When is the Best time to visit Canberra

Are you wondering when is the best time to visit Canberra? The busiest times for visitors are March, September and December.

Most people visit Canberra during the spring (September to November) when the Floriade Festival (Sept/Oct) brings the city to life. These times see the highest hotel prices. The city really comes alive during any of the major events like Enlighten Canberra (March) or the National Folk Festival (April).

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Autumn, when the city’s plantings of deciduous trees see the streets bathed in a palette of bright red, orange, yellow and even shades of deep purple, is every bit as pretty as the spring festival. The autumn display is at its best from mid-April to mid-May.

If you are in town for a museum fix, consider visiting in winter when hotel prices and crowds are at their lowest.

Tip: Visiting on weeks when Parliament is not sitting may help you score a more affordable hotel room.


Weather in Canberra

With a high inland location, Canberra is warmer than the coastal capitals in the summer and decidedly colder in winter. In fact, there is occasional snow in July and August in some years. Regardless of what you see here between March and October, you will need to carry a warm jacket for the evenings.

Rainfall is fairly steady throughout most of the year, with the lightest falls in April, May, and June. November receives the most rain followed by December and January.

Autumn Trees in Canberra ACT Australia
Canberra in the last days of autumn

Summer (December to February)

Summer weather gets pretty warm and temps over 30 °C are not unusual. While rain is not all that common in Canberra at any time of year, it’s most likely in November and December. You will encounter 5-7 days with some rain in summer.

Autumn (March to May)

Autumn sees clear blue skies and relatively warm days. However, you can get caught out by just how cold it can get at night. As soon as the sun goes down, you may find you need, at the very least, a light jacket. By May it will need to be a decent warm one!

Winter (June to August)

It’s cold in Canberra in winter, and some outskirts of the territory may see occasional overnight snow, but the skies are blue and with the right clothing, you can really enjoy a visit. Winter sees, on average, 4 rainy days per month.

Spring (September to November)

Cool nights and early mornings and then comfortable days make spring a very popular time for visitors. November can see a few more wet days than the previous months.


Average Temperatures in Canberra are as below:

Month Maximum temperatureMinimum temperature Average rainfall (mm)
January26.313.640mm
February26.514.137mm
March 24.112.739mm
April 20.410.138mm
May 16.68.436mm
June13.76.339mm
July13.05.539mm
August 14.56.043mm
September16.67.144mm
October19.38.551mm
November22.110.461mm
December24.212.051mm
Source: Climate of Australia

Find out more weather and temperature details on the Bureau of Meteorology.


Canberra Event Calendar

The biggest event of the year might be Floriade, but there are several other times when the city really comes alive.

Date Festival
8 – 11 January 2026Summernats 
Early Feb 2026National Multicultural Festival
20th – 22nd February 2026Royal Canberra Show
 6–8 February 2026The National Folk Festival
27 February to 9 March 2026Enlighten Illuminations
14-22 March 2026Canberra Balloon Spectacular
9 March 2025Symphony in the Park
2-6 April 2026National Folk Festival
25 April 2026Anzac Day (visit the War Memorial)
13 Sept. – 12 Oct 2025Floriade
October 22-26 2025Canberra Writers Festival
*Dates correct at time of publication Source: Canberra Tourism


ACT and Canberra School and Public Holidays

Long weekends see prices rise and availability drop, so book in advance for the best deals. Most attractions only close on Christmas day and perhaps Anzac Day or Good Friday; please check individual places before visiting.

Public Holidays in Canberra 2025-2026

Holiday 20252025
New Year’s Day 01 January01 January
Australia Day27 January27 January*
Canberra Day10 March09 March
Good Friday18 April18 April
Easter Saturday19 April03 April
Easter Monday20 April06 April
Anzac Day25 April 25 April
Reconciliation Day02 June01 June
King’s Birthday09 June08 June
Labour Day 06 October05 October
Christmas Day25 December 25 December
Boxing Day26 December 26 & 28 December

School Holidays in Canberra 2025-2026

If you don’t have children, avoiding these dates will save you money, and you will find the museums a lot less crowded.

Period 20252026
Autumn break:14 April-28 April3 April to 20 April
Winter break: 07 July – 20 July4 July to 20 July
Spring break:29 Sept – 12 October26 Sept to 12 October
Summer break:18 Dec – February 202619 Dec – 31 Jan 2027

Source: ACT Government website

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