ROYAL CANBERRA SHOW At Exhibition Park in Canberra, this year's Royal Canberra Show has more than 150 attractions, 5000 animals, 450 trade displays and 1500 competitors. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. $18-$25 from ticketek.com.au or at the gate. See rncas.org.au.

BONSAI EXHIBITION Dozens of native bonsai from Canberra and interstate artists at the Australian National Botanic Gardens' Crosbie Morrison Building. Demonstrations at 2pm and guided tours at noon. $3-$5 entry at the door. Saturday and Sunday, 9.30am-4.30pm.

From 11am FREE GELATO The Green Shed hosts its regular free gelato day with a jumping castle and other fun stuff at the Green Shed cafe in Garema Place. Until 5pm. See facebook.com

From 5pm LATE NIGHT OPENINGS The Portrait Gallery will open late until 8pm on Fridays from January 8 – February 26 with a bar, adults-only tour of Sideshow Alley plus live comedy, music, magic, tarot readers, horror makeup styling and a twisted art installation. See the full program at portrait.gov.au.

From 6pm ANDROMETA Reload Bar has a Cosplay party with drink specials, prizes for best dressed, music, magic and games. 6-10pm. Free entry. See facebook.com.

7.40pm BRUMBIES The ACT Brumbies kick off the Super Rugby season with a match against the Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium. $10.20-$35.68 from ticketek.com.au.

8pm KILTER Sydney electronic artist Kilter is playing at Transit Bar, supported by Lo'99 and Klue. $27.30 from moshtix.com.au.

10pm TONESHIFTERZ A night of hard dance at Cube Nightclub from Toneshifterz, The Soundsmith, Ben Penfold, Nomad, Fuentes Brothers, Jorgo and Capital Punishment. $20 at the door. 18+.

From 9am FINK SALE The much lauded Fink design studio holds its annual seconds sale in Queanbeyan. Until 3pm. 25 Endurance Avenue, Queanbeyan. See facebook.com

From 10am CITY BAND The Canberra City Band is hosting an open day. Bring your instruments to play along with the bands, have a sausage sizzle, and hear a free concert at 3pm. 49 Phillip Avenue, Watson.

10.30am THE GREAT BIG STORYBOOK A colourful comedy show performed in a 3D pop-up storybook in The Famous Spiegeltent, Civic Square based on the Aboriginal legend of Tiddalik the Frog, who drinks all the water in the world. Also 1pm. $23+bf from canberratheatrecentre.com.au.

From 11am COLORFEST Canberra's first ever Colorfest is on with a massive day dance festival mixed with colour powder. Think the Color Run but without the pesky running bit. There are also food stalls and other entertainment. 11am-6pm. Thoroughbred Park. $10 from colorfest.com.au.

6pm BACH & FORWARD The Song Company with guest artists Neal Peres Da Costa (organ) and Daniel Yeadon (cello) explores the vocal music of J.S. Bach and others in this program of motets and chorales at Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest. $20-$60 from songcompany.com.au.

6pm LANTERN FESTIVAL The Lantern Festival is the final event of Chinese New Year with Chinese Lanterns and lights and there are performances of Chinese traditional music, children's dances, martial arts, lion dance, a hand-made lantern competition and a lantern parade. It's on at Beijing Garden, Lennox Gardens, Flynn Place, Yarralumla. Free. Bring a lantern or buy one there.

8pm CHARLIE PARR The legendary Minnesota blues and folk artist is back in Australia in support of his latest album Stumpjumper. Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah. $33+bf from oztix.com.au.

8pm THE THREEPENNY OPERA Canberra Repertory's production of the musical satire about sex, money, celebrity and power featuring the hit song Mack the Knife is on at Theatre 3, Ellery Crescent, Acton.

8pm BUSH DANCE Dance to the live music of Franklin B Paverty at the Monaro Folk Society's Endless Summer bush dance. Dress in Aussie summer fashion, although thongs are not advised. Take a plate to share for supper. Canberra Baptist Church - 11 Currie St, Kingston. $16-$18, under 18 free, from mfs.org.au.

10pm CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT Mooseheads is holding its first ever pre-Mardi Gras party with relaxed dress rules, drag queen performances, themed cocktails and glow sticks on arrival. Free entry. 18+.

10.30pm CELL BLOCK 69 A 1980s pop rock/synth pop experience with members all named Corey in The Famous Spiegeltent, Civic Square. canberratheatrecentre.com.au.

8am THE COLOR RUN Run, walk or skip through the "happiest 5k on the planet" - a colour-filled 5km course through Commonwealth Park. $66+bf from thecolorrun.com.au.

From 10am THREE SIXTY FASHION MARKETS A day of fashion markets committed to sustainable style. Fitters Workshop, Old Bus Depot, Kingston. 10am-3pm. Free entry. See threesixtyfm.com.

10am CARNIVALE Queanbeyan's own multicultural spectacular is on until 4pm in Queanbeyan Park in Lowe Street, Queanbeyan with more than 25 cultural performances, street foods, craft stalls, an animal petting paddock, face painting and more. See facebook.com.

2pm DO YOU SEE ME IN YOUR OWN REFLECTION At the National Portrait Gallery Sandra Minchin-Delohery, visual artist and cancer survivor, talks about her new body of work, surviving grief and illness, reclaiming the body and having a dark sense of humour. In addition, she discusses the modern role of tattooing in empowering people and helping them deal with grief. No booking required.

2.30pm A TRAVELLER'S TALES An art song recital by Christopher Lincoln Bogg (tenor) and Alan Hicks (piano), presented by Art Song Canberra and including songs by Schubert, Schuman, Ravel, Walton and Sondheim. Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest. Tickets at the door: $35 adults, $30 concessions, $25 Art Song Canberra members, $15 full-time students.

6.30pm MIKELANGELO & THE BLACK SEA GENTLEMEN The band return to their hometown to perform songs from their new album After The Flood. The Famous Spiegeltent, Civic Square. Also Saturday at 6.30pm. canberratheatrecentre.com.au.

6.30pm YOGA GOSPEL A free sunset yoga practice on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, organised by Lululemon and led by Matt Lee. Bring a yoga mat, water and a warm layer of clothing. Free but you need to register on eventbrite.com

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