Summer in the City Centre and Braddon is set to sizzle with a packed event calendar that promises something for everyone.
Enjoy free merry-go-round rides, immersive yourself in cultural celebrations and join the festivities of the 100th birthday of an iconic park.
There is plenty happening across the City Centre and Braddon to ensure endless good time – and the best part is it’s all free!
The City Renewal Authority’s place experience program will create a buzz throughout the summer months which has traditionally been a quieter time of the year for Canberra.
Here’s what’s happening.
Experience joy in the heart of Canberra, discover festive fun at every turn and find the perfect gift for someone special or a gem for yourself. The Festive Finds in the city program has kicked off and will ramp up as Christmas approaches.
Visitors to the City Centre can enjoy:
If you’re struggling to find the perfect present or stocking stuffer, the Festive Finds gift guide is here to help. The online catalogue showcases all the best product and services offering from the City Centre and Braddon. Be sure to check out the ‘Festive Finds Cracking Offers’ too. It features exclusive discounts on food and beverage, family bundles, retail deals and more.
And it doesn’t end there! In Dickson there will also be free pet-friendly photos with Santa and Mrs Claus on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 December.
Visitors to the City Centre can enjoy free merry-go-round rides from 1-24 December 2023.
Time to rev those engines! Summernats is back in town and we’re excited to sponsor the Summernats Braddon Fringe Festival for the third consecutive year.
The official side event acknowledges the special history between Summernats and Braddon and allows visitors to walk admire a curated selection of fantastic Summernats cars.
Expanded from two to three nights for 2024, cars will be parked and cruise along the closed streets of Braddon (Lonsdale Street and parts of Mort and Elouera Streets) over three evenings in a safe, family-friendly format.
The event is also great for local businesses with a 125% increase in visitors to Braddon, accounting for over $1 million in local spending over two nights in 2023.
Summernats Fringe on Lonsdale Street in Braddon.
You’re invited to the 101st birthday of a Canberra icon, Haig Park!
We’re hosting a party in the park to celebrate the special anniversary. The day will commemorate and honour the park’s rich history and revel in its exciting area is has become with all-ages activities, market stalls and live entertainment.
Join us to enjoy music, dance, food, and festivities under the Haig Park’s beautiful towering trees.
Join us for a day of celebration in Haig Park.
Dickson will come alive again for the Lunar New Year celebration, which will provide locals and visitors with a feast for the senses.
Local and national performers will converge on the revamped Woolley Street in a festival of colour, taste, and excitement for the year of the dragon.
This free street event has been embraced by the broader Canberra community and helped many discover Dickson’s exciting multicultural dining precinct.
Lunar New Year celebrations on Wooley Street in 2023.
The City Centre is set to come alive with one of the biggest celebrations of multicultural diversity in Australia as the much-loved National Multicultural Festival makes its return.
Over 170 unique nationalities will converge on the City Centre for 3 days of culture, music, dance, food, and celebration.
Be wowed by performers in the iconic parade, visit a food stall and find a new favourite cuisine, dance the night away at one of the many musical stages, check out a cooking demonstration, or join a cultural workshop to learn a new skill.
The National Multicultural Festival bought more than 380,000 attendees to the City Centre in 2023.
Mark your calendar and prepare for a summer of fun in the City Centre. We can’t wait to celebrate and 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.
