Must-see exhibitions on now

At the National Museum of Australia, Mr Squiggle and Friends brings joy to all ages. This delightful exhibition reunites Mr Squiggle with his beloved companions—Blackboard, Rocket, Bill Steamshovel, and Gus the Snail.

Featuring over 300 objects from Norman Hetherington’s collection, visitors can dive into the world of puppetry and cartooning, try their hand at puppeteering, and even contribute to a digital squiggle wall. The exhibition is free but ticketed and runs until 21 September.

Over at the National Gallery of Australia, Cézanne to Giacometti is a major cultural highlight. This exclusive exhibition showcases masterpieces of European modernism from Museum Berggruen and Neue Nationalgalerie, including works by Picasso, Matisse, and other 20th-century icons. Children aged 0–17 enjoy free entry, and a special interactive space designed by artist Sanné Mestrom invites young visitors to build, play, and explore their creativity. The exhibition is ticketed and open until 15 February 2026.

Also at the National Gallery of Australia, Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia returns to Canberra for its final showing. Featuring over 260 works by more than 200 artists, this powerful exhibition explores themes such as Ancestors and Creators, Country and Constellations, Community and Family, and Resistance and Colonisation. It’s a moving and thought-provoking experience that highlights the depth and diversity of First Nations art.

At the National Portrait Gallery, In Bloom offers a floral feast for the senses. With more than 50 portraits drawn from the gallery’s collection, new acquisitions, and selected loans, the exhibition explores how flowers have been used in art to express emotion and convey cultural, personal, and religious significance.

From Jimmy Barnes to Queen Elizabeth II, the portraits are unified by their floral symbolism. This free exhibition runs until 19 April 2026.

Music lovers will enjoy The Excellencies of Musick at the National Library of Australia. This exhibition showcases rare books, prints, and manuscripts that delve into the history of music through the lens of composers, theorists, and philosophers. Visitors can also view portraits, engraved tickets, and trade cards.

It’s free to attend and open until 17 August.

At Australian Parliament House, Conserving the Magna Carta offers a rare glimpse into Australia’s Magna Carta and the conservation efforts behind it. This exhibition is currently on display and free to explore.

The Royal Australian Mint, in collaboration with Government House, presents a new exhibition celebrating the Australian honours system. This thoughtful display recognises the outstanding service and contributions of Australians who have made a difference in their communities or shown exceptional courage.

Rare coins, medals, and medallions from the National Coin Collection are on view until 15 February 2026.

The Nolan Collection is an iconic group of paintings from 1945 to 1953 by Sidney Nolan that the artist gifted to the nation, first exhibited at Lanyon Homestead in 1975. The exhibition features photographs and original text following Nolan's personal and creative journey from St Kilda lad to sophisticated artist.

Today, this remarkable collection totals 218 works and resides at the Canberra Museum + Gallery, where it continues to captivate visitors from across the nation and beyond.

This free exhibition will be on display until June 2027.

Discover the world of The Global Architect, Enrico Taglietti (1926–2019) at Canberra Museum and Gallery’s latest exhibition, Taglietti: Life in Design, a visionary whose design principles shaped modern Australian architecture and left an indelible imprint on Canberra, the city he and his wife Franca chose to call home. Celebrating the centenary of Taglietti's birth, Taglietti: Life in Design explores the life, philosophy, and legacy of one of Australia's most original architects.

This free exhibition explores his life, philosophy, and legacy and is open until 22 February 2026.