Monday 26 December 2022

What's on in Canberra this Summer (2022-23)


Eat + Drink

Great weather, great company

Gather your friends and family and head out to some of Canberra's prime spots to enjoy each other's company. Chill out and grab an ice-cold local beer in the outdoor beer garden at Capital Brewing Co as you await a mouth-watering burger from Brodburger. If sharing is on the menu, check out the contemporary Asian cuisine at Akiba, where the food and atmosphere are designed to be shared with mates. Top it all off by sipping on cheeky drinks with your pals while taking in the stunning Canberra view from the new, open concept Leyla Bar perched on the rooftop at Burbury Hotel in Barton.

Lake front dining > everything

If you're a sucker for an iconic Canberra sunset, heading to CocoNine in Kingston Foreshore for a flavour packed, authentic Thai dinner while looking out at Lake Burley Griffin is a must. Don't forget to snap up the amazing vistas from the newly renovated Snapper & Co as you munch on their crispy fish and chips and enjoy a cone (or two) of their new gelato bar. The Jetty Canberra is the perfect spot to grab a drink, listen to live music from local and national artists, and enjoy some delicious eats from a food truck.

Did someone say Brunch?

With a city ruled by cafés, the options to brunch can be endless. If coffee is your morning saviour, The Cupping Room is a must do. Created by the caffeinated geniuses at Ona Coffee, the food and pastries have been crafted to complement their beautifully roasted beans, ready to take your brunch to a whole new level. Unwind and indulge at Doubleshot in Deakin – a local gem with live acoustic music filling the space on Sunday mornings. Dig into some tasty hotcakes and wash it down with their highly acclaimed cold pressed juices. Turn your brunch into an adventure at Pollen in the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Surround yourself with birdsongs as your tastebuds are tantalised with yummy waffles or chilli scrambled eggs. Then walk off the food baby with a stroll amongst the gardens.

See + Do

Catch a flick under the flickering stars

Grab your mates and snuggle into a bean bag as you munch on Tim Tams and popcorn while enjoying a range of hot new releases, all-time classics, and family favourite movies at Sunset Cinemas. Surrounded by the beautiful Australian National Botanic Gardens, you'll be able to kick back and enjoy this outdoor movie experience under the stars. With a range of genres surely to catch everyone's attention, this is a must do experience this summer!

Try a real Wipeout in Canberra

There's no better place to spend those hot Canberra summers than at the Canberra Aqua Park! Climb up ladders, slide down slides, and catapult your mates high in the sky with the iconic jumping pillow. This inflatable obstacle course has something for everyone to beat the heat this summer.

Fuel your interest with Summernats

Summernats returns to Canberra over four massive days at Exhibition Park from 5 – 8 January 2023. Take part in a unique celebration of the modified car community through a combination of competition driving events, an elite hall, show and shine, drifting, burnouts and live performances by Shannon Noll, Brooke Evers, and the Stafford Brothers.

Around the world in three days at the National Multicultural Festival

The National Multicultural Festival has been uniting the more than 170 unique nationalities of the Canberra community together for 25 years.  Experience a kaleidoscope of colours, sights, sounds, and tastes across three days filled with performances, culture, entertainment, food and community spirit from 17 – 19 February 2023. 

Discover art in the Capital

Discover one of Australia's most significant contemporary painters and printmakers, Cressida Campbell at the National Gallery of Australia until 19 February 2023. Campbell transforms her surroundings in the Sydney region into magnificent pieces of art unlike any other. Explore international works from the British Museum in the National Museum of Australia's Feared and Revered: Feminine Power through the Ages exhibition. Celebrate the power and diversity of female spiritual beings in cultural traditions and beliefs across the globe, on until 27 August 2023.

Cricket comes to Canberra

Cheer on Australia's best batters and bowlers during the summer of cricket in Canberra. See Australia take on Pakistan when the women's Commbank T20I comes to Canberra on 29 January 2023.  Don't miss your chance to catch the Big Bash action in Canberra with Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades playing on 19 January 2023. There'll be plenty of entertainment on and off the field at Manuka Oval

Family adventure time at Gold Creek

Travel back in time to discover a world of dinosaurs or interact with our present-day reptile friends at the National Dinosaur Museum and Canberra Reptile Zoo. See the world as a giant with the miniature displays of world monuments at Cockington Green Gardens. Immerse yourself in the natural world by feeding some of the most beautiful birds in Australia at the Canberra Walk In Aviary. With just one Gold Creek Adventure Ticket, you will be able to experience all these attractions in a full-day adventure extravaganza!

AMPlify the end of Summer

As Summer comes to a close, head out to the National Arboretum with friends and family, a picnic blanket, and good vibes as you enjoy three of Australia's finest tribute bands at AMPlify Tributes at the Arboretum. With musical tributes to Neil Diamond, Elton John, and ABBA, this is one musical event you can't miss.