Get ready for a huge weekend in Canberra! The National Multicultural Festival is on, plus we've found some awesome hands-on activities and cool shows for the 3-14 age group on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th February 2026.
See our top picks
National Multicultural Festival: CMAG Activities
CMAG, City
Free craft, trails, and face painting all weekend during the NMF.
National Multicultural Festival: CMAG Activities
CMAG, City
The drop-in craft studio and theatre shows are indoors at CMAG.
The Little Burley Market
Queen Elizabeth Terrace
Great atmosphere by the lake with free arts and crafts activities for little ones.
· February 7
5NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL: CMAG ACTIVITIES : CMAG is hosting a free 'Sanctuary' space during the festival with drop-in craft, explorer trails, and face painting to escape the crowds. Plus, catch the awesome shadow puppetry show 'Journey to Mictlan' at 1:30 PM or 2:00 PM. It’s a great creative break!Free, hands-on creative activities and a unique shadow puppet show perfectly timed for festival-goers needing a chill spot.
THE LITTLE BURLEY MARKET : Head down to the lake for this curated gourmet and artisan market featuring multicultural food, desserts, and handmade goodies. They have free arts and crafts activities specifically for the kids while you browse!A lovely waterside market with great food options and dedicated free craft activities for younger children.
ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP TROPHY VIEWING : Cricket fans, don't miss this rare chance to see the actual ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Trophy up close! It's a quick, free event happening at CMAG as part of the Multicultural Festival celebrations.A brief, free, and unique opportunity for sports fans to see a major international trophy.
JOURNEY TO MICTLAN (SHADOW PUPPETRY) : See a short shadow puppetry show telling a 600-year-old Mexican legend using puppets made from rescued recycling! It's super creative and you can even stay for a little workshop afterwards.The use of recycled materials for storytelling puppets makes this an imaginative and sustainable experience.
TIPSY SKETCHING WITH LOZ (LIFE DRAWING) : Looking for something a bit different for the older kids? This is an inviting life drawing workshop where you get basic guidance and materials. While it involves drinks for adults, the focus is on a social, creative artistic experience for attendees.It offers an accessible, guided art session that appeals to teens interested in drawing and creative expression.
· February 8
6NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL: CMAG SUNDAY FUN : Head back to CMAG for more free festival fun! Sunday features face painting and more craft activities like the multicultural explorer trail. Don't miss the beautiful family concert with the ANU Chinese Classical Music Ensemble at 10:30 AM.The free family concert offers a wonderful introduction to classical Chinese music in a relaxed setting.
NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL: RAIN PAINTING : As part of the festival activities near CMAG, there's a fun chance to cool off and get artistic by creating a 'rain painting' under the misting fan! It's a super cool, sensory way to make art outside.It's a unique, potentially messy outdoor art activity that uses the environment (misting fans) as part of the process.
OLD BUS DEPOT MARKETS : This award-winning Sunday market is perfect for a family outing to find unique, hand-crafted treasures and delicious food. It has a great atmosphere with over 200 stalls to explore.It showcases high-quality local creatives and has a fantastic buzz, making it a classic Canberra Sunday activity.
HAIG PARK VILLAGE MARKETS : Enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning browsing artisan products, fresh food, and enjoying live music in leafy Braddon. They specifically list family-friendly activities to keep the kids happy!It's a charming, leafy setting that combines browsing with family entertainment for a relaxed start to the day.
INTRO TO CAPOEIRA: 5-WEEK COURSE (FIRST SESSION) : This is the first session of an intro course to Capoeira, an awesome Afro-Brazilian martial art that mixes movement, music, and play! It’s energetic and great for all ages learning new skills together.It's an introduction to a unique, active, cultural art form that combines fitness with music and history.
SOUTHSIDE FARMERS MARKETS : Grab an egg and bacon roll while you stock up on fresh seasonal veggies and handmade pasta at this local village market. It’s a great morning spot to see local producers and support youth programs.It's a very local farmers market offering fresh produce and simple breakfast treats, making it a low-key weekend staple.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Canberra this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 07-08) the best free options are the family craft activities, face painting, and explorer trails at the Canberra Museum + Gallery (CMAG) during the National Multicultural Festival, and browsing the Southside Farmers Market.
What special performances are on for kids this weekend?
On Saturday, check out the creative shadow puppetry 'Journey to Mictlan' at CMAG. On Sunday, there is a wonderful family concert with the ANU Chinese Classical Music Ensemble, also at CMAG.
Are there any markets on this weekend for families?
Yes! The Little Burley Market is on Saturday morning and includes free kids' crafts. On Sunday, you can visit the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston or the Haig Park Village Markets in Braddon.
