1. OKTOBERFEST BY THE LAKE

Prepare the lederhosen - Canberra's new Oktoberfest event right on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin is on this Saturday. Oktoberfest Parklands will have craft beer halls, a Bavarian food truck village (think kranski, pork knuckles and pretzels), Oompah bands, DJs, traditional dancers, side show alley rides. It's on from midday at the Patrick White Lawns. Tickets available at moshtix.com.au and at the gate if not sold out beforehand. 18+. Prost!

2. RIESLING CHALLENGE PUBLIC TASTING

The Canberra International Riesling Challenge is on this week, with judges working their way through this year's entrants. And on Saturday, the public can get in on the action too, at the trade and consumer tasting event. Entry is $50 (at the door) which includes a Riedel tasting glass and an opportunity to try some of the best rieslings in the world. It's on 11am-3pm at Albert Hall. See rieslingchallenge.com.

3. DOGGY DAY OUT AT FLORIADE

This Saturday, dogs are also invited at Canberra's festival of spring, Floriade. You can pose with your pup in the free photo booth, have a snack at the Pooch Cafe, visit the dog markets, or just explore the festival and meet some other dogs. Entry is free. And just in case you've been putting off a trip to Floriade, this weekend is your last opportunity. Floriade closes its gates for the year on Sunday at 7pm. For a full program of what's on this weekend, see floriadeaustralia.com.

4. PARTY AT THE DOWNER SHOPS

Party at the Shops heads to Downer this weekend for the relaunch of the Downer Shops. There will be food stalls, yoga, goodie bags, plus lots of activities for the kids, including a jumping castle and a kids entrepreneur stand. It's on Saturday from 10am-2pm. Frencham Place, Downer. Free entry.

5. LIGHT THE NIGHT

Head to Kingston Foreshore on Friday night for the Leukaemia Foundation's Light The Night, a fundraiser and lantern walk, suitable for the whole family. As well as the lantern walk, there will be live entertainment, face painting for the kids, and food and drinks from the Kingston Night Markets. Free and all ages. See lightthenight.org.au/event/canberra.

6. LIBRARIES ACT BOOK SALE

Get a bargain at the Libraries ACT Book Sale on Saturday and Sunday. They have thousands of pre-loved books which have been withdrawn from the library collection but are still in good nick, from fiction and non-fiction, through to large print, magazines, picture books, junior fiction and non-fiction, reference sets and local history books. The sale is on Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday midday-3pm, upstairs at Tuggeranong Library. Entry is free, and only cash payments are accepted.