Celebrate life, memory and Mexican culture at the Day of the Dead Fiesta 2026, a free, family-friendly cultural festival at Poppyfield Commons in Dickson, Canberra.
Held over a weekend, this colourful community celebration brings the traditions of Día de los Muertos to life through music, dance, art, food and storytelling.
At the heart of the festival is a traditional community ofrenda (altar), where visitors are invited to remember loved ones by contributing photographs and offerings.
Saturday features live Latin folk and world music from Jorge & Cici and Zambezi Sounds, energetic samba percussion from Raio de Sol, and traditional Mexican dance by México Lindo. Don't miss the vibrant street parade through Dickson, theatrical La Catrina performances and a costume competition.
Families can enjoy sugar skull painting, creative workshops, face painting, Mexican food and market stalls featuring handmade crafts and jewellery.
Sunday offers a relaxed family program featuring shadow puppetry performances, a screening of Disney Pixar's Coco, market stalls and opportunities to explore the community ofrenda.
Celebrating more than a decade of Day of the Dead events in Canberra, the festival welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to experience this beautiful Mexican tradition.
Free entry. Everyone is welcome!
Get a taste for the Hotshop at Canberra Glassworks in this unique one-on-one glass-blowing class!
Choose to blow your own glass bird in this one-of-a-kind glass-blowing experience with the guidance of a skilled glass-blowing teacher. This 20-minute individual class runs most weekends and is suitable for ages 14 years and over.
Alternatively you could try... Make Your Own Vessel (tumbler or small vase) | duration: 40 minutes
Get a taste for the Hotshop at Canberra Glassworks in this unique one-on-one glass-blowing class!
Choose to blow your own glass vase or tumbler in this one-of-a-kind glass-blowing experience with the guidance of a skilled glass-blowing teacher. This individual 40-minute class runs most weekends and is suitable for ages 14 years and over.
Alternatively, book into these similar classes...
Make Your Own Bird | duration: 20 minutes
Birds of a Feather: Glassblowing for Two | duration: 40 minutes
Perfect Pairs: Glassblowing for Two | duration: 80 minutes
Get a taste for the Hotshop at Canberra Glassworks in this unique two-person glass-blowing class!
Choose to blow your own glass bird in this one-of-a-kind glass-blowing experience with the guidance of a skilled glass-blowing teacher. This 40-minute couples class runs most weekends and is suitable for ages 14 years and over.
Alternatively you could try ...
Make Your Own Bird | duration: 20 minutes | one-on-one class
Make Your Own Vessel (tumbler or small vase) | duration: 40 minutes | one-on-one class
Perfect Pairs: Glassblowing for Two (vessel or small vase) | duration: 80 minutes | class for pairs
Step into Luna, Canberra's hidden gem, where Saturday nights are an exquisite blend of clandestine charm and contemporary allure. In the spirit of their heritage location, you are invited to experience an evening where intrigue and luxury intertwine.
Be captivated by the grace and allure of Luna's ambiance while their DJs create the rhythm of the night.
Bookings online. If you are unable to make a booking, walk-ins are always welcome.
Ghosts in the City is a free community Halloween festival held in the heart of Canberra's Civic, bringing together families, friends and the local community for a fun and spooky celebration.
Taking place at Petrie Plaza and City Walk, the event will feature a haunted house, Free Halloween-themed merry-go-round, a free haunted house, live entertainment, interactive activities, trick-or-treating, roaming costumed characters and a Monster Parade.
The festival aims to create a vibrant, inclusive and family-friendly atmosphere, bringing the city centre to life through Halloween decorations, immersive experiences and community participation.
The event is organised by the Asia Australia Youth Association (AAYA) and is designed to encourage community engagement, support local businesses and contribute to Canberra's night-time economy.
Get ready for a spook-tacular Halloween at Canberra Southern Cross Club! Whether your little ones love dressing up, getting creative or stepping into a world of spooky surprises, they've got Halloween fun happening across their venues this 31 October.
Gather the family, dress up in your favourite costumes and join us for an evening of Halloween entertainment, activities and plenty of fun.
Henry's Halloween Party | Woden
31 October | 5:30pm–7:30pm | Kids $35, Adults FREE
Calling all witches, wizards and magical creatures! Step inside Henry's this Halloween for a spellbinding interactive experience filled with potions, slime and spooky surprises. Every kids' ticket includes a meal, drink and ice cream, making it a Halloween celebration the whole family can enjoy.
Spook-tacular Halloween | Tuggeranong
31 October | 5:30pm–8:30pm | Free event
Get ready for a spook-tacular evening of Halloween fun! Kids can enjoy glitter tattoos, Halloween colouring and spooky activities, with prizes up for grabs for the best dressed. Come along in your favourite costume and join the fun.
Spook-tacular Halloween | Jamison
31 October | 5:30pm–8:30pm | Free event
Bring the kids along for a fang-tastic night of glitter tattoos, costumes and Halloween fun! Come dressed to impress for our Best Dressed competition, with prizes up for grabs.
Shake off the ordinary and shimmy into the extraordinary at Bar Beirut with weekend dance performances.
Bar Beirut is an inclusive venue with an extensive zero-per cent ABV (Alcohol by Volume) cocktail range, and a menu that easily accommodates vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diners.
Presented by Canberra by Bike, and Pedal Power.
Dress up in a spooky costume or as a super hero, and come roll to celebrate Halloween on their family-friendly, guided night ride.
They'll have music, flashing lights, and ride at a relaxed pace. They may stop to dance the Time Warp. Most of this route is on flat surfaces suitable for all ages and abilities. They'll finish with pizzas from Bronx Pizzeria.
Got a song request? Let them know and they'll add it to their playlist.
It can get cool beside the pond, so bring a jacket.
Trying multi-modal transport? Bring your bike on the light rail or bus.
Celebrate Halloween at the NFSA with a special screening of The Lost Boys, the cult 1980s vampire classic that blends horror, comedy and rock-and-roll rebellion. The evening begins with a themed party in the NFSA's heritage courtyard, featuring 80s tunes from a live DJ, costume prizes and a complimentary cocktail or mocktail, before the film screens in Arc Cinema. Stylish, funny and endlessly quotable, The Lost Boys remains one of the most beloved vampire films ever made and the perfect way to spend Halloween night.
Comedy Legend Greg Davies is coming to Australia and New Zealand for the very first time with his stand-up show Full Fat Legend.
Star of shows such as Taskmaster, The Inbetweeners, The Cleaner, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Man Down and Cuckoo, this is Greg's biggest live tour yet.
"A 6ft 8in bundle of excitability, emotion, and punchline-rich storytelling" The Times
"If it's belly laughs you're after…Davies is your man" The Mail on Sunday
"Undoubtedly one of the kingpins of British comedy" Evening Standard
"A brilliant comedian" The Daily Telegraph
Award-winning stand-up Daniel Connell (as seen on Have You Been Paying Attention?) returns with a brand-new show. Book now as this show will sell out. 'A comedic masterpiece' - Onya Magazine.
Daniel Connell could easily be described as the ideal Aussie comedian; affable, loveable and hilarious. His observational, dry, often unanticipated comedy has seen him take to stages all over Australia.
Voices / Dhuniai: Federation, Democracy and the Constitution is a permanent exhibition housed within the National Archives of Australia in Canberra.
Take a journey through the history of the Australian Constitution and the democratic system it has created.
The Constitution provides the legal framework for how we live together as Australians. It's also about the values and aspirations we share. So how was it written, and how can it be updated to reflect changing times and attitudes?
The exhibition also embraces dialogue about the troubled history of constitutional discrimination against First Australians and historical and ongoing attempts to create change.
Dhuniai means 'talk' in the language of the Ngunnawal people of Canberra.
Connections / Mura Gadi: Archives, People, and Places is a permanent exhibition housed within the National Archives of Australia in Canberra.
Daily interactions with the Commonwealth generate the records that make up the national archival collection.
These records reflect surprising and important connections between Australians and their government and reveal stories that help understand the history of this country and its people.
Discover intriguing stories from Australian history then choose your own exploration pathway on the interactive digital wall. There are hundreds of tales and hidden secrets to uncover.
Mura Gadi means 'pathways for searching' in the language of the Ngunnawal people of Canberra.
Explore the National Archives of Australia, located in the historic East Block, where exhibitions, displays, and events bring the national archival collection to life.
Open daily and free to the public, visitors can enjoy their exhibitions and the convenience of their on-site shop and cafe.
Their diverse events program features activities for all ages, including special school holiday events for families.
Canberra is home to nearly 80 embassies and high commissions. Most are in the suburb of Yarralumla. Take a leisurely drive and see traditional and modern architecture from many countries. See the spectacular traditional design of the Chinese Embassy and the long-house style of the High Commission of Papua New Guinea. Look for the Mexican Embassy’s giant shingle roof and the United States Embassy built in a modified Georgian style. The traditional Cape Dutch style architecture of the South Africa High Commission contrasts with the striking design of the Thai Embassy Royal. See how many countries you can name!
The Bible Garden is a sacred place - for solitude, personal reflection and learning.
It is located within the precinct of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Barton, Canberra, Australia's national capital. Visitor parking is available onsite.
The Bible Garden was established with a benevolent grant from The Bible Garden Trust, a perpetual trust established by the late Mr Gerald Hercules Robinson. The purpose of the trust was to create and maintain gardens that feature the botany that is described in the Bible, and through this activity to educate people, particularly young people, in the scriptures.
The shape of the garden resembles the menorah, which is said to represent the burning bush where Moses saw the angel who told him to lead the Israelites to the land of milk and honey.
Construction of the Bible Garden commenced in 2007 and it was officially opened at a ceremony on Sunday 3 August 2008. Speakers included former Governor-General, Sir William Deane AC KBE QC, Reverend Professor James Haire and members of the Robinson family.
Enjoy a new and exciting outdoor inflatable attraction at Black Mountain Peninsula.
Get ready to have an awesome day out with friends, family or colleagues as you climb, splash, slip and slide through the giant inflatable obstacle course.
Canberra Aqua Park is made up of slides, ladders, and best of all the famous jumping pillow. The park will offer something for everyone to beat the heat in Summer.
For picture-perfect views of Canberra, you can't go past a visit to Mount Ainslie.
Walk, cycle or drive to the lookout and enjoy the impressive scenery, lovely at all times but a particular treat at sunrise and sunset.
Take in Lake Burley Griffin and many of Canberra's national attractions, framed by picturesque mountain ranges.
See how Walter Burley Griffin's vision for the city has been brought to life.
A hotspot for photographers, the vista is complemented by the abundance of native birds and wildlife.
Red Shed is a state-of-the-art rowing facility located at Black Mountain Peninsula on the iconic Lake Burley Griffin. Their mission is rowing for all, inspiring wellness and fostering community.
Offering a variety of on-water and indoor rowing programs, a cafe, gym, wellness hub and function space with the most private and picturesque views of the lake.
They welcome all to come and visit, try one of their programs and become a valued member of their ever-expanding Red Shed community.
Discover fantastic views appearing through the trees as you walk around the marked walking tracks on Black Mountain.
Black Mountain is the most diverse of Canberra's nature parks. It is home to 100 species of birds, 500 species of plants and 5000 species of insects. The wildflowers in Spring and early Summer are beautiful. You may even surprise reptiles sunning themselves on the path.
See democracy in action at Australia’s iconic Parliament House high on Capital Hill. Book your tour for Question Time to see the country’s elected politicians making decisions on behalf of the nation.
Take a guided tour, visit the popular Queen's Terrace Cafe, and see an impressive collection of Australian art including one of the world’s largest tapestries.
