Winter in the City: Fire and Ice festival will be bigger than ever this year

Posted on 27 June, 2024

A fire spectacular is set to heat up the City Centre alongside the beloved winter tradition of ice skating under a crisp and starry sky.

After all, it makes sense that Canberra embraces its ‘real’ winter (because we might have it a few degrees chillier than our neighbours), but ice skating, snow play and local business offers make it all better. And this year, Winter in the City: Fire and Ice is back from 6-21 July and will be bigger than ever.

Your beloved ice skating rink (perfect for rugged-up little ones burning off school holiday energy and cute date nights alike) will be back, but this year, the event’s footprint will expand, with ice skating relocating to Glebe Park, along with WONDER in the Park, the magical snow play and a cosy village perfect for everyone who loves winter.

But that’s not all – in an event-first, Garema Place will also become a hotbed (pun intended) of activity from 6-21 July as fire performances take centre stage each night for three completely free shows at 5.30, 6.30 and 7.30 pm.

Performed by the talented team from Flux Entertainment, Teresa Comacchio from the City Renewal Authority says these performances will leave jaws on the floor.

“It’s going to be visually spectacular – you can look forward to pyrotechnics, fire juggling and twirling from seasoned performers. Flux Entertainment is the best at what they do.”

“Canberrans will absolutely love it – it’s going to be so exciting. It’s the perfect opportunity for people to come into the city to enjoy the fire performances and then visit the wonderful venues in the City Centre for dinner and drinks.”

Winter in the City 2023 – Whiteout Party

Meanwhile, over in Glebe Park, all your wintery dreams can come true with one ticket, with ice skating, snow play, tobogganing and marshmallow toasting on open fires.

Programmed by the City Renewal Authority, Winter in the City: Fire and Ice also offers Canberrans a range of special offers from city businesses, so you can have the best winter night out ever *and* save a dollar or two in the process.

While you can view the full range of offers here, some highlights include $15 cocktails at Parlour of Dreams (Fun Time Pony’s newest ’80s décor speakeasy), a $15 ‘winter warmers’ sample bar of four beers at BentSpoke, two for one mulled wine at Blackbird, a free hot drink with every acai bowl purchased at EightyTwenty and kids eat free for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Assembly.

There will also be a range of other festive winter events to put in the calendar, such as Local Winter Wonderland on Saturday 6 July at POP Canberra, Winter Wonderland at the Haig Park Village Markets on Sunday 14 July.

Winter in Canberra has never been so cool.

Photography: Supplied