The Summernats car festival will be held from Thursday 8 January 2026 until Sunday 11 January 2026 at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC).
A number of road closures and changed traffic arrangements will be in place for the event which includes a City Cruise along Northbourne Avenue on the afternoon of Thursday 8 January 2026.
City Cruise impacts
- The Summernats City Cruise will be held onThursday 8 January 2026 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
- On occasions from 11:00 am until 1:30 pm, temporary rolling closures will be in place at:
- Watson – Federal Highway – southbound: from Antill Street to the Barton Highway.
- Downer, Dickson, Braddon and City – Northbourne Avenue – both directions: from Flemington Road to Bunda Street / Rudd Street.
- The rolling closures will close intersections as the cruise passes and this will apply to all traffic including motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
- Traffic management including signage and detours will be in place.
- Delays are expected and road users should seek an alternate route where possible.
- Light rail services will not be operating between Alinga Street and Sandford Street stops from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Thursday 8 January 2026.
- Light rail services will continue to operate between Gungahlin Place and Sandford Street only during these times:
- The last direct northbound service travelling from Alinga Street to Gungahlin Place will depart at 11:40 am. The first direct service will resume at 1:00 pm.
- The last direct southbound service travelling from Gungahlin Place to Alinga Street will depart at 11:40 am. The first direct service will resume at 12:50 pm.
Summernats Fringe Festival impacts
- The Summernats Fringe Festival will be held on the nights of Thursday 8, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 January 2026 from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Lonsdale Street, Braddon.
- Lonsdale Street and sections of surrounding Mort Street, Elouera Street, Girrahween Street and Torrens Street will be closed from 3:00 pm to midnight on all three nights to support the Summernats Fringe Festival.
Other closures
- The EPIC Park and Ride will be closed from 7:00 am on Tuesday 6 January 2026 until 7:00 pm on Monday 12 January 2026.
- Users of the EPIC Park and Ride are asked to use nearby facilities at Well Station Drive and Swinden Street.
- Flemington Road will be closed between the Federal Highway and Randwick Road from:
- 7:00 am to 11:59 pm on Thursday 8 January 2026
- 7:00 am on Friday 9 January to 1:00 am on Saturday 10 January 2026
- 7:00 am on Saturday 10 January to 1:00 am on Sunday 11 January 2026
- 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Sunday 11 January 2026.
- Watson – Stirling Avenue closed (daily): from the Federal Highway to Aspinall Street. The road will be closed from 7:00 pm, Thursday 8 January 2026 to 7:00 pm, Sunday 11 January 2026 (local traffic excepted).
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