Spring has surely sprung this weekend! It’s time for all things Floriade.

Floriade – from Sat 14 September

Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, returns to Commonwealth Park from Saturday 14 September until Sunday 13 October 2019. With over one million blooms on display and free entry, Floriade is the perfect place to experience the beauty of spring. With a diverse and ever expanding program of music, cultural celebrations, food and wine, horticultural workshops, market traders, artistic displays, entertainment, recreational activities and more, you’ll find something for everyone. Celebrate this year’s theme, World in Bloom daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Visit the website for more information.

Lifeline Canberra September Bookfair – All weekend

Come and support the largest gathering of book-lovers in Canberra as they raise a major portion of the funding needed to keep our local 13 11 14 crisis support and suicide prevention service available to the community. Entry is by gold coin donation and parking is free. The Bookfair is open Friday 13 Sept, 9am – 6pm, Saturday 14 Sept, 9am – 5pm and Sunday 15 Sept, 10am – 4pm.

2019 Canberra Moon Festival – All weekend

The 2019 Canberra Moon Festival at city walk is back at City Walk, Canberra! There will be a giant illuminated moon, lantern lights food street and a pumping festival atmosphere. Enjoy kids interactive games, activities, free mooncakes give away and 20+ gourmet foods to taste around the world. Be swept away with non-stop stage performance, live music, dance, and shows. Visit the website for more information. The festival will run from 4.30pm – 9.30pm Friday, and 10am – 9.30pm Saturday and 10am – 3.30pm Sunday.

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.

Canberra Weekly Classic Afternoon – Sat 14 Sep

Dubbed ‘The Dancing Oboist’ by The New York Times, Diana Doherty will direct musicians of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and feature as a soloist in a special springtime matinee. Fitting for the first day of Floriade, the concert will highlight the range of musical colours Diana can produce on the oboe. The performance features two Mozart works – a symphony he wrote before he turned 18, and his moving Oboe Concerto in C major. The latter was so successful, Mozart later passed it off as a new flute concerto, collecting a second paycheck! The concert also features oboe works by Bach and Vaughan Williams.This matinee is part of the CSO’s Saturday Series, a collection of one-off musical experiences around Canberra. See cso.org.au for more information. Held at Llewellyn Hall at 2pm.

Zaab Beer Pong Championships – Sat 14 Sept

Are you an avid beer pong player? Want to win a holiday to Thailand? Then Zaab has the event for you. Zaab’s annual Beer Pong Championship is back and set to hit the streets of Braddon bringing crowds of hundreds of participants and spectators every year. The famous grand prize is also back, with the winning team set to receive paid flights and accommodation in Thailand. Register a team of 2 for $50 online here. Doors open at 12pm and the games begin at 2pm.

Bottomless Brunch at The Duxton – Sun 15 Sept

Our favourite monthly Bottomless Brunch at The Duxton is back and is the perfect way to celebrate the start your Spring and Floriade. At 10:30am and 1:30pm they will be hosting another free-flowing brunch and an endless supply of Chandon S, a refreshing aromatic sparkling. Tickets are $55 per person plus booking fee and includes a two hour brunch package of bottomless Chandon S and a brunch dish of your choosing from the menu. Get in quick – buy tickets here. 

Downton Abbey High Tea Screening at Dendy – Sun 15 Sep

A girls’ afternoon at the cinema! Tickets include a drink on arrival, pot of tea, and a mix of sweet and savory items. Sunday, September 15 at 10.30AM (arrival) and 11AM (screening). Buy tickets here.