Canberra will be transformed into a winter wonderland with the sights, smells and sounds of European winter – think wafts of cinnamon and nutmeg, sparkling lights and German-style food huts.
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A Winter Festival will take over Garema Place in Civic with ice skating, snow, toboggan rides and European market stalls this winter.
"We're basically bringing a European winter into an Australian culture," said event organiser Andrew Lemon.
He said the snowfields would be brought into the city by the snowy Toboggan Terror ride, an inflatable ice slide, and warming food and drink. According to Mr Lemon, Canberra's winter worked to the advantage of the Winter Festival.
"Canberrans know the winter chill. I think that brings the event to life in ways other capital cities don't have without that winter experience," he said.
After organising the Skate in the City winter event in previous years, In the City Canberra will sponsor the festival.
Chief executive Jane Easthope said the festival's broader offerings would help maintain a robust and well curated calendar across the year.
"Particularly in winter, the city is a very dull, grey, leafless environment so to activate it with the beauty of ice skating and to energise those otherwise dull spaces is important," she said.
As a national event with national coverage, Ms Easthope hoped the festival would appeal to visitors to stop and play in Canberra.
"It raises the profile of the winter festival in the city and indeed Canberra as a place to visit. It's also good for trade and the social and economic health of the city in winter," Ms Easthope said.
It is the first time the event will come to Canberra and Ms Easthope was confident the event would be an enduring one.
The festival coincides with ACT school holidays, which is great for families.
"There's an amazing vibe of kids having a joyous time," Mr Lemon said.
Adults will be looked after too, with music, European-style markets and night skating.
Winter Festival will be held at Garema Place in Civic from June 23 to July 17.
For tickets and information, visit winterfestival.com.au.
