Families across Canberra can enjoy a range of Halloween events from late October into early November. Options include shopping centre candy hunts, craft workshops, glassblowing demonstrations, disco parties, and free community festivals. Many events run on Saturday 31 October, while some are free and others require bookings or tickets. Costume play is encouraged at many venues, with prizes offered for best-dressed children at several events.
Canberra cafés and bakeries are offering Halloween-themed food and drinks this month. Easy Oar in Acton has a pumpkin spice iced latte and a matching cookie from 25 to 31 October. Good Neighbour in Kingston is selling two themed matcha drinks and four cookie options. Milky Lane in Braddon has a Halloween milkshake and a burger, and The Inn in Ainslie has a spooky cocktail called the Jack O Lantern.
Canberra's Yeh! Nah! horror film festival returns for its third year, with international feature-length and short films screening before Halloween. The festival opens on Friday 23 October at Dendy Cinema with ten short films from several countries. The featured night on Wednesday 28 October premieres States of Mind, directed by Che Baker, followed by a Q&A with stunt performer Kiran Shah, who stars in the film. Festival director Mikey J. Watson described the eight-night event as a celebration of creative filmmaking in the territory. The program closes on Friday 30 October with awards for the best films.
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Adults in Canberra have a long list of Halloween events to choose from this year. The National Film and Sound Archive is screening The Lost Boys on 31 October, with a DJ, dressing up encouraged and a drink included in the ticket. Other options include a horror short film festival at Verity Lane Market, a Halloween zoo event with a bar for adults, and a Zumba party raising money for Karinya House. Many events offer costume prizes and ticket bookings are recommended.
Canberra's Civic Library will stay closed until December after a water leak damaged the roof, ceiling, walls and floor. The City and Environment Directorate said surface mould was also found. Specialist contractors will carry out remediation and testing before reopening. Members can use other Libraries ACT branches and digital services, and Civic return chutes will stay closed. The branch may be relocated under the Civic and Cultural District Master Plan.
The Canberra Writers Festival runs from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October, with more than 100 events on the program. More than half the events have already sold out. Saturday sessions are set at Verity Lane Market and Smith's Alternative, with nearby places to eat and drink. Sunday sessions are spread across iconic venues in the Parliamentary Triangle, with cafes open across the day. Chef Josh Niland and author Amie Kaufman are among the guests. A Top 100 Australian Books session will also run during the weekend.
Northbourne Avenue in Canberra will close in both directions between Vernon Circle and Cooyong Street and Barry Drive on two weekends in October, from 8 pm Friday until 6 am Monday. A southbound closure between Bunda Street and Alinga Street is also planned for 1 am to 5 am on 1 November. Buses will replace light rail services between Gungahlin Place and Alinga Street from 31 October to 1 November. Lane closures on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge are planned until December during work hours.
Canberra's weekend events include Floriade's final days, a Jungle Collective Plant Sale, and Government House Open Day. The National Film and Sound Archive hosts a 30th-anniversary screening of Romeo + Juliet with a costume party. Other highlights include a cheese and wine evening at Grainger Gallery, Disney's Frozen musical, and a circus show by The Quizzical Mr Jeff. Book lovers can attend a screening of The Shawshank Redemption followed by a discussion, while car enthusiasts can explore the history of Holden at the National Archives.
Canberra hosts a variety of events this week, including the Canberra Short Film Festival, the Canberra Writers Festival, and the final days of Floriade. The Colour Frenzy fun run, a dance performance, an Antarctic exhibition, and an action sports film tour are also on the schedule. The Sydney Kings will play the New Zealand Breakers at the AIS Arena, and a comedian will perform at the UC Hub. The events cater to diverse interests, from film and literature to sports and comedy.
Brian Rope arrived in Canberra in 1959 as a 16-year-old country boy, drawn by the city's opportunities. He later became the Commissioner for Housing, overseeing public housing for four years before being removed after a disagreement with federal minister Tom Uren over rent arrears. Rope's career in Canberra spanned 30 years, including roles in computer programming and arts and recreation. He recalls a Canberra that has significantly changed since his arrival, with his family now spanning three generations in the city.
