If your December isn’t already full of festive events, here are some ideas for how to fill the gaps.

From Christmas in the Park to pooch-friendly openings and loads of ways to engage with your community, here’s what’s on in December.

Christmas in the Park

Put Saturday, 9 December in your diary as Paddys Park plays host to the third annual Ginninderry Christmas in the Park.

The annual celebration has become a much-anticipated event, as the Canberra community gathers to enjoy a balmy night under the stars.

Paddys Park will once more come alive with the sounds of live music and carols, family activities, a delicious host of food and drink vendors and much more!

Settle in from 5–9 pm and enjoy tunes from homegrown talent MAXO and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra alongside Kingsford Smith School while tucking into tasty fare from local foodies like Tikka Stand, Kusukusu, Doing Donuts, Yummy Thai and Bake My Day Canberra. The Underground Spirits Bar will be ensuring everyone is kept hydrated!

Get a snap with the big guy in red at the Santa photo booth, and keep the kids busy with a host of games and craft activities.

Name a better way to spend a Saturday evening (for free)?!

Saturday 9 December, 5-9 pm | Paddys Park, Asimus Avenue, Strathnairn | Join the Facebook event here.

3000 Days… and counting…

Join the Ginninderry Conservation Trust for a special event – an evening with botanical artist Sharon Field as she takes us on a journey through her artwork “3000 days… and counting…”, her commentary and conversation starter on climate change.

For more information on the artwork watch this video or click here.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday 6 December, 6 pm – 7:30 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | Register here.

Ginninderry Temp Dog Park Opening

Dog owners rejoice! Ginninderry’s temp dog park is opening on Saturday 16 December and we’re celebrating with fun for humans and furkids alike.

There’ll be a free coffee van and face painting and lots of room for the pups to play – with designated areas for big and small dogs.

Saturday 16 December, 9 am – 11 am | Speldwinde Street next to the Nature Play Park | More information to come.

Repair Café

Got something that’s in need of repair? Thanks to SEE-Change, Uniting Care Kippax, and Canberra Environment Centre, the Repair Cafe is a monthly opportunity to work with repairers to learn how to mend anything, from clothing, lamps, toasters, kettles, smartphones and many other things. Anyone is welcome to pop along and learn some new skills or just catch up for a cuppa with your neighbours. And if you have a handy skill, you can even volunteer to help out!

Sunday 3 December, 1 pm – 3:30 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Strathnairn Playgroup

Are you and your little ones keen to connect with others in the Ginninderry community? Check out the Strathnairn Playgroup! It’s a great way for children aged 0 – 5 years old (and their parents) to socialise and enjoy new activities!

Feel free to grab a coffee from Cafe Stepping Stone at Strathnairn Arts and come down and play or enjoy the tea and coffee at The Link.

Every Friday during school terms, 9.30 pm – 11 am | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Ginninderry Design Library and Collection, and Sharon Field Botany

The Ginninderry Design Library features 81 designs created by eight prominent regional artists, Geoff Farquhar-Still, Claire Shepherd (Primrose), G.W. Bot, Jazz and Kristal Matthews, Kayannie Denigan, Leah Brideson and Rayne Huddleston.

Also on exhibition is Sharon Field. In 2012, Greening Australia commissioned acclaimed botanical artist Sharon Field to complete 10 artworks of native groundcover plants. The set of works contains 9 individual native flower sketches and one larger work depicting all 9 of the groundcover plants.

Showing from Tuesday 12 December 2023 – Sunday 21 January 2024 | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Have a yarn with Good Omen Goodeze

Want to learn a new skill or get back into a hobby you used to love? Local community needle craft group Good Omen Goodeze is hosting an afternoon full of knitting and crochet—and you’re invited. Pop in for a cup of tea and a chat with the passionate members and use the opportunity to make something special to take home or to donate to those in need at the Canberra Hospital. All supplies are provided – you just need to bring yourself!

Every Friday afternoon, 1 pm – 3 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Change up your fitness routine with Taekwon-Do Classes

No experience is necessary for this special class – you just need to be willing to have a go! Taught by Patrick Steele, everyone over the age of six is welcome (including beginners), and the class will accommodate all fitness levels—from those who have previous Taekwon-Do experience to those who can’t touch their toes. Running Monday and Friday evenings, enrolment for one term is $100 per student, with family discounts available. Make sure to book in quickly!

Every Monday and Friday, 6 pm – 7 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Caring For Country exhibition

Brought to you by two Ngunnawal sisters, Kristal and Jazz, don’t miss Caring for Country by Wilay Designs. The exhibition will “explore the concept of taking care of the land, environment, and the animals that inhabit it”.

Be sure to drop by The Link to see this colourful, inspirational art show.

Until 10 December | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Tap into your zen with yoga classes

Get bendy during Thursday evenings at a yoga class! You don’t need any experience – just head along for the slow-flow class that will help melt away tension, build strength and mobility, and give you a chance to recharge. Take along a yoga mat, water bottle and comfy clothes. Classes are $15 per person, or $10 for concessions, or save when you pre-purchase classes.

Every Thursday, 7.15 pm – 8:15 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Pacific Navigators – John Gould

Pacific Navigators is a series of painted multi-media 3Dx2D constructions on canvas inspired by the vessels and stick charts used by traditional Pacific navigators to sail routes between the Pacific islands.

Living in PNG from 2010-12, John Gould became fascinated by the range of traditional vessels still used for festivals and everyday travel around PNG’s coastal and island regions. He also learnt about the stick charts made and used by Polynesian and Micronesian navigators to identify currents and wave patterns around islands and atolls. Sticks were used to show potential routes, but the form and interpretation of the charts were not fixed and their exact meaning was known only to the makers.

This left John free to experiment with structure, design, colour and form, paying homage to the remarkable skills of the Pacific boatmakers and navigators.

Showing until 7 December | Homestead Gallery, Strathnairn Arts | Find out more here.

Songbirds of Belconnen Choir

Enjoy a sociable, supportive environment to enhance your singing and musicianship skills by singing with others – it’s not only a fun, valuable learning opportunity, it’s great for our physical and mental health!

Every Tuesday 7 pm – 8 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Wildfire Youth & Young Adults

Wildfire Youth & Young Adults group meets in Ginninderry every Friday afternoon. Pop along to discover and build relationships, faith, and serve others.

Drop in and grab a snag, shoot some hoops with your mates and meet other locals.

Every Friday afternoon, 4 pm – 9 pm | Paddys Park, Asimus Avenue, Strathnairn | More information here.