Five ways to warm up your winter weekend in Canberra
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From cosy cafés serving hot chocolate to warming meals and seasonal events, Canberra knows how to do winter well.
This weekend is the perfect example.
Packed full of things that all ages will enjoy, whether you love the idea of exploring a festive winter village or are looking for suggestions on where to go truffle hunting, here are five ways to warm up your winter weekend in Canberra.
Attend the Christmas in July Festival
Add some whimsy into your winter weekend with Canberra’s favourite winter festival. Inspired by Europe’s famous Christmas markets, the Christmas in July Festival is transforming Patrick White Lawns into a festive winter village until Sunday 5 July.
With wooden chalets, falling snow, fire pits, hot chocolate, mulled wine, winter comfort food, artisan shopping and live entertainment, it’s essentially everything you love about Christmas in one location – if Christmas in Australia happened during actual winter.
General entry is free (perfect if you’re working with a budget), but you can book the Fire Pit Cinema or Fire Pit Garden for the ultimate cosy festival experience, complete with marshmallows for roasting.
Read our cheat sheet here and start planning.
Go on a hot chocolate crawl
There’s nothing like a hot chocolate on a cold day. While chains Oliver Brown, Max Brenner, Godiva and San Churro are always good choices for a hot chocolate fix, we did the research to uncover where to find the cosiest cups in locally owned cafés.
Stretching from Farrer to Murrumbateman, here is our guide to Canberra’s ultimate hot chocolate crawl. Whether you complete it in a weekend or space it out across winter is up to you – just make sure to make the most of it.
Explore the blockbuster exhibitions
Winter in Canberra always brings with it a string of amazing blockbuster exhibitions that will impress even the most dedicated culture vulture – so why would you want to stay home?
Explore the frozen continent of ANTARCTICA at the National Museum of Australia, experience the full cycle of 20 monumental tapestries by renowned Australian artist Arthur Boyd at the Nationally Gallery of Australia and head to the National Portrait Gallery to see John Brack x Noel McKenna: A face in the mirror before it closes on Sunday 19 July.
For families, Questacon will keep kids entertained with Quantum Tomorrow: Imagined Futures, while Rear vision: the Holden collection at National Archives of Australia will take them on a drive through the story of an Australian icon.
With so much to choose from (and free heating), wandering through the exhibitions is the perfect way to spend a day.
Have a seasonal meal
Warm yourself up from the inside out – this winter, there are plenty of seasonal dining experiences to choose from.
Wakefield’s winter menu is one to cosy up with. Expect share plates that range from Sydney rock oysters with green apple mignonette to gildas with boquerones and caperberry, prawn toast stuffed zucchini flowers. Our ‘must-try’? The “Wakefield’s Happy Meal” featuring a burger, fries and a martini (which is priced at just $25 during happy hour).
At the Hyatt Hotel’s Promenade Café, you can dig into a cosy Sunday Roast dinner until 30 August, priced at $42 per person ($21 for children) – including a glass of wine.
Meanwhile – for those looking for something a bit sweeter – QT has partnered with Space Kitchen for a touch of après‑ski indulgence with their Après QTea High Tea. Running until Sunday 30 August and priced at $50 per person, you’ll be treated to delights like a rich split pea and smoked ham soup and freshly baked scones piled high with mountains of rosewater cream and strawberry jam. Don’t skip the spiced mulled cider and flowing white chocolate fountain.
And who can forget truffle season? One of the most delicious experiences on Canberra’s calendar, find out where to get your fix here.
Make the most of the markets
This weekend is designed with market lovers in mind. On Saturday 4 July, The Little Burley Market is taking over the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, while the For Purpose Markets will be held at the DKB Community Hall in Dickson. The iconic Capital Region Farmers Market will also be on, selling the region’s freshest produce.
On Sunday 5 July, the family-friendly Hartley Hall Markets make their monthly return, Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets will have plenty to discover and both the Southside Farmers Markets and Haig Park Markets will have delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts.
Want more ideas? Check out our What’s On section for hundreds of events in and around Canberra!
