What’s On in Canberra This October & 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 October 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 

Join a Gin Tasting or Paint & Sip Cruise with Canberra Cruises & Parties 

Gorgeous scenery, a tipple and great company? There’s not a lot else needed for a memorable night out. This October Canberra Cruises and Parties is offering two great pairings. The Gin Tasting cruise will take you through Hold Fast Distillery’s range from sea breeze gin to sloe gin. Sip on the good stuff whilst you take in the scenes and nibble on your own grazing platter.

Fancy getting arty? The paint-and-sip cruise is it. All the materials are provided so all you have to do is turn up and that’s the kind of night we like best! 

From $120  

8 Trevillian Quay, Jetty 4, Kingston 

Fashion Thrift Society 

Australia’s biggest curated thrift market is back in town so it’s time to pick up some pre-loved gems! There are over 200 stalls to peruse with a little bit of something for everyone from as well as a few bits for the home. Make a day of it with treats from the food trucks, live tunes, a beauty booth and a whole bunch of freebies up for grabs.

Sunday 20th October

Exhibition Park 

Canberra Writers Festival

Lovers of the written word, it’s time to gather. Writers, thinkers and bibliophiles will be taking to the stage once again as the Canberra Writers Festival kicks off. A full program of master classes, dinners, talks, panels, workshops and book launches has now been released and it’s time to set your plan of action. 

Wednesday 23rd October to Sunday 27th October 

Parliamentary Triangle 

Tune in at the Monthly Vinyl Lounge 

This monthly listening party, held at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, is the perfect relaxed Friday for the vinyl lovers amongst us. Guests are encouraged to bring their own records for a turn from any decade or genre. 

$5

Friday 4th October and Friday 1st November 

1 McCoy Circuit, Acton 

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

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.