My name is Joy and I am an Intern at Nichigo Press. The 6th Canberra event I’d like to introduce is ‘Winter in the City,’ which took place in Canberra’s City Centre from 30th June to July 16th.
What is ‘Winter in the City’?
‘Winter in the City’ is a vibrant winter event held in the heart of the city, organized by the ACT Government’s City Renewal Authority. Attendees can enjoy real snow, ice skating, live entertainment, as well as warm food and drinks.
This annual winter festival attracted over 24,000 local residents and tourists this year, surpassing last year’s attendance by 20 percent. It provided a lively atmosphere akin to a short trip to a snow country, especially for Canberra residents who don’t often have the chance to see snow.
Lively ice skating
Upon arriving at the venue, I first went to check out the ice skating rink. It was half past 6 in the evening, but the sky was already completely dark. However, the ice skating rink was beautifully illuminated thanks to the effective lighting display.
In the surrounding area, food stalls selling pies, desserts, alcohol, and hot chocolate were set up. Inside the huts shaped like igloos, tables, chairs, and fires for roasting marshmallows were installed. As you can see from the photos, it was a charming setup where you could experience a true winter atmosphere!
The Village
Just across the street from the ice skating rink at Ainslie Place, there’s a sign for ‘The Village.’ Upon entering, you’ll find food and drink stalls, as well as a corner for playing in the snow, which was extremely popular among children.
When you purchase tickets for snow activities, you can exhilaratingly slide down an 8-meter toboggan slide and create magnificent snow sculptures and snow angels. You could see many families joyfully engaging in snow play.
The perfect event for winter break
‘Winter in the City’ coincides with the winter break for children, making it a lively event with numerous snow activities even in snowless Canberra. With activities like ice skating and stalls of cafes and bars, enjoyable for adults as well, it is truly Canberra’s biggest winter festival where everyone can create beautiful winter memories.
