#1. Australia Day in the Capital
4pm-9:15pm, Regatta Point and Patrick White Lawns
Celebrate with family and friends this Australia Day in Canberra with music, food and fireworks.
Sit back and relax as the perfect live soundtrack fills the air at Regatta Point. Kicking off at 4pm, celebrations will be spread across Regatta Point and Patrick White Lawns. Headlined by Rogue Traders featuring Natalie Bassingthwaighte, the main stage at Regatta Point will have back-to-back entertainment. The concert will also feature a mix of local Canberra based artists including The Advocates Canberra, Los Chavos Music and Big Boss Groove.
Patrick White Lawns will host a range of sporting and interactive activities, where you can try your hand at a cricket fast bowl, practice your golf swing and so much more.
Pack a picnic or tantalise your taste buds at the food trucks at both Regatta Point and Patrick White Lawns. Finish the night off with a show-stopping fireworks display from the lake and Commonwealth Avenue Bridge at 9pm.
#2. National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony
9am, Lake Burley Griffin
The National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony is held on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. This year’s ceremony will welcome 25 of Australia’s newest citizens. The event is open to the public and entry is free.
#3. Australia Day Festival
10am – 9pm, National Museum of Australia
Join in the fun with tours, music, dance, demonstrations, games, fun and food inspired by our First Australians gallery and Rome exhibition. Free, though costs apply for some activities, including Rome exhibition entry.
#4. NBL Hawks v Taipans
2pm – 5pm, AIS Arena
The Illawarra Hawks are coming to town, bringing elite basketball back to the ACT. The Hawks will take on Cairns Taipans on Australia Day at the AIS Arena – A guaranteed thrilling game of Basketball, and enjoyable day out for all the family. Get your tickets now!
#5. National Carillon Concert
12:30pm – 1:15pm, National Carillon
Enjoy Aussie musical classics including variations on Waltzing Matilda, Kookaburra Sits on the Old Gum Tree, and the National Anthem. This concert is free to attend.
#6. Trevor Dickinson’s Beautiful Bus Shelters of Canberra
10am – 5pm, Canberra Museum and Art Gallery
26 Jan is the last day to visit this exhibition showcases one of Canberra’s icons – the humble bus shelter. Many Canberra suburbs are home to the distinctive concrete bus shelters designed by architect Clem Cummings in 1975. Nearly 500 shelters remain in place and over the past four years artist Trevor Dickinson has been on a quest to find and photograph everyone.
Dickinson has selected over fifty of the most striking examples to draw and develop into digital prints. His collection reveals that every shelter has its own beauty and personality; and explores how these shelters shape Canberra’s unique suburban landscape.
#7. Chief Minister’s Australia Day Regatta
5:45pm-3:30pm, Canberra Yacht Club
As well as the sailing, the Canberra Southern Cross Club have organised bush bands, a jumping castle and face painting for the kids on the greens of the Yacht Club. There will be a fireworks display in the evening, so bring the whole family and make a day of it!