Christmas in July Festival
European alpine village with wooden chalets, falling snow, giant nutcrackers, fire pits, and free entry. Raclette, fondue, bratwursts, mulled wine and hot chocolate.
1–5 July • Parkes Place West Lawns
Winter 2026
Christmas in July Canberra 2026
Alpine markets, fire shows, truffle festivals and cosy winter nights. Your complete guide to the capital's biggest winter celebrations.
1 Jul – 18 Jul 2026 Parkes, Civic & region-wide Free entry
What’s happening
Canberra’s 2026 winter season packs European-inspired festivals, circus, live fire performances, truffle hunts and more into the coldest weeks of the year.
Winter in the City
Circus Oz performs ‘Here, There and Everywhere!’, Flux Fire Shows three times nightly, K-Pop Icons world tour, dance, and shadow puppet workshops.
8–18 July • Petrie Plaza, Civic
Canberra Truffle Festival
Black truffle hunts, degustation menus, farmers market finds, and truffle butter masterclasses across the Canberra region’s best restaurants.
June–August • Region-wide
Fire Pit Cinema
Classic Christmas movies under the stars beside crackling fire pits. BYO blanket, grab a mulled wine, and settle in for the ultimate festive winter night.
1–5 July • Parkes Place West
Your guide to Christmas in July Canberra 2026
As Canberra's mornings dip below zero and frost blankets the parliamentary triangle, the capital transforms into one of Australia's most charming winter destinations. Christmas in July Canberra 2026 returns to the Parkes Place West Lawns from 1–5 July with a magical European-inspired winter festival that's become one of the city's most anticipated annual events.
The festival transforms the heart of Canberra into a festive alpine village filled with authentic wooden chalets, twinkling fairy lights, giant nutcrackers, falling snow effects, live music, and cosy winter experiences inspired by traditional European Christmas markets. General entry is free, with optional ticketed experiences available throughout.
What to eat and drink
Expect European winter comfort food: raclette, fondue, bratwursts, schnitzels, crêpes, waffles, pastries, mulled wine, and hot chocolate served from charming market stalls. The Fire Pit Garden invites you to roast unlimited marshmallows by the fire while sipping warm mulled wine — ideal for families and date nights alike.
Fire Pit Cinema
One of the highlights of 2026 is the Fire Pit Cinema experience: classic Christmas movies screened under the stars beside crackling fire pits. Pack a blanket and a thermos for the ultimate festive winter night out.
Winter in the City — 8 to 18 July
Following Christmas in July, the celebrations continue with Winter in the City at Petrie Plaza. Circus Oz headlines with their brand-new show ‘Here, There and Everywhere!’ (daily at 3:30pm), while Flux Fire Shows turn the night into something you feel as much as watch with three shows each evening (5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm). The K-Pop Icons world tour brings BLACKPINK, BTS, and TWICE hits to Canberra for all ages.
Canberra Truffle Festival
Running June through August, the Canberra region becomes one of Australia's most exciting places to experience black truffle. Hunt truffles with trained dogs, enjoy degustation menus at the region's best restaurants, or pick up fresh truffles at the weekend farmers markets.
Winter events on now
community
Winter in the Woods Festival
Fri, 26 Jun
National Arboretum Canberra
community
Winter Tales presents Justice Verity McWilliam
Sun, 28 Jun
National Library of Australia
food
Christmas in July Festival
Wed, 1 Jul
Patrick White Lawns
arts
ANU Meet the author and the Canberra Writers Festival
Thu, 2 Jul
Tangney Rd
family
Questacon Mid-Winter Nights
Fri, 10 Jul
Questacon
food
The Forage: Winter Street Food Festival
Sat, 1 Aug
Emu Bank Inlet
More things to do this winter
Beyond the festivals, Canberra's winter calendar is packed with live music, art exhibitions, comedy, and community events.
arts
Arthur Boyd: Tapestries
Mon, 22 Jun
community
A Funny Thing Happened...with Robbie Swan and Fiona Patten
Thu, 25 Jun
arts
Penelope Holloway | Hand Built Ceramics
Thu, 25 Jun
music
The Divine Devilles | Lakeside at 5
Fri, 26 Jun
arts
COMMON WEALTH ACT Premiere + Q&A
Fri, 26 Jun
markets
Capital Region Farmers Market
Sat, 27 Jun
Frequently asked questions
- When is Christmas in July Canberra 2026?
- Christmas in July Canberra runs 1–5 July 2026 at Parkes Place West Lawns. Open from 4:30pm–9:30pm on weekdays and from 11am on weekends. Winter in the City follows from 8–18 July at Petrie Plaza.
- Is Christmas in July Canberra free?
- Yes, general entry is completely free. There are optional ticketed experiences including Fire Pit Cinema, premium tastings, and VIP packages.
- What food is available?
- European winter comfort food from authentic wooden chalets: raclette, fondue, bratwursts, schnitzels, crêpes, waffles, pastries, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. The Fire Pit Garden offers unlimited marshmallow roasting.
- What else is on in Canberra this winter?
- The Canberra Truffle Festival runs June–August region-wide. Winter in the City (8–18 July) features Circus Oz, fire shows, K-Pop concerts, and family workshops. Plus dozens of live music gigs, art exhibitions, and markets every week — see our this weekend page for what’s on right now.
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