Dance at a music gig

Want to dance the night away? Canberra plays host to a number of great musical performances from local and international artists. Attend live gigs at venues on campus such as UC Refectory and UC Hub, or bars in the heart of the city that welcome musicians such as Transit Bar, The RUC on Friday nights or Smith’s Alternative.

UC students can also receive special discounted pricing to selected shows and venues. If you’re new to Canberra’s music scene, check out local artists Peking Duk, Genesis Owusu and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers.

Get involved in a team sport

Aussies love their sports so make like a local and join one of the many sports teams in Canberra. Choose from AFL, netball, rugby, rowing and cricket, to badminton, gridiron, kung fu and more. UC Sport also offers social competitions all the way through to national tournaments so you can get involved at any level. UC’s on-campus gym also offers group training classes like cardio, boxing, stretch and dance. 

Face your fears at an improv class

Step into the world of performance and build your confidence to think on the spot with an improv class. Short for “impromptu”, this theatre-based activity has participants create stories and characters in front of an audience on the spot with no script! Lightbulb Improv runs a number of workshops for performers to help stimulate the mind and learn how to be spontaneous while having fun.

Test your knowledge at local trivia

Know the capital of Iceland? Who hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics? Or how many teeth a great white shark has? You might just take out the number one spot at trivia night! Head to one of the oldest pubs in Canberra, The Old Canberra Inn in Lyneham, with a group of friends for a game of trivia every Tuesday and Thursday night. Here, you can work the muscles in your brain while enjoying a delicious pub meal for dinner. It’s very popular so don’t forget to book a table. 

Take a road trip to the snow fields

Jump on the 2.5 hour bus and hit the open road for a long weekend at one of nearby snow fields. During the winter months, daily buses travel between Canberra and the Snowy Mountains where you can visit Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass or Selwyn Snow Resort. Hit the slopes to snowboard, ski or toboggan around the fields! And, by joining UC Snowsports, you can visit with other students. 

You can also explore the region in summer for hiking, fishing or mountain biking. 

Get creative with ceramics and crafts

Flex your creative muscle and get messy at a ceramics and pottery class. Canberra Potters in the Watson Art Centre run a number of introductory lessons, short courses and master classes for beginners, kids, experienced potters and everyone in between. Learn the basics of wheel throwing, hand building or how to fire up your creations in a kiln and create mugs, vases, bowls and more. Belconnen Arts Centre also hosts workshops like painting, drawing and sewing and free courses for watercolouring, journal making and weaving using recycled materials.