What's On in Canberra This January & Beyond
The only guide you need to what's on in Canberra this January and beyond.
And just like that, 2025 is here and those long, endless summer days are stretching on. We love Canberra at this time of year, and we're making the most of this super chilled season with al fresco movie nights, cool events and plenty of adventures.
Stuck for things to do? Search our what's on in Canberra this January guide and consider yourself sorted.
Catch a Movie at the Botanic Gardens Sunset Cinema Sessions
With the balmy January weather, what better excuse to see a classic rom-com or blockbuster at the Botanic Gardens? Catching blockbuster flicks like Moana 2, and Wicked as well as retro classics like The Princess Diaries and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
Children $14, students $20, adults $26
Runs until February 22, check out the full schedule here
Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Dance the Day Away at Summer Fest 2025
Join the electrifying Summer Fest 2025 at Reload Bar & Games in Canberra. The day is packed with hours of nonstop music, including DJs across two stages. Dance to genres like R&B, rap, house, drum and bass, UK garage, techno, dubstep, and hardstyle.
With immersive indoor and outdoor stages, top-tier sound, and mesmerising light shows, this is the ultimate party to kick off your year.
Saturday, January 18
From 2pm-2am
Tickets $10, book here
Reload Bar & Games, 34/38 Northbourne Avenue
Soak Up the Summer Vibes at the Weekly Haig Park Village Markets
Step Back in Time on this Vintage Train Ride from Canberra to Bungendore
This January, relive the golden age of rail travel aboard the Molonglo Valley Explorer, a heritage train journey between Canberra and Bungendore. Operated by the Canberra Railway Museum and Lachlan Valley Railway, the experience offers scenic views through the Molonglo Gorge and Southern Tablelands.
Passengers can explore the historic 1884 Bungendore station during a brief stop before returning to Canberra. The train, affectionately known as Neville and Joan, dates back to 1961 and has been meticulously restored.
Trips are scheduled for January 11-12, 18-19, and 25-27, with three departures daily
$40 for adults, $30 for concessions, and $20 for kids, book here
Canberra Railway Station, Burke Crescent Kingston
Candlelight Concert: A Magical Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in Canberra
Calling all Fleetwood Mac fans! You won't want to miss this special event. Experience the timeless music of Fleetwood Mac illuminated by candlelight at the James Fairfax Theatre in Canberra.
This 65-minute concert features a string quartet performing the band's greatest hits in an intimate setting, think Everywhere, Gypsy and You Make Loving Fun.
Tickets from $41, book here
Thursday, January 16
James Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes
Explore the Family-Friendly 'Sea of Light' Interactive Installation
After a family-friendly outing over the summer holidays? Embark on a luminous adventure with Canberra's Theatre Centre's Sea of Light, an interactive installation where participants use UV torches to paint and stencil their own voyages.
As you steer ships leaving glowing trails, immerse yourself in artworks by contemporary Aboriginal visual artist and Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntjatjara woman, Elizabeth Close, illuminating the connection between land and sea. This 30-minute experience, accompanied by a gentle soundscape, offers a magical journey for all ages.
Saturday, January 18—Saturday January 25
Canberra Theatre Centre, City
Tickets from $22, book here
Enjoy a Stunning Outdoors Picnic
Want a fun activity that won't break the bank? Canberra boasts stunning picnic spots perfect for summer outings. Relax among native flora at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, unwind by the tranquil waters of Lake Burley Griffin, or soak in panoramic city views from Mount Ainslie.
Enjoy the serenity of Canberra Nara Peace Park with its Japanese-inspired design, or venture to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for a wildlife-rich picnic experience. Check out our full edit here! All you have to do is BYO a picnic rug and some lunch.
Soar to New Heights at the 2025 Kite Flying Festival Canberra
Canberra's Kite Flying Festival is back, and it's set to be a spectacle for the young and old! Join fellow kite enthusiasts in colouring the sky with stunning kites, enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting, jumping castles and rides, and experience a day of fun under the sun. Don't miss this unique celebration of creativity and community spirit.
Saturday, January 18
Patrick White Lawns, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes
Children 12 and under are FREE, general admission tickets $3.43, book here
Experience Lindy Lee's Ouroboros Sculpture at The National Gallery
Australian artist Lindy Lee’s Ouroboros, which has just been completed, will be a stunning addition to the public sculpture garden and is now open to visitors in the National Gallery forecourt.
Inspired by the ancient symbol of a snake eating its own tail, this sculpture invites visitors to walk into its curved space, where beams of light filter through hundreds of perforations.
Parkes Place East, Parkes
Free, open 24 hours and illuminated at night
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.
