Enjoy an Easter break or school holidays in Canberra this April. From sport, to art, to music and more – there’s something for everyone this April in Canberra.
Canberra is a great destination for an autumn getaway. In addition to the range of activities and events on offer, you can enjoy the beautiful autumn colours throughout the city as the leaves change. As the mornings become crisper, sunny days are still a delight.
Read on to discover some of our top picks to enjoy in Canberra this April.
ART AND CULTURE
The National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition opens on 1 April 2017 at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. This year is the 10th anniversary of the National Photographic Portrait Prize. Artwork is selected from a national field of entries – 49 works from nearly 3000 entries – that reflect the distinctive vision of Australia’s aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
Versailles: Treasures from the Palace is showing exclusively to the National Gallery of Australia until Easter Monday, 17 April. Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest treasures from the Palace of Versailles.
The Sell: Australian Advertising 1790s to 1990s at the National Library of Australia, is a free exhibition that explores how advertising in Australia has evolved with changing society and technology through the decades, on show until 25 April. Also at the National Library of Australia, Athol Shmith Fashion Photographs is a small exhibition drawn from the National Library of Australia’s collection.
With 2016 being such a tumultuous year, the Behind the Lines 2016: The year’s best political cartoons exhibition at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is something interesting to add to your Canberra itinerary.
FOOD AND WINE
Food and wine lovers will be spoilt with a range of fantastic restaurants and cafes to try. Canberra is the perfect base to explore the Canberra district wine region or sample a smorgasbord of local produce at the Capital Region Farmer’s Market.
Canberra District Wine Week will celebrate the cool climate wine harvest from 31 March to 9 April. This event runs over 10 days and includes wine tastings, food matchings, tours and events across the district to showcase the Canberra wine region.
Join a vintage winery tour in Murrumbateman or enjoy a four course food & wine pairing for a fun dinner. Try pizza matched with four Sangiovese wines. For more information and details about all the events, visit Canberra District Wine Week online.
MUSIC
The National Folk Festival is Canberra’s biggest annual music event. It takes place over the Easter long weekend from Friday 13 to Monday 17 April at Exhibition Park (EPIC), about a 15 minute drive from Crowne Plaza Canberra.. Canberra is treated to over 450 performances with diverse music styles including Blues & Roots, Celtic, Country, World, Gypsy, Contemporary, Folk, and more. The Instrument Makers’ Hall is a favourite feature of the festival with the opportunity to view and purchase handmade instruments. Don’t forget to visit KidsFest, a place especially for families, open 10am – 5pm each day of the Festival. Catch speakers, street and circus performers, a ‘Mind Body Spirit’ program, dance, workshops, and more.
Award winning singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke plays with the National Pops Orchestra on Friday 7 April at the Canberra Theatre Centre, showcasing music from Kate’s fantastic career, featuring her unique pop, folk and opera sound.
American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist, Bonnie Raitt performs her ‘Dig in Deep’ tour on Saturday 8 April at the Canberra Theatre Centre. Dig in Deep is the 20th album from this Grammy Award winning artist.
Also on Saturday 8 April, Jessica Mauboy will bring the All the Hits Live – The Australian Tour to the National Convention Centre Canberra. This concert will include tracks from her new album ‘Songs from the Original TV Series, The Secret Daughter, songs from the movie ‘The Sapphires’ as well as greatest hits from the past 10 years.
On Saturday 15 April, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and his band are bringing the Transmogrify tour to the National Convention Centre Canberra’s Royal Theatre. Young indie artist, Tash Sultana, will join Santana for a performance that will include songs from over four decades of his stellar career.
Marina Prior, Australian soprano and actress, and David Hobson, Australian opera singer and composer, join together for their own show, The 2 of Us, on Saturday 22 April at the Canberra Theatre Centre, performing their theatre production classics as well as favourites from their albums.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN
There are lots of things for families to do during the April school holidays and Easter in Canberra, so Crowne Plaza Canberra has put together its top picks for the best school holiday entertainment, so you can make the most of your Easter family getaway over these important autumn dates:
NSW and Canberra School Holidays: 8 – 25 April 2017
Easter Weekend: 14 – 17 April 2017
Disney Channel presents The Next Step in a live 90 minute stage show at the Canberra Theatre Centre. Don’t miss this one-off spectacular for the kids on 20 April.
Catch Versailles: Treasures from the Palace before it ends on 17 April. Kids will love the new NGA Play, a creative space for the young at heart. NGA Play is free and open from 10am to 5pm daily. Also check out the National Gallery of Australia’s Workshops and holiday programs when you visit the gallery to see some of the world’s greatest treasures from the Palace of Versailles.
These school holidays in Canberra you can also visit the city’s many attractions such as the National Zoo & Aquarium and the Australian Institute of Sport. Kids will love The Pod Playground at the National Arboretum Canberra and the Discovery Playground at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
SPORT
The Australian Running Festival is on in Canberra on the weekend of 8 and 9 April. With five scenic courses from 5km to 50km, this Festival celebrates health, fun and fitness. There are even family race packages available. Crowne Plaza Canberra is the accommodation partner for this event.
Be sure to build up your energy before race day with our special pasta dinner offer at Redsalt Restaurant. Choose from four types of pasta and three pasta sauces, served with garlic bread for $28 per person.
The NRL 2017 season starts in March with a number of games being played in Canberra during April. There are also two AFL games being played at Manuka Oval in April.
If you enjoy mountain biking, the AMB 100 Marathon is a single-track race that is said to be one of the most demanding events on the Australian mountain biking endurance calendar. The event will be held at Stromlo Park on 23 April.
Experience Canberra’s great outdoors. Hire a bicycle from the hotel and explore Canberra on the many cycling paths. Take a segway tour around Lake Burley Griffin or cool off with the rainforest walk at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
AUTUMN ACCOMMODATION
Make the most of Easter and the April School Holidays with a stay at Crowne Plaza Canberra. Plan your getaway now and save with our Advance Purchase offer.
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Image this page: Australian Institute of Sport Rowing Racer © Visitcanberra
Image listing page: The Australian Running Festival in Canberra
