What's On in Canberra This September & Beyond

Spring has sprung and we're embracing the brighter mornings and longer days. The sun is shining and our event schedules are looking full, just the way we like it! 

This September we challenge you to get out and about and make the most of the change of season. Whether it's shopping at the outdoor markets or heading out on one of Canberra's best walks. Still got some dates to fill? Read on for the best things to do in Canberra this month. 

Celebrate Spring With Floriade

Floriade returns for its 37th year, transforming Canberra’s Commonwealth Park into a vibrant canvas of colour with the theme 'Art in Bloom' from 14 September – 13 October. Expect art, music, food, workshops, and more. Don’t miss NightFest from 3rd to 6th October.

Daily entry is free and NightFest tickets start at $35 per person.

Saturday 14th September to Sunday 13th October

Commonwealth Park, Canberra

Tulip Top Gardens 

Haven't quite got your flower fix? Or more of a tulip enthusiast?  Tulip Top Gardens is the perfect spot for a family day out, doggos included, the gorgeous gardens are a serene spot for a picnic and a day spent wandering amongst the blooms. Coffee and tea are included in the ticket price with other food and beverages available for purchase also. Pick your date wisely as there are also live entertainment and creative workshops available on selected dates. 

Wednesday 11th September to Sunday 13th October 

20 Old Federal Highway, Sutton 

Omakase Experience at Koto Dining

The opening of Koto has been a true highlight for Canberra's foodie scene this year and this heavenly Japanese restaurant isn't done delighting us yet. Koto has just launched an 18-course omakase menu curated by their hatted executive chef and sushi master, Shinya Nakano. There are only ten seats available at each sitting so get in quick if you have a date in mind. 

1 King George Terrace, Parkes 

The Tipsy Sketching Club 

Winter is the perfect time to learn a new skill. Try your hand at life drawing whilst sipping away on cocktails from Wakefield's Bar & Wine. You'll get to attempt a variety of poses with drawing time ranging from 2 minutes to twenty, per pose. 

Dates throughout August

1 Wakefield Gardens, Shop 2, Ainslie 

National Photographer Portrait Prize 2024

Planning ahead? You won't want to miss this one. Discover the essence of 2023 and 2024 in photo form at the National Portrait Gallery's iconic event, the National Photographic Portrait Prize. Celebrating its 17th year, this exhibition gives a snapshot of the year's essence through a kaleidoscope of identities, both communal and personal.

With 34 talented artists in the limelight, including Zoe Helene Karouzos and Paul Knight, prepare for visual storytelling at its finest. Opening in late June, this isn't your average exhibition; it's one of the most popular events on the calendar. And with a whopping $50,000 prize package up for grabs, it's bound to be a showcase of pure photographic magic.

Opens June 22nd, 2024

National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes Canberra

Shades of Shadows

Discover a whole new world of light and shadow at the Canberra Museum and Gallery's Shades of Shadows exhibition. Glass artist Hannah Gason invites you on a journey where light dances with architectural forms, inspired by the visionary work of Frank Hinder.

Just like Hinder's iconic designs that shaped Canberra's landscape, Gason's pieces weave together harmony, movement, and luminosity. As you explore, watch how light transforms and plays tricks with glass, creating an enchanting display of shapes and textures, captivating the endless possibilities of light and glass. 

June 15th to November 17th, 2024

Canberra Museum and Gallery, Corner London Circuit and City Square, Canberra

Get Creative at the Craft and Design Centre

Itching to get your hands to work? Pop on over to the Craft and Design Centre to see what's on offer. This month you'll be able to learn cultural weaving and water colour food journalling. 

Dates throughout August

Gaugin's World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao

Dive into the world of French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin at the National Gallery of Australia's upcoming major exhibition, Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao. immerse yourself in Gauguin's iconic masterpieces, many crafted during his travels across the Pacific.

Curated by Henri Loyrette, former director of the Louvre Museum, this exhibition unveils fresh insights into Gauguin's life, influences, and lasting legacy. Explore the evolution of Gauguin's distinctive style through painting, sculpture, and decorative arts, and engage with contemporary debates surrounding Gauguin's controversial legacy. Coming in June 2024, it is set to be one of the biggest and best art exhibitions in Canberra.

June 29th to October 7th 2024

National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes ACT

Attend a Candlelight Concert 

Hold hands and get swept up in the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience, all under the glow of candlelight. For an unforgettable date idea in Canberra, you simply can't look past attending a candlelit concert from Fever Up. There are orchestral tributes to the likes of Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Coldplay and Taylor Swift, or swoon to the soaring sounds of Mozart's Requiem and Vivaldi's Four Seasons played out to a transfixing degree, in stunning and oft-historic venues around town. They even have family-friendly options with their Candlelight Kids series.

Multiple locations, visit Fever Up website for more details

Need more ideas on what to do in Canberra this month? Here’s our guide to the best weekend activities in Canberra and, if you’re heading to Sydney for the weekend, here are our tops picks.