We’re gearing up for a sizzling summer with another exciting line-up of events and activities to keep Canberrans of all ages entertained. There will be free merry-go-round rides, cultural celebrations, dog parties, and much more! So much is happening across the City Centre, Braddon and Dickson which promises endless fun for everyone – and the best part? It’s all free!
Here’s what’s on.
Feel the festive spirit in the city. Discover fun at every corner and find the perfect gift for someone special or a treat for yourself. The Festive Finds in the City program begins in mid-November and will continue to grow 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 the best products and services offered from the City Centre and Braddon.
And it doesn’t end there! In Dickson, enjoy free pet-friendly photos with Santa and Mrs Claus on the first three weekends of December. Be sure to catch the annual Dickson community Christmas concert on Saturday 14 December 2024.
The City Christmas Party is a highlight of the Festive Finds in the City program.
New Year’s Eve fireworks on Lake Burley Griffin are a spectacular sight, lighting up Canberra’s night sky with vibrant colours and dazzling displays. Pack a picnic and find a spot along the lake foreshore to enjoy night with family and friends to welcome 2025.
There are three main viewing areas along the foreshore - Regatta Point, Patrick White, and Rond Terrace.
Keep the party going and head into the city to experience one of Canberra’s hottest night spots.
Time for ignition! We’re excited to sponsor the Summernats Braddon Fringe Festival as it returns for its fourth year.
This official side event celebrates the unique history between Summernats and Braddon, inviting visitors to stroll the streets and admire a curated selection of stunning Summernats car entries.
From 5pm to 11pm over three evenings, cars will be parked and cruising along the closed streets of Braddon (Lonsdale Street and parts of Mort and Elouera Streets) in a safe, family-friendly environment.
The event is important for local businesses, who have previously benefitted from a 125% increase in visitors to Braddon, generating over $1 million in local spending.
Summernats entrants will cruise the streets of Braddon as the Fringe Festival returns in January.
Enjoy free school holiday fun at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG)!
Explore the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Instrument Petting Zoo, where you can try instruments like violins, trumpets, and flutes with the help of musicians or dive into the "Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars" exhibition, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Mount Stromlo Observatory. Discover its history and contributions, including during World War II, through digital interactives, unique objects, and oral histories. Then get creative at MakerSpace by making a Mt Stromlo sun or lucky star.
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 vibrant festival of colour, flavour, and excitement to mark the Year of the Snake.
The 2024 event was recognised with the Best Small Event of the Year award at the Australian Event Awards and Symposium.
This free street party has been warmly welcomed by the wider Canberra community, introducing many to Dickson’s dynamic multicultural dining scene.
The 2024 edition of Dickson Lunar New Year was recently recognised as Australia's Small Event of the Year.
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 vibrant 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.
Mark your calendar and prepare for a massive summer of free fun in the City Centre. We can’t wait to celebrate and 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.
