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Winter in the Woods brings new festival focus to National Arboretum

New winter festival launches at National Arboretum Canberra with firelight, food and outdoor experiences across six weeks.

By The Daily Canberra · Published 26 June 2026 at 7:32 pm · 1 min read

Winter in the Woods brings new festival focus to National Arboretum
Photo: Photo by Jana Leu on Unsplash

The National Arboretum Canberra will launch Winter in the Woods, a new festival running from 26 June to 9 August, featuring firelight, food and forest-based activities, according to The RiotACT. The initiative complements Canberra's existing winter event calendar and positions the Arboretum as a destination beyond its traditional role as a horticultural attraction.

The festival represents a strategy to maximise the Arboretum's appeal during Canberra's cooler months, when visitation can slow. By programming dedicated winter experiences, the venue creates seasonal demand that supports food and hospitality operators on site and nearby, and encourages locals to discover the landscape during a period when woodland settings take on different character and appeal.

For Canberra's event economy, the addition of Winter in the Woods diversifies the city's festival calendar. While events like Floriade drive spring tourism and visitation, dedicated winter programming helps distribute visitor traffic and spending across the calendar year. The emphasis on firelight and outdoor adventure also aligns with growing consumer interest in immersive natural experiences and alfresco dining, trends that support hospitality and venue operators adapting to changing visitor preferences.

Sources: the-riotact.com.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.

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