Weekend events guide

Canberra hosts a night market at Dairy Road and a Geek & Pop Culture Expo on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026 as part of the Southern Harvest Canberra Winter Festival.

These gatherings arrive during the cooler months when residents seek indoor and outdoor options that combine food, crafts and sport. The timing aligns with school holidays and typical winter programming that draws families and fans to fixed venues across the city.

Markets and expos on the calendar

The night market at Dairy Road features winter eats, drinks, fire dancers and a DJ on vinyl during the Southern Harvest Canberra Winter Festival. Creative Fibre returns to the Old Bus Depot Markets site at Haig Park in Braddon on Sunday from 8am to 2pm, with textile artists displaying woven, knitted and hand-dyed pieces. The Geek & Pop Culture Expo runs both days with comics, collectables and panels. The Queanbeyan Christmas in July Market opens at the Showgrounds on Sunday, while the Southside Farmers Market operates from 7am to 11:30am at Canberra College in Phillip.

Event listings record these start and finish times directly from organiser schedules published for the weekend of 18-19 July 2026. The Raiders double-header at GIO Stadium on Saturday lists the women’s match against the Sydney Roosters at 12:40pm, the men’s match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at 3pm and the NSW Cup fixture at 5:15pm.

Planning the weekend

Residents can review the full schedules on the Visit Canberra and HerCanberra sites listed in the event notices. Checking venue websites before travel confirms any updates to parking or entry arrangements at GIO Stadium, the Old Bus Depot Markets and the Queanbeyan Showgrounds.