What's on in Acton for free?
51 upcoming events
See it on a mapVenues at a glanceWe've rounded up 51 upcoming events in Acton for free — concerts, parties, theatre, exhibitions, family outings — updated every day. Pick a theme or just scroll.
Events in Acton for free
Mon28
Tomorrow
Tomorrow · 12 PMFree
🗣️Talk
ANU School of Sociology Seminar Series: Dr Jennifer Mae Hamilton (UNE)
RSSS building, room 4.69
Tomorrow · 1 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Beyond the Pollution Approach: Toward the Social Theory of Waste in International Environmental Law: LSTS Hub Seminar
Phillipa Weeks Staff Library
Tomorrow · 4:30 PMFree
👾Video games🏆Tournament
CSS LevelUp - E-sports competition
Innovation Space, Level 2, Birch Building #35
Tomorrow · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Meet the author - Mark Cully
Cinema Theatre, Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural Centre
Tue29
Tuesday 29 September
Wed30
Wednesday 30 September
Thu1
Thursday 1 October
Thu 1 · 10 AMFreeVI
🏷️Other
Ăn trưa miễn phí với Lâm Hứa
Crawford School of Public Policy
Thu 1 · 5 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Paddock Trees Under Threat Book Launch
Frank Fenner 101 Seminar Room, Frank Fenner Building
Thu 1 · 5:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk🎒Students
Meet the ACT Supreme Court Associates
ANU College of Law, Philippa Weeks Staff Library
Thu 1 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Meet the author - Shaun Micallef
Cinema Theatre, Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural Centre
Later
Tue 6 · 11:30 AMA$0
💼Career🎒Students
Your Voice, Your Future: CBE Student Focus Group 2026
Allan Barton Forum
Tue 6 · 1 PMA$0
✂️Workshop🌱Ecology
Worm Farming Workshop
ANU Kitchen Garden Plot
Tue 6 · 6 PMFree
📚Literature🗣️Talk
Meet the author - Kate Grenville
Cinema Theatre, Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural Centre
Wed 7 · 11 AMFree
🗣️Talk
From employment exit to occupational reallocation: Child penalties in Vietnam
Seminar Room 7, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU
Wed 7 · 5:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk🕊️Human rights
Trump v ICC
Phillipa Weeks Staff Library
Thu 8 · 11 AMA$0
✂️Workshop🌳Outdoors
Let's make rice paper rolls in the garden!
ANU Kitchen Garden Plot
Thu 8 · 4 PMA$0
✂️Workshop
Grow Your Own Micro Greens & Sprouts
ANU Kitchen Garden Plot
Thu 8 · 4 PMFree
🗣️Talk🏰Heritage
Unearthed | Who Owns the Past? Repatriation, Provenance, and Cultural Heritage
Seminar Room, Australian Centre on China in the World
Thu 8 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Meet the author - Suzie Miller
Cinema Theatre, Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural Centre
Mon 12 · 12 PMFree
🗣️Talk
ANU School of Sociology Seminar Series: Prof James Smithies
RSSS building, room 4.69
Mon 12 · 6:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Coming into Relation — 2026 Mulvaney Lecture
RSSS Auditorium
Tue 13 · 5 PMFree
🗣️Talk🏛️Politics & Economy
State of resistance in Myanmar: Fresh approaches to old complexities
China in the World Lotus Theatre
Wed 14 · 4:30 PMA$0
🗣️Talk🌱Ecology
Colonial wilding: Cattle, Kangaroo and Gumbakuluk
RSSS Auditorium
Thu 15 · 5 PMFree
🗣️Talk📚Literature
In conversation: Australian Girls
University House Hotel
Fri 16A$0–6.46
📖Story time🌳Outdoors0–5 yrs
Storytime in the Gardens
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Fri 16 · 10 AMA$0
🗣️Talk🏛️Politics & Economy
The Battle for Truth: Countering Disinformation across Europe and the Indo-Pacific
ANU Research School of Social Sciences (RSSS)
Sat 17 · 5 PMFree
☀️Open air🌳Outdoors
After Hours
Williow Oval
Mon 19 · 12 PMFree
🗣️Talk
ANU School of Sociology Seminar Series: A/Prof Li-Wen Shih (Taipei Medical University)
RSSS building, room 4.69
Mon 19 · 4 PMFree
🗣️Talk
A begum abroad: Urdu literature, women authors, and the imaginative power of the travelogue in South Asia
Lecture Theatre 2 (HB2), Hedley Bull Building
Wed 21 · 10 AMA$0
Screen Industry Meet-Up | October
National Film and Sound Archive
Thu 22 · 5:30 PMA$0
A Critique of Human Supremacism
RSSS Auditorium
Thu 22 · 5:30 PMFree
The accountability dilemma: Impeachment, polarization, and Philippine democracy
Lecture Theatre 2 (HB2), Hedley Bull Building
Thu 22 · 6 PMFree
Meet the author - Murray Goot and Tim Rowse
Cinema Theatre, Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural Centre
Fri 23 · 3 PMFree
Canberra German Week 2026 - Science and Innovation Day
Allan Barton Forum
Wed 28 Oct · 5:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk🏰Heritage
2026 Robert O'Neill War Studies Lecture: The Transformative War: Australia in the war of 1939–45
China in the World Lotus Theatre
Wed 28 Oct · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Thinking about political elites in Indonesia and beyond: Some normative and methodological reflections
Lecture Theatre 2 (HB2), Hedley Bull Building
Wed 28 Oct · 6 PMFree
Public Lecture by Veritasium’s Dr Derek Muller
Kambri Cinema
Thu 29 Oct · 4 PMFree
🗣️Talk🏰Heritage
Unearthed | Taking It With You: A Journey to the Chinese Afterlife
Seminar Room, Australian Centre on China in the World
Thu 5 Nov · 9 AMFree
2026 Mongolia Update: Cultural heritage in a changing world
Lecture Theatre 2 (HB2), Hedley Bull Building
Tue 10 Nov · 8:30 AMFree
2026 Philippines Update - Sama-sama: The Philippines with Australia in a changing world
Lecture Theatre 2 (HB2), Hedley Bull Building
Mon 16 Nov · 2 PMFree
Agents of Maoism: Communist spies and overseas Chinese in Cambodia’s global sixties
Lecture Theatre 2 (HB2), Hedley Bull Building
Tue 17 Nov · 11 AMFree
Re-open the social sciences?
Lecture Theatre 2 (HB2), Hedley Bull Building
Thu 19 Nov · 9 AMFree
China Update 2026 – China’s decarbonisation: strategy, objectives and the pathway to a low-carbon economy
Crawford School of Public Policy
Tue 24 Nov · 4 PMFree
🗣️Talk
2026 Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom AO Distinguished Lecture
National Museum of Australia
Thu 26 Nov · 8:30 AMFree
🗣️Talk✊🏿Anti-racism
Racism In Health Education First Nations Health ANU
Finkel Lecture Theatre
Mon 30 Nov · 9 AMFree
✂️Workshop🗣️Talk
Powering the Circular Economy: Local Government & the Solar/Battery Waste Challenge
35 Science Rd
Tue 15 Dec · 9 AMFree
2026 Economic Theory Festival: Bounded Rationality, Information and Markets
HW Arndt Building
See also in Acton for free
Tomorrow · 7 PMFree
🎸Jam / Open mic
Monday Open Mic Night
Dissent Cafe and Bar, Canberra
Tue 29 · 1 PM
🎻Classical🎫Concert
ANU Lunchtime Concert: Sophie Min, Edward Neeman and Chris Latham
Larry Sitsky Recital Room, Canberra
Thu 1 · 4 PMFree
🎤Hip-Hop🎫Concert
MusicACT x Street Uni: Rap Game VVerkshop w/ Vv Pete + UTILITY + Mali Nakalevu
Street University Canberra
Thu 1 · 5:30 PMA$49–89
🎻Classical🪇Salsa
Kasia Smolarek (Canberra)
Wesley Music Center: The Mansfield Room, Forrest
Thu 1 · 6 PM
🎻Classical🎫Concert
Erin Helyard: Bach and Handel at the Harpsichord
Llewellyn Hall, Canberra
Thu 1 · 6:30 PM
🎫Concert
NightFest Opens
Floriade
Thu 1 · 6:30 PM
☀️Open air🌳Outdoors
Floriade NightFest 2026
Commonwealth Park, Canberra
Thu 1 · 7 PM
🌙Indie✨Pop
TOM AVGENICOS: DELAY 45 ALBUM LAUNCH
Smith's Alternative, Canberra
Fri 2 · 7 PM
🌙Indie🪕Folk / Acoustic
Ben Lee & Georgia Maq - Canberra
Canberra Theatre Centre
Sat 3 · 10 AM
🎷Jazz🎫Concert
Nouvelle Vague in Canberra
Metro Theatre, Canberra
Sat 3 · 12 PM
🥁Drum & Bass💿DJ set
30 Years of Hospital Records ft Danny Byrd (UK), Unglued (UK) & Hoax (UK) @ Hopscotch
Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Sat 3 · 7:30 PM
🌐World music✨Pop
Sonu Nigam in Canberra
Tiktok Ent Centre, Canberra
Sun 4 · 2:30 PMA$10–30
🎻Classical🎶Singer-songwriter
Wesley Music Scholars Spring Concert
Wesley Music Centre, Forrest
Fri 9 · 8 PMA$10–25
✨Pop🎫Concert
Clash of the Keys
Hopscotch, Braddon
Sat 17 · 6:30 PMA$41.50–884.8(675)
🎻Classical🎫Concert
Candlelight: Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Qudos Bank Arena, Canberra
Sun 11 · 3 PM
🎪Street party🌳Outdoors
Tipsy Tea at the Yacht Club – October
Yacht Club
Wed 30 · 7 PMFree
❓Quiz
Trivia Night at Lager House by Capital Brewing Co
Lager House by Capital Brewing Co, Parkes
Thu 1 · 7 PMA$36.25–51.25
❓Quiz
Canberra | Singles Trivia Event | Luna Bar | 1st October | 50 & Over
99 London Cct, Canberra
Sat 3 · 8 PMA$15
🎉Club👑Drag show
Canberra Underbear Night
ChiChiz Bar, Canberra
Sun 4 · 8 PMA$9.09–27.53
💿DJ set🏠House
CZN x EventRevo presents SIP & SOUL long weekend
Braddon
Wed 7 · 7 PM
🪇Salsa🌳Outdoors
FREE Salsa @ Badger & Co 💃🕺
Badger & Co, Canberra
Fri 9 · 9 PMA$9–20
🎉Club💿DJ set
KIRANA presents: AFTER DARK
Shadows Nightclub, Canberra
Fri 9 · 10 PM
🎉Club💿DJ set
One22 Pres. tonz
One22, Canberra
Fri 16 · 7 PMA$38.75–42.75
🎉Parties
Canberra | Singles Mixer | Highball | Friday 16th October | 40-55
75 London Cct, Canberra
Fri 2 · 7 PM
🎤Stand-up
Dan Rath - Help Me Please - CANBERRA ENCORE
Fun Time Pony, Canberra
Fri 2 · 7 PMA$20–60
✨Cabaret👑Drag show
GLAM SLAM CLUB
Shadows Nightclub, Canberra
Sat 3 · 7:30 PM
🎭Theatre
'The Story Of Me' Tour show - Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
Canberra Theatre Centre
Fri 9 · 6:30 PM
📜Poetry slam
North Vs. South Heat #2
Smith's Alternative, Canberra
Fri 9 · 7 PM
🎭Stage
Burn the Floor - Luminous - Canberra
Canberra Theatre Centre
Sat 10 · 10 AMFree
🏰Heritage🖼️Exhibition
Government House, Canberra Open Day
Government House, Yarralumla
Sat 3 · 1 PMA$10–12
🗺️Guided tour🏰Heritage
Calthorpes House Tours 2026
Calthorpes' House, Red Hill
Tomorrow · 11 AMA$10–528
🍽️Food🌳Outdoors
Underground Spirits Cocktail High Tea in The Gin Garden at Floriade 2026
Information Marquee at Floriade, Regatta Place, Parkes
Tomorrow · 10 AMA$15–70
🖼️Exhibition🌳Outdoors
RELICS: A New World Rises - September
Canberra Museum and Gallery
Thu 1 · 6 PMA$70
🍽️Food
Weekly Whiskey Tasting
Hippo Co. Bar, Canberra
Wed 30 · 8 AMFree
📚Literature🥂Opening
Fly into Fantasy Month: ‘Threshing Day’ Release at QBD Books Canberra
QBD Books Canberra Centre
Wed 30 · 1 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Data Detectives | Kids Edition
Black VC, Canberra
Wed 30 · 5 PM
🗣️Talk
INAUGURAL INTERVARSITY MOOT GRAND FINAL - ANU v UC
ACT Supreme Court - SC3, Canberra
Wed 30 · 6 PM
🗣️Talk🎬Cinema
Science. Art. Film.: Her
Mccoy Cct , Canberra, ACT, Australia, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Thu 1 · 10:30 AMA$5–75
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Garden Designer Paul Bangay in Conversation
Margaret Whitlam Pavilion
Thu 1 · 5:30 PMFree
📚Literature
Bob Yates at Paperchain Bookstore
Paperchain Bookstore, Griffith
Thu 1 · 5:30 PMA$15
🏰Heritage
The DHG Art Book Exchange
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, Acton
Thu 1 · 6:30 PM
🌳Outdoors
Floriade NightFest 2026
Commonwealth Park, Parkes
Fri 2 · 9:30 AM
🖼️Exhibition🗺️Guided tour
Bugs Alive Exhibition
Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Fri 2 · 9:30 AM
🗺️Guided tour🗣️Talk
ANU Keyboard Institute Open Day
ANU School of Music, Canberra
Sat 3 · 9 AMA$0
🗺️Guided tour💛Inclusivity
Quiet Mornings at the Mint
Royal Australian Mint, Deakin
Sun 4 · 2 PMA$18–28
🎬Cinema🌳Outdoors
Crafty Cinema Canberra - Miss Congeniality
Palace Electric Cinemas, Canberra
Wed 7A$600–9,299
🗣️Talk
Protective Security and Government (PSG) Conference 2026
Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel, Yarralumla
Thu 8 · 4 PMA$0
🗣️Talk
Face-to-Face IELTS Masterclass - Canberra
IDP IELTS Canberra
Thu 8 · 7 PMA$10–30
📜Poetry
ACT Australian Poetry Slam Heat + Final
Blank&, Canberra
Sat 10 · 2 PMA$90
🍽️Food
Masterclass: SHIRAZ vs SYRAH
Porters Liquor Campbell - Facing Constitution Avenue
Sat 10 · 6 PM
🎬Cinema
Canberra Short Film Festival 2026
Dendy Cinemas Canberra
Sun 11 · 3 PMA$15–20
🗣️Talk
The Memory Collectors
Manning Clark House, Forrest
Mon 12 · 7:30 AMA$1,350
🗣️Talk
2026 Indigenous Wellbeing Conference
Hotel Realm, Barton
Your passions nearby
Tap what you're into — we'll find the outings around you.
Venues in Acton for free
Phillipa Weeks Staff Library
3 events
Allan Barton Forum
2 events
Lecture Theatre 2 (HB2), Hedley Bull Building
7 events
RSSS Auditorium
3 events
RSSS building, room 4.69
3 events
National Film and Sound Archive
3 events
Cinema Theatre, Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural Centre
5 events
ANU Kitchen Garden Plot
5 events
35 Science Rd
2 events
Crawford School of Public Policy
3 events
Australian National Botanic Gardens
5 events
National Museum of Australia
4 events