1. Vybz Fridays – Treehouse Bar – Friday
With Canberra’s best DJ’s on board, Vybz Fridays delivers non-stop Afrobeats, Dancehall, Soca and Reggae tracks, all night long. The line-up includes DJ Vizu, BazY Entertainment- DJ, Song Tatipata (DJ Songz), Dj-Cliff Bangura, and Soul Sistas’.
2. Kathmandu Neverest Challenge – Mt Aisline – Friday and Saturday
Canberrans will climb to the equivalent of the height of Mt Everest in this year’s Kathmandu Neverest Challenge. Teams will ascend and descend Mt Ainslie in the early hours of the morning, completing a combined total of 53 laps to cover a total distance of 106km. Those feeling more adventurous and choosing to complete the mission solo will begin their trek from 6pm on Friday evening. More details.
3. Local Gin Degustation Dinner – National Press Club of Australia – Saturday
Enjoy a Local Gin Degustation Dinner with 4-courses plus matching gin cocktails from Canberra’s premium distillers. There will also be a guest speaker, plus prizes and surprises. More details.
4. Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival – NFSA – Friday, Saturday and Sunday
A weekend of highlights from Queer Screen’s 25th Mardi Gras Film Festival is showing in Canberra. The National Film and Sound Archive, Arc Cinema will show three days of LGBTIQ film that is not to be missed. More details.
5. Casino Canberra – Showtime Saturdays – Saturday
Experience the 80s in three unique shows at Casino Canberra’s Showtime Saturdays. Performances are at 9pm, 10pm and 11pm. More details.
6. Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival – Mercure Canberra – Saturday
The 11th Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival is set to be the biggest ever held, with a record number of exhibitors expected for the event. The Festival will be staged in the gardens of the heritage Mercure Canberra in Braddon and will feature breweries from across Australia along with live bands, food, entertainment and a wide range of kids’ activities. More details.
7. Canberra Harvest Festival – Canberra Environment Centre – Saturday
One of the biggest events on the Canberra region’s environmental calendar, the Harvest Festival is an annual celebration of local food and producers from the ACT food bowl. There’ll be something for everyone, including market stalls, barbeque. wine bar, live music, free sustainability workshops and kids activities all afternoon.
8. Another Day in Paradise – Tuggeranong Arts Centre – until 29 April
Curated by Ben Quilty and Michael Dagostino, Another Day in Paradise is a major exhibition by artist Myuran Sukumaran and presents a vast and sobering series of powerful portraits by Sukumaran, painted during his incarceration at Bali’s Kerobokan jail and from his final incarceration on Nusa Kambangan Island.
9. Bonsai Week – National Arboretum – Friday, Saturday and Sunday
The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia presents a week of special events and activities, including demonstrations, Bonsai workshops and presentations. See the experts transform shaggy trees into bonsai masterpieces, then have a chance to bid on the trees and other items at auction.
10. Loriendale Apple Day – Loriendale Orchard – Saturday
Discover the wide range of organic apples, pears, quinces and vegetables at Loriendale Orchard, which grows 130 varieties of apples. Enjoy the taste of country style apple pies, freshly crushed apple juice, French crepes and organic barbecue meat. Relax with live music, Devonshire tea and coffee. Apple Day is a free event, however a gold coin donation will support the Green Pastures Hospital in Nepal.
