From a robot-building magician and Shaun Micallef on Matthew Flinders to Bill Bailey and Jessica Mauboy, arts editor HELEN MUSA previews a busy “Artsweek”.

Mario the Maker Magician combines vaudeville, magic, robots, science and innovation in a family show packed with invention and surprises. The B, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, October 3 to 4.

Tongan-Australian writer and Sweatshop Literacy Movement general manager Winnie Dunn will deliver the 2026 Ray Mathew Lecture, speaking on representation in literature. National Library of Australia, October 1.

Professor Lisa Slade from the University of Melbourne, will present the NGA’s 2026 Annual Lecture, “Australian Art: who decides?”, before joining artist Richard Lewer in conversation. National Gallery of Australia, October 1.

The ANU Meet the Author series welcomes Shaun Micallef in conversation with Frank Bongiorno about his new book, Matthew Flinders. Cinema ANU, October 1.

Film producer, distributor and historian Andrew Pike will become the first Canberra speaker to deliver the annual Rod Wallace Memorial Lecture, in his talk, Creating Communities: Archiving and Curating for Social Purpose. National Film and Sound Archive, October 6.

Kate Grenville will be in conversation with Karen Viggers about her new book, Currabubula: Two Mysteries in One Hundred and Twenty-One Letters. Cinema ANU, October 6.

Stage

• Hannah Ferguson, founder of Cheek Media, brings her new live show State of the Nation, a fast-paced blend of commentary, humour and storytelling examining contemporary Australia. Canberra Theatre, October 1.
• ANU Law Revue returns with The Odycease and Desist!, a student-written sketch comedy packed with mythology, satire and absurd humour. Canberra REP Theatre, October 1 to 3.
• Rebus Theatre presents Still Here by Dave & the Daves, created and performed by Dave Houston. Blending comedy, storytelling, music and personal reflections, the production explores life with depression through humour and vulnerability. Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, October 2 to 4.
• UK comedian, musician and actor Bill Bailey returns to Australia with his new show, Vaudevillean. Royal Theatre, October 2.
• National Opera’s Heroines celebrates opera’s most memorable female characters, featuring Canberra soloists and the National Opera Chorus. The Street Theatre, October 3 to 4.
• Canberra REP’s “fun-raising” Trivia Showdown will help support the capital’s longest-running theatre company, which relies on fundraising to assist with operational costs while providing opportunities for performers, technicians and front-of-house volunteers. Canberra Irish Club, Weston, October 4.
• Mockingbird Theatrics presents David Williamson’s workplace drama Face To Face, directed by Céline Oudin. The play examines conflict, accountability and restorative justice. The Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, October 7 to 17.

Concert

• Guest artist Erin Helyard will perform a solo harpsichord recital, while the following day the ANU School of Music’s renowned Keyboard Institute opens its historic instrument collection for workshops, masterclasses, tours and talks. Llewellyn Hall, October 1 to 2.
• Play School Live Concert 2026: Humpty’s Big Celebration! brings the beloved television program to the stage in a family-friendly production. Canberra Theatre, October 2 to 3.
• The Essence Festival returns for its third year, presenting a program of experimental, underground and heavy music. The Baso, Belconnen, October 2 to 4.
• Jessica Mauboy brings The Story of Me to Canberra audiences in a concert performance celebrating her career and music. Canberra Theatre, October 3.
• Piano duo Andrew Rumsey and Ivan Horvatic present Magic, Spells, and Other Worlds, exploring folklore, fantasy and the supernatural through music. Greenaway Studio, Chapman, October 3.
• Canberra Bach Ensemble will perform Bach’s Trauerode BWV 198, one of the composer’s most moving sacred works, written on the death of Christiane Eberhardine, Electress of Saxony and Queen of Poland. St Christopher’s Cathedral, October 3 to 4.
• Carl Rafferty returns to perform favourite tunes in the picturesque surrounds of Peter Crisp Gallery over the October long weekend. Peter Crisp Gallery, October 3 to 4.
• The Jazmourian Ensemble launches its 2026 spring season with Bach in Shiraz, placing Bach’s D minor Partita and its famous Chaconne in dialogue with Persian musical traditions. St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Braidwood, October 4.
• Pete Ross & The Sapphire will return to Canberra to launch their new self-titled album. Smiths Alternative, October 4.
• London-based musicians Alice Zawadzki and Fred Thomas present Schubert Songs: The Beloved Colour, a contemporary Schubertiade featuring music drawn from Schubert’s vast catalogue of songs. The Street Theatre, October 7.
• Young pianist Charles Huang performs works by Beethoven, Schubert and Chopin in the Wesley Lunchtime Concert series. Wesley Uniting Church, October 7.
• Associate Professor Una McIlvenna and PhD candidate Madeline Sargeant will explore the tradition of news ballads in Singing the News in Early Colonial Australia, tracing how songs carried information from European streets to colonial newspapers and theatres. Street Two, October 7.

Galleries

• The 2026 Queanbeyan-Palerang Arts Trail will showcase more than 40 venues and activations across the region over three weekends, beginning with Braidwood artists and venues opening their doors to visitors. Queanbeyan-Palerang region, October 3 to 4.
• A Lifetime in Lines: Art and Architecture opens at The Hive, 274 Crawford St, Queanbeyan on October 2 with music by Magpie Hill and continues through October.
• RayMonde’s exhibition The Places That Shape Us is now showing and forms part of the lead-up to the Queanbeyan-Palerang Arts Trail, with the artist opening her studio to visitors during the trail weekend. The Q, Queanbeyan, September 30 to November 6.
• Three solo exhibitions are on display at Rusten House Art Centre: Martin Rowney’s Nexus: The Common Piano, Bobby Graham’s Conceal/Reveal and Kirsty Dixon’s No Tourists ~ If You Live Here, You’re From Here. Rusten House Art Centre, Queanbeyan, to November 14.

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