Things to do in Canberra in February

Round 13 WNBL: UC Capitals v Adelaide Lightning

When: Thursday 2 February, at 7 pm
Where: National Convention Centre, Canberra
Cost: Tickets are from $15, and can be purchased here.

This week the Caps get their second look at Adelaide Lightning but this will be the first time this season that the Lightning will play in front of a raucous UC Caps crowd.

The Caps are preparing to take on former fan favourite in Abby Cubillo, who signed with Adelaide after four seasons in Canberra. Not only that but Steph Talbot, Marena Whittle and Lauren Mansfield will be bringing the heat as they look to make finals again in 2023.

Help cheer on the UC Capitals at the NCCC as the WNBL reaches the business end of the season and the players put everything on the line to secure a lucrative spot in the top four.

Sunset Cinema

When: Various dates until Sunday 25 February, 6:30 pm
Where: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross St, Acton
Cost: Tickets from $10, and can be purchased here.

One of Canberra’s favourite summer activities is back, and everyone is invited to celebrate 11 years of film in the great outdoors.

Sunset Cinema brings a mixture of new-release blockbusters, all-time classics and family favourites screened at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Bring your family, friends and partners and get in the mood for a movie under the stars with so many movies to choose from. There will also be a three-night Lindsay Lohan fest on 14, 18 and 20 January.

M. Ward – Celebrating 20 years of Transfiguration of Vincent

When: Friday, 3 February, at 8 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Cct, Canberra ACT 2601
Cost: Tickets are from $65 and can be purchased here.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, prolific singer-songwriter and guitarist M.Ward will head to Canberra this February to celebrate 20 years since the release of his critically acclaimed album Transfiguration of Vincent.

Released in 2003, Transfiguration of Vincent was Matthew Ward aka M.Ward’s third album – an infusion of folk and blues, dripping with deft guitar picking and bar room piano.

Inspired by John Fahey’s 1965 album The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death, this extraordinary album of gritty stories and melody-drenched music is a tribute to Ward’s close friend Vincent O’Brien.

With ten albums under his belt, and a crack backing band, don’t miss M.Ward performing in this special anniversary tour of one of the greatest blues-inspired Americana albums ever created.

Cressida Campbell

When: Daily until Sunday 19 February, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Pl E, Parkes
Cost: From $20, book here.

Cressida Campbell is among Australia’s most significant contemporary artists working with painting and printmaking.

Directly inspired by her surroundings, for more than 40 years the Gadigal artist has transformed commonplace experiences from her life into single edition prints and painted woodblocks.

Combining keen observation with a delicacy of line, Campbell’s woodblock paintings and prints capture the overlooked beauty of the everyday.

This survey exhibition will present the depth and virtuosity of her work, extending from intimate interior views to panoramic coastal landscapes. It will be accompanied by an exhibition catalogue that features writing from curators, artists, poets and other voices.

Whisky Capital

When: Saturday 4 February, 1 pm to 4 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm
Where: Novotel Canberra, 65 Northbourne Avenue Canberra
Cost: Tickets are from $139 per person, and can be purchased here.

Brand new in 2023, and bringing some of Australia’s, and the world’s, best whisky distilleries to the capital!

Whisky Capital will be pouring whiskies across 2 sessions; an afternoon session kicking off at 1 pm, and an evening session kicking off at 5 pm.

Included in tickets for both sessions will be food provided by First Edition, a Glencairn whisky glass, and access to distiller’s masterclasses at no extra cost!

Cosentino: A Decade of Magic

When: Saturday, 4 February, at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Cct, Canberra
Cost: Tickets are from $71.55 and can be purchased here.

Australia’s world-renowned entertainer and International Magician of the Year, Cosentino, is celebrating 10 years as Australia’s most successful magician, illusionist and escape artist by coming to Canberra.

He will be performing with his brand new, 90-minute live show Decennium, the greatest hits tour.

Come and join Cosentino as he performs his most death-defying escapes that will thrill your senses, his greatest ever mind-boggling stage illusions and cutting-edge street magic that twists your view of reality.

His trademark blend of dance and magic with a touch of hilarious audience participation will take you on a journey that will captivate fans, new and old, until the very last jaw-dropping moment.

Music by the River: The Rocket Man

When: Saturday 4 February, from 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth II Park Queanbeyan, 55 Collett St, Queanbeyan
Cost: Tickets are free, register here.

Presented by Icon Water in collaboration with Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra returns to the banks of the Queanbeyan River for a family-friendly evening of music under the stars, featuring The Rocket Man.

Enjoy local wines and tasty food van favourites or bring along your own picnic for a fabulous night out. Entertainment begins at 3 pm, with the CSO performance commencing at 7 pm.

Cricket ACT Centenary Gala

When: Saturday 4 February, from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia
Cost: Tickets start from $170. Purchase tickets here.

Cricket ACT is inviting the Canberra community to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime event, as we celebrate a century of Cricket in the ACT.

Since 1922, Cricket ACT has been the peak body for all forms of cricket in the ACT and region, this long and rich history is definitely worth celebrating.

During The Centenary Gala we will announce the Team of the Century, a group of outstanding players who have made a significant contribution to the game and to cricket in the ACT.

The sit-down dinner will have a 2-course meal, live entertainment, and a limited-edition gift for all attendees.

Anh Do – The Happiest Refugee Live!

When: Thursday, 9 February, at 8 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Cct, Canberra ACT 2601
Cost: Tickets are $74.90 plus transaction fee, and can be purchased here.

By popular demand, Anh Do is returning to the Nation’s Capital returns with his smash hit show.

Anh Do’s stage show, inspired by his bestselling book The Happiest Refugee, has made readers laugh and cry, and will combine stand-up comedy with real-life stories, photos and filmed pieces to retell his amazing story.

When one of Australia’s most talented comedians delves deep into his own life’s joys and sorrows, the result is an unforgettable night at the theatre that leaves an audience uplifted and quite simply experiencing… happiness.

To Barbra, With Love

When: Friday, 10, and Saturday, 11 February, various times
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Cct, Canberra
Cost: A Reserve (Aisle) $$133.05, A Reserve $122.80, B Reserve $102.30, C Reserve $69.00. Get tickets here.

To celebrate Barbra Streissand’s 80th birthday, a tribute show features all her most memorable songs will be performed in a special tribute show – To Barbra, With Love.

It features two of Australia’s largest musical theatre stars, Elise McCann, who starred in Matilda The Musical and Merrily We Roll Along, and Ainsley Melham, who has starred in Aladdin, Pippin, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

They will join Australia’s own musical theatre royalty Caroline O’Connor for these not-to-be-missed concerts, with genre-hopping vocalist Katie Noonan.

If you’re a fan of the multi-award winning performer, director and producer, you’re guaranteed to love this show.

Gary Puckett and the Union Gap

When: Wednesday 15 February, dinner from 6 pm and show from 8 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: Dinner and Show 6:00 pm $99.75, Show only 8:00 pm $62.75, VIP Experience $162.75 plus booking fee, book here.

Gary Puckett and the Union Gap have had six consecutive gold records and sold more records in 1968 than any other recording act… including The Beatles.

They have achieved prominence worldwide and are coming to Canberra for a special show this February. With both a meet and greet VIP experience and a dinner and show expereince available to be booked, this will be a show you won’t wan to miss.

They will be performing some of their hit tracks including, ‘Young Girl’, ‘Woman Woman’, ‘Lady Willpower’, and ‘Over You’.

‘Young Girl’ was reissued by popular request in England where it reached number one and achieved a Silver Record Award for the second time. This is a full 6 years after the song was initially released.

Kenny and Dolly – Together Again!

When: Thursday 16 February 2023, dinner from 6 pm and show from 8 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: Dinner and Show 6 pm $97.75, Show only 8 pm $52.75, plus booking fee, book here.

An incredible tribute to country music’s favourite couple, Kenny and Dolly is coming to the Canberra Southern Cross Club in Woden this February.

Marty Edwards has teamed with America’s favourite Wendy T to bring you the hits of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. They have been performing together for more than a decade and have toured the world and nation in some of the most prestigious venues.

If you love Kenny Rogers or Dolly Parton, you won’t want to miss this world-class tribute.

National Multicultural Festival

When: Friday, 17 February to Sunday, 19 February
Where: Canberra CBD ( various locations)
Cost: Free.

The 25th annual National Multicutural Festival is back in 2023 and everyone’s invited.

A 2023 date has finally been set for the 25th anniversary of Canberra’s National Multicultural Festival.

After two cancellations (in 2021 and 2022), the festival returns for a third time lucky to showcase Canberra’s multicultural community.

The three-day event will feature its usual multicultural eats, have various stalls selling products from different community groups, there will be live performances including dancers and singers and lots of fun activities for children and adults to enjoy.

For more information visit Multicultural Festival

Multicultural Comedy Gala

When: Saturday, 18 February 2023 at 8 pm
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Cct, Canberra ACT 2601
Cost: Tickets are $59.90 and can be purchased here.

Presented as part of the 2023 National Multicultural Festival is the Multicultural Comedy Gala, taking place at Canberra Theatre this February.

This special show aims to be a celebration of Australia’s rich cultural diversity, by a world-class selection of the most acclaimed and celebrated comedians in the nation.

This star-studded line-up will poke fun at everything that makes us different, but so much the same. Hosted by John Safran (WINNER – AACTA Award for Best TV Comedy Series 2003, 2005), the show will feature comedians from around the nation including Steph Tisdell, Sami Shah, Tommy Dean, Khaled Khalafalla and He Huang.

Workshop – Minna Gilligan: Collage and colour

When: Saturday 25 February, 10:30 am to 12 pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600
Cost: Tickets are from $110, and can be purchased here.

Join artist Minna Gilligan at the National Portrait Gallery for a creative workshop exploring the storytelling powers of colour and collage. Hear about the Melbourne-based artist, Minna’s arts practice before creating your own narrative portrait focusing on composition, collage, mood and identity.

Minna works primarily with painting, drawing and collage. Her works are eerie playgrounds of colour, usually inhabited by lone protagonists trapped in states of longing, sadness or exhalation.

Round 15 WNBL: UC Capitals v Melbourne Boomers

When: Saturday 25 February 2023 at 5:30 pm
Where: National Convention Centre, Canberra
Cost: Tickets are from $15, and can be purchased here.

The UC Capitals will take on the reigning champs for the first time at home this season in what is expected to be a close and highly competitive game.

An Opals heavy contingent in with Tess Madgen, Kristy Wallace and Cayla George, the Melbourne Boomers will be going into this one with confidence but the UC Capitals are ready to topple them.

Jade Melbourne continues to impress fans with her sharpshooting, while new recruits in Emilee Whittle-Harmon, Bec Pizzey are worth their weight in gold. How will our Capitals compare? Catch the action at the National Convention Centre from 5:30 pm.