Winter holidays will be a little different this year for university students Grace Valentine, Phoebe Spilsbury and Reece O'Kelly, who aren't letting disrupted plans ruin their break.
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The Australian National University first years will unlikely make it back to Melbourne to visit friends and family, which means more time than expected to explore their new city.
From Friday, Canberra's winter offering will come to include a pop-up ice-skating arena in the city centre that they're "definitely heading along to".
Wintervention will turn Civic Square into a hub of entertainment, activities, food, and market stalls until July 11, with weekend wet weather unlikely to dampen anyone's plans.
Rain was forecast to fall Friday and Saturday, while the weather for Sunday was looking mostly fine.
Mr O'Kelly said the students were still adjusting to winter temperatures in the capital and expected to spend the six week break winding down from study.
"The cold's kind of a chill-to-the-bone kind of cold," Mr O'Kelly said.
"When we moved here it was just consistently beautiful days and I was bragging to my parents, now I'm like 'it's so cold, please help me'."
Born in England, Ms Spilsbury said Canberra winter reminded her of the homeland.
"I really like it," she said. "It feels like I'm back in an England winter."
The Wintervention rink is open 10am to 8pm from Sundays through to Thursday, and 10am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
All visitors are required to book in for a skate session.
Markets will run this weekend and next and will include a range of fashion, art, craft and design stalls from local traders.
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City Renewal Authority CEO Malcolm Snow said the event was a great chance to experience what the city had to offer over the colder months.
"Whether you're a skater or a spectator, Wintervention is a family-friendly event designed to embrace the Canberra chill," Mr Snow said.
Visitors can get some skating move inspiration with live performances from Stars on Ice every Friday and Saturday at 1.45pm and 6.45pm, and every Sunday at 1.45pm and 4.45pm.
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Alex Crowe
Alex covers science and environment issues, with a focus on local Canberra stories. alex.crowe@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alex covers science and environment issues, with a focus on local Canberra stories. alex.crowe@austcommunitymedia.com.au
