Canberra

Canberra Entertainment

Canberra makes it easy to turn a free afternoon or evening into something memorable, whether that means settling into a film in the city, sharing a live show, tackling puzzles with friends or exploring an interactive attraction. Families can meet animals, discover miniature worlds and experiment with science, while groups have plenty of ways to celebrate, from virtual reality and bowling to hands-on glassmaking. For weddings, functions and private parties, Canberra-based bands and entertainers add music, magic and participation beyond the fixed venues.

🎬 Cinema & Screen Entertainment

Dendy Canberra

For a flexible film night in the city centre, Dendy Canberra combines mainstream releases with arthouse, classic and retrospective programming across 15 cinemas. Two Premium Lounge cinemas add in-cinema dining, while private group screenings and celebrations provide a bookable option for larger occasions.

Level 2, North Quarter, Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street, Canberra City ACT 2600
☎ +61 2 6221 8900 — cinema and events enquiries

Palace Electric Cinema

Palace Electric brings a changing programme to NewActon, with regular releases and film-festival programming for different kinds of cinema outings. Recliner sessions are also listed at the venue, offering a comfortable way to enjoy a film night in the precinct.

2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra ACT
☎ 02 6222 4900 — cinema enquiries

🎭 Theatre, Comedy & Live Performance

Canberra Theatre Centre

Canberra Theatre Centre presents touring and local performances across the Canberra Theatre, Playhouse and Courtyard Studio in Civic Square. Its programme can encompass theatre, music, comedy and family entertainment, with the different auditorium scales creating choices for a major night out or a more intimate performance.

Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
☎ 02 6275 2700 — box office

The Street Theatre

The Street Theatre offers an intimate setting for new theatre made in Canberra and Australia, alongside music and comedy. Located in the City West Arts Precinct, it suits audiences looking for original local work and smaller-scale live performance.

15 Childers Street, Canberra City West ACT 2601
☎ 02 6247 1223 — box office

Smith's Alternative

Smith's Alternative brings together music, comedy, cabaret, poetry and other live work in a compact Canberra performance space. Its stage programme sits alongside food and drinks, making it a natural choice for a relaxed evening built around a smaller-scale show.

76 Alinga Street, Canberra ACT 2601
☎ 0401 084 773 — general enquiries

Canberra Symphony Orchestra

Canberra Symphony Orchestra presents orchestral, chamber and Australian-music concerts across Canberra venues. Full-orchestra performances at Llewellyn Hall sit alongside smaller chamber concerts, with both subscription and individual ticket options for listeners planning a single concert or a broader season.

Level Five, 1 Farrell Place, Canberra ACT 2601 — in-person renewals weekdays 10am to 3pm; call ahead to ensure the office is staffed
☎ 02 6247 9191 — general enquiries; ☎ 02 6262 6772 — ticketing

🎶 Live Music & Nightlife

The Baso

The Baso gives Belconnen a dedicated live-music venue for touring and local acts. Its licensed setting is organised around amplified performances and late-night shows, offering northside audiences a straightforward place to gather for a gig.

2 Cohen Street, Belconnen ACT 2617
☎ 0413 354 359 — general enquiries

Canberra Irish Club

At the Canberra Irish Club, live local music, traditional Irish music sessions, trivia and other entertainment create regular reasons to meet in Weston. Friday live music and Sunday sessions suit a casual gathering, while the club also provides a setting for functions and celebrations.

6 Parkinson Street, Weston ACT 2611
☎ 02 6288 5088 — general and function enquiries

🎮 Games & Interactive Fun

VR Canberra

VR Canberra combines virtual-reality games and rides with driving simulation, arcade play and VR escape rooms. Groups can book celebrations at the Mitchell venue, while the mobile VR hire service brings multiplayer equipment and staff to a private venue.

Unit 5, 83-101 Lysaght Street, Mitchell ACT 2911
☎ 02 6262 2160 — bookings and general enquiries

Escape Rooms Canberra

Escape Rooms Canberra turns a get-together into a timed puzzle challenge, with immersive themed rooms for groups to work through together. A cocktail bar adds to the social setting, while the experiences are suited to friends, families, workplace groups and celebrations.

2/22 Dundas Court, Phillip ACT 2606
☎ 02 6281 5729 — bookings and general enquiries

Kingpin Canberra

Kingpin Canberra packs several group-friendly activities into its city venue: ten-pin bowling, arcade games, darts, billiards, karaoke and virtual-reality play. Visitors can choose one activity for an afternoon or combine several for a party or evening of games.

Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City ACT 2608
☎ 02 6188 7601 — enquiries

🎡 Family Attractions & Amusements

Questacon

Questacon invites visitors to explore interactive exhibitions and science experiences at their own pace, making discovery part of the outing rather than something to watch from the sidelines. Timed entry is used, particularly during busy weekends and school holidays, and group visits are available.

King Edward Terrace, Canberra ACT 2600
☎ 02 6270 2800 — general enquiries

National Zoo & Aquarium

National Zoo & Aquarium offers a full-day animal outing with tours and bookable encounters. Depending on the experience and the operator’s terms and availability, visitors may encounter animals including lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, lemurs, sharks and rays.

999 Lady Denman Drive, Weston Creek, Canberra ACT 2611
☎ 02 6287 8400 — general enquiries

Cockington Green Gardens

Cockington Green Gardens turns a walk through landscaped grounds into a miniature-world adventure, with handcrafted buildings arranged across the display. A miniature steam-train ride and the Waverley dolls house add detail, while picnic, playground and café facilities support a relaxed family visit.

11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls ACT 2913
☎ 02 6230 2273 — general enquiries

🧗 Active Leisure & Adventure

Mountain Strong

Mountain Strong offers indoor bouldering in Fyshwick, with short climbing routes over padded flooring and problems ranging from beginner through to advanced challenges. It is an active shared outing without ropes or harness systems, allowing groups to work through different routes at their own pace.

66-68 Townsville Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609
☎ 02 6239 1696 — general enquiries

🎨 Social & Creative Experiences

Canberra Glassworks

Canberra Glassworks welcomes visitors into the heritage Kingston Powerhouse for guided tours, hotshop demonstrations and hands-on glassmaking experiences. Bookable activities can include making glass pieces with artists, giving groups a chance to enjoy a working studio while creating something tangible.

11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston ACT 2604
☎ +61 2 6260 7005 — enquiries

🎤 Bands, Entertainers & Party Entertainment

Smooth Ops

Smooth Ops is a Canberra event band for weddings, corporate functions, fundraisers and private celebrations. Its covers span decades and are performed by three singers with a rhythm section, with additional musicians, themed showpieces and event packages available for different occasions.

Canberra and surrounding event locations

Hitparade

Canberra-based Hitparade performs at weddings and corporate functions across the ACT and NSW region. Shared lead and backing vocals support a live repertoire shaped for dance floors and formal celebrations, making the group a natural fit when music needs to carry an event from arrivals through to dancing.

Canberra and ACT/NSW region
☎ 0407 205 467 — contact

Yabadoo Canberra

Yabadoo Canberra supplies children’s party entertainment with a magician, games, balloon art, face painting and temporary tattoos. Its Canberra magician service can be tailored for birthdays, stage shows, clubs, shopping centres and corporate occasions, giving hosts several ways to keep guests involved.

Canberra, ACT
☎ 0416 798 698 — bookings and general enquiries

From a recliner cinema session or an intimate gig to animal encounters, bouldering, puzzles and hands-on glassmaking, Canberra offers plenty of ways to make time together feel special. Bands and party entertainers can add a live soundtrack or a touch of magic to celebrations across the region. Local businesses, venues, performers and operators are warmly invited to create or update their directory listing, and to share upcoming shows through Events where appropriate.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on canberra.guide.