Not everyone’s heading down the coast this long weekend and there’s lots to see and do in town!
Here’s The Owl‘s rundown of the Canberra scene for 7-10 April, 2023.
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Food and drink
Fish butchery
Join the head chef of 10 Yards restaurant, in a culinary seafood skills workshop. The workshop will teach you how to best work with seafood, minimise waste, and chef-up the best seafood dinner. After the workshop, participants get to indulge in a seafood dinner, with locally paired white wines. Bookings are essential, as there are only minimal tickets.
Where: 10 Yards – 68 Bandjalong Cres, Aranda
When: Saturday 8th April 4 P.M. – 7 P.M.
Tickets: $140.00 available here
Interactive Cocktail Making Class
If seafood is not really your thing. Then this expertise cocktail making class is for you. Enjoy, bubbles, beer and wine on arrival. An antipasto platter to share for two. Get some fundamental bartending secrets under your belt. You will mix-up three of High Jinks’ classic cocktails behind the bar, for the perfect photo moment! You will then get to test and review your new learnt skills, allowing for any necessary clarification before home time.
Where: High Jinks Bar 15 Edinburgh Avenue #Basement 2
When: Saturday 8 April 3 P.M. – 5 P.M.
Tickets: $75.00 available here
The Little Burley Market
Come on down to The Little Burley Market and support small local Canberra businesses. On every Saturday from 9am until 1:30pm. Enjoy a lovely day indulging in delicious patisseries and curated gourmet food, overlooking a scenic landscape of the lake. Explore a range of locally handmade artisan items while listening to the groovy live local talents.
When: Friday 7 – Saturday 8 April
Where: Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes ACT
Music
National Folk Festival 2023
The National Folk Festival is on this week bringing acts from across the globe to Canberra with with food music and activities for all ages all day.
When: 6 – 10 April 2023
Where: Canberra Exhibition Park
Tickets: Adult +18 -$142, Concession $110, Ages 12-17 $58, Ages 5-11 $10 and free for under fives from National Folk Festival website
Zen Monkee
Melbourne garage rock, psych and blues outfit Zen Monkee are taking their new music on the road this year for an interstate tour appearing at in Canberra The Front in Lyneham this weekend.
When: 8th April 2023
Where: The Transit Bar – The Front
Tickets: Found on the Citrus Records website
BAND BENG BING BONG BUNG
Forty minute sets from local bands with : Sam Floyd, The Royal Belgian Conspiracy, Love Maps, Fossil Rabbit and Booster Seat.
When: 7 April, 2023
Where: Smiths Alternative, Melbourne Building, Civic
Tickets: $10 per act or $15 for the whole show
National Folk Festival
The 2023 National Folk Festival is returning to EPiC (Exhibition Park in Canberra) for the 31st year from April 6 to 10. There are more than a hundred acts from Australia and overseas, including Billy Bragg, The Waifs, Luke O’Shea, Mick Thomas, Jessie Lloyd, Fred Smith, Steve Poltz, Jan Preston, The Pigs, Charm of Finches and Tony McManus. There will be food, a bar, a session bar, market stalls, a circus, orchestras, workshops, comedy, and spoken word acts.
To listen to the headliners, check out the National Folk Festival’s official playlist.
Prices
The prices vary depending on the day you attend, your age and whether you are entitled to concession price tickets
Valid concession cards include:
- Full-time Student Card
- Government issued Pensioner Concession Card
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card
Friday 7th, Saturday 8th, and Sunday 9th April 2023
9 am – 2 am daily
*Prices don’t include the booking fee
Adult – $142
Concession – $110
Youth (12-17) – $58
Child (5-11) – $10
Pre-Schooler (Under 5) – Free
Monday 10th April 2023 – Gates
9 am – 12 am
Adult – $95
Concession – $68
Youth (12-17) – $32
Child (5-11) – $10
Pre-Schooler (Under 5) – Free
Transport & parking
The Festival offers free public transport to ticket holders. Just show your wristband or ticket receipt on the light trail or action bus for unlimited free travel during the event.
Sport
Want to stay active over the Easter long weekend? Scoffing down chocolate might be the chosen past-time of most, but there’s still plenty going on for the sporty type. From horse racing to more cultural sporting experiences, we’ve got you covered!
Burley Griffin park run
The event describes itself as ‘free, fun and friendly’ and kicks off at 8 am every Saturday in Yarralumla. The course is 5 km, but there’s no need to be too competitive if that’s not your thing. Plenty of participants take the opportunity to have a social stroll while others bring their families along to spectate. The organisrs are also always looking for volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly, and you can get involved by emailing burleygriffin@parkrun.com. It’s free to participate, but those interested are asked to register. Oh, and they always go for coffee afterwards if you feel so inclined.
Where: Weston Park Road, Weston Park, Yarralumla
When: Every Saturday 8 am
Register: HERE
Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong Cup Good Friday Race Day
The local races are back this long weekend at the Thoroughbred Park with The Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong Cup Good Friday Race Day.
Where: Thoroughbred Park
Address: 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham, ACT, 2602
When: Friday 07/04. Gates open 11am, Races start from 12:10 P.M.
Tickets: General Admission Free with Paid Packages from $35
Innovative Oceania Nepali Sports Meet 2023 Canberra
If you are looking for a casual and fun setting to get involved with some social sport this long weekend, the IONSM has you covered. With sports ranging from Badminton to Cricket to Soccer, there are more than enough options for everyone.
Where: Various locations dependant on the sport
When: 8 A.M. – 6 P.M. Friday – Monday (exact times vary depending on sport)
Tickets: Free with an RSVP here
Family
Easter Bunny Breakfast
Westfield in Woden is hosting its special Easter Bunny breakfast. You and your children can snack on an Easter Box, includes Easter Themed Cupcake, A Cheese Scroll, Fruit Juice & Easter Egg. Watch a live show put on by the Characters from Alice in Wonderland. This event is exclusive to Westfield+ members.
When: Saturday 8 of April, 9 A.M.
Location: Westfield Woden, near JB Hi-Fi
Tickets: $10.00 per person
Canberra Small Business Market
Experience everything small business in Canberra has to offer this Easter weekend at the Small Business Market at the Kids safe ACT community centre in Kingston. There will be a wide range of activities for children of all ages, including food, local products and a visit from the easter bunny on Sunday. This Event is free but is collecting donations for pet rescue Australia.
When: Saturday 8th of April 3pm – 8pm and Sunday 9th of April 930 – 2:30 pm.
Location: Fitter’s Workshop in Kingston
Tickets: Free
Canberra Miniature Railway Easter Extravaganza
The Canberra Miniature Railway is giving families the chance to hop aboard an evening train this weekend! Their Easter Extravaganza offers unlimited rides for the night, as well as two Easter Egg Hunts at 5:30pm and 6:30pm each day, with 4,000 eggs to find!
Date: Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 April from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Location: Canberra Miniature Railway, Southern end of Jerrabomberra Ave, Symonston
Tickets: $15 per person, pre-book online here, or tickets at the gate are $20