What is happening in Canberra today?

For what is happening in Canberra today, start with the day's headlines on the home page and the live news feed, then check the events diary for what is on tonight and this week. The The Daily Canberra newsroom refreshes both through the day, so you are seeing current stories and verified, source-linked events rather than a stale calendar.

What is on in Canberra this weekend?

Our This Weekend guide pulls together the events running Friday to Sunday in Canberra around landmarks like Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin, from live music and markets to exhibitions and family days out. Each listing shows the day, time and venue and links to the official page so you can book, and the list updates daily as new events are confirmed.

Where are the best places to eat in Canberra?

Browse the Canberra food and dining coverage and our local guides for places to eat, from cafes and long lunches to dinner and drinks. Listings link to the venue so you can check hours and book, and the Ask Canberra assistant can narrow it down by suburb, cuisine or occasion.

What are the best things to do outdoors near Canberra?

Head to the things to do guide for outdoor events, markets and family activities in and around Canberra, and see our best of and day trips guides for parks, walks and drives worth the trip. Check the Canberra weather page before you head out, as it is updated through the day.

Canberra Local News · Every Day

Canberra's outdoor pools and open-water spots perfect for lap swimmers who've had enough of indoor chlorine

Just in

Wellness

Canberra's outdoor pools and open-water spots perfect for lap swimmers who've had enough of indoor chlorine

With Canberra's winter lap lanes busier than ever and gym memberships stretched thin, the city's outdoor aquatic venues offer a surprisingly compelling cold-water alternative.

By Canberra Wellness Desk · 13 July 2026 · 3 min read

Sources: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, lifestylemedicine.stanford.edu, avera.org

Canberra's Most Anticipated New Development

The Lawson — Lakeside Residences, Lawson ACT

A new lakeside chapter for Canberra's north. Architect-designed two and three bedroom residences in one of the capital's most considered new precincts.

2 Bedroom: From TBA
3 Bedroom: From TBA

Why it matters

Lakeside living, walkable to local shops and transport, in a precinct quietly reshaping Canberra's north. One to watch for owner-occupiers and long-term holders.

Sponsored placement. Information supplied by the developer.

Radar, suburb forecasts & full Canberra weather →

Listen · 13 July 2026 · 0:33

Canberra in 5 minutes

The day's top Canberra stories, read to you in about five minutes.

Read the briefing text

Canberra in 5 minutes. Canberra locals are launching small walking groups to use existing trails and build regular exercise habits without gym fees. Guidance is available on how to start a walking group in your neighbourhood. Also today the gap between Canberra's median house and unit price has blown out to more than three hundred and sixty five thousand dollars. This is squeezing first home buyers, pushing more buyers into the apartment market and forcing developers to rethink their pipeline.

Read aloud by The Daily Canberra desk. Generated from today's reported stories.Audio · The Daily Canberra

Continued coverage

Wellness

Canberra's best walking trails, rated by distance and difficulty

From a flat lakeside loop to a lung-burning ridge climb, here's where to put your boots on the ground this winter.

4 July 20263 min read

Sources: health.harvard.edu, health.clevelandclinic.org, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Wellness

Before the city wakes: Canberra's best sunrise spots for outdoor meditation and yoga

As midwinter mornings draw early risers outside, a quiet movement is growing across Canberra's parks and lakeshores, and the research says it's worth the alarm.

4 July 20263 min read

Sources: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, open.library.ubc.ca

Finance

Canberra Cost of Living 2026: Real Prices for Rent, Groceries, Transport

What it really costs to live in the national capital in 2026, from rent and power bills to bus fares and the weekly grocery shop

3 July 20264 min read

Sources: abs.gov.au, transport.act.gov.au, act.gov.au +2 more

Community

Canberra's Complete Transport Guide: Roads, Buses, Light Rail, Airport

A general guide to how Canberra moves, from its broad arterial roads and bus and light rail network to the airport and intercity rail links that tie the capital to the wider region.

3 July 20265 min read

Sources: transport.act.gov.au, tccs.act.gov.au, act.gov.au +2 more

Finance

Canberra Household Costs: What Actually Drives Your Budget

A plain-English explainer on the main drivers of household costs in the ACT, how the city differs from the rest of Australia, and where to find the current official figures.

3 July 20264 min read

Sources: abs.gov.au, revenue.act.gov.au, revenue.act.gov.au +6 more

Lifestyle

Set Up Utilities in Canberra: Electricity, Gas, Water and NBN

Complete guide to setting up electricity, gas, water and NBN internet when moving to Canberra. Compare providers and understand ACT utility options.

3 July 20261 min read

Sources: energymadeeasy.gov.au, nbnco.com.au, iconwater.com.au

Diary

This week in Canberra

All events

Mon, 13 Jul · 4:30 pm · Ceremony
Last Post Ceremony - Private John Fitzroy Stone
Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Tue, 14 Jul · 12:00 am · Event
Fresh Ideas for Busy Kitchens: Innovation, Inspiration, and Healthy Hacks
Hedley Beare Centre For Teaching And Learning, Stirling
Tue, 14 Jul · 10:00 am · Event
Solid 2026 Hackathon
Canberra Innovation Network, Canberra
Tue, 14 Jul · 6:30 pm · Event
Actually Autistic Canberra
89 Allan St, Curtin ACT 2605, Australia
Book
Wed, 15 Jul · 7:00 pm · Event
Wednesday Trivia
Thu, 16 Jul · 10:00 am · Event
WiDA ACT EOFY Networking Event
Rydges Canberra, Forrest
Thu, 16 Jul · 10:00 am · Event
2026 John Passmore Lecture
RSSS Auditorium, Level 1, Acton
Thu, 16 Jul · 8:00 pm · Music
Thelma Plum - I Don't Play That Song Anymore Tour
The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic
$72.50Book

Ask Canberra

What is happening locally in Canberra?

Here is what is happening locally: 30 verified events across Canberra this week, plus today's top Canberra stories. Ask below, or jump straight to the events diary, things to do and this weekend's plans.

This weekend in Canberra

Verified events from Friday to Sunday, each linking to book direct. Updated daily as new events are confirmed.

See all weekend plans

Listen: your Canberra briefing · 0:33

Fri, 17 Jul · 6:00 pm
Friday Night Jazz, Free Entry
See details Book now
Fri, 17 Jul · 7:30 pm
Vika & Linda - Where Do You Come From?
Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic
$89
See details Book now
Sat, 18 Jul · 12:00 am
Learn Burlesque... IN PERSON
The Griffin Centre, Canberra
See details Book now
Sat, 18 Jul · 12:00 am
1,000 Dreams Fund 2026 Student Leadership Summit
See details Book now
Sat, 18 Jul · 9:00 am
Geek Expo: Canberra
Exhibition Park in Canberra
See details Book now
Sat, 18 Jul · 10:00 am
Winter in the Woods - Community Lantern Workshop & Lantern Parade
Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, National Arboretum Canberra, Molonglo Valley
See details Book now
Sat, 18 Jul · 3:00 pm
Day 12
$45
See details Book now
Sat, 18 Jul · 7:30 pm
Nurse Georgie Carroll: Infectious
Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic
$59.90
See details Book now

Plan your weekend

Things to do in Canberra

What's on in Canberra this weekend, today and this week.

See all things to do →

National

Across Australia

Culture

Living in Canberra

Watch

Canberra on video

Canberra on YouTube

Editor's guide

The Ultimate Day Trips from Canberra

Snowy Mountains, Southern Highlands, Batemans Bay and six more drives worth the tank of petrol, with the season we'd pick.

Read the guide →

Best of Canberra

Curated local guides

See all

The Daily Canberra — Canberra Local News · Every Day

Top stories

Canberra's Most Anticipated New Development

Canberra weather

Get Canberra's forecast + what's on, every morning

Canberra in 5 minutes

Continued coverage

This week in Canberra

What is happening locally in Canberra?

People also ask

What is happening in Canberra today?

What is on in Canberra this weekend?

Where are the best places to eat in Canberra?

What are the best things to do outdoors near Canberra?

This weekend in Canberra

Things to do in Canberra

Last Post Ceremony - Private John Fitzroy Stone

Fresh Ideas for Busy Kitchens: Innovation, Inspiration, and Healthy Hacks

Solid 2026 Hackathon

Actually Autistic Canberra

What's on in Canberra, in your inbox

Across Australia

Living in Canberra

Video from Canberra

Canberra on video

NPLW Reserve Grade | Canberra Olympic vs Belconnen United | LIVE

NPLW 1st Grade Round 14 | Tuggernong FC vs West Canberra Wanderers | LIVE

We’re back 🎶 #WeAreRaiders #NRL #NRLW

BNSW Waratah Women - Round 14 - Canberra Nationals Academy vs Maitland Mustangs

BNSW Waratah Men - Round 14 - Canberra Gunners Academy vs Bulls Basketball

Jonah's career transition: Stepping out of the office and onto the tools

Minister for Resources, the Hon Madeleine King MP: Critical Minerals and National Security

Taufa on playing 50 NRLW games

Asking Canberrans what they thought of Common Wealth

NAIDOC Week Online Author Talk ‘Geigi the Stubborn Boy’

Artist Series – Richard Lewer – Steve

Our Art Gang, age 3-5, meet each week to learn about art, artists, and artmaking. #art #canberra

Canberra on YouTube

Canberra on YouTube

Woman drives head-on into traffic before fatal crash

Vehicle extraction demonstration by ACT firefighters

P-plater allegedly clocked at 162 km\h on Adelaide Avenue

Grand home right on the golf course combines a beautiful exterior with a slick modern interior

Check out Questacon's new exhibition: Quantum Tomorrow!

Five-truck crash closes Hume Highway south of Goulburn

Curated local guides

Your newsroom. Shaped by you.