A brand-new event has just been added to the Summernats line-up for 2022 – an action-packed Fringe Festival set to take over Canberra’s inner north this January.

The Fringe Festival will take place on the Friday and Saturday nights during Street Machine Summernats 34 (January 6-9, 2022) in Canberra’s CBD, where a large portion of Braddon (surrounding Lonsdale Street) will be closed off for a Summernats-exclusive event.

“There’ll be up to 600 Summernats cars cruising the area, as well as parking up with show and shine. [There will be] live music, [and] all the venues like pubs, bars and restaurants will be open to create a city precinct,” said Summernats Managing Director, Andy Lopez.

The streets will be shut off to normal traffic from 5pm ’til 11pm on both nights, but the public can access the event free of charge on foot.

“We’ve worked with the ACT Police and Government on this, so it’s a completely managed activity by us with traffic management to make it as safe as possible,” said Lopez.

“This is something that used to happen unofficially anyway, now we’re just taking control of it and making it something that’s both really cool and importantly safe.

“It’ll be all of Lonsdale St between the two servos and the whole block around, so it’s going to be a big precinct.”

As well as all the regular venues being open, the Lonsdale Street car wash will have food trucks set up to add to what will already be an incredible atmosphere.

“For entrants who want to get their cars out and into the city, it’s a really good way to do it. Everyone wants Summernats cars out and about, but just in a safe and managed format,” added Lopez.

Passes for the Fringe Festival will only be given out to street-registered Summernats entrants, who will have to abide by all the normal road rules, both in and outside the Fringe Festival area.

“The residents and business of Braddon really wanted this to happen, and we reckon this is a first of many for activations like this,” said Lopez. “They wanted this to happen.”

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr joined Lopez for a launch event at Waves Car Wash.

“In 2020 Summernats generated nearly $30 million for the local economy and over 125,000 visitor nights in the ACT,” he said.

“With the event footprint evolving to include a Braddon fringe event, the opportunities for improved economic outcomes for local businesses will continue to expand.”

The Fringe Festival is a massive addition to what promises to be one of the biggest Street Machine Summernats ever – with a record breaking 2500 entries, a supersized Burnout Masters field, a packed elite unveils hall and a whole lot more.

So make sure you get to Street Machine Summernats on January 6 – 9 next year, because you’d be mad to miss it!