Get the appA regatta on Lake Burley Griffin, a music picnic by the Molonglo River and a Halloween festival in Civic are among the events listed for Canberra this week. The guide also includes youth dance performances, a Pride festival running through November, markets, rose garden tours and a range of comedy and theatre shows. Most listed events take place over the coming weekend, with several running into November.
Motorists in the New England region are being warned to expect changed traffic on Saturday 24 October. In Inverell, the Gwydir Highway and Inverell Bridge will close from 8.30pm to 9.30pm for the Sapphire City Festival fireworks, with detours for light and heavy vehicles. In Uralla, the New England Highway will close between John and King streets from 10.30am to 11.30am for the Fleet Warbirds Parade. Pedestrians should expect more foot traffic in both towns, and drivers are urged to take care. Live Traffic NSW offers real-time updates.
Canberra has a busy weekend of events, starting with the Nara Candle Festival at Canberra Nara Peace Park on Saturday 24 October. The event celebrates the city's sister city ties with Nara, Japan, and features candlelight, Japanese food, music and traditional dance. Other events include the free Festival of Tennis at Canberra Tennis Centre on Sunday 25 October, a K:NOVA K-pop showcase at Kambri Cultural Centre, and the Capital Film Festival, which runs until Sunday 25 October. Markets, a country show at Bungendore and Oktoberfest in the Gardens also take place over the weekend.
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Get the appSpring festivals, town shows, markets and food and wine events fill the Riverina this week. The Victorian State Ballet performs its retelling of Aladdin in Albury on 23 and 24 October. Griffith Spring Fest runs from 23 to 25 October and includes a citrus sculpture garden, while the Junee Show marks 125 years on 24 October. Womn-Kind holds a day of conversation for young women in Wagga Wagga, and the North East Food and Wine Festival runs in Wodonga from 23 to 25 October.
The Canberra Nara Candle Festival runs on 24 October at Lennox Gardens, with thousands of candles, live music and cosplay competitions. The Wallaroos play Scotland's women's team at GIO Stadium on 23 October. The Festival of Tennis offers free play at Tennis World Canberra on 25 October, and Viking Park hosts free kids' sports the same day. Hellenic Week runs from 26 October to 1 November with Greek cultural events.
Canberra's Capital Film Festival returns for its fifth year, screening international films at Dendy Cinemas and the National Film and Sound Archive from 21 to 25 October. The Canberra Nara Candle Festival lights up Lennox Gardens on 24 October with candles, Japanese cuisine and traditional dance. Other events this week include a birdsnest pop-up store in Tralee, Circus in the City in Garema Place, and Oktoberfest in the Gardens at Patrick White Lawns on 24 October.
A columnist details her health struggles, including a broken ankle, osteoarthritis, and a meniscus tear, which required surgery. She shares her experiences with recovery and the humour she found in hospital. The writer also highlights local festivals and upcoming events in the community, expressing gratitude for the volunteers who organise them. She reflects on the passage of time, noting how quickly the years seem to pass as she approaches Christmas and the new year.
Tamworth, Armidale and Narrabri are holding festivals this weekend. Tamworth's free Fiesta La Peel runs from 4pm to 9pm on Saturday 17 October at Bicentennial Park, with more than 16 performances and over 30 food stalls. In Armidale, the Creative Streets Festival opens with a night event on Saturday and runs until 9 November, and the inaugural New England Regional Film Festival also begins on 17 October. Narrabri hosts the NSW Rural Women's Gathering, which is sold out, but its keynotes and panel will be livestreamed from 9am to 1.30pm.
A roundup of more than 85 events and activities across Canberra is available for the weekend of 17 and 18 October. Listings include the inaugural Canberra Art Fair at EPIC, the Canberra Writers Festival running until Sunday 18 October, and the First Nations Capital Runway at the National Museum of Australia. Markets, theatre performances, film screenings and high teas are also included, along with the ANU 80th anniversary AfterHours concert on Saturday 17 October.
Griffith Spring Fest runs from 16 to 24 October, with a Citrus Sculpture Garden, private garden openings and a street party. Ice Pact, an Antarctic art exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina, is free during gallery hours until 22 October. The Wizard of Oz is staged at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre from 16 to 18 October. Cootamundra Show and the Urana Vintage Rally and Truck Show also take place this week, alongside The Rock Show on 17 October.
The Island Whale Festival is a finalist in the Festivals and Events category of the Victorian Tourism Awards, after winning gold in the same category last year. Winners of the 40th awards will be announced at a gala ceremony on Thursday November 26. The festival, led by Destination Phillip Island, marks the time when humpback and southern right whales visit waters around Phillip Island. It combines marine conservation, education, arts and community experiences. The 2027 festival will run from Friday July 2 to Sunday July 4.
Artist Penelope Boyd is showing a new exhibition, Surrender, at Grainger Gallery in Fyshwick, free to attend on several days this week. The Canberra Writers Festival runs from 15 to 18 October, marking its 10th anniversary with 110 events and 200 artists. The Canberra Fitness Expo is held at Exhibition Park on 17 and 18 October. The UC Capitals open their home campaign against Bendigo Spirit at AIS Arena on 17 October. The RSPCA ACT Drag Variety Night takes place at the German Harmonie Club on 22 October, raising funds for the charity.
More than 105 events are listed across Canberra this week. The Canberra Writers Festival marks its 10th anniversary from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October, with more than 110 events. The inaugural Canberra Art Fair runs at the Quokka Pavilion at EPIC from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October. Other events include the Kultural Dreaming Capital Runway on Saturday 17 October at the National Museum of Australia and a Loose LEGO Sale on Sunday 18 October in Woden.
The Riverina region will host a variety of festivals and performances this week, including stage productions of The Wizard of Oz and Disney’s Frozen. Griffith will hold its Spring Festival, featuring citrus sculptures and garden tours, while Leeton celebrates its annual town show. Other events include the Spirit of the Land Festival in Lockhart, the Illabo Show, the Mirrool Silo Kick, and Hay Glow, offering activities for all ages.
Geelong's multicultural communities will host a series of festivals and events, supported by $84,000 in state government grants. Member for Lara Ella George highlighted the importance of these celebrations in fostering cultural connections and understanding. Successful applicants include the Australian Slovenian Cultural and Sports Association, Radhika Foundation International, and the Filipino Australian Friendship Association of Geelong. Events range from the Spring Bonfire Celebration to the Pasko sa Geelong Festival, scheduled between October and November. The funding recognises the efforts of volunteers and organisers in promoting cultural diversity and harmony.
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Get the appCanberra 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.
Queensland community groups can apply for grants of up to $20,000 to fund multicultural festivals and events. The state government has opened a $500,000 funding round for events between July 2027 and December 2027. More than 140 events across the state received support in 2026, including the Multicultural Festival on Thursday Island and the Lockyer Valley Festival of Cultures in Gatton. Applications for the latest funding round close on 2 November 2026.