Our pick of what to do in Canberra this long weekend.
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1. OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE DRINKS
You know the warmer weather is on its way when Friday night drinks at Old Parliament House start up again. Each week will have a different theme - from bourbon and blues, to Oktoberfest, salsa and sangria, pimms garden party, and gin and jazz. To start things off, this Friday will be a general welcome back with live music, cocktails and a barbecue. The event is held in the Old Parliament House courtyard, and runs every Friday night until December 15, 4pm til late. Free entry. See moadoph.gov.au/events/friday-night-drinks-2017.
2. NIGHTFEST
Over two weekends, Floriade will turn into a nocturnal playground with light displays, comedians, food, drinks, night markets, and roving entertainers. It starts this weekend and is on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night 8-11pm in Commonwealth Park. Entertainment the first weekend includes Tripod, Dane Simpson, Rebecca De Unamuno and The Stevenson Experience, Kav Temperley of Eskimo Joe fame, The Gypsy Scholars, Mondecreen and the ADFA Jazz Band. All ages. Tickets available from floriadeaustralia.com/nightfest/tickets/. Nightfest is also on September 29 - October 1.
3. FINLAND CENTENARY CRAZY GAMES
You can get a serious dose of all things Finnish this weekend at the Embassy of Finland's Finnish Crazy Games. Over two days there will be nordic walking, wife-carrying, hobbyhorse racing, Finnish food, and tours of the embassy and sauna. You can also show off your air guitar prowess, or watch others writhe around the stage, at the air guitar contest on Saturday night from 7pm. Or write a letter to Santa, which will be posted to Lapland in Finland. Open Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm. Free entry, suitable for the whole family. The embassy is at 12 Darwin Avenue, Yarralumla.
4. ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW THEMED VIEWING
Do the time warp again at Dendy on Monday night. You can finish off the long weekend at an interactive screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show (M) - cinema-goers receive a prop bag, participation sheet and themed cocktail on the way in. Film starts at 6.30pm. Tickets $12-$18 from dendy.com.au.
5. SUITCASE RUMMAGE
Rummage your way through suitcases filled to the brim with artwork, bric-a-brac, clothing, books, jewellery, hand-made, shoes, records, music, badges, cards, handmade paper and more at New Acton's suitcase rummage on Sunday. Head along for a bargain, a swap, or an old-fashioned haggle. It's on in the New Acton courtyard from 11am-3pm and entry is free.
6. FREE FAMILY FUN DAY
Keep the kids entertained on the public holiday at the Family Fun Day hosted by Unions ACT at Patrick White Lawns. There will be carnival rides, food stalls, a roving magician, petting zoo, jumping castles, dancing, and activities for all ages. Entry is free. It's on Monday 10am-2pm.
7. THE WHARF REVUE
The satirical revue is back for its annual visit, this time sending up Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Pauline Hanson, Malcolm Turnbull and many other Australian and international figures in sketches and songs. It's on Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 2pm and 8pm at Canberra Theatre Centre. Tickets at canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/the-wharf-revue.
