There’s something happening every weekend in August, with sporting events, fashion markets, a variety of festivals and more. It’s also the last weeks of the truffle season in Canberra, so don’t miss your chance to try fresh local black truffles while you can.
Weekend 4-6 August
The first weekend of August is a great time to visit Canberra if you love fashion, with two fashion markets being held.
At the Canberra Fashion Market, browse through vintage, new and recycled clothing. Held at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) 10am – 3pm, Saturday 5 August. Frock Up Pop Up Canberra offers a variety of vintage, antique, retro and designer clothing – you might just come away with a new favourite wardrobe item! 4-5 August atGriffith Neighbourhood Centre.
While you’re in Canberra, check out the Canberra Centre’s new wellness and beauty precinct, featuring Mecca Maxima’s first Australian concept store, along with a range of other retailers including Jurlique, Inglot, Aveda, Lush, Napolean Perdis and many more.
If you enjoy live theatre and dance, see Bangarra Dance Theatre at the Canberra Theatre Centre, with performances from 3-5 August or hear Ed Kuepper live at The Street Theatre on Friday 4 August. Also at the Canberra Theatre Centre is The Ten Tenors performing their 20th Anniversary Tour on Sunday 6 August.
On Saturday 5 August, sports fans can see the action as Giants v Melbourne at Manuka Oval, with kick-off at 1:45pm.
If you are a fan of pop culture including anime, movies, comics, gaming and collectibles, the GAMMA.CON festival is back on 5 and 6 August from 10am-5pm at the AIS Arena, with a special 18+ event on Saturday 5 August from 6pm.
Celebrate the season with the Winter Festival at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday 6 August, from 10am – 4pm. Suitable for all ages and abilities and all materials are provided.
Weekend 11-13 August
Have a weekend of LEGO in Canberra with the Brick Expo held over 3 days 11-13 August, at The Hellenic Club of Canberra. This event features hundreds of interesting creations by local and interstate LEGO collectors and modellers. This event is hugely popular so it is recommended to purchase your tickets in advance online. You can also see the Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibition at the National Museum of Australia, opening on 28 July. This travelling exhibition from Sydney Living Museums features 20 amazing skyscraper models. Visitors can have a go at creating their own tower with more than 200,000 loose bricks in the hands-on area. This is a ticketed exhibition and bookings online are recommended.
You never know what interesting treasures you might find at the Old Bus Depot Markets, held each Sunday. On 13 August, the Portobello Road themed market will include an eclectic mix of treasures to browse through, including jewellery, crockery, small homewares and more.
If you enjoy art and culture, there are a number of exhibitions showing over this time, including Dempsey’s People at the National Portrait Gallery – an exhibition featuring 52 rarely-seen portraits of English street people in the first half of the 19th Century. At the National Gallery of Australia, there are several exhibitions showing, including Defying Empire: National Indigenous Art Triennial, Pipilotti Rist: Worry will vanish revelation, Rodel Tapaya: New art from the Philippines and more.
Weekend 18-20 August
See fun indoor and outdoor activities including dart ball, arcade games and amusement, displays, entertainment, food stalls and more at the Ultimate Playground, presented by Canberra Big Boys Toys, being held on 19 and 20 August at Exhibition Park in Canberra.
On 20 August, see the Canberra Raiders v Panthers in Round 24 of the NRL Telstra Premiership at GIO Stadium, with kick-off at 2pm.
As part of National Science Week, head along to the Geoscience annual Open Day on Sunday 20 August from 9am-2pm, where you can participate in a range of hands-on activities plus science displays and talks.
If you enjoy live music, don’t miss the opportunity to see Pete Murray perform his Camacho album tour at the Canberra Theatre Centre on Saturday 19 August.
Weekend 25-27 August
The Canberra Writers Festival is being held over the weekend of 25-27 August, with the theme ‘Power, Passion, Politics’. This three day festival includes free and ticketed events with panel sessions, workshops, dining events and more. View the program online.
On 25 August, see the Raiders v Knights in Round 25 of the NRL Telstra Premiership at GIO Stadium, with kick-off at 6pm.
At Stromlo Forest Park on 26 August, you can see some of Australia’s best mountain bike endurance racers compete in The Shimano Mountain Bike Grand Prix Round 5. Entry is free for spectators.
Book your Canberra weekend away now with one of our special packages, including the Weekend Special package, or save with our Advance Purchase special offer.
With a great location in Canberra’s CBD, close to shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, Crowne Plaza Canberra is the perfect hotel choice for your weekend getaway to Canberra.
