Contour 556, 2020 Public Art Biennial – Starting on Friday 9th of October

A free art exhibition on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Contour 556 is back in 2020! This popular free art walk and exhibition will be held around Lake Burley Griffin, between 9th – 23rd October. It has been held in 2016 and 2018 with great success, so it is back for three weeks of art and sculpture which will surprise and delight. The exhibition will feature over 60 local, national and international artists, working across sculpture, performance, sound and digital projections. This year, there will also be opportunities for audience engagement through a series of public programs including performances, talks, tours, workshops, a people’s choice award and digital platform. See the Contour 556 website and Facebook for updates and background stories of each artwork here.

Australian Miniseries | Presented by Canberra Symphony Orchestra – Friday 9th October

Co-curated by Professor Matthew Hindson AM and incoming Artistic Advisor Jessica Cottis, the Australian Miniseries sees 15 established and emerging Australian composers produce short works for solo instrument, for online premiere by CSO musicians. Find out more here.

A Wild Night Out | Spring – Friday 9th October to Saturday 10th October

There has never been a better time to experience Canberra’s iconic wildlife sanctuary than this September/October school holidays with the ultimate family sleepover – A Wild Night Out at Tidbinbilla. More than just accommodation, the pop-up wilderness family camp includes your overnight stay in glamping tents with real beds, four unique day and night ranger activities, dinner, campfire fun under the stars, breakfast as well as a day pass to explore Tidbinbilla after check out. Explore this vast 54.5 square kilometre nature reserve with specially designed ranger-guided activities that offer new and exclusive ways to learn about the diversity of wildlife in this unique landscape. From hi-tech wildlife, behind the scenes at the vet centre to CSI Tidbinbilla, we have created engaging workshop for children ideally aged between five and twelve years. Younger children are welcome by arrangement, this is a family camp with lights out at 10pm. Wake up in the wild and experience Tidbinbilla in a whole new light. Click here to find out more and get tickets

2020 Canberra Bonsai Society Annual Show @ Canberra High School – Saturday 10th October to Sunday 11th October 

Canberra Bonsai Society Show featuring a variety of traditional exotic trees and Australian natives, some by artists featured at the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection at the National Arboretum. To find out more click here

Photography Workshop @ Lanyon Homestead & Cockington Green – Saturday 10th October

The popular Floriade Photography Workshops are back in 2020! Run by leading Canberra photographers, Geoff Comfort and Ben Kopilow, this year’s workshops have a new format, delivered across 2 hours and available at two different Canberra venues one Southside and one Northside. During the workshops you will review the techniques of great flower photography, have access to guidance during the session, and all workshops conclude with the highly valued critique session of your photos, to round out your sessions learnings. The workshops, while targeted to the intermediate photographer are still suitable for budding and advanced photographers. You will need to bring a camera, anything from a compact camera or phone up to a full DSLR kit will be suitable.

Click here for Lanyon tickets  | Click here for Cockington Green tickets 

Bottomless Bellini Brunch @ Kokomo’s  – Saturday 10th October

Kokomo’s Bottomless Bellini Brunch has become infamous in Canberra. Pull your squad together for some good eats, good drinks and good company. $60 PP | 2 course shared set menu, 2 hours of Bottomless Bellini’s | 3 flavours. You don’t want to miss out. Get your tickets here 

Movement Month @ Haig Park – Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th October

Mindful Yoga and Meditation and Dance for Over 55s

Come and try mindful yoga and mindfulness meditation with Megan from Simply Mindful. See for yourself what all the hype is about! There will be a short introduction to each session and then 30 minutes of yoga, a short break and 30 minutes of mindfulness meditation practice. Get your tickets here 

A one-hour movement class set to uplifting music aimed at inspiring the body and mind to shake off the winter blues. Join dancer Liz Lea to move mindfully and take inspiration from the nature around us. Ideal for people over 55! Get your tickets here

Luscious Lemon Watercolour @ Amici – Sunday 11th October

Join us for a gorgeous afternoon of Wine and Watercolours at Amici and create your very own stunning Luscious Lemon masterpiece! Gather your besties and bring them along for an afternoon of fun! Whilst sipping Negroni’s or an amazing glass of wine, our creative workshop leaders guide you through an enjoyable watercolour painting session, to create your very own stunning Luscious Lemon painting! By the end of the afternoon you and your friends will take home your very own masterpiece. Everyone is an artist at The Social Creative! Tickets here!

Floriade: Reimagined will celebrate its final day with Pets’ Day In – Sunday 11th October 

The final day of Floriade: Reimagined will see the crowd favourite, Dogs’ Day Out, transformed into the all-inclusive Pets’ Day In. Enjoy photography competitions, on demand workshops including dog yoga, quizzes and resources for all pets big and small. Held on Sunday 11 October 2020, find out more about how to learn about and celebrate your pet at home with Pets’ Day In.