Summernats 39 in Canberra 2027: Light Rail to EPIC & Racecourse, No On-Site Parking Friday or Saturday Without a Pass, 7-10 January (ACT)

Summernats 39 runs from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 January 2027 at Exhibition Park in Canberra, and the organiser’s advice for getting there is to take the light rail to the EPIC & Racecourse stop, because there is no on-site parking on Friday or Saturday without a pre-purchased parking pass. Season Passes are on sale now through Oztix, the Platinum pass has sold out, and the organiser says spectator camping is sold out as well.

This guide uses the event’s own spectator page, transport page, entertainment page, program page, camping page and FAQ. Several parts of those pages are still marked as to be confirmed, so the Not yet confirmed line above lists what is missing as at 31 October 2026.

What is the easiest way to get to Summernats 39?

The transport page says the Canberra Light Rail is the easiest way to travel to and from the event, that services run at increased frequency, and that the EPIC & Racecourse stop is directly outside the venue at Gate 2. The page tells spectators not to get off at any other stop. It also says the last trips vary each day, so check the timetable for your return journey before you travel.

Way in	What the organiser says
Light rail	Get off at EPIC & Racecourse; the stop is outside Gate 2; increased frequency; last trips vary each day
Park & Ride	Park free all day at Gungahlin, Well Station Drive or Lyneham, then take light rail or a rapid bus to EPIC; tap on with a Visa or Mastercard, phone or watch
Taxi and rideshare	Drop-off and pick-up on Randwick Road, a short walk to Gate 2
Neuron scooter	Scooters can be used to travel close to the gates; check the Neuron app first for no-ride and no-parking zones
Car	No on-site parking on Friday or Saturday without a pre-purchased pass; very limited on Thursday and Sunday

Can I park at Exhibition Park for Summernats?

Only with a pass. The transport page says there is no on-site parking on Friday or Saturday without a valid pre-purchased parking pass, and that very limited parking is available on Thursday and Sunday. Its FAQ adds that on-site parking at Summernats is prepaid only, so a driver without a pass will not be able to park on site, particularly on Friday and Saturday.

The organiser asks people not to park in suburban streets, because parking inspectors will be active throughout the event, and it describes the event as a guest of the Canberra community. The pages checked do not give a price for a parking pass or say where to buy one. The Platinum pass listing mentions a discounted P2 parking pass, but the organiser does not describe the parking passes on these pages.

How does Park & Ride work for Summernats?

The organiser says to drive in, park for free and take a rapid bus or the light rail straight to EPIC. The three car parks it names are Gungahlin, Well Station Drive and Lyneham, and it says parking is free all day. Tapping on works with a Mastercard, Visa, phone or watch. It warns that some services finish earlier than the event, so check the timetable before you set off.

Which tickets are on sale for Summernats 39?

The Spectator Season Pass is on sale now. The spectator page says it gives access across all four days, entry to the full event precinct, and the Friday and Saturday night concerts. The Spectator Platinum Pass, which adds covered burnout grandstand seating, a Platinum Express Lane at the Burnout Bar, early access to the Top 60 show and a discounted P2 parking pass, is shown as sold out.

• Buy only through Oztix, the official ticket partner (summernats.oztix.com.au). The organiser warns against fake or duplicated tickets.
• Entertainment is included with the Season Pass, so there is no separate concert ticket.
• Undercover seats at the burnout pad grandstand need a Platinum Pass. A limited number of grandstand seats are available to General Season Pass holders, but they are not shaded and are first come, first served.
• Prices are not shown on the organiser’s pages. They are on the Oztix listing.

The organiser’s gate lanes include a Buy on the Day lane, but the pages do not say what day tickets cost or whether they cover single days. Check Oztix before you plan around buying at the gate.

Who is playing at the Summernats 39 concerts?

The entertainment page lists two nights on the Main Stage at EPIC. Set times are not published.

Night	Acts listed by the organiser
Friday 8 January 2027	The Veronicas, Birds of Tokyo, Playlunch
Saturday 9 January 2027	Sneaky Sound System, Mashd N Kutcher: Anthems

The spectator page still labels the live concerts line-up as to be confirmed, while the entertainment page lists these five acts, so check both pages again before the event.

Is there anything free in the city?

The Braddon Fringe Festival is free, with no pass needed, according to the organiser. It runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with the City Renewal Authority closing Braddon for three nights of entrant-only cars, live music, street food and drinks. The pages do not give street closures or start times.

The City Cruise is also in the city. The FAQ says it takes place on Thursday, with only registered vehicles, starting at Exhibition Park, travelling along Northbourne Avenue, turning at the end of the route and coming back down the opposite side to finish at Exhibition Park. The best views are along Northbourne Avenue. The Supercruise is a separate, slower-paced event on Saturday evening in the Main Arena.

How do I get through the gates quickly?

• Spectator gates are Gate 2 and Gate 7.
• Have your ticket ready on your phone with the screen bright and the barcode clear. Printed tickets are fine.
• Leave bags at home if you can; the organiser says entry is quicker without them.
• Use the right lane: Pre-Purchased, Platinum Fastlane, Buy on the Day or Already Wristbanded.
• Re-entry conditions will be confirmed closer to the event.

What should I bring, and what do I do about the heat?

The organiser’s bring list is your ticket, your phone, photo identification, a small bag, sunscreen and a hat, earplugs or ear protection, a refillable water bottle and a good attitude. Glass containers are not permitted. Free refill stations will be on site and free sunscreen will be available at the Information Booth. The organiser warns that January in Canberra can be hot and asks people to drink water regularly and take breaks.

Summernats runs rain, hail or shine, and some program elements may change because of weather or safety. Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and children and youths must be with a responsible adult at all times. The rules ask people to look but not touch the cars.

Is spectator camping available?

No: the camping page shows spectator camping as sold out. Entrant camping is booked by email. Anyone camping needs both a Season Pass and a camping pass, and the FAQ says spectator camping opens on Thursday 7 January. The camping FAQ says a campsite ticket covers the camping space only, and that large appliances such as air conditioners and generators are not allowed. If you want to stay close, the organiser points to Visit Canberra for hotels, apartments and caravan parks.

What about accessible drop-off and pick-up?

The spectator page says the ticketing team can help with accessible drop-off or pick-up and that people should contact Oztix for personalised guidance. That paragraph still refers to Summernats 38, so ask Oztix to confirm the arrangements for Summernats 39 before you rely on them. For a Companion Card, the FAQ also sends people to Oztix.

What is still to come?

• The Transport Guide and Map, which the transport page says the organiser has not yet released.
• The program: the organiser’s day-by-day list is marked as general and to be confirmed, and the burnout events have no days or times listed yet.
• Re-entry conditions, set times, ticket prices and parking pass prices.

The organiser’s overview names the daily program items without times: scrutineering, the Aeroflow Cruise Route, Show ‘n’ Shine, OzWheels Skid Row, burnouts and the Top 60 Finalists Show on most days, with the City Cruise and Meguiar’s Great Uncover on Thursday, Methanol Madness on Friday, the Tuff Street Showcase, Motorkhana, awards, the Grand Champion driving events and parade and the Supercruise on Saturday, and Heads-Up Go-To-Whoa on Sunday. We will update this guide once the organiser posts times.

Sources

• Summernats: Spectators (checked 31 October 2026)
• Summernats: Transport (checked 31 October 2026)
• Summernats: Entertainment (checked 31 October 2026)
• Summernats: Program (checked 31 October 2026)
• Summernats: Camping (checked 31 October 2026)
• Summernats: FAQ (checked 31 October 2026)

Featured image: a street machine in the Summernats Street Parade (photo: Nick-D / CC BY-SA 3.0) (text added)

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Summernats, Oztix, Exhibition Park in Canberra or Transport Canberra. Dates, times, prices and travel advice can change; check the official pages above before you travel.