We’re halfway through winter and the Canberra region is set to be a chilly one this weekend, 12-14 July.

Grab your coats and mittens and make the most of the cold weather with real snow, ice skating, hot drinks and entertainment at Winter in the City and Wonder at Glebe Park.

Escape the cold and be transported to different worlds in some of the fabulous performances on across the Canberra region. Experience Christmas wonder in The Nutcracker in July or face ghastly pasts in The Woman in Black.

EVENTS

Winter in the City: The Canberra winter event returns with the theme Fire and Ice and features ice skating in the city, fire performances and more. Canberra City, until 21 July, full program; winter.inthecity.com.au

Wonder at Glebe Park: Enjoy the magic of winter with real snow, toboggan slides, ice skating, food, market stalls and more. Glebe Park, until 21 July; feverup.com

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Macy Gray: With an unforgettable sultry voice, Macy Gray has been wowing crowds for decades. Now, she returns with the On How Life Is 25^th Anniversary Tour. Canberra Theatre Centre, Thursday 11 July 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

In Tails: Comedian Colin Lane and long-time friend and well-known opera singer David Hobson come together in this not-to-be-missed production. Canberra Theatre Centre, Friday 12 July 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

The Grandparents Club: A comedy musical that celebrates the gift of being a grandparent that’s full of fun and witty tunes. Canberra Theatre Centre, 13-14 July; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

The Nutcracker in July: Community ballet for all ages group 6^th Position presents a performance of the beloved festive time ballet. Canberra College Performing Arts Centre, 13-14 July; 6thposition.au

Dave O’Neil: The beloved funny man is on a mission to entertain audiences in his new show Overweight, Lightweight. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Saturday 13 July 7:30pm; theq.net.au

The Woman in Black: A lawyer obsessed with a curse on his family engages a young actor to help exorcise the fear that grips his soul in Britain’s second longest-running play. Canberra Theatre Centre, until 14 July; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Gurnam Bhullar: One of the leading figures in Punjabi entertainment, the talented singer, songer writer and actor comes to town in The Diamond Star. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Sunday 14 July 6pm; theq.net.au

EXHIBITIONS

Collections: A group ceramics, print, and paint exhibition by talented artists Sue Cant, Julie Roberts, Lynne Thomson and Jo Townsend. Canberra Potters Gallery, 11 July – 4 August; Canberra Potters Gallery

Belconnen Arts Centre: Showcases five exhibitions- Bloodlines by Jessika Spencer,; Reclamation: Stories of Thrivival by Wallabindi; Murrook by Krystal Hurst; Respecting Country by William Walker; and Yurwang Bullarn by Strong Women’s Group. 12 July – 25 August; belcoarts.com.au

Ella Barclay: Presents works developed whilst on residency at ZK/U The Centre for Art and Urbanistics I Berlin. CCAS, Lakeside, 13 July – 14 September: ccas.com.au

Moving in Circles:  A showcase of past and recent printworks highlighting the ongoing topics of concern such as nuclear disarmament and human rights. Megalo Print Studio, 13 July – 24 August; megalo.org

Robert Fielding: Nyaru: Contemporary artist Robert Fielding showcases strong cultural roots and views of community life and global concerns. Canberra Glassworks, until 21 July; Canberra Glassworks – Exhibitions

Vincent Namatjira: Australia in colour: The first survey exhibition of the Western Aranda artist, showcasing paintings, works on paper and moving images from worldwide collections. National Gallery of Australia, until 21 July; nga.gov.au

Djaadjawan (Sand): An exhibition of paintings by Walbanja-Yuin artist Natalie Bateman. COX Gallery in Kingston, until 26 July; coxarchitecture.com.au

Jordan Wolfson: Body Sculpture: A commissioned piece that evokes emotional and physical responses from the viewer through the movements of an animatronic sculpture, contains mature themes. National Gallery of Australia, until 28 July; nga.gov.au

Photo Access: Presents two new exhibitions- Ngulagambilanha (On Returning) by Jessika Spencer and Kooragang Island by James Rhodes. Photo Acceas, Griffith, until 3 August; photoaccess.org.au

Tuggeranong Arts Centre: Presents three exhibitions- Sisters Interwoven by Megan Daley and Rechelle Turner; All Guns Blazing by Jamie-Lee Trindall; and Breaking Ground by Heidi Smith and Michelle England, until 10 August; tuggeranongarts.com

Change: Stories from your pocket: The Royal Australian Mint curates an exhibition exploring the stories our coins tell about our history. Canberra Museum and Gallery, until 31 August; cmag.com.au

Discovering Ancient Egypt: On loan from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities is a deep dive into the culture of the ancient society with more than 220 objects, spanning more than 3,000 years. National Museum of Australia, until  8 September; nma.gov.au

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2024: The 12 finalists for the Little Darlings competition that saw students from kindergarten to year 12 respond to the theme My Story through different mediums. National Portrait Gallery, until 15 September; portrait.gov.au

Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao: Experience the enduring art of the French Post-Impressionist Paul Gaugin through some his most recognised works. National Gallery of Australia, until 7 October; nga.gov.au