All the arts events, all the venues, all the dates… it’s Artsweek, a weekly what’s-on-where column by HELEN MUSA.

The Japanese Film Festival returns for its 29th year with dramas, thrillers, anime and literary adaptations, opening with Kokuhō, Japan’s 2026 Academy Award submission. Palace Electric & NFSA, October 27-November 18.

Canberra Choral Society and the Canberra International Music Festival are among the local arts organisations celebrating creativity nationwide with Creative Australia’s inaugural AusArt Day on October 23. Go to creative.gov.au/ausartday to make a tax-deductible gift.

ArtsNational Queanbeyan hosts UK lecturer Eileen Goulding on the Knights Crusaders, the Hospitallers and the Assassins. C3 Auditorium, October 23.

The Canberra Nara Candle Festival lights up more than 2000 candles in a celebration of the Canberra-Nara sister city bond, with music by ミエミエ (emi emi), ACT Senior Concert Band and Byron Taiko. Canberra Nara Peace Park, October 25.

Malaysian Film Night screens Ninavau, by Bebbra Mailin, followed by a Q&A with the director. ANU Hedley Bull Lecture Theatre 1, October 27.

Concerts

• The Alma Moodie Quartet performs Bartók, Prokofiev and Brahms in an evening of chamber music. Wesley Music Centre, October 21.
• Tuggeranong Arts Centre presents new chamber works by local composer Sandra France, including a playful piano trio and a sonata inspired by Lanyon Homestead. October 23.
• ANU School of Music presents a trio of performances: Student Chamber Music Concert and ANU Orchestra & Jazz Orchestra in Concert (October 23), followed by Sublime Voices (October 27).
• Salut! Baroque closes its season with Voice, Rejoice, joined by soprano Anna Fraser. Wesley Church, October 24.
• Raíces & Rhythms – La Fiesta Unplugged brings Latin passion to life with tango, samba and cumbia, hosted by Frank Madrid. The Street Theatre, October 24.
• The Pleasures come to Canberra with their album tour for an afternoon of Americana-fuelled country rock. Smith’s Alternative, October 25.
• Vive la Voix!, a National Opera concert, transports audiences to France through the music of Ravel, Debussy, Bizet and Gounod. Ainslie All Saints Church, October 26.
• Wesley Lunchtime Concert Series sees violinist John Ma and harpsichordist Marie Searles in an hour of baroque brilliance. Wesley Music Centre, October 29.

Dance

• Dance pioneer Elizabeth Cameron Dalman reflects on 60 years of creative evolution in an intimate performance series marking the 60th year of Australian Dance Theatre. Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre, October 24-26.
• QL2 Dance ignites the stage with Main Character Energy, a vibrant showcase of young artists exploring heroes, villains and damsels through contemporary dance. Belconnen Arts Centre, October 24-25.

Galleries

• ANU Art Collection: Conjunction showcases major new acquisitions through generous donations. ANU Drill Hall Gallery, October 24-December 21.
• Who Am I? Canberra Photo Connect features creative photographic portraits. Q Gallery, Ainslie, October 24-November 6.
• Margaret Hadfield unveils Monaro and the Snowy Mountains, a sweeping new series celebrating the natural beauty of the high country. Rusten House Art Centre, Queanbeyan, October 25-November 15.
• Land and Sky offers a one-day pop-up art event celebrating Canberra’s creative community. Canberra Art Gallery, Canberra Airport, October 25.
• Earthly Delights at the ArtBox, Barton, features landscape paintings with a special poetry and shakuhachi performance by Ailsa Brown and Rupert Summerson at 2.30pm. October 25.
• Corridors of Power by Caren Florance and Melinda Smith revisits the Howard years through text art, visual poetry and interactive events. M16 Artspace, Griffith, October 26.