The Compassionate Stakes is Canberra's festival of kind living, run by Little Oak Farm Animal Sanctuary. Giant inflatable T-Rex and Unicorn races are the famous centrepiece, surrounded by a full festival of plant-based food, ethical fashion, a clothing swap, music, hands-on workshops and stalls. It launches Compassion 2 Action Month and its four pillars: Food, Fibre, Fun and Footprint. It's also our way of saying 'Nup to the Cup' and proving that having a good time doesn't have to come at an animal's expense. Race in a giant inflatable costume or just come along and watch, entry is free! Join us for a Rexcellent day as we race towards a kinder world.

Sunday 1 November 2026, 10am to 3pm, and entry is free. Races are $20 for adults, $15 for kids, and the team relay is $40 per team, all including costume hire.

Glebe Park in the heart of Canberra, centered around the Rotunda.

The Compassionate Stakes T-Rex Races, hosted by Little Oak Sanctuary, offers a joyful and ethical alternative to traditional racing events. As a sanctuary for survivors of the racing industry, we understand firsthand the often unseen consequences these animals face. Our event highlights these issues, shining a light on the harsh realities of horse and greyhound racing where, shockingly, one horse dies every three days on Australian tracks. Increasingly, people are choosing to say 'Nup to the Cup', turning away from animal-based entertainment as they learn more about its darker aspects. The Compassionate Stakes is our way of showing that we can have fun, celebrate, and be entertained without causing harm, aligning with the growing public sentiment that good times need not come at the expense of animal welfare.​​

Getting involved with the Compassionate Stakes Festival of Kindness is easy and fun! Here’s how you can join us: Hold a Stall, Workshop or Performance: Complete the Apply for a Stall form at the top of this pageAttend: Bring your family and friends for a fantastic day of entertainment, great food, and community spirit.Volunteer: If you’re interested in helping out on the day of the event, please email us to join our wonderful team of volunteers.Sponsor: Event sponsors help make the day possible, if your business would like to get behind the Compassionate stakes, please let us know!Race. Sign up to raceWe look forward to seeing you there and making a difference together!

Inflatable T-Rex and Unicorn costumes are provided to racers who book a spot to race. If you have your own costume, you're welcome to use it, just let us know!

A full festival of stalls across our four pillars: plant-based food, ethical fashion and fibre, art and makers, and organisations doing great work for animals and the planet, plus learn-to stations and a clothing swap. Want a stall? Applications are open now!

A full festival of stalls across our four pillars: plant-based food, ethical fashion and fibre, art and makers, and organisations doing great work for animals and the planet, plus learn-to stations and a clothing swap. Want a stall? Applications are open now!

Extremely. The Kids Corner runs dedicated activities for all day. Face painting, colouring in, Dino themed kids races and environmentally friendly crafts, so little racers never miss out, plus there's performances, a giant lawn to run around on, and plenty of amazing food. Watching a field of grown adults race in inflatable T-Rex costumes is arguably the most kid-friendly entertainment ever invented. It's one of the most fun free family days out in Canberra all year.

The festival runs rain or shine! A bit of drizzle never stopped a T-Rex. We'd only ever cancel in genuinely dangerous conditions like severe winds or storms, and if anything changes, we'll post it on our social media by 8am on festival day. Bring a raincoat and your sense of humour, just in case.