Must-See Events in Canberra for 2025
Updated 6 Jan 2025
What's on in Canberra
Get ready for a year of unforgettable events in Canberra in 2025. The city is putting on a show with blockbuster exhibitions, festivals, weekend markets, and sport matches all year long.
Iconic favourites return, including Enlighten Festival and Canberra Balloon Spectacular in autumn, truffle celebrations in winter, Floriade in spring, and the Summernats car festival in summer. These signature events, along with live music, thrilling sports and vibrant celebrations, promise something for everyone in 2025.
JANUARY
See everything from supped-up streetcars to the finals of the National Burnout Master for the year at Summernats (2-5 January), a unique celebration of the modified car community. As evening falls, watch the hot rods roll along Braddon’s vibrant streets.
The action continues at Manuka Oval with the CommBank Women’s Ashes T20 International as Australia play England (23 January).
Get up close to the world's rarest motorsport vehicles at the Canberra Festival of Speed (25-26 January). Enjoy an immersive AV experience, along with exhibitors, music, and a European food village.
Explore the lives and artistic legacies of important female artists and innovators in the Australian art world at the National Gallery of Australia's Ethel Carrick and Anne Dangar retrospectives (until 27 April 2025).
FEBRUARY
Taste food from around the globe at the National Multicultural Festival (7-9 February) which brings together more than 170 unique nationalities. Beloved by locals for the food stalls, the festival stages will be filled with cultural performances so you can enjoy dinner and a show.
Featuring over 350 unique and limited-edition beers, ciders, seltzers, wine, cocktails and local street eats, Canberra Beerfest (15 February) also has tunes, games, and entertainment to keep the good times going.
Experience the magic of the Royal Canberra Show (21-23 February) with over 150 captivating attractions, award-winning animals, and competitions galore.
MARCH 2025
Canberra’s galleries and museums will host an array of events during the day and become artworks at night during Enlighten Illuminations (28 February - 10 March). Feast on tasty treats, and enjoy live music and exclusive experiences as you explore the National Triangle, transformed by thought-provoking architectural projections and artistic installations.
Cheer on your favourite dogs at the National Sheep Dog Trial Championships (10-16 March) or wake up to surreal scenes as dozens of hot air balloons float across the capital each morning during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular (15-23 March). Grab breakfast from a local food truck or take to the lake to watch the balloons inflate and float into the sky.
Head to the Canberra Craft Beer and Cider Festival (15 March) to learn about Australia's incredible craft beer evolution and taste the brews for yourself.
Meet the makers at over 250 stalls within the Handmade Canberra food and design market (29-30 March) to grab the next gift on the wish list for yourself or someone special.
Discover what life was like in the ancient city of Pompeii before the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. See remarkable artefacts including frescoes, jewellery, and sculptures at this exhibition at the National Museum of Australia (7 December 2024 - 4 May 2025).
APRIL & MAY
Experience the oldest city marathon in Australia at The Canberra Times Marathon Festival (13 April). This prestigious event offers five different distances that each incorporate amazing sites in the capital.
For four days of music, folk dance, and community, head to the National Folk Festival (17-21 April). With multiple stages, workshops, dance spaces, markets, food stalls, and even on-site camping, this festival has your long weekend sorted. Be warned though, the saying goes that once you’ve gone to the festival just once, you’ll want to come back year after year.
Spend your Anzac Day paying your respects to those who have served, at the Australian War Memorial's Anzac Day Dawn Service (25 April) or by attending a daily Last Post Ceremony.
JUNE, JULY, & AUGUST
Winter in Canberra does not mean hibernation for most, with a wide array of things to do across the cooler months. Sample the delights of the Canberra region’s truffle growers from June through August. The prized black Perigord truffle is on the menu at restaurants, cafes, and wineries across the capital thanks to the region’s cool climate growing conditions. Enjoy a paddock-to-plate experience or join a truffle hunt at one of the newest jewels in Canberra’s culinary experience crown, Beltana Farm.
The British and Irish Lions will take on the ACT Brumbies at GIO Stadium (9 July). Don't miss this match as the team’s next tour to Australia won't be for another twelve years.
See the moments of contact and exchange between groundbreaking European artists and their Australian counterparts at Cézanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie at the National Gallery (31 May - 21 September). This exhibition marks the first time works from this internationally significant collection will be seen in Australia.
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, Floriade (13 September - 12 October), returns to Commonwealth Park. Featuring more than one million blooms, this flower festival is also renowned for its marketplace, food stalls, live music, and workshops. And when the sun goes down, NightFest (dates TBC) transforms the floral displays with artistic illuminations and hosts evenings filled with entertainers, fantastic food, and Insta-worthy photo opportunities.
Celebrate peace, goodwill, and the sister city relationship between Canberra and Nara at the Nara Candle Festival (25 October). This popular festival features thousands of shimmering candles, delicious street food, and cultural performances.
NOVEMBER
Commemorate Remembrance Day (11 November) at the Australian War Memorial by paying your respects during the National Ceremony or placing a poppy on the Roll of Honour.
Join in on all the fun at the SpringOUT festival (1-30 November) when the streets of Canberra will fill with pride flags, love, and joy, in celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Challenge yourself on the wide-open trails of the Stromlo Running Festival (15-16 November). Soak in the views of Canberra and the Brindabella Ranges as you compete. Various race lengths are on offer from a 2.5-kilometre kids cross country course up to a 42.2-kilometre marathon.
DECEMBER
Canberra is not only known for its attractions and year-round events but also for its quality drinking destinations that offer mesmerising views of the city. Make sure to check out this list of the best views of the city, while enjoying a drink or two.
Few things say ‘summertime tradition’ more than an outdoor movie. Bask in balmy weather at Sunset Cinema (November - February) nestled in the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Set amongst iconic scenery, make sure to gather your friends, family, drinks, and snacks to make a night of it.
Or cheer on Australia's best batters and bowlers during the summer of cricket at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Year-Round Events
Be sure to check out the performance calendar at the Canberra Theatre Centre, The Street Theatre, and music venues around Canberra. Explore the bustling markets and foodie festivals, including farmers markets and specialty food and wine festivals, all while soaking in Canberra’s unique blend of culture, food, and community.
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