Floriade
12 September – 11 October 2026. Free Entry
https://floriadeaustralia.com/
Australia’s biggest celebration of spring returns for its 39th year, with over one million blooms set to reach peak brilliance across Commonwealth Park. This year’s theme a Feast of Flowers introduces a focus on seasonal food, edible gardens, and shared experiences, complementing Floriade’s iconic floral displays, which remain at the heart of the festival, complemented by programming that reflects the connection between gardens, growing, and the table.
NightFest
1-4 October 2026. From 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Tickets from $31.50 for children and $41.50 for adults
Family tickets from $114.40 Children 4 and under are free
Experience Floriade in a whole new light as NightFest returns for four spectacular nights. Commonwealth Park transforms into an after-dark wonderland filled with vibrant horticultural illuminations, fantastic food and drink stalls, and a packed program of live entertainment. A standout live music lineup features a different headline act each night, including Tim Finn, Busby Marou, Christine Anu, Pacific Avenue and The Temper Trap.
RELICS: A New World Rises
19 September 2026 – 31 January 2027
Tickets from $15 for children and $23 for adults
https://www.cmag.com.au/exhibitions/relics-a-new-world-rises|
RELICS: A New World Rises is an immersive exhibition created by LEGO® Masters, winners Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler, where vintage objects become homes for intricate miniature worlds built from LEGO® bricks. Across more than 15 large-scale installations everyday items take on a new life; a refrigerator becomes a cryogenic wellness resort, a Volkswagen Beetle powers an underground energy revolution, and a grandfather clock becomes a time machine. Each intricately crafted scene is packed with hidden details, layered narratives and moments of unexpected humour.
Arthur Boyd: Tapestries at the National Gallery of Australia
On show until 18 October – Free exhibition
https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/arthur-boyd-tapestries/
The National Gallery presents the monumental tapestries series by renowned Australian artist Arthur Boyd in their Arthur Boyd: Tapestries exhibition. An exploration of the life of Saint Francis, the works were produced by tapestry workshop Manufactura de Tapeçarias de Portalegre. Each tapestry contains between 4 and 8.5 million stitches in Australian wool and cotton.
The Craft + Design Canberra Festival
5-15 November
Mix of free and ticketed events
https://www.craftanddesigncanberrafestival.org/
Canberra’s creative side takes centre stage this November as the Craft + Design Canberra Festival unfolds across the city, responding to this year’s theme, Dissent, which explores creativity as a powerful force for questioning, challenging and reshaping societal norms. Expect a vibrant program of exhibitions, open studios, design markets, workshops and public art installations, including a striking light-responsive artwork in Civic Square and glass art among the Australian National Botanic Gardens natural landscape. With makers opening their studio doors and many events free to attend, it’s the perfect excuse to linger a little longer and discover the capital through its creative community.
The Canberra Writers Festival
15-18 October
Mix of free and ticketed events
https://canberrawritersfestival.com.au/
Get ready, book lovers, the Canberra Writers Festival returns, celebrating its 10th anniversary with more than 110 events and 200 writers, thinkers and storytellers across four days. The Festival brings together acclaimed Australian and international authors, bestselling novelists, comedians, journalists, illustrators, political thinkers, cartoonists, and some of the most exciting emerging literary voices offering thought-provoking conversations, fresh perspectives and inspiring stories for readers of all interests.
There is so much more to discover in Canberra this spring. For more inspiration and full line-up of events check out https://visitcanberra.com.au
