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Subscribe What’s On in Canberra This Weekend (7–8 March 2026)
This is what we're doing this weekend in Canberra.
This weekend in Canberra (Saturday 7th to Sunday 8th March) is set to serve a little of every season. With temperatures hitting 28 degrees, a storm and some drizzle, it’s the perfect chance to catch the Super Kaylene Whiskey exhibit for its last weekend. And if there’s a break in the rain, Canberra’s beloved Enlighten Festival beckons. There’s plenty to do, whatever the weather!
Read on for our editor’s top picks…
Table of Contents
Eat & Drink
$3.50 Oysters at Such and Such
Champagne taste on a beer budget this week? Not to worry! You can still get your fix of freshly shucked oysters at Such and Such for just $3.50 a pop from 3-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday. And, of course, Such and Such have you sorted for drink specials to wash down your plates of plump oysters.
Where: 220 London Circuit
When: Every Tuesday to Saturday, 3pm to 5pm
Cost: $3.50 per oyster
Best For: Food & drink lovers; Budget-friendly; Midweek plans; Group catch-ups
Need to Know: Bookings are recommended
Arts & Culture
Super Kaylene Whiskey
This dynamic, colourful and endlessly bold exploration by proud Yankunytjatjara woman Kaylene Whiskey is a must-visit for lovers of contemporary art. Whiskey combines pop culture, humour and Aṉangu culture in her works, which take viewers on a rich visual journey. The mixed media exhibit brings together public and privately owned works that range from painting to video and installation.
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes, Canberra
When: Until Monday 9th March 2026
Cost: From $16
Best For: Art & Culture, Exhibitions, Contemporary Art, Museums
Need to Know: Mob view free
Live Music & Shows
Faker at Fun Time Pony
This weekend our favourite late night pizza bar will be playing host to alternative Australian band Faker and their Something is Happening tour. Grab a slice of pizza for just $5 a pop and kick back as you soak in Fun Time Pony’s energetic ambience.
Where: Fun Time Pony
When: Saturday 7th March, 8pm
Cost: $35
Best For: Live music fans; Nightlife; Weekend plans; Group catch-ups
Need to Know: Arrive early to secure a spot for the live set.
Shopping & Markets
Haig Park Village Markets
Dancers under the pine trees, local musicians, live performances and delicious farmers produce are just some of what you can expect to find at these more recently established markets located in Haig Park. This is a great chance to support Aussie farmers and local, creative talent while enjoying a lazy Sunday in the park.
Where: Haig Park, Braddon, behind the Mandalay Bus
When: Every Sunday, 8am to 2pm
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Markets; Community events; Families; Free events; Locals
Need to Know: Arrive earlier in the morning for the best selection of fresh produce.
Outdoor & Active
Watch the Leaves Change at The National Arboretum
This tiered forest is a delight at any time of year, but even more so in Autumn when the leaves glimmer in shades of rust, gold and rose. A mosaic of lush bushland in Canberra’s Molonglo Valley, you can expect to see over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a beautiful 250-hectare site.
Take a stroll through the forest, discover the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, let the kids run free on the POD Playground, or make your way through the Forest Sculpture Gallery.
Where: National Arboretum Canberra
When: Autumn (March to May)
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor enthusiasts; Families; Kids; Walking tours; Locals
Family & Kids
Hallyu! The Korean Wave
Ever wondered what’s behind the global Korean culture phenomenon? Hallyu! The Korean Wave dives deep into every facet, from K-Pop to street food, Squid Game to K-beauty. The exhibition features over 200 objects curated by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Where: National Museum of Australia
When: Until 10th May, 2026
Cost: $25
Best For: Art & Culture, Exhibitions, Pop Culture, Museums
Need to Know: Join a free gallery talk in the exhibition, at quarter past the hour from 10.15am to 3.15pm daily.
Free Things to Do
Enlighten Festival
A highlight of Canberra’s event calendar, it’s the time of year again when Canberra’s cultural icons are lit up in waves of vibrant colours. Enlighten Festival will take place across 11 days with a series of events, activations, live music and, of course, the Enlighten Food Park. We recommend making the most of the late-night access to museums and cultural icons, too!
Where: Locations across Canberra
When: 27th February to 9th March
Cost: Free
Best For: Festivals, Art & Culture, Live Music, Food & Drink
Need to Know: Includes late-night access to museums and cultural institutions.
Coming Soon
Handmade Markets
Everything at the Handmade Markets is certified Australian made which makes shopping an absolute delight. Save your pennies because you’re going to have over 250 food, drink and curated shopping stalls to browse, complete with all kinds of goodies from ceramics and prints through to natural wine and ready-to-eat treats. The Handmade Market even offers a low sensory hour for shoppers who would like to enjoy shopping with fewer lights, smells and sounds — you’ll just need to register ahead of time.
Where: Exhibition Pavilion, Canberra
When: Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March
Cost: Free admission (donations appreciated)
Best For: Markets, Shopping, Food & Drink, Family-friendly
Need to Know: Low sensory hour available (registration required)
What’s On This Weekend in Canberra: FAQs
Canberra has some excellent free experiences this weekend, including the Enlighten Festival, where the city’s cultural landmarks light up with colourful projections alongside live music and food stalls. You can also browse the Haig Park Village Markets on Sunday morning, with local produce, live performances and artisan stalls. For something slower-paced, take a walk through the National Arboretum Canberra, where autumn colours are beginning to appear across its sprawling forest.
The Haig Park Village Markets return on Sunday from 8am to 2pm in Braddon. Expect fresh farmers produce, handmade goods, live music and performances beneath the park’s pine trees. It’s a relaxed way to spend a Sunday morning while supporting local growers and creative makers.
Head to Such and Such for their $3.50 oyster special, available from 3pm to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. It’s a great excuse to enjoy freshly shucked oysters alongside drink specials in the heart of the city. If you’re visiting Enlighten Festival, the Enlighten Food Park also offers plenty of food options while you explore the illuminated city precinct.
Families can explore Hallyu! The Korean Wave at the National Museum of Australia, an exhibition showcasing over 200 objects covering everything from K-pop to Korean street food and pop culture. Outdoors, the National Arboretum Canberra is also a great option, with walking trails, the POD Playground for kids and the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection to explore.
Art lovers can catch Super Kaylene Whiskey at the National Portrait Gallery for its final weekend. The exhibition explores the bold, colourful work of Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey across painting, video and installation. Across the city, the Enlighten Festival also brings together art, live music and illuminated cultural landmarks.
Start Saturday with the final weekend of Super Kaylene Whiskey at the National Portrait Gallery before heading out for afternoon oysters at Such and Such. On Sunday morning, browse the Haig Park Village Markets, then take a scenic walk through the National Arboretum Canberra. In the evening, make time for the Enlighten Festival to see Canberra’s cultural icons lit up after dark.
Still on the lookout for something to do this weekend? Check out the best dining deals in Canberra this week, or if you’re looking to save some cash, check out our edit of the best free things to do in Canberra.
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