LIFELINE BOOKFAIR More than 120 tonnes of books, CDs, DVDs, games and more for sale at Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell. Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. Entry by gold coin donation with proceeds going to Lifeline Canberra's telephone crisis support service. See act.lifeline.org.au/item/springepicbookfair.

FLORIADE Canberra's celebration of all things spring continues, with a month of flowers, live entertainment, fitness sessions, kids activities, markets and more at Commonwealth Park. See the full program at floriadeaustralia.com.

GARDEN FESTIVAL Tuliptop Gardens is open for its annual garden festival, with 10 acres of tulips, daffodils, and other spring flowers plus hundreds of blossom trees. Food and refreshments available. Old Federal Highway, Sutton. Entry $14-15, under 16 free. Open seven days a week, 9am-5pm until October 11. See: tuliptopgardens.com.au.

6pm NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM The museum opens after hours for adults only again, this time with the theme of "chance". Music, art, dance and drinks. 6-9.30pm. Tickets $11.44 from nma.gov.au. 18+.

6.30pm CRAFT BEER FIGHT CLUB Local beer PACT Beer Co will go up against Sydney's Shenanigans Brewery in a beer battle. Each brewer will discuss their beer, and then participants get to vote. Durham Castle Arms, Kingston. $30 for a taster of all six beers, or $40 with a main meal. Bookings essential on 6295 1769.

7.30pm JAZZ AND CHAMBER MUSIC Piano and violin duo Zoe Black and Joe Chindamo perform a concert of edgy jazz and classical. It's part of the celebrations for the ANU School of Music's 50th anniversary. $20-$40. Llewellyn Hall. See music.anu.edu.au

8pm THE WHARF REVUE The 15th edition of this satirical show will be a parade of past and present indignitaries, from Paul Keating Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard to Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Christopher Pyne. All will be sent up in sketches and song. Canberra Theatre Centre. On 8pm daily until September 26, plus a Saturday matinee at 2pm. Tickets $35-$65 from canberratheatrecentre.com.au.

10am MAKING DAY Head to The Makers' Hub in Macquarie and during their casual crafting day, you can use all their stamps, punches and other equipment for free. You can also chat to other makers and drink endless cups of tea. 10am-1pm. See themakerscollective.com.au.

10am BIRDWATCHING FOR BEGINNERS Dust off your binoculars and join Sue Lashko for a walk through the Australian National Botanic Gardens exploring Canberra's bush birds. 10am-12pm. Tickets $20 from ecoaction.com.au.

From 10am MARKET DAY Autolyse Juice Bar on Lonsdale Street, Braddon is holding a market day with clothing, shoes and a drink stand. 10am-4pm. See facebook.com.

From 10am WINDOWS TO THE WORLD Canberra's embassies and high commissions will open their gates so you can tour the world. Try maple syrup at the Canadian High Commission, check out the sauna at the Finnish embassy. See events.act.gov.au/windows for the full program and finish times.

From 10am SCIENCE & STREET ART Five street artists, including Houl and Smalls, team up with five PhD science students from the Australian National University for a day of live art and science. The results will be on display at the Westside shipping container village. Until 6pm. See facebook.com

11am PROPS AND POSES Explore props and poses in portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries at the National Portrait Gallery. For children from four to eight to share with family and friends. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. $5. Bookings essential on bookings@npg.gov.au.

11am LASERS CAN DO ANYTHING A demonstration about the invention of the laser. Explore where they come from, how they improve our lives and what they might do for us in the future. Shine Dome, Acton. Tickets $5 from science.org.au.

2pm CHERRY HOOD speaks about her practice and the portrait of pianist Simon Tedeschi in association with Bare: Degrees of Undress at the National Portrait Gallery. Bookings essential on bookings@npg.gov.au. No charge - donations welcome.

4pm OUR PLACE Belconnen Arts Centre is holding a community celebration including local music, lantern and badge making, food, opportunities to place your mark on the Belconnen map and digital projections illuminating Belconnen's visual journey. 4-8pm. Free. See: belconnenartscentre.com.au.

5pm FUNDRAISING DINNER Local not-for-profit program Cooking Circles is hosting a fundraiser for the Aloha Foundation, which works with women and children in Timor Leste. Special guest appearance by Australian-born Kirsty Sword Gusmao who now lives in Timor Leste and is married to Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.5-8pm. Canberra Baptist Church, Kingston. Cost $25 which includes light supper. Bookings via office@canbap.org.

6.30pm TELEK PNG musician George Mamua Telek is in Australia to celebrate his country's 40th year of independence, and will perform an intimate concert at the National Film and Sound Archive. 6.30-8pm. Tickets $40 from nfsa.gov.au.

7.30pm CELTIC WOMAN Made up of four Irish women – three vocalists and a violinist – Celtic Woman are touring to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Royal Theatre, National Convention Centre. Tickets $131.52-$162.10 from ticketek.com.au.

8pm MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING William Shakespeare's classic comedy, where Claudio and Hero love each other and nothing seems capable of keeping them apart, while for Benedick and Beatrice nothing seems capable of bringing them together. Canberra Repertory Society's production is on at Theatre 3, Acton. Tickets $36-$42 from canberrarep.org.au.

9.30pm THE STEPTONES are playing at The Phoenix, supported by Young Monks, and Azim Zain & His Lovely Bones. Entry $5 at the door.

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.

10am GREEN SAVVY BUS DEPOT The Old Bus Depot Markets go green with products and groups focused on sustainable living. 10am-4pm. Old Bus Depot, Kingston. Free entry.

10am ACT LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OPEN DAY Take a tour of the building by the MLAs or an art tour by a local artist, visit the replica Magna Carta, watch a debate, or enjoy the BBQ. 10am-2pm. Free entry. See: parliament.act.gov.au.

From 10am STYLING SESSIONS Chat to Canberra Centre stylists during a 45-minute styling session and find out how to make the season's looks work for you. Sessions $50 which include a style kit and gift bag plus $50 Canberra Centre gift card. 10am-3pm. Also available Saturday 9am-4pm. Bookings essential via events@canberracentre.com.au.

12.30pm PETER GRIMES This English National Opera production of Benjamin Britten's opera stars Stuart Skelton in the title role of a fisherman who has an uneasy relationship with the other villagers and is presumed to be guilty of the death of his apprentice. Screening at Palace Electric Cinemas. Also Saturday at 12.30pm. Tickets $16-$24 from palacecinemas.com.au.

From 1pm SCHOOL OF MUSIC Celebrations for the ANU School of Music's 50th anniversary continue with performances from community ensembles and choirs at Llewellyn Hall, the courtyard stage and an exhibition in the school foyer. See music.anu.edu.au

3pm DIAL M FOR MURDER The 1954 Alfred Hitchcock movie is screening as part of Palace Electric's Vintage Electric series. Tickets $10 from palacecinemas.com.au.