The National Folk Festival has been cancelled due to cronavirus.
Organisers made the announcement on Monday, saying it was "impossible and inadvisable" to proceed with the festival in the wake of bans of mass gatherings of more than 500 people.
The event, which was scheduled to take place over Easter, would have had more than 50,000 pack in to Exhibition Park.
"This is a deeply distressing time for everyone, but the health and wellbeing of our community must come first," organisers for the festival said in a statement.
It's the first time in 54 years the event has been cancelled.
Many of the acts set to perform at the festival were to come from overseas.
"We recognise that the cancellation of this year's festival will have a significant impact on the folk community, and especially those who were scheduled to perform," organisers said.
"We hope our audiences will do everything they can to support artists across any available platform at this difficult time."
Those who have already purchased tickets would be eligible for a refund or a transfer of their ticket to next year's festival.
"As entertainment venues, festivals, concerts, theatrical productions close across the country, there will be a devastating impact on our creative industries everywhere," organisers said.
"Tragically, our artists will share in this loss."
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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