In brief

• There are so many fun things to do across Canberra this winter.
• Try a new activity, explore local events or rug up and enjoy the outdoors.
• This story has ideas for making the most of winter with options for every interest.

There is so much happening across Canberra during Winter.

While it can be tempting to stay home to beat the cold, the best way to see more of what the city has to offer is to get out and explore.

Here are some ideas to consider.

Cosy up with some culture

Canberra’s city centre transforms into a winter wonderland for 10 days for Winter in the City (8–18 July). Expect circus acts, fire performances and a line-up of experiences happening across local businesses.

Winter in the Woods is on at the National Arboretum until 9 August. There’s a packed program of nature play, storytelling sessions, craft activities and engaging school holiday activities.

There’s plenty to see at Canberra Theatre Centre this winter, from Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet to K-Pop Icons. Whether you’re after a laugh, some drama or a good singalong, you’re bound to find something to see. Find out what’s on.

Find more performances at:

• The Street Theatre
• Tuggeranong Arts Centre
• ACT Hub
• Llewellyn Hall
• Mill Theatre at Dairy Road
• National Capital Convention Centre.

You can also check out our guide to live music in Canberra.

Now is also the perfect time to visit one of Canberra’s many museums and galleries. They’re not only fabulous, they’re also wonderfully warm inside.

Here are just some of the exhibitions currently in town:

• Antarctica at the National Museum of Australia, on until 11 October 2026.
• Arthur Boyd: Tapestries at the National Gallery of Australia, on until 18 October 2026.
• Maria Fernanda Cardoso: Spiders of Paradise at Canberra Museum and Gallery, on until 27 August 2026.
• Rear Vision: The Holden Collection at the National Archives of Australia, on until 11 October 2026.
• Remembering the War at the National Library of Australia, on until 20 September 2026.

Find more exhibitions.

Watch a film

Prefer your drama on screen? The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s is running a winter film series to really get you in the mood.

The Archives’ Arc Cinema also offers a curated program of revived classics. View the full schedule and grab tickets.

Palace Electric is screening the Spanish and Latin American Film Festival until 12 July.

Palace also hosts the Nordic Film Festival between 23 July and 16 August.

Pick up a new skill

If your social schedule is looking a little bare, it’s the perfect opportunity to take up a class or short course. Learn something new – for your CV or just for fun – or brush up on an existing talent.

CIT’s short courses are great for hands-on learning. You’ll find everything from coffee making to floral design to home DIY skills. See what’s on offer.

Some other options include:

• photography workshops at Photoaccess
• short courses at Canberra Glassworks
• pottery classes with Canberra Potters
• woodworking projects with Koitoya
• power tools or upholstery workshops with Women’s Shed Canberra
• bicycle repair and maintenance at The Recyclery
• workshops at Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres
• visual and performing arts classes at Belco Arts 
• various classes at Tuggeranong Arts Centre.

Keen to try a particular craft? You can find a range of options in our guide to crafting groups in Canberra.

You’ll also find some budget-friendly options in our guide to free education in the ACT.

Start a book club

Reading doesn’t need to be a purely solitary pursuit. Libraries ACT has a Book Club Service that includes:

• access to book club sets (12 copies of the same title)
• an online account and membership card
• discussion guides.

You can book a book club set up to six months in advance and for a loan period of up to six weeks.

If you’re on the hunt for more literary options here in the ACT, check out our bookworm’s guide to Canberra.