More than 24,000 locals and visitors have turned out for Winter in the City this month, the annual hibernal festivities held in Canberra’s City Centre, from 30 June to 16 July.

20 per cent more attendees than last year were drawn to the outdoor ice-skating rink, eight-metre toboggan slide, and night-time dance parties.

The event, organised by the City Renewal Authority, boosted spending at City Centre businesses, and contributed almost $1.8 million in local economic activity.

Jennifer Ramsay, a branch manager with the City Renewal Authority, said that the two-week event meant Canberrans only had to take a ‘short trip to the snow’ this year.

“From playdates to first dates, Winter in the City gave people of all ages a fun, unique, and affordable experience in Civic Square and Ainslie Place,” Ms Ramsay said.

“It was magical to see children, their parents, and carers delight in the snow play and hurl down the toboggan slide with beaming smiles. We were also thrilled to see Canberrans embrace our evening dance parties, ice-skate under the sky, and roast more than 20,000 marshmallows across the two weeks.

“Our post-event estimates show that Winter in the City resulted in about an additional $1.8 million spent in cafes, restaurants, retail shops and transport over the two weeks.”

Record crowds went to the nearby Canberra Museum and Gallery throughout the July school holidays; many identified as first-time visitors.

8,821 visitors – nearly double the number seen last year – experienced the interactive How Cities Work exhibition along with the Poetic City Festival, the Everyday Art Festival, and the Uncharted Territory arts and innovation festival. 

These events provided strong economic support to city businesses, attracting 30 per cent more visitors to Civic during the winter school holidays than last year, Ms Ramsay said.

“We are thankful to residents and neighbouring businesses, including the Canberra Centre, for their great support throughout the event, as well as local businesses we partnered with to offer attendees single-use discounts and deals.

“From the pop-up events run by Jazida Productions to the experiences offered by nearby cultural institutions, this event demonstrates the value of working together to enliven our City Centre and make it a place people want to keep coming back to.”