canberra’s Summer Exhibitions Are Unmissable
Updated 29 Oct 2025
Plan your cultural escape now because this summer, Canberra is telling stories you won’t want to miss.
This summer, Canberra isn’t just Australia’s capital—it’s a canvas of stories. From desert pop art to global cultural waves, the city’s galleries and museums are curating exhibitions that speak to identity, transformation, and connection. Whether you’re drawn to bold contemporary works, or immersive cultural experiences, Canberra’s exhibition scene offers a journey through many worlds—all within one city.
Super Kaylene Whiskey – National Portrait Gallery
15 November 2025 – 9 March 2026
Step into the vibrant world of Kaylene Whiskey, a proud Yankunytjatjara artist whose pop-culture-meets-Country portraits celebrate strong First Nations women. Super Kaylene Whiskey is her first major solo exhibition, bringing together paintings, video works, and installations that feature icons like Dolly Parton, Cher, and Wonder Woman alongside bush tucker and desert landscapes. It’s a joyful, irreverent celebration of identity, humour, and cultural pride.
Flying over Indulkana, 2022 Kaylene Whiskey. © Kaylene Whiskey. AIATSIS Collection.
After the Rain – National Gallery of Australia
6 December 2025 – 26 April 2026
Curated by Tony Albert, After the Rain is the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial, showcasing immersive installations by First Nations artists from across Australia. The exhibition explores themes of rebirth, resilience, and legacy through multidisciplinary works that span sculpture, painting, and digital media. It’s a powerful reflection on intergenerational storytelling and cultural strength.
Aretha Brown, Gumbaynggirr people, Rise!, 2023, painted mural, Greenpeace, Sydney © Aretha Brown, courtesy the artist and Greenpeace, Sydney.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave – National Museum of Australia
12 December 2025 – 10 May 2026
Canberra becomes the Southern Hemisphere’s first host of Hallyu!, a blockbuster exhibition from London’s V&A Museum. Dive into the meteoric rise of South Korean pop culture—from K-pop and K-dramas to Parasite, Squid Game, and cutting-edge fashion. With over 250 objects, interactive experiences, and a full program of Korean music, dance, and food, this is more than an exhibition—it’s a cultural takeover.
Behind the Lines 2025 – Museum of Australian Democracy
Opening 29 November 2025
Australia’s sharpest political cartoons come together in this annual exhibition, Behind the Lines, offering wit, satire, and insight into the year’s biggest stories.
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