In brief:

• More than 30 special events have been declared in the coming months.
• A special event declaration means venues can stay open later to sell alcohol.
• Special event declarations help businesses celebrate event that are important to them.

In a boost for Canberra’s nightlife, Access Canberra has declared more than 30 special events in the coming months.

A special event declaration means licensed venues can stay open later to celebrate.

If a venue is licensed to sell alcohol until midnight or 1am, it can extend these hours until 2am for the special event.

The licensee does not need to apply for this extension as it is automatically applied.

Upcoming special events include:

• Floriade NightFest
• AFL and NRL grand finals
• 2026 Melbourne Cup
• Spilt Milk.

Special event declarations help businesses celebrate events that are important to them, including:

• sports finals
• holiday celebrations
• community events.

Businesses can also use other reforms at the same time, including:

• free extended floor plans
• annual fee reductions for supporting live music and the arts.

The special events declaration covers the following licence types:

• General Licence
• On Licence
• Club Licence
• Special Licence.

Venues do not have to extend their trading hours.

Licensees must stick to existing conditions, as well as those outlined in the declaration.

They must meet all obligations to minimise the risk and harm from alcohol.

Venues that can already supply alcohol later will not be affected and can trade as usual.

Upcoming special events include:

September

• 4-6 September – Canberra Moon Festival
• 6 September – NRLW Round 10 match – Raiders v Eels
• 20 September – AFLW Round 6 match – Giants v Tigers
• 26 September – AFL Grand Final

October

• 1-4 October – Floriade NightFest
• 4 October – NRL and NRLW Grand Finals
• 14 October – NBL match – Kings v Breakers
• 23 October – Rugby Union Match – Wallaroos v Scotland

November

• 3 November – 2026 Melbourne Cup
• 7 November – La Fiesta

December

• 2 December 5^th T20 Cricket match – Men’s T20 Series v England
• 12 December – Spilt Milk
• 16 December – Big Bash League – Thunder v Strikers
• 17 December – NBL match – Kings v Taipans
• 24 December – Christmas Eve
• 31 December – New Year’s Eve

January

• 3 January – Big Bash League – Sixers v Strikers
• 11 January – Big Bash League –Thunder v Stars
• 25-26 January – Australia Day Events
• 30-31 January – Australian Tennis Open – Finals

February

• 5-7 February – National Multicultural Festival
• 13 February – Lunar New Year
• 19-21 February – 100^th Royal Canberra Show
• 19-21 February – Belco Bowl Jam
• 26 February – 8 March – Enlighten Festival

March

• 6 March – Women’s 1^st ODI match – Australia v New Zealand
• 7 March – Canberra Cup 2027
• 8 March – Canberra Day
• 10-21 March – Canberra Comedy Festival
• 11-15 March – 150^th Anniversary Test Match – Australia v England
• 25-29 March – National Folk Festival

More information on special events declarations and conditions for licensees is available on the ACT Legislation Register.

Read more like this:

• New events and experiences coming to the city
• 2027 National Multicultural Festival dates announced
• Preparations underway for Floriade 2026
• International rugby returns to Canberra

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