What’s On This Winter In Canberra

It might be cold outside, but there is still plenty of things to do in Canberra this winter! 

School holidays are right around the corner. If you’re already pulling your hair out over finding fun things to do with the kids this winter break, then breathe a deep sigh of relief. We have done our research for you and have found plenty of exciting things to keep the whole family entertained!

Canberra has so much to offer this winter that you’ll have no trouble keeping the kids from being bored over their school break. 

Go grab a hot chocolate, come back, and read on to discover what’s on in Canberra this winter!

Things to do this winter

School Holidays: Under the Sea Craft at Marketplace Gungahlin

Are you ready for an underwater adventure?! Join us under the sea as Marketplace Gungahlin puts on a treasure chest of ocean-themed fun these school holidays!

From ocean bracelet making to DIY crab themed sandwiches – come take a dive and visit our under sea zone for FREE family fun this winter!

When: 2nd of July – 17th of July
Where: Outside BIG W at Marketplace Gungahlin
Price: FREE

The Mermaid Cove at Marketplace

The mermaids are coming to Marketplace Gungahlin! Get dazzled these winter school holidays at the Mermaid Cove. If you have a little mermaid or mer-male, bring them along to meet the mermaids at their Sparkle Station for some school holiday magic!

When: Saturday 2 July, Sunday 3 July, Saturday 9 July, Sunday 10 July, Saturday 16 July, Sunday 17 July
Time: 11AM – 2PM
Where: outside Kmart
Price: FREE for The Hub Members

Christmas in July

Ever wondered what a winter Christmas is like? Then rug up and take part in the Christmas in July Festival this winter!

The festival brings the spirit of a French-European winter Christmas with food, mulled wine, artisan creations, live entertainment, street shows, concerts and a winter market.

Free entry to the festival will also include authentic wood huts, Christmas lights, real snow falling, and melted cheese stations!

When: June 30th – July 3rd
Where: National Rose Gardens, Canberra

Immersive Art Exhibition

Connection: Songlines from Australia’s First Nations Peoples is a spectacular, first-of-its-kind experience that simply cannot be missed. This new art experience celebrates the spirit of Indigenous Australia in a fully-immersive, 360-degree installation. 

When: All throughout the winter school holidays
Where: National Museum of Australia

Hive Mind

MoAD’s Enlighten experience returns this winter with Hive Mind – a collaborative, visitor participation artwork installation.

Join in the fun and watch King’s Hall at Old Parliament House come buzzing alive as it transforms into a giant beehive! 

The free exhibition uncovers the story of beekeeping at Australia’s old and new Parliament Houses and what we can learn from bees on collective decision-making for democracy.  

When: All throughout the winter school holidays
Where: Museum of Australian Democracy

Winter Solstice Soiree

After more than a 2-year hiatus due to covid, the Winter Solstice Soiree returns to Canberra City Farm!

Pop on your winter woolies, grab the family and join in on the winter-themed festivities including wood fired pizzas, warming fires, toasted marshmallows, mulled wine, and games & live entertainment. 

When: Sunday 26th June, 12pm-3pm
Where: Canberra City Farm

Boundless Playground

Kids bored of being stuck at home? Then load everyone in the car and head to Boundless Playground!

Voted Canberra’s number one playground, Boundless matches its namesake – with boundless amounts of fun to be had!

The fully-enclosed playground is designed for all ages and all abilities and features favourites such as jungle gyms, slides, swings and zoned spaces catered to children with disabilities or spectrum disorders.

There are toilets and BBQ facilities onsite along with plenty of picnic tables to enjoy a fun-packed afternoon.

Where: Kings Park, Wendouree Drive, Parkes

Canberra Reptile Park

With over 50 different species of reptiles and frogs on display, the reptile lover in your family will delight in the Canberra Reptile Park!

Come to the zoo and touch a real-life python or dragon and learn all about your favourite reptile from the knowledgeable and friendly zoo keepers. Finish the day off at the gift store for a slithery souvenir!

When: Monday-Sunday
Where: O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls ACT

Dinosaur Museum

The National Dinosaur Museum houses one of the biggest permanent collections of interactive dinosaurs in Australia!

Get up close to a T-Rex, look at ancient dinosaur fossils and learn about prehistoric life in Australia, where dinosaurs roamed freely for millions of years. 

When: Every day
Where: 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls ACT

Power Kart Raceway

Take the kids for some high-octane fun at Power Kart Raceway!

Canberra’s ultimate go-karting experience features world class electric go-karts that you can race around on a F1 style indoor 14-lap circuit. 

For those who prefer something less action-packed, the Raceway also has an ice skating rink, glow-in-the-dark mini golf and an on-site restaurant/cafe. 

When: Every day
Where: 125 Canberra Ave, Griffith ACT

National Zoo & Aquarium

School holidays wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the National Zoo & Aquarium! 

Get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing animals including tigers, lions, giraffes and rhinos! Bring the whole family on one of the incredible wildlife tours and encounters which include feeding a meerkat, hiding breakfast for the Sun Bears and designing food puzzles for the monkeys! Better still, kids get half-price entry!

When: Every day
Where: 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla ACT

Radio Rookies

Radio Rookies is a school holiday program for kids aged 9 to 12, run by ArtSound FM radio station.

The 3-day course will teach kids how to make their very own podcast. From learning how to use software to record and edit audio to using microphones and experimenting with audio recorders and mixers – by the end of the course your child will have the tools to make their very own engaging podcast series!

When: Monday 4th of July – Wednesday 6th of July
Where: ArtSound FM Radio Station, Cnr Manuka Circle, NSW Crescent, Griffith ACT 2603 (Next to Manuka Pool)

Grab your winter comforts at the Marketplace

There are plenty more events in Canberra this winter – check out the Visit Canberra website and come to Marketplace Gungahlin for all your winter warmers including new winter fashion and homewares from our retailers, winter snacks from Woolworths to curl up on the couch with, and yummy comfort food or a rich hot choccie from one of our eateries.