This is the draft program for 2026.
Whilst locations are unlikely to change, social events and demonstration times will be added in the coming months.
Pre-Festival Paint Out: April 20–24
A relaxed lead-up week for artists to explore Canberra’s locations and warm up before the official festival weekend.
MONDAY Cuppacumbalong Homestead, Tharwa
TUESDAY Gundaroo
(NOTE: Gundaroo is a back up location. We anticipate being at Government House on Tuesday and will update once confirmation is received from Her Excellency’s Office)
WEDNESDAY Cotter Ave & Cotter Bend
THURSDAY Weston Park
FRIDAY The National Arboretum
Head to our Painting Locations page for more information on each painting site.
Public are welcome to watch artists at work and purchase artwork directly!
IMPORTANT VISITOR INFORMATION:
- Event photographers will be on site
- Government House will have public attendance limitations and will require pre-registration. Details will be provided on this site closer to the date.
- All events are weather dependent
- IMPORTANT – Only registered festival artists are permitted to paint in festival zones during the event.
We have regular free social monthly paint outs usually on a Sunday from 1.30pm-4pm. You are welcome to join outside of the festival dates. Join our mail list to get updates.
Pre-Festival – Friday
Ideal start day for artists who can’t join for the whole week but would like to make it a long weekend.
On the last day of the pre-festival paint out the festival begins to take shape with a paint out at the expansive site of The National Arboretum with demonstrations to educate and inspire.
- All day: Artists painting on location
- 10am – Warwick Fuller – Oil Painting Demonstration, Near the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion
- 1.30pm – Chan Dissanayake – Watercolour Painting Demonstration – Dairy Farmer’s Hill
Festival Weekend: April 25–26
Festival artists will be painting in central public locations.
SATURDAY “ANZAC DAY” – PARLIAMENTARY TRIANGLE, CANBERRA
Participants who wish to attend ANZAC Day commemorations or the Dawn Service are welcome to do so. The festival schedule will not prevent anyone from taking part in these observances. More details can be found here.
- Dawn Service:
- Artists and visitors who wish to observe Anzac Day during the festival are welcome to attend the official commemorations held at the Australian War Memorial. The Dawn Service will take place on the Parade Ground at 5:30am. Prior to the service, projections will be displayed on the façade of the Memorial and pre-dawn readings will share first-hand accounts from times of conflict. Later in the morning, the National Ceremony will be held, including the ACT RSL Veterans’ March.
- Two additional commemorative events are also held at the Memorial:
- 7:30am – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans’ & Services Association ceremony at the For Our Country Memorial
- 4:30pm – Last Post Ceremony in the Commemorative Area.
- Further information and updates can be found on the Australian War Memorial website:https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day
- All day: Artists painting on location
- 10am – Scott Gellatly, USA – Oil Painting Demonstration, Queen Elizabeth Terrace (more location details will come closer to the event)
- 4-5pm – Artists deliver final artworks to Fitters Workshop Kingston for judging.
- 6pm – Scott Gellatly – Painting Demonstration and Lecture on “Abstracting the Landscape” at Fitters Workshop, Kingston
SUNDAY – THE FITTERS WORKSHOP – KINGSTON FORESHORE
- 8-9.30am – Exhibition Judging
- 9.30am Art Exhibition and Sales – The Fitters Workshop
- 10 AM – 2 hr Quick Draw Painting Competition around the foreshore
- 12.15pm – Quick Draw Judging and awards
- 1.30 PM Festival Awards and closing ceremony
- 4 PM Event Close
Want to volunteer at Capital Plein Air?
Volunteering at the festival is a rewarding way to contribute to the arts community, connect with others, and be part of a vibrant, collaborative experience. Whether you have artistic skills or not, your involvement is invaluable!
Volunteers will have the chance to help with a variety of roles, from assisting artists to guiding visitors, all while enjoying the beauty of the outdoor setting and the creative energy of the event. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet people, learn new skills, and play a key role in bringing this unique festival to life. Everyone is welcome, and no prior experience is needed—just a willingness to help and be part of something special!
There are opportunities to volunteer while still being part of the festival. If you’re not sure you want to join in the festival this year, volunteering is a great way to be part of it without being a registered artist.
Email us at capitalpleinair@gmail.com