The weather’s getting warmer and so is Ginninderry’s social calendar.

From a high-flying kite festival to a host of community events and plenty of exhibitions and workshops to spark your creative soul, here’s our guide to November in and around Ginninderry.

COMMUNITY + FAMILY

Ginninderry Kite Festival

Ginninderry Kite Festival is back as part of the University of Canberra Research Festival! UC Ginninderry Community Day celebrates Ginninderry’s unique community and environment. There will be a range of fun, family-friendly activities demonstrating the work by UC researchers to make Ginninderry a better place to live and play.

Featured activities include:

Kite Flying – Join Ginninderry’s own kite festival! Make and fly your own kites (all ages). The Kite Festival will include DIY kite activities alongside professional kite flying.

Frogging Talks at The Link Dam (talks will begin at 11am, 12pm, and 1pm) – hear from UC researchers about their efforts to reintroduce frog populations wiped out by a nasty fungus. Learn about all things frogs, frogging and how you can contribute to the project as members of the community!

Playful Pathways for Little Learners – a collection of fun activities for kids, including: a range of activities that will encourage pre-writing and writing from the very start of life, interactive and educational STEM activity stations, free play with wooden blocks and a chance to hear from UC researchers in health and education on parent-child interactions in the context of block play and how it can be used to facilitate the development of children’s oral language and spatial concepts.

Saturday 2 November, 10 am – 2 pm | Paddys Park, Asimus Avenue, Strathnairn | Register for your free ticket.

Smiths@ Belco: Drag Cabaret – The Big One

Behold, it’s Drag Cabaret – THE BIG ONE! A wild show of diverse performing artists will dazzle your night with acts featuring drag, burlesque, music, circus, dance, flow, magic, song, comedy, sideshow and more.

Curated by powerhouse producer and drag king Guy Alias, artists are fresh picked to bring a blend of stars from across performing arts spaces and LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, culturally diverse, disabled, and other marginalised communities.

Saturday 2 November, 7 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.

A Stellar Lineup – Olympic Edition

To celebrate the power of inclusion and the imperative for excellence, The Stellar Company bring you a stunning lineup of Canberra’s most engaging community dance companies. This year they are marking the Olympic Games and sporting achievements of the company’s many performers including Olympians and Paralympians!

The program features a range of artists of all ages, backgrounds, identities and abilities from 4 to 89 years. Groups participating include Project Dust, ZEST Dance for Wellbeing, the Deaf Butterflies, Dance4Fitness, Rachael Hilton, Fresh Funk and the Chamaeleon Collective.

Friday 22 November, 7.30 pm and Saturday 23 November, 3 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.

Story Time at Kippax Library

Story Time is a captivating free weekly event tailored for children aged 3 to 5. Every week, stories, rhymes and songs are brought to life, creating an atmosphere that sparks a love for books and lays the foundation for a lifelong connection with libraries.

Every Tuesday, 10:15 am to 10:45 am | Kippax Library, 35 Hardwick Crescent, Holt | 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 to 3 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Giggle & Wiggle at Kippax Library 

Have you got a little one under two years old? Giggle & Wiggle is a free program designed for babies and toddlers aged 0 to 2 years, and their parents and carers. Sing along to popular children’s songs and nursery rhymes, and boost your child’s language development while giggling and wiggling! Stick around afterwards to connect with other parents and carers, or explore the library. Reservations are essential to guarantee a spot!

Every Friday, 10:15 am to 10:45 am | Kippax Library, 35 Hardwick Crescent, Holt | More information here. 

Silent Book Club @ Café Stepping Stone

Taking place monthly, this Silent Book Club is open to everyone, with no fees or age limits. You can engage with others as much or as little as you like! Unlike traditional book clubs, there’s no assigned reading or discussion, just a peaceful space to read your book among fellow book lovers.

Here’s how it works: arrive, settle in with a drink, and maybe share what you’re reading, spend a quiet, undisturbed hour reading, and then socialise (or continue reading if you prefer). Bring your current read, order your favourite beverage, and enjoy some uninterrupted reading time.

Sunday 17 November, 2 pm to 4 pm | Café Stepping Stone, Gullifer Street, Strathnairn | Find out more here.

Repair Café 2024

Held on the first Sunday of every month at The Link Building by SEE-Change and Kippax Uniting Church, this is your opportunity to work with repairers to learn how to mend anything from clothing, lamps, toasters, kettles, smartphones, and more.

Have nothing to repair? Head along to learn some new skills – like knitting, sewing, mending, and crocheting. It is fun, relaxing, social, and makes you feel good. All welcome, just drop in!

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

Sunday Crafternoons at Café Stepping Stone

Whether you’re keen on knitting, scrapbooking, painting, or DIY decor, there’s something for everyone. Connect with fellow craft enthusiasts in a relaxed, inspiring environment every other Sunday. Share ideas, learn new techniques, or simply enjoy the company of like-minded individuals. It’s all about having fun and being creative!

Feel free to bring your own project that you’re working on or start something new. Some basic materials are provided, but you’re encouraged to bring any additional or special materials you wish to use.

Sunday 10 and 24 November, 2 pm – 4 pm | Café Stepping Stone Gullifer Street Straithnairn | Find out more here.

WORKSHOPS

Step-in to Botanical Art 

Get hands-on with this comprehensive art class! Learn how to create captivating botanical art from artist Margaret Saul. The sessions include practical demonstrations, focussed discussion and one-on-one guidance. All the steps you need to take home your own exquisite piece of art.

Wednesday 13 November 10.30 am to 12:30 pm and Wednesday 20 November 10 am to 12.30 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here. 

Random Weave Recycled Baskets workshop with Ann McMahon

If you are happy making it up as you go along, random weave is definitely for you. Once you master the basic principles of this accessible basket-making practice, you will be able to continue this adaptable and satisfying weaving style independently. If you need a pattern to follow, the process will take you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to think and make differently.

In this free workshop, Ann McMahon will share tips for creating a robust structure using a simple form to begin. Participants you will make a functional or experimental vessel using recycled plastic strapping to take home to use and show off.

Saturday 9 November, 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Book here.

WALKS + FITNESS

Guided Conversation Corridor Walk

Ever wanted to know more about the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor? Join the Ginninderry Conservation Trust Rangers as they take you along one of the Walking Tracks to learn about the site and all the plants and animals that call the Corridor home.

These are moderate-level walks along an earthen track, so please wear suitable footwear and clothing for the conditions. BYO water, hat, sunscreen, and snacks.

Saturday 10 November, 8.30 am to 10 am | Meet at The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | Register here. 

OMJ Strength for Women 

Welcoming all fitness levels, Oh My Jog is a business dedicated to helping women improve their mental well-being and physical fitness.

Join this women’s-only 45-minute whole-body strength and cardio group session at the outdoor gym located near Jill Landsberg Park where certified fitness coach Sara will lead you through a workout. Suitable for beginnings, numbers are limited, and registration is essential.

If you have any questions, contact Sara on 0406 375 887.

Every Monday, 6:15 am to 7 am | Jill Landsberg Terrace Fitness Park, Jill Landsberge Terrace, Strathnairn | Register here.

Evening Taekwon-Do to wind down after a busy day

If you want gentle exercise but not first thing in the morning, Patrick Steele, is also taking evening Taekwon-Do classes at The Link. The class is aimed at beginners of all ages from pre-school age and over—adults are also most welcome and are encouraged to join in with their children. Of course, anyone with TKD experience is also very welcome.

With no experience necessary—the class will accommodate fitness levels of all sorts, from those with a high degree of fitness and flexibility to those who don’t. After all, we all have to begin somewhere!

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

Fitness in The Park

Fitness class for all levels of fitness for the whole community. Join local resident Vince as he takes you through a group fitness class in the fresh air at Paddys Park.

Every Wednesday, 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm and Sunday, 7.30 am – 8.30 am | Paddy’s Park, Asimus Avenue, Strathnairn | Find out more 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.

Every Thursday, 6.45 pm – 7.45 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

EXHIBITIONS

Exhibition: Petals & Worms by Paul Licayan 

Take the art enthusiast in your life along to this colourful exhibition exploring the circle of life. Artist Paul Licayan’s Petal and Worms (PAW) shows the wonder of worms, how they consume petals, and the flowers benefit from them. The exhibition includes hand-painted canvases and sculptures.

Until Sunday 10 November | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Straithnairn | More information here. 

Looking In and Look Out

Sally Black’s exhibition looks within the heart of the city and out to the surrounding landscape.

Until Sunday 17 November | Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Street, Holt | Find out more here

There’s a Crack in Everything… That’s How the Light Gets in

Inspired by the many poems celebrating imperfection, five local potters – Liz Crowe, Trevor Heldt, Jacqui Keogh, Lee Nelms and Bronwen Wicks – explore the beauty in their work and relish in the imperfections that emerge from the practice of the handmade.

The works in this exhibition are created to embrace the imperfections that exist in all aspects of life and in the creative process.

Saturday 16 November to Sunday 8 December | Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Street, Holt | Find out more here

Kaleidoscope III    

Kaleidoscope III is an open exhibition where LGBTQIA+ artists in Canberra and Australia-wide can express their experiences of queerness, sexuality, gender, and unique individuality through art.

Until Sunday 1 December | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Find out more here.

Poetry of the Lakes

Anniversaries provide the opportunity for reflection and celebration and Lake Burley Griffin and nearby Lake George have anniversaries in 2024 .

Artist, landscape architect and academic Dianne Firth invited poets associated with the Centre for Creative and Cultural Research at the University of Canberra to write about these lakes. Some chose one place, some chose both. Firth then used these poems as both inspiration and brief to create the textile works for this exhibition.

Don’t miss the special artist talk at 2 pm on Saturday 30 November where exhibition poets will read their poems and textile artist Dianne Firth will talk about the way these poems inspired her work.

Until Sunday 1 December | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Find out more here.

Fortress

This work presents a series of imagined fortresses from artist Justin Wasserman. The form of the fortress is abstracted and reduced to a symbol which is repeated – with variations – across the series. It is within the constraints of this refined form that the artist finds the inspiration for experimenting with line, texture and colour.

In different contexts the fortress is either a prison or a place of refuge. The fortress offers protection and security but is also a symbol of oppression or punishment.

Until Sunday 1 December | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Find out more here.

Threads and Traces

Lea Durie’s Threads and Traces considers place, stories and memory, taking us on a journey through a place we know, on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, through the suburbs of Canberra.  It explores this through the deep-time materiality of wild clay. Going beneath the surface on a sensory engagement with place, the artist seeks out the threads of stories held in this ancient material.

Until Sunday 1 December | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Find out more here.