If you are looking for things to do in Canberra on Australia Day, then look no further. Here is a list of all the fun things that are happening in Canberra this Friday.
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Australia Day in the Capital
Great Aussie breakfast, Commonwealth Park, 7.30am
Start the day off right with breakfast in Commonwealth Park with a morning barbecue and live entertainment at Stage 88. The Sing Australia choir will perform with Dora the Explorer also making an appearance (shows at 8.10am, 8.55am and 9.35am). The kids can enjoy the jumping castles, face painting and soccer darts, with only a gold coin donation to support Menslink Canberra for entry.
2018 National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony, Lake Burley Griffin, 9am
ABC's Stephanie Brantz is hosting this special ceremony which will feature Australia's Federation Guard and the Royal Australian Navy Band. The Prime Minister will also be there to welcome Australia's newest citizens. There will be a flyover and a 21-gun salute.
Concert, Regatta Point, 6-9pm
Justice Crew (on stage at 8.10pm) headline the live acts at the Australia Day in the Capital concert. Jess & Matt (7.15pm) and popular locals Tuchasoul (6pm) will also take to the stage.
Patrick White Lawns, 4pm
If a picnic setting is what you're after, bring family and friends to Patrick White Lawns, where there will be plenty of entertainment for children on offer. Kids can challenge themselves with a game of cricket, get an adrenaline rush on a giant slide, live out fairy tales with face paint and bounce their way through Australia Day on jumping castles. Indulge yourself at the marketplace, which features local food trucks.
Fireworks
The display over Lake Burley Griffin begins at 9pm and runs for about 15 minutes. Good vantage spots include Commonwealth Park, Kings Park, the Patrick White lawns, outside the National Museum, Mount Ainslie lookout and Red Hill lookout.
Transport
Car parking will be available from the following locations:
- Parliamentary Triangle carparks
- Civic Pool car park, Civic
- Anzac Parade East and West car parks.
Temporary car park, road and lake closures include the following:
- The Regatta Point car park closed to public from 4pm but will be open to VIP and passholders only
- Rond Terrace car park closed from 5m to 4pm
- Barinne Drive (including car park) closed from Albert Street East to West from 5.30am
- Commonwealth Bridge eastern walkway closed from 5.30am until 11pm
- Commonwealth Bridge eastern lane southbound will be closed from 5.30am until 11pm
- Albert Street East (Commonwealth Park) access will be authorised permit only from 11am
- Commonwealth Bridge will be closed from about 9-9:15pm due to the fireworks display.
- Exclusion zone for the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin will be in place from 5am until midnight.
Buses will be operating on a Sunday timetable. After the fireworks finish, free buses will run from Commonwealth Avenue bus stops at Regatta Point to Gungahlin Marketplace, City, Belconnen, Tuggeranong and Woden bus stations until about 10:15pm
Double demerits are in place for the Australia Day long weekend until midnight on Monday, January 29. All speed and seatbelt offences, the use of a mobile phone while driving, driving with a passenger in or on part of the vehicle not designed for carriage of passengers or goods, and riding a motorbike without a helmet will incur double demerit points. All other offences will incur one extra demerit point.
If the official events don't grab your attention, here are a few more options:
Other events
Australia Day National Carillon concert
Take a picnic lunch and join carillonist Leonard Weiss for a free lakeside concert at 12.30pm at the Carillon, celebrating new and old Australian favourites in an all-Australian performance.
Bentspoke
Bentspoke is again counting down the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers on Saturday, from 12.30pm, with beer giveaways and their annual throw the prawn on the barbie game. Free entry.
Capital Brewing Co
The Fyshwick brewery is throwing a party on Saturday for both the triple J Hottest 100 and the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers countdown, plus backyard cricket, misting machines, slushies and plenty of beer. Free entry.
Yass Valley
Head down the Barton Highway to celebrate Australia Day in the Yass Valley at Coronation Park. The Rotary Club of Yass provides breakfast in the park from 8am, where it will also provide face painting, a jumping castle, and a playground to keep the children entertained. Yass Valley Australia Day Citizen Awards will be awarded, recognising outstanding individuals and groups in the community. Entry is free.
Australia Day at the National Museum
Immerse yourself in country and culture with the annual Australia Day festival inspired by the Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters exhibition. Running from 10am to 1pm, enjoy music, dance, craft and family fun.
With live music from 5pm, enjoy the National Museum as the sun sets, for an evening of larger than life lawn games and fantastic local bands, and settle in for the Australia Day fireworks. Grab something tasty from one of the food vans and cool down with a drink from the cash bar. Once you've shaken out your picnic blanket, challenge your friends to a game (or several) of Kubb, Giant Jenga, Connect 4 and more.
Lanyon Homestead
Take your picnic and rug and relax on the lawns, or enjoy lunch at the Barracks Espresso Bar and Eating House at the Lanyon Homestead. Discover Canberra's rural history with a free tour of the homestead. It is free entry to homestead. Bookings are required for the Barracks Espresso Bar and Eating House.
Water fight at The George Harcourt Inn
On Friday, The George has live music from midday, meat specials and Canberra's biggest water fight - take your swimmers.
Aperol Spritz Sunset Session at QT
Complete with fake grass, the pop-up Aerol Spritz bar outside Lucky's will be open from 4pm on Friday, followed by an after party at Lucky's from 9pm.
Weather
Unfortunately, the forecast for Friday and Saturday includes a high (70 per cent) likelihood of showers, most likely in the afternoon or evening, and the chance of thunderstorms. A top of about 34 degrees is forecast.
