What’s On in Canberra This October & Beyond

Spring in Canberra is something special. With Floriade centre stage, and Christmas on the horizon, it’s all about celebration. From harvest festivals to second-hand markets and plenty of outdoor adventures, the city is brimming with activities to make the most of the returning warmth.

Check out what’s on in Canberra this month and plan accordingly.

Matcha Lovers, Rejoice: UJIN Is Coming

Canberra’s about to get a matcha upgrade. UJIN Matcha House is slated to open next month, whisking each cup to order with traditional bamboo whisks and sourcing teas straight from Japan’s Uji, Yame, and Shizuoka regions. Expect iced matcha lattes, signature drinks, desserts, and a retail section for take-home blends. Minimalist Japanese interiors complete the experience, with some design secrets still under wraps. Exciting!

More details here.

Bark In Bloom

Bring your furry friend to Floriade Dogs’ Day Out on Sunday, 12 October 2025 (aka, the one day of the year where pups can wander among the tulips, explore dog-friendly stalls, and enjoy heaps of activities on stage and around the park). Swing by, say hi, and celebrate flowers, fun, and furry friends together!

More details here.

Once-In-A-Lifetime Comet Lights Up Aussie Skies

Newly discovered comet, C/2025 R2 (SWAN), is swinging by for a rare cameo across the Southern Hemisphere. Making its closest approach to Earth around October 20, small binoculars will give you the best view, and under dark, clear skies, some lucky stargazers might even spot it with the naked eye. Comets don’t hang around for long, so take a moment to sweep the western horizon near Mars and constellations Libra–Virgo for this once-in-a-lifetime sky show — yep, the experts think this cosmic traveller will take more than 20,000 years to orbit the Sun. Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it!

Floriade 2025

Spring has officially sprung when Floriade takes over the city. This year, this renowned floral festival will be celebrating the theme of ‘Science and Nature’ with garden beds themes inspired by everything from ‘Under the Microscope’ to ‘The Human Brain’. Over one million blooms have been planted to create the incredible displays. Be sure to take a peek at the full program here for related events, including Floriade’s NightFest program, Dogs’ Day Out and The Great Big Bulb Dig.

Friday 13th September to Sunday 12th October

SciFright at Questacon

This Halloween, Questacon is offering you a chance to wander the halls after dark. Dress in your Halloween best, and look forward to dancing the night away, watching live mad scientists demos, all whilst sipping on some spooky sips.

From $24.50

Friday 31st October, 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Questacon, Parkes

The Canberra Times Fun Run

Ready to challenge those 2025 fitness goals? The Canberra Times Fun Run has a little something for everyone with 21.1k, 10k, 5k and 2k options. The flat course will take in some of Canberra’s most iconic landmarks, whilst a post-run event village keeps the good vibes rolling.

Sunday 2nd November, 5:30am to 11:30am

Rond Terrace, Parkes

Canberra Nara Candle Festival

This beautiful celebration of Japanese culture and sister city relations will see Nara Peace Park decked out with over 2000 candles, Japanese food and drink stalls, music, dance and demonstrations. There will also be a cosplay comp, so be sure to pull out your best costume to be in it to win it!

Saturday 25th October, 4pm to 9pm

Canberra Nara Peace Park, Flynn Drive, Capital Hill

The Little Burley Fashion Fest

Everyone’s favourite lake-side markets is bringing slow fashion to the fore, or should we say shore, once again. On top of the usual shoppable goodies, there will be a runway show featuring all the stalls at the market. Perhaps some early Christmas shopping is in order? You’ll find fashion, accessories, jewellery, locally-designed art and more, all with an eye to sustainability.

Saturday 1st November, 9am to 2pm

Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes

Urban Wine Walk Canberra

The ever-popular Canberra Wine Walk is back for spring, offering you a memorable self-guided urban cellar experience. Gather your pals and choose your own adventure as you move from venue to venue, sipping some of Australia’s most delicious wines.

Saturday 25th October, 12pm to 4pm

Multiple venues

Catch a Show at the Canberra Theatre Centre

The Canberra Theatre Centre always has something wonderful going on and this month is no exception. If you’re in the mood for a bold take on a classic, grab yourself some tickets to the award-winning production of Pride & Prejudice. Fancy something more gothic? This ballet performance of Dracula promises to be a treat with music from Tchaikovsky, Bach, Stravinsky and Rachmaninov.

Pride & Prejudice: Wednesday 15th October to Saturday 18th October

Dracula: Thursday 23rd October to Friday 24th October

Canberra Writers Festival

Calling all book lovers! This October, over 200 writers, thinkers and creators will be descending on the capital to partake in over 100 events. There will be thought-provoking discussions covering current affairs to politics, lifestyle, food, memoir, crime, fantasy and more. Highlights include Jane Harper, Trent Dalton, Heather Rose and Sophie Gilbert. Catch the full program here.

Wednesday 22nd October to Sunday 26th October

Springtime Gin Garden

Midnight Bar is celebrating the season with a curated Springtime Gin Garden menu that tastes as good as it looks. The seasonal menu includes a bunch of flower-themed cocktails, curated gin tastings and share plates.

Until Sunday 12th October

1 Elouera Street, Braddon

Catch a Gig at Fun Time Pony

Live music lovers, this one’s for you. Fun Time Pony doesn’t even open its doors until 8pm, and from then on, it’s rollicking good times. Serving late-night pizza, free pool, and scattered with pinball machines, it’s grungy New York vibes all around. The September lineup of live music is looking rather schmick. Keep across who is playing here.

122 Alinga Street, Canberra City 

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.