From street art and BMX tricks to Shakespeare under the stars, four new community placemaking projects are set to bring colour, creativity and connection to Canberra’s City Centre and Braddon.
Funded through the 2025–26 Placemaking Grants program, these initiatives will help activate public spaces, support local businesses, and offer new ways for people to enjoy the city.
The grants program has brought to life some of the city’s most beloved creative initiatives — from Civic’s iconic giant magpie, Big Swoop, to sculpture installations for the Canberra Art Biennial, the Braddon Busking Festival, the Blank activation that transformed a vacant space in City West, and EggPicnic’s interactive mural in Haig Park.
Over two days, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November, Braddon will come alive with the energy of ACT JAM BMX event, a nationally recognised event led by Backbone BMX’s Tyson Jones-Peni and the FACT BMX club.
Held on Elouera Street between Mort and Lonsdale Streets, directly outside the Bentspoke BrewPub and Blackfire Restaurant, the event will feature high-air, best trick and long jump competitions from some of Australia’s top and internationally renowned riders. It’s a family-friendly evening that celebrates BMX culture and brings the annual event into the heart of the city.
Local artist Lawrence Tan will paint a large-scale mural on the southern side of the Branx building in Braddon, next to Romane Wine Bar and Corella Restaurant.
The mural is being created in collaboration with young artists through a series of workshops with the most promising participants being invited to contribute to the final artwork, giving them a chance to build skills and be part of something lasting.
The project will wrap up with a community celebration bringing people together to enjoy the finished piece and connect with the artists behind it.
The Canberra Skateboarding Association will expand the much-loved Belco Bowl Jam into the City Centre again in 2026. This time throwing their Welcome Party Jam 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.
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 classic theatre in beautiful green spaces, in the heart of the city.
Mark your calendars for free Shakespeare in Haig and Glebe Parks in February 2026.
The 2026–27 Placemaking Grants Program is expected to open in mid to late January 2026.
The program will follow a two-stage application process, starting with the first stage ‘Pitch’ application and followed by a full application for shortlisted projects. If you’ve got an idea to activate public space in the City Centre or Braddon, this is your chance to make it happen.
These placemaking projects show how small changes can make a big difference—bringing people together, supporting local creatives, and making our city centre a more enjoyable place to be.
To learn more about the program and see how previous projects have shaped the city, visit the City Renewal Authority’s placemaking grants page.
Sign up to our newsletter to get notified when the next Placemaking Grants round opens in early 2026.
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