The festive season has arrived and so has a bunch of events bringing the Christmas cheer at Ginninderry! 

This month kicks off with the annual Christmas in the Park with live music, local foodies and a visit from the big man in red, along with nature walks along the Conservation Corridor, and free craft workshops at local art galleries. There’s something for everyone this month at Ginninderry. 

 

COMMUNITY & FAMILY 

Christmas in the Park 

Paddys Park will once more come alive for Christmas in the Park with live music, carols, family activities and a delicious host of food and drink vendors! Santa will return with a photobooth, along with a bunch of games and craft activities to keep the kids entertained. Did we mention the event is FREE?! 

Saturday 7 December, 5pm to 9pm | Paddys Park, Corner Asimus Avenue and Pro Hart Avenue, Strathnairn | More information here. 

Story Time at Kippax Library 

Storytime 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. 

Tuesday 3 December 10:15am to 10:45am | Kippax Library, 35 Hardwick Crescent Holt | More information here. 

Christmas Stories with R.A Spratt 

Looking for an activity the whole family will enjoy this festive season? In this whirlwind of storytelling, R.A Spratt, the bestselling author of Friday BArnes and Nanny Piggins, will be performing her favourite Christmas tales. It’ll be a high energy, and hilarious storytelling session featuring Christmas carols written by Nanny Pigging herself. It’s the perfect family show for anyone who enjoys a good holiday season giggle. 

Thursday 19 December 2:30pm| $28 General Admission | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Find out more 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!

Friday 6 December, 10:15 am to 10:45 am | Kippax Library, 35 Hardwick Crescent, Holt | More information 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!

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

WORKSHOPS

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 8 and 22 December, 2 pm – 4 pm | Café Stepping Stone Gullifer Street Straithnairn | Find out more 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 needlecraft 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!

Friday 6 and 13 December, 1 pm to 3 pm | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

Textile Workshop: Stories from Scraps 

Transform a scrap of fabric into an artwork with textile collage, creating art out of leftover textile scraps. Using the scraps themselves as inspiration, you’ll create a drawing or design that will be the starting point of your textile artwork. Then enjoy the process of selecting colours, patterns and textures from fabrics that convey the meaning of your drawing. Finally you’ll cut and join together these scraps with stitch or glue, making a richly textured artwork of your own. 

Saturday 7 December 12:30pm – 3:30pm | Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen|  Find out more 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 7 December, 8.30 am to 10 am | Meet at The Link, 1 McClymont Way, 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 Last class 20 December, resuming 3 February 2025 | 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 (Except Christmas Day|) 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 last class 19 December, resuming 9 Jan 2025 | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | More information here.

West Belco Bike Bus 

Join a bunch of like-minded people and cycle into work. The West Belco Bike Bus is a group of people who cycle into work in a group, with a set route and timetable so it can pick up more ‘passengers’ along the way. Cycling is a quick, fun way to get to work while keeping fit and healthy, along with saving emissions from a car or bus commute. The West Belco Bike Bus starts off from Kippax shops, then cycles through to the Belconnen Town Centre, Civic, Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and on to Barton. 

Monday 2 December 7am – 9am  | Meet at Kippax Fair, 26 Hardwick Crescent, Holt | More information here.

EXHIBITIONS

“It’s all in the mind”- an interactive display of rusting plates and pareidolia” by Jarrod McCarthy

“The intent is to stimulate the brain into telling the story through the phenomena of pareidolia”. Jarrod McCarthy’s exhibition is a display of rusting plates that have no specific meaning or story. This is an exhibition for all ages especially children. Guests are asked to right on the wall under the image what they see in coloured crayon, making it a fun interactive and immersive experience.

Until Sunday 22 December | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | Find out more here

Smiths @ Belco: Glorious! A Handel Celebration 

Discover the man behind Messiah, Water Music and the Coronation Anthems and meet some of the artists he collaborated with in this inventive Salon experience using narration, music, mime and masks to recreate the experience of 19th century London where Handel’s influence was arguably greater than any monarch’s. 

Countertenor Tobias Cole, long with his Salon players including acclaimed soprano Ayşe Göknur Shanal, Baroque violinist John Ma, harpsichordist Marie Searles and pantomimist Marcel Cole will transport you as they explore the extraordinarily rich life of George Frederic Handel.

Saturday 7 December, 7pm | Adult tickets $40 Concession $30 | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Find out more here. 

Amanda Penrose Hart Exhibition – Landscapes 

Immerse yourself in the work of Brisbane born artist Amanda Penrose Hart at the Homestead Galleries this month. Predominantly a painter of landscapes, she finds inspiration on her travels across the countryside, with Wilcannia, Broken Hill and New Zealand featured regularly in her works. Get a glimpse of the wild Australian landscape through the eyes of an award-winning artist. 

On until Sunday 15 December | Strathnairn Arts, Homestead Galleries | 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.

Until Sunday 8 December | Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Street, Holt | Find out more here