What's On in Canberra This November & Beyond
The only guide you need to what's on in Canberra this November and beyond.
Summer is drawing closer, and we're embracing the brighter mornings and longer days. The sun is shining, and our event calendars are filling up—just the way we like it!
This November, we challenge you to get out and make the most of the final month of spring. Whether you’re savouring French cuisine at the Alliance Française de Canberra in Turner or sipping spirits at the annual Canberra Spirits Festival, the city is bursting with fun events.
Have a Tipple at the Canberra Spirits Festival
Get ready to raise your glass at the Canberra Spirits Festival. This exciting event will take over the University of Canberra over two days, offering locals and visitors a taste of Canberra’s thriving spirits scene.
With over 200 craft spirits and 40 distillers—including standout names like Heaps Good Spirits, Papa Salt Gin, Camden Valley Distilling Co, and Beachtree Distilling Co—the festival promises an immersive experience celebrating Australia’s finest spirits.
Once the festival wraps up, keep the good times rolling with a bar crawl through Canberra’s top nightlife spots. From the award-winning drinks at Bar Rochford to the lively cocktails at Ambrosia Lounge, the diverse bar scene has something for every vibe. Visit High Jinks for an art deco cocktail experience, sip wine and share plates at 11e Cave, or relax at Peacemaker Saloon with live music and hearty fare inspired by the American West.
Friday November 29 - Saturday November 30
Tickets from $73.72
University of Canberra, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce
Dive into Canberra’s Culinary Culture at The Forage Festival
Experience Canberra's foodie scene at The Forage, an annual street food festival that brings together the best local food trucks, restaurants, and drinks vendors.
Held at Mount Majura Vineyard, this event invites you to indulge in delicious eats, local drinks and amazing live music, all while celebrating Canberra’s unique food culture. With a huge range of vendors and interactive masterclasses, The Forage is a buzzing community event you don't want to miss.
Saturday November 9, 12pm-7pm
Mount Majura Vineyard, 88 Lime Kiln Road, Majura
Celebrate Canberra's Diversity with SpringOUT Festival
Celebrate diversity and pride at Canberra's SpringOUT Festival, an annual event packed with fun activities, performances, art, sports, and workshops that bring the LGBTQIA+ community together. Running through November, SpringOUT showcases the spirit of Canberra with Fair Day, engaging discussions, and memorable nightlife events, inviting everyone to join in celebrating love and inclusion in the capital.
Various locations across Canberra throughout November
Get Arty at the 2024 Craft + Design Canberra Festival
During November, the 2024 Craft + Design Canberra Festival, themed Regenerate, will bring together over 500 artists, designers, and architects, highlighting the power of handmade craftsmanship and design innovation.
Experience engaging exhibitions, interactive activations, and the rich culture of Canberra, a global design capital. Celebrate creativity, collaboration, and sustainability while connecting with the city’s thriving artistic community. Many events are free, with select workshops ticketed.
10 days of activations, 30 days of exhibition; full schedule here
Various locations across Canberra
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
Taste the Best of France at the Alliance Française French Market
Step into a French-inspired wonderland at the Alliance Française French Market in Canberra this November. Enjoy authentic French cuisine, artisanal products, and live entertainment that brings the charm of France to the heart of Australia.
With stalls featuring French wines, cheeses, pastries, and unique arts and crafts, this family-friendly event offers a delightful taste of French culture. Indulge in a day of shopping, tasting, and cultural celebration that is sure to delight Francophiles and newcomers alike.
Saturday, November 16, 10am-3pm
Alliance Française de Canberra, 66 McCaughey Street, Turner
Enjoy a Stellar Lineup of Jazz on the Rocks at Molly’s
Immerse yourself in a night of smooth jazz every Tuesday at Molly, a popular speakeasy-style bar in Canberra. From 7pm, local artists create a laid-back atmosphere perfect for enjoying cocktails and classic tunes. The lineup changes weekly, showcasing talented musicians. Bookings are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome, and entry is free.
Every Tuesday, free entry
Melbourne Building, Wooden Door, Odgers Lane
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.