One day next week might only reach 8 degrees, but Civic will be the hottest spot in town these July school holidays. For 15 days, the city centre will come alive with free spectacular fire shows, circus acts, theatre, musical comedy, as well as food, to warm up winter.

Winter in the City will run from Saturday 5 to Saturday 19 July, at a 14-metre-wide stage in City Walk, next to the City Centre merry-go-round.

In week one, three acrobatic astronauts travel on a Mission to the Moon, fusing circus acts with the latest science facts, and the Circus Firemen bring acrobatics, juggling and comedy.

In week two, local musician Lucky Jim will entertain the young at heart aged 0 to 116, and Circus Oz will bring ‘Non-Stop’ high-energy spectacle.

After dark, the City Centre will light up with three fire performances. Local amateurs will open the show. The headline display is Flux Entertainment, whose pyrotechnics have captivated audiences nationwide since they appeared on Australia’s Got Talent.

On the festival’s last day, Canberra’s dedicated street food event The Forage, now in its eleventh year, will return with what founder Belinda Neame calls “an unforgettable mid-winter feast”: nine hours of street food, live music, family entertainment and fire performances, from 12pm to 9pm.

The city will be transformed “into a hub of sizzling street eats, cosy firepits, and live entertainment”, Ms Neame said. “Visitors can explore a curated lineup of food from some of Canberra’s best restaurants and mobile food and beverage vendors.” 

A marketing campaign highlighting City and Braddon’s hospitality and retail businesses will encourage Canberrans to enjoy a day or night out and support local traders.

“Last year, Winter in the City contributed an estimated $2.72 million to the City Centre’s economy,” business, arts and creative industries minister Michael Pettersson MLA said. “This is money spent in our local cafes, restaurants, retailers and bars. We hope to see an even greater contribution this year.

“This year’s program of free, world-class entertainment on offer, encourages people to come into the City Centre to shop, eat, and celebrate winter. It’s all about creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere that Canberrans can enjoy and that benefits our city businesses.”

Winter in the City is run by the City Renewal Authority, and supported by the City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy.

For more program information, including show times, visit winter.inthecity.com.au.