Canberra Weekender: What's on October 23-25

DRAGON DREAMING A four-day alternative festival of art, entertainment, music and self expression in the bush at Wee Jasper outside Canberra. $180. See dragondreaming.net.

HOME SHOW Caravans, camping, 4WDs and more on offer at the Canberra Home Show. Exhibition Park, Flemington Road. $12-$15, kids under 16 enter free. See canberrahomeshow.com.au.

From 6am LOCK UP YOUR BOSS A charity event in Garema Place hosted by Nige and Knuckles from 104.7FM – company bosses spend an hour in a jail cell and try to raise money for Lifeline. See lockupyourboss.com.au.

10am HAT FASHIONS Christine Waring is one of Australia's leading milliners, working out of a Canberra studio to create fashion pieces that are worn by the great and good. She's speaking at the National Museum of Australia as part of their Landmark Women series, celebrating distinguished Canberra women. $5-$10, free for Museum Friends. Bookings essential on Eventbrite.

2pm CRICKET Summer sport kicks off in Canberra with the Prime Minister's XI cricket match. The Australian side take on New Zealand at Manuka Oval. $16-$81. See ticketek.com.au

6pm SCINIGHT It's adults-only night at Questacon – and they're celebrating ideas about the past, present and future on the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future. 18+. $10 at the door. See questacon.edu.au.

6pm UNITED NATIONS ON SCREEN To mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, the National Film and Sound Archive is screening The Interpreter, with Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, followed by a series of United National short films. Tickets $10/$18 from trybooking.com/IOIX.

7pm NEEL KOLHATKAR The Australian stand up comedian who's a viral YouTube star with a sharp repertoire of impressions, songs, rap and more. UC Refectory. $32.65. See oztix.com.au.

7.30pm RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP The Canberra Vikings play their semi final against Melbourne Rising in the National Rugby Championship. Viking Park, Wanniassa. $5-$10 +bf. Tickets from eventopia.co.

7.30pm THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING Adapted from the novel of the same name, this play tells the story of nine-year-old Thomas Klopper, who is trying to find his way in 1950s Netherlands. Also Saturday at 2pm and 7.30pm. Canberra Repertory Society, Acton. Tickets: canberrarep.org.au.

8pm CASH 60 Singer Daniel Thompson and guitarist Stuie French do Johnny Cash covers. $65. The Street Theatre. See thestreet.org.au

8pm GLITORIS The band billed as "Canberra's answer to Pussy Riot" perform as part of the SpringOut festival. Supported by Snatch – The Band, and Jessie George. $15.85. ANU Bar. See springout.com.au.

8pm PASSERINE The Melbourne trio are touring the east coast with their new single Look Up. Supported by Mondecreen. Transit Bar. Free entry. 18+.

All day GARAGE SALE 10,000 households and community groups take part in Australia's biggest garage sale. It's aimed at reducing waste and helping charities. Grab a bargain. See garagesaletrail.com.au

From 11am CIDERFEST Siren Bar in Gungahlin is holding its annual day of cider tasting. There will also be a pig on a spit and bobbing for apples, plus live entertainment. 11am-5pm. Tickets $30 from sirenbar.com.au include five tasting tickets and tasting glass.

From 12pm OKTOBERFEST is on at the Pot Belly Bar with German beer across all of its taps – served in steins of course – plus bratwurst, currywurst and schnitzel available all day. Prizes for best dressed. Reserve a table on 6251 4530 or events@potbellybar.com.au.

From 1pm PARTY FAIR Buy party products and meet vendors who can help you plan a wedding, celebration or more at party planning event Oh Happy Day. National Portrait Gallery. Free entry before 5pm. There's also a gala dinner after. $69-80. See oh-happy-day.com.au.

2pm THE ART OF TEACHING NOTHING This comedy by Canberra playwright Kirsty Budding is about the cynicism and politics behind the door of a high school staff room. The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre. Tickets $25-$37. Also 8pm. Tickets: canberratheatrecentre.com.au.

From 4.30pm CANDLE FESTIVAL The annual Canberra Nara Festival sees thousands of glowing candles lighting up the Lennox Gardens park, with Japanese music, crafts, lanterns and food stalls. Free entry. See act.gov.au.

6pm THE GO SET The folk punk band is touring their seventh album. They're playing at Transit Bar supported by locals Revellers, Wolfpack, Yoko Oh No and more. Tickets $15.30 from moshtix.com.au.

7pm UNSCRIPTED A live comedy and movie event. The ANU Film Group will screen a "bad mystery film" with the dialogue track removed, and improv artists Ben Crowley, Brad Hoff and Katherine Green will have to make up the actor's lines as they go. Coombs Theatre, ANU. $15. See anufg.org.au.

7pm RHONDA BURCHMORE The Australian showbusiness veteran will perform a cabaret of songs and stories at Teatro Vivaldi, ANU Arts Centre. Tickets show only $35-$55 or dinner and show $65-$95 from 6257 2718.

7pm SOUND BITES ACT Local emerging artists live on stage, with special guest Andrew Farriss from INXS. ANU Bar. Tickets $15+bf from ticketek.com.au. 18+.

7.30pm HAMLET This Bell Shakespeare version of Hamlet is personal and political. Our reviewer called it magnificent. Canberra Theatre. Also on Friday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 2pm. $72-$79. See canberratheatrecentre.com.au

8pm BACK TO THE FUTURE An 80s night inspired by the cult movie Back to the Future – this week marks the date that Marty McFly and Doc Emmet travelled to the future. Cover band Flux Capacitor will perform and there's talk of an actual DeLorean appearing around 10pm. Wear your leg warmers and perm your hair. $12.50-$16. The Basement, Belconnen. See stickytickets.com.au

8pm BYRNE AND KELLY Neil Byrne and Ryan Kelly from Celtic Thunder perform acoustic folk that draws from Irish storytelling and Americana. The Street Theatre. $55-$75 +bf. See thestreet.org.au

8pm COMPANY The final performance of Everyman Theatre's production of the Stephen Sondheim musical about love and marriage. Also 2pm. The Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. Tickets $52/$47 from theq.net.au.

All day MOVIES Dendy celebrates Back to the Future Day with 1989 ticket prices for all movies. Every film showing on Sunday is $6.60. See dendy.com.au.

7.30am RED WIG RUN A fun run and walk to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Canberra. The run begins at 9am at Rond Terrace and goes around the lake. $10-$132. Register at rmhcanberra.com.au

9am WALK FOR PREMS Stroll around Lake Tuggeranong followed by a picnic on the grass and help raise funds for premature and sick babies in Canberra. Register at walkforprems.org.au.

11am THE BIG DRAW STORY TIME At the National Portrait Gallery's free Big Draw story time, watch or read Shaun Tan's The Lost Thing and create visual responses.The 15-minute screenings will occur at 11am, noon and 1pm. See: portrait.gov.au.

12pm BASEBALL The final game in the Canberra Cavalry's weekend series against the Brisbane Bandits at Narrabundah Ballpark. $7-$23. Tickets from theabl.com.au

From 12pm BEER GARDEN PARTY Grease Monkey in Braddon is celebrating being able to serve beers in the beer garden with an afternoon of live music, specials and burger eating relays. See facebook.com.

2pm THE AUSTRALIAN RUGBY CHOIR The choir's annual concert is on at the Woden Southern Cross Club with guest artists Sally Greenway, Camilo Gonzales and Jon Nedwich. Tickets $10-$25 from 6283 7200.

5pm WINEPRESS A conversation about reading, writing, and ideas with Robyn Cadwallader, Biff Ward and Nigel Featherstone. Eden Road Winery, Murrumbateman. Free but RSVP to projects@starts.com.au.

Got an event? Email us at canberralife@canberratimes.com.au