GARDEN FESTIVAL Tuliptop Gardens is open for its annual garden festival, with 10 acres of tulips, and other spring flowers. Old Federal Highway, Sutton. Entry $14-15, under 16 free. See tuliptopgardens.com.au.

WINDOWS TO THE WORLD The embassies and high commissions are opening their gates with a whole host of events so you can tour the world without leaving town. Some events ticketed, many are free. See events.act.gov.au/windows.

From 4pm EN PLEIN AIR The ANU Music Students Society celebrates art, the outdoors and live music. The School of Music's courtyard will be filled with light projections, food stalls and performers like Slow Turismo and Genesis Owusu. All ages. $10-$15. Afterparty at Parlour Wine Room. See trybooking.com

5.30pm LIGHT THE NIGHT Take a glowing lantern for a night time walk along Lake Burley Griffin to help families affected by leukemia and other blood disorders. Make a donation, buy a drink, doughnut or bbq plate. Kingston Foreshore, near the Canberra Glassworks. See lightthenight.org.au

6pm KNACK The launch of a collection of 14 stories from Canberra writers - everything from how to cook perfect pancakes to how to check your privilege. $5-$15. Gorman House, Braddon. See agac.com.au.

7pm ORGAN CONCERT Organ and trumpet music at Wesley Music Centre in Forrest. $5-$35.

7.30pm LORD OF THE DANCE The latest incarnation of the Irish dance extravaganza, featuring holographs, dancing robots, acrobats and, yes, Irish dancers (but not Michael Flatley). $90-$110+bf. Canberra Theatre. Also on Saturday and Sunday.

7.45am BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS Take an early morning guided bird watching expedition of the Australian National Botanic Gardens followed by a hot breakfast at Floresco in the Gardens cafe. Tickets $32-$35 from friendsanbg.org.au. Not suitable for under 8s. On Saturdays and Sundays until October 11.

From 10am HIGHLAND FLING The Canberra Highland Gathering and Scottish Fair features pipe band competitions, highland dancing, Scottish food and market stalls, traditional athletics, clan displays, and more. 10am-5pm. Free entry. Kambah Oval.

From 10am GUNDAROO MUSIC FEST A family friendly day out with non stop music, live bands, fireworks, food and more. Mental as Anything are the headline act. $20-$51+bf. 70 Cork Street, Gundaroo. See ticketek.com.au

From 10am OPEN EMBASSIES Six of Canberra's embassies are holding open days as part of Windows to the World - a look into our diplomatic community. Korea, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Belgium and Slovenia are throwing open their gates with activities, food stalls and more. Free.

From 10am FAMILY DAY A kid friendly day out at Carers ACT to celebrate Carers Week. Amber Nichols from The Voice will perform, plus jumping castle, ice cream, a scavenger hunt, puppies and kittens and appearances from Constable Kenny and Prime Possum. 10am-3pm. 80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt. Free entry. See facebook.com

From 11am ROCKABILLY ROUNDUP A vintage and alternative festival at the Old Canberra Inn in Lyneham with DJs, rockabilly bands, a vintage market, and a kids play area. And lots of dancing. Free entry. See facebook.com

From 11am KITE FESTIVAL Take a country drive to Harden for the 10th Harden Kite Festival, with facepainting, kite making workshops, kite flying competitions and more. See hardenkitefestival.org

11am KAREN MARTINI The celebrity chef and Fairfax columnist is a special guest at Floriade and will do a cooking demonstration at the Kitchen Company Tasting Plate. Free. See floriadeaustralia.com

2pm SPRING TEA A high tea to raise money for charity. The Spring High Tea is a fundraiser for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. You'll get cakes, sandwiches, a glass of champagne or a mocktail on arrival. $65. CIT Function Centre. See rockyourfrock.blogspot.com.au

3pm MIXOLOGY MASTERCLASS Join Russell Pearson for a masterclass on mixology at Bison Home's studios in Pialligo. It's the last in a series of free spring workshops at Bison. Free.

3pm HAPPY FEET A screening of the hit animated kids movie about dancing penguins, followed by a kids' activity. National Portrait Gallery. $5. Book on 6102 7070. See portrait.gov.au

6.30pm PARKWAY DRIVE The heavy music band appears at the UC Refectory. With support acts Thy Art is Murder, Memphis May Fire and The Word Alive. $60.20. All ages. See oztix.com.au

8pm MOZART The Australian Chamber Orchestra performs all three of Mozart's final symphonies under the baton of Richard Tognetti. Llewellyn Hall. Tickets from aco.com.au.

8pm LAWRENCE MOONEY The host of ABC's Dirty Laundry Live will be live on stage with his award-winning show, Surely Not! Canberra Theatre Centre. Tickets $44.90 + bf from canberraticketing.com.au.

8pm GAY CLICHE LAUNCH An all inclusive dance party for the LGBTI community and their supporters at Transit Bar with street art and rainbow paint. Featuring DJs Hudak, Lady Bones and others. $10. Half the profits go to Headspace Canberra. See facebook.com

8.30pm METAL UNITED Heavy metal bands with names like Penetrated, Avascular Necrosis (local guys!) and Chud will thrash it out at the Basement in Belconnen. 18+. $15. See facebook.com

From 10am TIDBINBILLA EXTRAVAGANZA Head to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for a day of exploring nature with pelican feeding, pioneer games, wildlife talks, local food and live music. 10am-4pm. Free entry. See act.gov.au

From 11am OPEN EMBASSIES Check out the Greek embassy from 11am and the Bosnian embassy from 12pm as part of Windows to the World - a celebration of Canberra's embassies and cultures. The two embassies are holding open days.

10am TODDLERS PROM An interactive concert for kids aged 2-8 with classic tunes from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Star Wars. Plus kids get the chance to conduct a real orchestra or try music instruments. $6-$20. ANU School of Music, Larry Sitsky Room. See facebook.com

1pm IMAGINARIUM A festival of stories and words for children at the National Library of Australia. Explore 3D printing, 3D pens and interactive demonstrations. Watch the grand final of the ACT Scrabble competition. Meet children's authors and make the perfect paper plane. 1pm-4pm. National Library of Australia. Free. Book here or 02 6262 1271.

2pm WORLD MEMORIES What would the world be without memories? Why protect them in a UNESCO register? The National Archives hosts a talk on the UNESCO Memory of the World Australian Register, with guest speaker Dr Roslyn Russell.

2pm LATIN MUSIC Duo Caliente are a pair of guitar and flute artists who will perform fiery Latin rhythms and Spanish tunes at the Ainslie Arts Centre in Braddon. $10-$25.

3pm BLOODY LIPS An afternoon of poets and music hosted by CJ Bowerbird at Monster in New Acton. Performances from Luka Lesson, Tasnim Hossain and DJ Jemist. Free but you'll want to book a table in the restaurant. See facebook.com

Do you have an event? Email us at canberralife@canberratimes.com.au