Starting Sunday, 1 December 2024, Canberra's City Centre will be filled with Christmas cheer as the City Renewal Authority's Festive Finds in the City campaign expands to include free merry-go-round rides.
The Festive Finds in the City program offers a range of affordable and complimentary activities to entice Canberrans and visitors to shop, dine, and explore the city.
What's on in the City Centre and Braddon in December
- Free merry-go-round rides in City Walk: 1-24 December.
- 'Cracking Offers' in the City Centre and Braddon with exclusive deals on meals, beverages, family packages and retail.
- Canberra Centre's Festive Lane Markets on City Walk and Petrie Plaza on 6-8 December from 5-9pm on Friday, 11am-7pm on Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sunday.
- Free family-friendly City Christmas party on City Walk from 3-9pm on Saturday, 7 December featuring interactive games, a line-up of live music, kids workshops, party games, and roving entertainment alongside food and beverage offerings from Central Social Club and Azima.
- Haig Park Village Christmas Markets will take place every Sunday before Christmas in December (1, 8, 15, 22). Featuring free Santa photos, a kids decoration station, live music and special Christmas-themed range market stalls.
"We're encouraging Canberrans to embrace the festive spirit, create memories with their loved ones, and support local businesses when purchasing their gifts," the City Renewal Authority's acting Executive Group Manager Jennifer Ramsay said.
"From Sunday, everyone can enjoy the nostalgia and whimsical charm of the historic civic merry-go-round with free rides up until Christmas Eve."
"We like to think of it as Canberra's first gift of Christmas and it has proved hugely popular in the past two years with locals and visitors enjoying over 20,000 rides each December."
"By activating the City Centre and Braddon, we're helping local businesses attract customers and spread Christmas cheer," added Ms Ramsay.
The 'Festive Finds' online gift guide showcasing the City Centre and Braddon's best gift ideas will also expand on 1 December to include exclusive 'Cracking Offers' – the specially tailored Christmas deals by local businesses, featuring discounts on food and beverages, family packages, and retail bargains. Highlights include sampling the range from BentSpoke Brewing at their Braddon BrewPub, an enzyme facial from OrganicSpa, and fresh oysters served with an Aperol Spritz at The Italian Place.
The merry-go-round is open from 10am to 7pm on Friday and Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm Sunday to Thursday. Visitors to the City Centre can redeem their free merry-go-round rides on the Festive Finds in the City website.
Starting 6 December 2024, Canberrans and visitors traveling to the City Centre can use Transport Canberra bus and light rail for free every Friday.
To explore the gift guide, view the complete program, and learn more about the Festive Finds in the City campaign, visit festivefinds.inthecity.com.au.
