We’re drawing winter to a close this weekend with these exciting events!

5th World Curry Festival – Fri 30 – Sat 31 August

The World Curry festival is a celebration of diversity and inclusiveness. Now in its 5th year, it aims to promote cultural awareness, unity and harmony. The event will provide an opportunity for the diverse communities in Canberra to showcase their culture through food, craft/produce, music and intriguing dance performances and activities during the festival days. Visit City Walk from 11am – 11pm.

The Great Wizard’s Ball – Sat 31 August

Witches, wizards and magical creatures from all over Canberra and the region will descend on The Abbey at Gold Creek this Saturday for the first ever Great Wizard’s Ball. A winter-inspired feast, enchanting brews and magicocktails, fire-performers, acrobats, real creatures and magical photo opportunities are included. Dance the night away to DJ Dobby and the Potter Party Band or get their own wizard portrait taken by a professional photographer! Everyone is encouraged to come in their finest wizard robes or ball attire but Muggle-wear is welcome too, as there will be prizes for best-dressed! All profits from The Great Wizard’s Ball will be donated to The Smith Family’s children’s literacy program. Book your tickets online. quizzically.com. Group discounts are available.

Canberra Fashion, Food and Wine Market – Sat 31 August

Shop til you drop this weekend at Thoroughbred Park. The markets are back offering Fashion, Food, Wine, Fresh Produce and Arts and Crafts themes to offer a complete community day out. The market will again be indoors and heated for your comfort! The market will feature ‘Food Street’ with cafe seating the length of the market to make the market an all day shopping and eating experience! The markets will take place from 10am – 4pm. See website for details. https://canberramarkets.net.au/category/fashion-market/

Chilli Eating Competition – Sat 31 August

Are you a chilli eating champ? Participate in the sizzling – ‘Chilli Eating Competition’ during the 5th World Curry Festival and win prizes*. But most importantly to win the hearts and respect of thousands of people who will come visiting this gala event. As one of a kind event and only hosted in Canberra, the competition has attracted numerous entrants from various backgrounds and has attracted the crowds! Come and see the champs from 1 – 3pm at City Walk.

Juiced up Grand Opening – Sat 31 August
Cafe gather is taking over the venue at the bottom of 240 Bunda Street opposite Glebe park, with a new pop up, inviting even more Canberrans to join in on their regional, relational and local approach to café dining. The new venue is the playful sister to Café Gather, set to deliver new idea’s, eats, treats and all our signature kombucha and juices to the people of Canberra. The grand opening kicks off on Saturday the 31st of August and will feature live music and giveaways. As a bonus by showing support, you’re supporting the community as for every food item sold on the day they’re donating a meal to feed people in need with OzHarvest.

Lord of the Rings Marathon at Limelight Cinemas – Sun 1 Sep

Are you ready to go there and back again with The Fellowship? Prepare yourself for our THE LORD OF THE RINGS Extended Editions Trilogy on Sunday 1 September at 10am. Commencing from 10:00am, get comfy and enjoy all 3 LOTR Extended Edition films back to back (or pick and choose which ones you want to see in the big screen). Tickets are $10 per film! Buy tickets here!

Story Time at National Library of Australia – All Weekend

Story Time: Australian Children’s Literature is an exhibition of much-loved children’s books from the colonial period through to the present day that will appeal to anyone who has experienced the magic of stories. This exhibition will reacquaint you with old friends and introduce you to new ones. It will take you on a nostalgic tour through childhood, looking at the works of great Australian authors and illustrators including Bronwyn Bancroft, Mem Fox, May Gibbs, Bob Graham, Emily Rodda, Ivan Southall, Shaun Tan and Ethel Turner. A must-see exhibition, Story Time explores the rich history of Australian children’s literature and takes you on a journey across time and place—real and imagined. Families can also have fun in the dedicated kids section, Playtime. Presented in association with the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature.

aMBUSH exhibition – All Weekend

A new exhibition is hitting the town at Kambri ANU! Have A Go is a powerful exhibition combining two separate bodies of work, with each informing the other, from renowned street artist and Archibald Prize finalist, Luke Cornish (aka ELK), who originally hails from Canberra. On Saturday, 31 August, a special panel talk will be held in the Gallery from 1:00-2:00pm, followed by a Q&A with the artist. This event is free of charge to the public. The exhibition will be open daily from 10am-6pm weekdays and 12pm-5pm on weekends until Sunday, 29 September. Admission is free and all artworks are for sale. Visit www.ambushgallery.com for more information