Tonight only
What's on in Canberra tonight
Whether you are looking for late night culture or a casual evening out, the capital has plenty to offer after the sun goes down. You might start your night with a meal in the bustling streets of Braddon or the Kingston Foreshore before heading out to discover the various performances and gatherings happening across the city. From live music in intimate bars to major stage productions, there is always something to fill your evening schedule.
If you find yourself in Civic, you are perfectly placed to explore the nearby theatres and galleries that often host after hours events. The city’s vibrant nightlife scene ensures that locals and visitors alike can find entertainment to suit any mood or interest. To see exactly what is happening across the region this evening, please browse the comprehensive event listings provided below.
How to find something on tonight in Canberra
The events feed at the bottom of this guide is filtered to events starting today across every category – live music, theatre, sport, comedy, food events, community sessions and one-off gigs. It updates every few minutes as venues confirm or cancel. This guide covers the reliable nightly options so you have a fallback plan if the feed is quiet.
Reliable nightly venues
Smith’s Alternative on Alinga Street programs music, comedy or spoken word almost every night of the week – cheap tickets, walk-up usually possible. The Phoenix on East Row runs nightly original-music sets. The Polish Club in Turner has a long-running jazz program. Hippo Co in Civic has live jazz most nights.
For cinema, Dendy in the Canberra Centre, Palace Electric in NewActon and Capitol 6 in Manuka all run late sessions. The Street Theatre in Acton and the Canberra Theatre Centre in Civic almost always have something on the bill.
Late food
If you’re eating after a show, Braddon and the Kingston Foreshore have the largest cluster of restaurants open past 9 pm. Civic stays open latest for casual food – ramen at Lazy Su, dumplings at Chairman and Yip-era stalwarts on Bunda Street, and 24-hour options around the bus interchange.
Sport and community
In winter, Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium (Bruce), Brumbies at Canberra Stadium and Canberra Capitals at the AIS Arena fill most weekend evenings. Canberra United (W-League) play at McKellar Park. In summer, T20 cricket at Manuka Oval is a regular fixture. The feed below picks up scheduled fixtures automatically.
If the feed is quiet
Quiet weekday nights are often best for a long dinner and a film, a walk around the floodlit War Memorial parade ground (free, atmospheric, photo-friendly) or a session at the Mount Stromlo Observatory when public viewing is on. The weekend guide covers the bigger anchor events.
Frequently asked questions
- What's open late in Canberra on a weeknight?
- Smith's Alternative, The Phoenix, the Polish Club and Hippo Co all run weeknight gigs. Dendy, Palace Electric and Capitol 6 cinemas run late sessions every night. Civic, Braddon and Kingston Foreshore have the largest cluster of late-night food.
- Is there live music in Canberra tonight?
- Almost always – the live feed below pulls confirmed gigs starting today across The Basement, Smith's Alternative, The Phoenix, the Polish Club and the smaller pub circuit. Sort by start time if you're heading out after dinner.
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