New experiences set to activate Canberra's City Centre and Braddon through Placemaking Grants

From circus performances and BMX competitions to skateboarding, hip-hop and an immersive scavenger hunt, five exciting projects will bring new energy to Canberra's City Centre and Braddon through City Renewal Authority's 2026-27 Placemaking Grants program.

Co-funded by the City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy (CCMIL), the Placemaking Grants support creative initiatives that encourage people to connect with public spaces, attract visitors and contribute to a lively, welcoming city experience.

The grants program has brought to life some of the city’s most beloved creative initiatives—from Civic’s iconic giant magpie, Big Swoop, to sculpture installations for the Canberra Art Biennial, the Braddon Busking Festival, the Blank activation that transformed a vacant space in City West and Lawrence Tan’s ‘Flourish’ mural in Braddon.

Meet the 2026-27 Placemaking Grant recipients

Circus in the City

Warehouse Circus will bring Circus in the City to Canberra's City Centre through a series of free workshops and performances.

People of all ages will have the chance to learn circus skills, watch performers in action and take part in activities in public spaces. The program aims to create fun and welcoming experiences that encourage people to spend time in the city.

ACT JAM BMX

ACT JAM BMX will return to Braddon in November, bringing riders and spectators together for one of Australia's leading BMX events.

Held on Elouera Street, the event will feature high-air, best trick and long jump competitions from some of Australia's top BMX riders. Free to attend and family-friendly, ACT JAM celebrates BMX culture and brings the annual event into the heart of Braddon.

Apocalyptic Post: A Scavenger Adventure

Escape Rooms Canberra will deliver Apocalyptic Post: A Scavenger Adventure, an interactive scavenger hunt through Canberra's city centre.

Participants will follow clues, solve puzzles and explore the city as part of a shared adventure. The experience encourages people to discover familiar places in a new way while spending time in the city.

Belco Bowl Jam Street Party

The Canberra Skateboarding Association will bring the Belco Bowl Jam Welcome Party back to Verity Lane in February 2027.

The free event will feature live music and appearances from some of the world's best skateboarders as they gather in Canberra for the annual Belco Bowl Jam weekend. It offers a chance for visitors, local skaters and the wider community to come together and enjoy the atmosphere ahead of the competition.

Hip-Hop Civic Cypher

Hip-Hop Civic Cypher will bring local musicians, dancers and performers together in the heart of the city to celebrate hip-hop culture.

The free event will showcase local talent through live performances and create opportunities for people to come together, enjoy the atmosphere and experience a different side of the city.

Building on a successful program

The Placemaking Grants continue to support projects that bring people together and create memorable experiences in Canberra's City Centre and Braddon.

Last year's Placemaking Grants supported a variety of projects across the City Centre and Braddon, including the high-energy ACT JAM BMX event, Lawrence Tan's Flourish mural in Braddon, the Belco Bowl Jam Welcome Party in Verity Lane and Lakespeare's outdoor theatre performances in local parks.

These projects helped activate public spaces, support local creatives and encourage people to experience Canberra's City Centre and surrounding precincts in new and unexpected ways.

City Renewal Authority looks forward to seeing the 2026-27 recipients bring their ideas to life and invites the community to get involved as the projects roll out across the coming year.

Further details about individual events will be announced by recipients in the coming months.

Want to bring your idea to life?

If you've got an idea that could activate public space in Canberra's City Centre or Braddon, the next round of Placemaking Grants is expected to open in early 2027.

The grants support projects that help people connect with public spaces, support local creatives and contribute to a vibrant city centre. Applications follow a two-stage process, starting with a short project pitch. Visit the City Renewal Authority's Placemaking Grants page to learn more about the program and previous recipients and subscribe to the newsletter to be notified when the next round opens.