Winter themed sweets, a fire show, snow ball fights and illuminated igloos? Questacon’s Mid-Winter Nights is back!

Posted on 21 June, 2023

‘Tis the season to be freezing—but with the cold weather comes one of Canberra’s coolest night-time events: Mid-Winter Nights.

Full of wintery fun, Questacon is once again unlocking the doors after hours for an unforgettable family-friendly experience. We’re talking a fire show, live DJs, and snowball fights!

Taking place from Wednesday 5 until Saturday 8 July, this year the Mid-Winter Nights will be focusing on the topic of Fire and Ice—offering attendees of all ages the opportunity to learn all about the science behind hot and cold extremes. Here are eight things you can’t miss (and yes, it was hard to choose!).

Warm yourself at a Fire Show

Want to escape the cold night air? Warm yourself with a visit to the Japan Theatre to see the Questacon Excited Particles present their mesmerising Fire Show. Showcasing breathtaking flame-filled scientific demonstrations, you’ll leave with a warm feeling inside as the performers light a spark of scientific curiosity and answer your burning (sorry) questions.

With shows taking place at 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm, spaces are limited, so get in quick!

Treat yourself to an icy indulgence

Food trucks (hello Cannoli Brothers and La Empanada), winter-themed sweets, and a special soup stall…this year at Mid-Winter Nights, there will be plenty of hot and cold indulgences to treat your tastebuds. And with Atomic Café leading the charge—AKA the masterminds behind the glow-in-the-dark cocktails at Enlighten Festival 2023—you know that whatever they’ll be serving will not only be delicious but will look amazing as well (did someone say, ‘get it for the ‘gram?’)

Take a cool selfie in an illuminated igloo

Remember the iconic igloos that lit up Mid-Winter Nights last year? They’re back to provide the coolest (pun-intended) Instagram experience you can think of—because while they won’t be available for dining this year, they will be open for photo opportunities.

Each is set up with different decorations to get the perfect selfie, offering you the perfect opportunity to grab your friends for a fun-filled night out. Because as we all know, if it doesn’t make it to the Insta grid, it didn’t happen.

Battle it out with snowballs

Firstly, we’ll just need to make this clear: this doesn’t involve real snow but that doesn’t make it any less fun as you battle it out with makeshift “snowball” launchers. In this very special game (called Glow Physics) you will have five minutes to launch the snowballs over a barrier and into the opposing team’s side while the other team launches them back. The team with the least snowballs on their side at the end of five minutes wins!

Taking place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 July only, let the battle begin!

Look to the stars with Peter Swanton

In a not-to-be-missed event, Peter Swanton—of Indigenous Astronomy with ANU Astronomy—will be discussing the Celestial Emu/Emu in the Sky story.

Taking place on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 July from 5:30 pm to 9 pm, participants will also be making galaxies on black paper with glue, sand, and glitter. We dare you to name a more fun and cosy activity for a Friday night.

Take the little ones on an Antarctic Adventure

Showing your little scientist the fun of Questacon after dark? This year they’ll be able to embark on a winter-ful adventure in Mini Q.

Immersing themselves in a captivating winter wonderland filled with role-play areas, construction play, and a thrilling water play experience with floating icebergs, in this Antarctic Adventure they’ll enjoy enchanting story time with the Winter Princess, who brings the tales of the icy realm to life. Sparking their imagination and leaving them with memories as sparkling as freshly fallen snow, they’ll be sure to love every minute.

Enjoy the winter wonderland

From dancing the night away with live DJs at BoomBox2U to designing, building, and testing rockets in The Shed, getting crafty to create delicate snowflakes and adorable paper penguins, and experimenting with freezing temperatures, make sure to mark Mid-Winter Nights in your calendars—this promises to be an event that puts the brrrrr into brilliant.

Ready to have a winter-ful time?

Keen to experience Questacon after dark? Make sure to book ahead for everyone who wants to come along to avoid disappointment. But if you’re a Questacon member don’t worry—you won’t need to book, but you will need to bring your membership card with you on the evening of your choice.

Don’t miss out—this is snow-ordinary winter event! (Okay. I’ll stop with the puns now).