Huddle in for Questacon's ice-hot Mid-Winter Nights

There’s snow place like staying home, snuggled up in blankets by the fireplace in Canberra. And a unique winter experience is here to knock those socks off with fun for the whole family.

Returning for the first time since 2019, Questacon’s action-packed Mid-Winter Nights event combining science, live entertainment, liquid nitrogen ice cream and more lands in the capital from Wednesday, 6 July to Saturday, 9 July.

Explore the galleries in exclusive sessions from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Then venture outside to the glowing food court and warm up with a hot chocolate or embrace the cooler winter weather with a snow cone.

Questacon senior manager Angie Good said there would be a variety of fun and winter-themed activities over the four nights, including snowball tossing, stop-motion capture making, and neon colouring-in.

“We are delighted to be bringing Mid-Winter Nights back to Questacon,” Ms Good said.

“Visitors will be able to dance to the beats of Canberra’s most loved DJ – DJ Sue – sample liquid nitrogen ice cream, and make their own snow globe.

“It is fantastic to be hosting a community event at Questacon after a two-year break. We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our visitors once again.”

Mid-Winter Nights event organiser Tegan Cross said the Questacon team was excited to once again host local events.

“As you can imagine, in Canberra, most of our attractions during the year are dominated by visiting children on excursions from interstate, so this is just a really nice way for us to bring back an event targeted towards our locals,” she said.

“We’re starting to get our school groups back and the centre is just pumping because school holidays have already started in Victoria.

“It’s a vibe we haven’t seen for a few years.”

Tegan said the event was one of the few where Questacon encouraged visitors to come and experience the science centre indoors and out.

Visitors can dine inside one of the winter wonderland’s outdoor igloos and warm themselves with food from local vendors and Questacon’s own Atomic Café.

“Chip on a stick will be making an appearance, then we have our ‘Glow Bar’ which will sell a mixture of adult drinks and drinks for children that light up. We’ve also got loaded hot chocolate stands, snow cones, and igloos,” Tegan said.

“There are also five dome igloos free for people to sit in. We’ve got a couple of roving performances including stilt walkers and a guy dressed head-to-toe in mirrors. DJ Sue, one of Canberra’s favourite DJs, will be coming along to create that really nice atmosphere.

“Kids will also be able to have a go at making their own snowglobes, and at Mini Q in the centre, kids will be able to have snowball fights.”

Questacon’s signature Spectacular Science Shows will also take centre stage featuring liquid nitrogen. After each show, children can watch the demonstration then sample the ice cream.

Tegan said organisers expected up to 5000 visitors to the four-night event.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” she said.

“Not only for the local community, but for our staff.

“They’re really pumped to be able to welcome people back into the centre and make the most of winter.”

Tickets start at $18.90 for concessions and $70 for a family (two adults and two children). To book your tickets, visit Mid-Winter Nights @ Questacon.