The Compassionate Stakes began as Canberra’s cruelty-free race day, and now it’s grown into a full festival of kind living.

There’s incredible plant-based food, Dino races and performances. Bring some clothes you’re done with to swap for new favourites at the clothing swap. Get hands-on at workshops and learn-to stations. Send the kids to a Kids Zone that runs games and races all day. Have a crack at something new on the Have-a-Go Lawn. And every hour or so, stop everything to cheer a field of giant inflatable T-Rexes and unicorns thundering down the race track.

Every stall, station and performance connects to one of four pillars: Food (eat kindly), Fibre (wear kindly), Fun (play kindly) and Footprint (tread kindly). Together they’re the launch of Compassion 2 Action Month, a month of inspiration for kinder living. You’ll taste, wear, play and walk your way through all four, and you’ll leave with a full belly and at least one new skill.