Welcome to Capital Plein Air Festival 2026!

We’re thrilled you’ll be joining us in Canberra for a week of painting, community, and autumn colour. Here’s everything you need to know to have a great week. Use the search below if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Categories

Adult Open
All artists regardless of age, experience, or professional status may enter this category. You will be judged alongside professional and emerging professional painters.

Adult Non-Professional
For artists over 18 years of age who prefer to be judged among hobbyists, beginners, and intermediate painters rather than professionals. This is a supportive and encouraging category for developing artists.

Youth / Junior Artists (Quick Draw Only)
Youth and junior artists are welcome to participate in the Quick Draw event. They are not judged in the main Open or Non-Professional competitions.
Youth = Under Age 13 Junior = Age 14-18

Check Your Registration Details
We’ve had a few questions about ticket types and categories, so here’s how to read your ticket:

• Under “Price”
  This shows the type of ticket you purchased, for example:
  • Festival Adult – Open or Non-Professional
  • Quick Draw Adult
  • Quick Draw Youth/Junior
• Under “Category”
  This confirms the category you selected when registering (e.g. Adult Open (Including Professional)).
• Under “Section”
  This shows what you’re registered for:
  Full Festival (Pre-Festival Paint Out + Festival Weekend + Quick Draw), or
  Quick Draw only

If you think you’ve selected the wrong category, just email us and we can update it before the festival begins.

Camping & Caravan Options

Canberra has several options ranging from centrally located holiday parks to more scenic rural stays. We haven’t personally visited all of these accommodation options. Please check details directly with each provider.

Alivio Tourist Park (Central Canberra)

Canberra Holiday Village (South Canberra)

Cuppacumbalong (Tharwa)

Travel Tips

• Canberra Airport to the CBD is approx. 12 minutes
• Most painting locations have ample free parking, but some festival days will require carpooling due to limited space.
• Uber and taxis readily available

Traffic Update – Bridge Works

Please note there are major works underway on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge during the festival. Traffic has been reduced to fewer lanes, with both directions sharing one side of the bridge, which may cause congestion—particularly during peak times. As most festival locations are south of the lake, this will mainly impact those staying on the north side. Please allow extra travel time and be aware of possible detours and reduced speed limits.

For updates, visit:
https://www.nca.gov.au/media-centre/consider-your-commute-major-changes-start-week-across-commonwealth-avenue-bridge

Shirt Pre-Order Closed

Shirt Pre-orders are now closed. There are a very small quantity of extra shirts available for purchase at the CaPA Tent until stocks run out.

Pick up your shirt order at the CaPA Tent

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Flying with paints? Read this first!

A few key tips to avoid issues at the airport:

• Pack in checked luggage (not carry-on)
• Don’t call them “oil paints” — say artist pigments or artist colours
• Tighten lids + seal in a plastic bag
• Include a printed SDS/MSDS with your materials
• Avoid solvents buy locally instead

It’s not just what you pack — it’s how you present it.
Here is a detailed guide to packing paints.

Fuel Costs & Attendance

We understand that the current fuel situation is impacting travel plans for some artists, particularly those travelling long distances to Canberra.

As outlined in our Terms & Conditions, festival registrations are non-refundable. This policy is consistent with other Australian plein air events, including Plein Air Down Under, and is essential to ensure the festival can proceed as planned. As a small not-for-profit outdoor event, we rely on confirmed registrations to deliver venues, logistics, and prize funding. Allowing cancellations in response to changing external conditions would place the viability of the festival at risk.

Hotel/Apartment Accommodation

We have secured festival discounts with several accommodation providers in the Kingston / inner south area. There are some great options for multi-bedroom apartments if you’d like to share with another artist travelling to the festival.

1. Manuka Park Serviced Apartments (Manuka)
1-bedroom: $190/night 2-bedroom: $240/night
Dates: 17–26 April 2026 Book: manukapark.com.au
Promo codes: “Plein 2026” (1BR) / “2BR-Plein 2026” (2BR)
Includes: Free parking; free cancellation up to 48 hours before check-in.

2. Oxley Court Serviced Apartments (Kingston)
1-bedroom (up to 2 ppl): $220/night 2-bedroom (up to 3 ppl): $240/night
Book: Email sales@oxleycourt.com.au, quote “Plein Air”
Includes: Wi-Fi, parking, kitchen, laundry, separate living areas, balcony/courtyard
Cancellation: 72 hours prior

3. TFE Hotels — Hotel Kurrajong & Adina Kingston
Approx 15% off their standard rate. Book Now

4. Forrest Hotel & Apartments (Forrest) +61 2 6203 4300
Offer: 10% off best available rate
Sample off-peak rate: ~$122/night (before discount; varies by date/room type)
There are **Promo Code:** PLEINAIR   **Discount Period:** 18 – 26 April, 2026
Call 02 6203 4300 and mention the promo code or event name.
Website Booking: Enter the promo code “PLEINAIR” on booking page.
Direct Link: Use this specific link to make a reservation online (The code has been preloaded)

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Festival Transport

There is no dedicated bus service as the cost is too high relative to expected usage and would require increased registration fees. Instead, artists are encouraged to carpool, which is practical in Canberra and offers a social way to travel between locations. To support this a Carpool Thread in the Capital Plein Air Attendees Forum has been set up where participants can offer or find lifts, and some may choose to share rental cars.

Framing

All works entered for award judging must be framed (or in a mat board for works on paper).

Water Media entries on paper (watercolour, gouache etc) may be presented with a mat only (no glass required). However, a frame will present more professionally to judges and buyers so we encourage framed works wherever possible.

We recommend planning ahead by deciding on the panel or canvas sizes you intend to use during the festival, and bringing frames to suit those sizes.

If you have a regular framer, take along your panels in your most used size and ask them to make a couple of timber frames to suit.  Have them add clips in a landscape and portrait position to give you more hanging options. Choose a wide moulding (4-5cm) for smaller works (8×10, 12×16) and have them insert the metal flex points so you can bend them open when it comes to inserting your finished artwork at the festival.

Frames can also be ordered in advance through Framing Doctor for collection at the festival. You can view frame options, pricing, and ordering details via the link.

http://www.capitalpleinair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Festival-Framing-2026.pdf Updated 8/4/2026

Wet wall artwork is not required to be framed. It will be presented on shelving, pinned to a board for water media, or lay flat on a table.

Connect With the Artist Community

All registered artists are invited to join our private Facebook group a central point for pre-festival connection. Use it for viewing artists updates, carpooling & travel coordination, connecting with other artists before arriving.

Join the Capital Plein Air Attendees Forum

Festival Participation & Timing

The festival has been designed with flexibility in mind. You’re welcome to attend as many days as you like, there’s no requirement to be there every day. Please come and go in a way that suits your schedule and energy. If you can only attend for part of the week, you’re very welcome to join for the days that suit you.

While the Festival Weekend is the main public-facing event in central locations, the pre-festival paint-outs offer additional time to explore outer locations, build your body of work, and allow for weather flexibility. They’re especially useful for artists arriving early or travelling from further away who would like time to settle in and paint.

Volunteers will be on-site each day from 8am to 4pm, and you’re free to arrive and leave at any time during those hours. If you choose to continue painting after 4pm, please note that this is at your own discretion, as volunteers and first aid support will no longer be on-site.

Our location partners are expecting all festival participants to be wearing their lanyard so they can be easily identified as part of the event.

Optional partner lanyards will also be available if you entered their name at registration. Partners are not required to wear theirs, but it’s helpful if they’re regularly on site with you. The main requirement is that all artists who are painting wear their lanyard.

WORKSHOPS

All workshops will be held at the same locations as the pre-festival paint outs. Material lists are sent directly to registered attendees. Pls contact us if you have not received on. Specific meeting points at these locations will be sent out to workshop participants closer to the time. Please arrive by 8.30am for a 9am start.

We kindly ask festival artists to respect any workshops taking place at shared locations. Please allow space, set up at a reasonable distance, and be mindful not to interfere with workshop activities.

FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS

At several of our more remote locations, you’ll have the option to bring a packed lunch or purchase food and drinks from our on-site food truck, Gas Coffee, available from approximately 8am to 2pm. They offer fresh lunch options, snacks, and a range of drinks, and you’re also welcome to pre-order ahead and collect on the day. You can view their menu and pre-order information here.

On Monday at Cuppacumbalong Homestead, there is only a small local store about 5 minutes away.
On Tuesday at Government House, Gas Coffee will be the only food and drink option unless you pack a lunch, and please note that if you leave the grounds, you won’t be able to return.
On Wednesday at Cotter Bend (within a state park), there are no nearby cafés or takeaway options.

We recommend planning ahead so you’re well set up for the day.

ART SUPPLIES & LOCAL ART STORES

Oil Painters, if you would like to purchase solvent from us directly at the festival upon arrival, please email us so we can make sure it is available for you. Email us at capitalpleinair(atsympbol)gmail.com

Eckersleys
Phillip, 21 Colbee Court, Phillip ACT 2606, t.02 6260 4444
Braddon, Unit 43, 38 Mort Street, Braddon ACT 2612 t.02 6257 1711
Belconnen, Level 1, Westfield, Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617 t. 02 6251 6466

Artists Shed, 88 Wollongong St, Fyshwick ACT 2609, 0418 237 766

VOLUNTEERING

If you would like to volunteer while participating in the festival, or have a friend/partner who would like to volunteer while you are painting – you can see volunteering options via this link. https://signup.zone/events/PH6PLGB5 You have to log-in to the site to see the shifts. If the times aren’t suitable once you have logged in, you are not obligated to put your name down.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you are active on Facebook, make sure you mark yourself as “Going” on our Facebook Event. When you post about the festival on FB or Instagram – pls tag @capitalpleinair so we are notified and can share it. Our festival hashtags are #capitalpleinair #capa2026 #pleinairaustralia

WET WALL ARTWORK

The “Wet Wall” is a casual display of artwork from the pre-festival paint out, available for sale to festival artists and the public. There is no requirement for a frame. There will be a designated wall for this work that has shelves to hold panels, canvas or watercolour paper in matt board.  Limit of 2 pieces per artist.  Register the details of the artwork via the link below and then hand it in to The Fitters Workshop when event staff are onsite from Thursday afternoon onwards.  

Wet Wall Art Submissions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_LX8KEXnBgaHy09ZUNBwBYr6eO4J_HtV–T2zTwprd7VSKg/viewform?usp=header

FESTIVAL ART EXHIBITION

You can select and submit up to 2 pieces of artwork created anytime during the festival (except for work created during workshops).  Art created during life drawing or portrait night is not appropriate as the Judges are awarding for outdoor landscapes.

Register the details of the artwork via the link below and then hand it in to The Fitters Workshop when event staff are onsite from Friday afternoon onwards.
Artwork will be judged on Sunday morning during the Quick Draw and Awards announced Sunday afternoon.  Oil & Acrylic paintings on panel and canvas MUST be framed  Acrylic paintings will be accepted unframed with hanging wire on the back if they are dry. Watercolour/Gouache can be submitted in matt boards.  Where possible, we encourage you to present your artwork for judging and sale as professionally as possible with a frame.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions

ARTWORK COMPLETION AND ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for judging, all artworks must be started and completed en plein air, in a single session at the painting location, within the Festival timeframe and designated locations.

Artists are expected to finish each work during their time on site. As the festival program moves to a new location each day, artworks must not be carried over and continued at a later time or different location.

No studio work or off-site modification is permitted. Any additional work undertaken after leaving the location, or outside the defined festival times and locations, will render the artwork ineligible for awards.

Capital Plein Air welcomes a range of styles, including expressive and abstracted interpretations of the landscape. All works must be created from direct observation at an official festival location, and retain a clear, identifiable connection to that location. Works that are purely conceptual, studio-derived, or lack a recognisable connection to a real place experienced during the festival are not eligible. Final determination rests with the event organisers and judges.

All works must be created on officially stamped surfaces. Artists must take a photograph of the completed artwork at the painting location, clearly showing both the artwork and the surrounding environment, and retain this image. This may be requested by judges as evidence that the work was completed in situ.

This requirement is in place to uphold the integrity of the plein air process and ensure all submitted works are a direct and immediate response to the landscape and conditions experienced during the festival.

Art Awards Submissions:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUs8AKagBb9ClUopLy76K9eHqy33n46JGt9_Br-Jb1O1gJ9g/viewform?usp=header

PORTRAIT AND LIFE DRAWING NIGHT

Join us at Fitters’ Workshop from 5pm on Thursday and Friday for relaxed portrait and life drawing sessions.

• Live models with short poses
• Come and draw, or simply come for a chat
• Two drink vouchers per artist (use across either or both evenings as you wish)
• Light snacks, beer and wine provided

Please note:

• Bring your own materials (no easels or drawing materials provided)
• No solvents for oil painters
• Work created during these sessions is not eligible for festival judging

No need to head home or get dressed up—just come as you are and enjoy catching up with fellow artists.

Afterwards, you’re welcome to head to The Dock at Kingston Foreshore for dinner.
They’re offering 10% off for festival artists and partners—just show your lanyard.

Artist Check-In & Board Stamping

When you first arrive at the festival—regardless of which day you begin—you’ll need to check in with the volunteer team at the registration tent.

FIRST CHECK-IN: At this first check-in, you’ll receive your field guide, lanyard (which must be worn on location), and other key information. You’ll also have your painting surfaces (boards, canvases, or paper) stamped with the Capital Plein Air stamp.

EARLY CHECK-IN: An optional early check-in and stamping session will be available for those wishing to get started quickly on Monday:
The Dock Restaurant, 7/81 Giles Streets, Kingston
Sunday, April 19 | 2pm – 5pm – Park in front of Fitters Workshop and walk over.

STAMPING BOARDS
Only stamped surfaces are eligible for judging and exhibition. All surfaces must be completely blank at the time of stamping (a single-colour ground is acceptable).

There is no limit to the number of surfaces you can have stamped. Additional stamping will be available throughout the week at the Volunteer Tent as needed.

Watercolour Artists
Paper can be stamped close to the edge so the mark will sit neatly under a mat board.

If you are using a glued watercolour block, each sheet must be stamped individually. We recommend preparing two boards or sheets in advance so both can be stamped before you begin. When you move on to a fresh sheet, simply return to the Volunteer Tent for stamping.

QUICK DRAW CHECK IN: If you are participating in the Quick Draw event, you will also need to check in again on Sunday for event-specific stamping and instructions.

Check-in tents will be set up at each festival location for registration and stamping throughout the week.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE – SECURITY REQUIREMENTS 

We are thrilled to returning to Government House on Tuesday 21st April. Due to security requirements, the names and contact details of all registered artists and any accompanying partners they listed at registration will be submitted for AFP security checks. If you have any concerns, please feel reach out to the festival committee via the contact page on our website. This location will be closed to the public.

IMPORTANT: You will be asked to show ID at the gate so pls remember to have it with you.

Entry Time– is between 8am – 9.30am. Gates for entry will close at 9.30am with no further entry allowed.
No re-entry – Once you leave, you cannot return.
Limited parking is available on site at Government House so we recommend car pooling where possible. Once capacity is reached, vehicles will be required to park outside the gates.
Bring everything you need for the day.
A food truck will be on-site for purchases.
A fridge and kitchenette are available in the cottage if you bring your own lunch.

PARKING

There is free parking available at each painting location however in some instances it is limited.

Monday – Tharwa, plenty of free parking at Cuppacumbalong Homestead at along the driveway entrance to the property.

Tuesday – Government House, there is limited parking (60 cars) available inside the grounds of Government House. Once they are filled parking will be outside the grounds.

Wednesday – plenty of free parking available at both Cotter Bend and across the bridge at Cotter Avenue

Thursday – Weston Park, this is a big area with multiple car parks scattered throughout the park. Cafe parking is limited at The Yarralumla Cafe, The Station Stop Cafe has a large car park.

Friday – There is limited free parking (approximately 30 spaces) available at the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion car park, offered on a first come, first served basis. In addition, there are several free car parks located throughout the Arboretum, many of which are close to excellent painting locations. Please note this is an ecologically sensitive area, and parking is only permitted in designated spaces. At the main Visitor Centre, paid parking applies between 9am and 4pm, 7 days a week, at approximately $2.50 per hour, with a daily maximum of around $9. We recommend using the “EasyPark” app, which is widely used across ACT and offers a convenient and flexible way to manage your parking.

Saturday – For our National Triangle locations, we recommend parking in the car park on the corner of Parkes Place West and Queen Elizabeth Terrace (opposite the National Library), which is centrally located and convenient for accessing multiple painting areas. This parking is free on weekends.Additional parking is also available at the National Gallery of Australia, however this may be busy due to Anzac day.

Sunday – There is lots of free parking available throughout the Kingston Foreshore and surrounding streets near the Fitters Workshop. However, as this area is adjacent to the Bus Depot Markets, it can become quite busy on weekends. We recommend arriving earlier where possible, as demand for parking increases during market hours.

QUICK DRAW 

Entry is included in full festival tickets. Participation is optional. If you plan to participate, you will still need to check in on Sunday Morning to get sales tags for your painting and to have your panels/canvases stamped with the Quick Draw stamp. 

Surfaces can have a pre-prepared ground/gesso colour before start. Equipment set-up, thumbnail sketches and paint mixing is allowed prior to start at 10am.

We recommend a frame for this artwork if possible.  The Quick Draw artwork is for sale and it will present better for judging and sale and be easier for a Collector to handle if it is in a frame/matt board.

Stay in the boundary on the QUICK DRAW MAP and allow enough time to pack up and be back at Fitters Workshop for judging at 12.15pm sharp!

Any 2D medium is able to be used during this competition including drawing, urban sketching, even collage! What ever you can competently do in 2 hrs!

WET WEATHER VENUE FOR WORKSHOPS

In the event that the weather is to suitable for outdoor painting, workshops will be held at The Fitters Workshop in Kingston.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please check our FAQ’s page for any questions.  Our Terms & Conditions page outlines conditions for entering awards. You can also contact us on capitalpleinair<atsymbol>gmail.com

SELLING ARTWORK DURING THE FESTIVAL

Artists are welcome to sell work directly off the easel throughout the festival. We’ve provided “Art for Sale” tags for you to display your work and include key details. When a Collector is ready to purchase, you can either direct them to CaPA volunteers to process the transaction (less the 25% commission), or handle the sale yourself. If you manage the sale independently, please arrange payment of the festival’s 25% commission to CaPA using the instructions below.

We’ve worked hard to promote your work and select locations that maximise visibility to the public. If you’re fortunate enough to make a sale — whether to a member of the public or another artist — we kindly ask that you honour the 25% commission. This contribution plays an important role in supporting and growing the festival for the benefit of all artists. Payments will operate on an honour system.

You can pay your commission:

• By bank transfer:
  Payment to Capital Plein Air
  BSB: 633 000
  Account No: 224 164 954
  Email: capitalpleinair@gmail.com to let us know that you have transferred a commission payment.
• Or by card at the CaPA Tent and Fitters’ Workshop
• Or by card via the website

Any sales that were processed during the event will be passed on to artists within 7 days of the festival closing, less the 25% commission. We will contact you for bank account details.