Get ready to make this summer unforgettable. We’ve got a massive program of events and activities for Canberrans of all ages. Enjoy free merry-go-round rides, cultural festivities, dog parties, tricks from the worlds-best skateboarders, theatre performances and so much more!
From the City Centre to Braddon and Dickson, there’s endless fun waiting for everyone — and the best part? It’s all completely free.
Feel the festive spirit in the heart of the city. Discover fun at every corner and find the perfect gift for someone special or a treat for yourself. The Christmas in the city program is underway and ready to welcome you as Christmas approaches.
Visitors can enjoy:
If you’re struggling to find the perfect present or stocking stuffer, InTheCity.com.au is here to help. The website showcases the best products and services offered from businesses in the City Centre and Braddon.
And it doesn’t end there! In Dickson, enjoy free pet-friendly photos with Santa and Mrs Claus outside the Dickson Library on the first three weekends of December.
Take a free ride on the iconic heritage Civic merry-go-round from 1-24 December 2025.
Ring in 2026 with two spectacular fireworks displays over Lake Burley Griffin at 9pm and midnight.
The best viewing hubs around Central Basin include Ferry Gate, John Dunmore Lang Place, Rond Terrace, and Wendouree Drive - each offering food vendors and entertainment.
Keep the party going and head into the city to experience one of Canberra’s hottest night spots. Check out the pubs and bars listings at InTheCity.com.au for some inspiration.
Rev your engines! We’re proud to sponsor the Summernats Braddon Fringe Festival as it returns for its fourth year.
This official side event celebrates the long-standing connection between Summernats and Braddon, inviting visitors to wander the streets and admire a handpicked display of stunning Summernats car entries.
From 5-11pm across three evenings, enjoy a safe, family-friendly atmosphere as cars park and cruise along Braddon’s closed streets—Lonsdale Street and sections of Mort and Elouera Streets.
The event is also important for local businesses, who benefit from the increase in visitors to Braddon, generating over $1 million in local spending over the three nights.
The Braddon Fringe gives visitors the opportunity to see Summernats cars in a free family-friendly event.
The City Centre will burst with life as the beloved National Multicultural Festival returns, celebrating one of the largest displays of multicultural diversity in Australia.
For three days, over 170 nationalities will gather in the City Centre to share their culture through music, dance, food, and festivities.
Marvel at the parade, explore food stalls to discover new favourite cuisines, dance to live music across multiple stages, watch cooking demonstrations, or participate in cultural workshops to learn something new.
The National Multicultural Festival returns to the City Centre from 6-8 February 2026.
The Canberra Skateboarding Association brings the much-loved Belco Bowl Jam into the City Centre again in 2026. This time, throwing their Welcome Party in Verity Lane on Friday 20 February 2026.
This closed-laneway event will feature live music and some of the world’s best skateboarders showcasing their skills. It’s a great way to welcome visitors to Canberra for the annual event and share the energy of the Bowl Jam weekend with a wider audience.
The Belco Bowl Jam Welcome Party is being brought into the City Centre with support from the Placemaking Grants program.
Canberra’s largest Lunar New Year celebration is returning to Woolley Street in Dickson and is set to offer a day of a sensory delight for locals and visitors.
Performers from across the country will gather in Dickson, bringing a festival of culture, colour, flavour, and excitement to mark the Year of the Fire Horse.
This free street party has been warmly welcomed by the wider Canberra community, introducing many to Dickson’s dynamic multicultural dining scene. The 2024 event was also recognised with the Best Small Event of the Year award at the Australian Event Awards and Symposium!
Welcome the Year of the Fire Horse on Woolley Street on 21 February 2026.
Lakespeare will bring outdoor theatre to the city with two free Shakespeare performances across two weekends in February:
These free shows will offer a relaxed, picnic-style experience for all ages. It’s a chance to enjoy a performance of Taming of the Shrew in beautiful green spaces, right in the heart of the Canberra.
Lakespeare performances in Glebe Park and Haig Park are being supported by the Placemaking Grants program. More dates and performances are available on the Lakespeare website.
Mark your calendar and prepare for a huge summer of free fun across the City Centre, Braddon and Dickson. We can’t wait to welcome you and create some memories. We will see you there!
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We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
