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 20^th 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 19^th 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.

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Ski, Snow and Outdoor Adventure

For a fun winter experience in the heart of the city, Winter Festival will bring open air ice-skating, European style markets, entertainment and more to Canberra from 23 June until 17 July 2016, located within walking distance of Crowne Plaza Canberra.

With its close proximity to the NSW Snowy Mountains, Canberra is the ideal stopover for a trip to the snow. If you’d rather let someone else do the driving, Murrays Canberra Snow Service offers daily coaches to and from the NSW Snowy Mountains in July and August. For the perfect first snow experience, Corin Forest offers tobogganing and snow play only 45 minutes from Canberra’s CBD.

For something different, join an afterDARK – Winter Lantern Tour at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.  On several Saturday nights through winter you will make your own lantern then set off on a guided night tour, followed by supper and toasted marshmallows.

School Holidays

There are lots of family activities in Canberra on offer for the July school holidays. The National Portrait Gallery has a special program of events including Family Space: I.D. Identifying Self, with all day screenings and activities inspired by the National Portrait Gallery’s collection for families to enjoy together. Portrait Play offers children aged 4 to 8 the opportunity to explore portrait through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

The Happy Birthday Play School: Celebrating 50 Years exhibition is showing at the National Museum of Australia until 24 July 2016. You’ll find those favourite characters including Big Ted, Little Ted, Humpty and Jemima – plus the Rocket Clock and all the windows. The Spiders Exhibition on show at Questacon until 9 October 2016 allows visitors to explore the vast and fascinating world of spiders.

Art, Culture and History

Art, culture and history enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice during winter, with a number of exhibitions and events in Canberra.  Tough and Tender is an exhibition being held at the National Portrait Gallery from 15 July until 16 October 2016, featuring photographs by a group of American and Australian artists from the 1960s to now, exploring the complexities of personal relations and individual expression. Fiona Hall’s exhibition Wrong Way Time, direct from the 2015 Venice Biennale, is being hosted by the National Gallery of Australia until 10 July 2016.

Reality in flames: modern Australian art and the Second World War is showing at the Australian War Memorial until 7 September 2016.  This exhibition explores the creative response of Australian modernist artists to the Second World War. Behind the Lines 2015: The year’s best political cartoons displays 80 cartoons from 39 cartoonists at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, celebrating the role of political cartoonists in Australia.

Food and Wine

There is also a range of experiences on offer in Canberra for lovers of good food and wine. The Truffle Festival Canberra Region runs from June until August with a range of events to choose from, including degustation dinners, truffle hunts, cooking classes, truffle and wine tastings and more. The World Curry Festival is being held in Canberra’s CBD on the weekend of 8 to 10 July 2016, showcasing authentic flavours, along with cultural performances and market stalls.  Or stay in and enjoy a warming and nourishing meal from the new winter menu at Redsalt Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Canberra.

Market Shopping

If you would like to do some shopping during your visit to Canberra, try one of the local markets for something unique. The Old Bus Depot Markets have been running for 22 years and are held every Sunday in Kingston. The Winter Glass Market, a celebration of glass, will be held on 18 June 2016 at the Canberra Glassworks. The Handmade Market, which features only Australian made and designed products, will be held over the June long weekend and offers unique items with a chance to chat to the makers as you browse the 220 plus stalls.

Stay With Us

With so much to see and do in Canberra you’ll be able to do as much or as little as you like. Crowne Plaza Canberra’s location in the heart of Canberra’s CBD means you will be within easy walking distance to Canberra Centre where shopping, bars and restaurants are easily accessible, and local attractions are just a few minutes drive away. The hotel offers a secure car park on site, making travel even easier.

Winter Savings – Up to 30% Off!

For a limited time only, book your accommodation in Canberra and save up to 30% off our advance purchase rate. Rates begin at $126* per night, and are available for stays until 31 August 2016. Click here for more information and to book.

Please note: some activities may attract a fee and/or require bookings.  There may also be special conditions associated with some activities. Please check the websites or speak with our Concierge team for more information. 

Images: Cover page: Tobogganing at Corin Forest © VisitCanberra; this page: Ice Skating in the City © CBD Canberra Ltd

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