Our pick of what to do in Canberra this weekend.
1. CANBERRA WRITERS FESTIVAL
A massive line-up of talented local, Australian and international are heading to Canberra this weekend for the second Canberra Writers Festival. From Friday to Sunday there are more than 100 events across eight venues, including in-conversation sessions, workshops, ghost hunts, dinners, book launches, keynote events, a silent reading party, Secret City binge sessions and events for kids. Find all of the deets and ticket informations (some events are free) at canberrawritersfestival.com.au.
2. BYE BYE WINTER
Send off winter with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts this Friday night. Courtyard by Milk Crate (14 Moore Street, Civic) is holding a farewell to the cooler months from 4.30-9pm. A tapas menu and share plates will be available, plus a DJ will spin tunes from 5pm. And there will be heaters and blankets, cause let's be honest, the weather hasn't got the memo yet.
3. PARTY AT RED HILL SHOPS
The Red Hill shops will be throwing a big bash this Saturday from midday-3pm. There will be lots of local produce to taste and buy, plus live music, handmade goods, live music, cooking demonstrations, and free coffee from the a new coffee cart.
4. SNOW AT THROSBY
Canberra's new suburb of Throsby will be turned into a winter wonderland on Sunday, with an ice skating rink (with free skate hire, helmets and skate aids), a blow up slide, jumping castle and igloo, face painting, a petting zoo, a visit from Frozen's Olaf and Elsa, live music and food vans. It's on from 11am-3pm at the corner of Dragon Street and Bettong Avenue, Throsby. Entry by gold coin donation to support the work of MS Get Involved.
5. THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR
The much-loved children's book will be brought to life through 75 puppets in this theatrical telling of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The show also features characters from author Eric Carle's other bestselling tales, The Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse, Mr. Seahorse and The Very Lonely Firefly. It's on Saturday at Canberra Theatre Centre with shows at 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm. Tickets $24 from canberratheatrecentre.com.au.
6. SKINCARE MASTERCLASS
Beauty therapist and skin expert Amy Erbacher will be at Canberra Centre on Saturday at 11am for a skincare wellness masterclass, sharing her tips on how to maintain a flawless complexion and her three-minute skincare routine. It's on in the Monaro Mall, and tickets are $24.08 from canberracentre.com.au.
7. INTIMACY
On at The Street Theatre this weekend, Intimacy is a play that looks into the personal and often very intimate revelations that occur when strangers meet. It's based on a night a few years ago when director, co-writer and actor Adriano Cortese was living above a shop in Melbourne. One night, he decided he wanted to meet some new people, so he walked onto the street and introduced himself to strangers walking past, thus beginning a night of intense personal dialogue and shared intimacy. It's on Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm, and Sunday at 4pm. Tickets $29-$39 from thestreet.org.au.