10 – Kite Making at the Arboretum
A super fun activity for the kids to do during the school holidays! They can create and decorate their own kite to fly at one of Canberra’s most scenic locations. Have fun and get creative!
January 9 – January 30 (check website for session times)
National Arboretum, Forest Dr, Molonglo Valley
https://www.stickytickets.com.au/61687/holiday_kite_making.aspx
Cost: $15 per kite (which kids can take home with them)
9 – Kids Pantry
If your kids have shown an interest in cooking, then we have the perfect school holiday event for you! There’ll be lots of laughter, mess and delicious recipes for the kids to create during the holiday program! There’s different sessions for different age groups starting at 5 through to 13+. The kids will learn to make cakes, ice-cream, tarts, burgers, granola, nachos, fish cakes, spring rolls, scones and more!
January 15 – February 2 (check website for session times)
7 Geils Court, Deakin
Cost: check website for different session costs
8 – Christmas lunches
A range of local charities are helping make Christmas that bit brighter for those who’ll be alone over the holidays by hosting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunches! Among the charities/churches getting involved are the Salvation Army, St Mary in the Valley Anglican Church, Canberra City Care, YMCA, OzHarvest and more.
Various times & locations on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day – check website for details
www.communityswitch.com.au
7 – What’s on at the National Dinosaur Museum
There’s lots to explore at the Dinosaur Museum over the school holidays! Staff will run fossil digs, dinosaur hunts and guided tours to keep the kids entertained – and they might even learn something!
Check the website for session times
National Dinosaur Museum, 6 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls
http://nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au/whats-on/
Cost: free with normal entry
6 – NYE in the City
Let the countdown to NYE begin with two free concerts! Live up the final moments of 2017 with performances and soundtracks by Art vs Science, Exposure, Ember, Blanke, Harry Carman, Brass Knuckle Brass Band and more! Check out the spectacular fireworks at 9pm and midnight. Canberrans will also be able to feast on the top local food trucks including Tikka Stand, Jacko’s Pizza, Potato Swirls, Pure Gelato and Shotclock Espresso.
December 31 from 7pm
Garema Place & Civic Square in the city
Cost: free!
5 – What’s on at the National Botanic Gardens
There’s heaps happening at the Botanic Gardens over the holidays for kids and adults! Visitors can learn all about amphibians and reptiles at Snakes Alive exhibitions. Kids can take part in the Biodiversity Detectives school holiday program, involving hands-on science workshops where they join scientists and rangers to investigate the secret lives on bugs, reptiles, plants and more! Sample native delights at Bush Tucker afterDARK, enjoy live music and delicious food at Summer Sounds, or try your hand at rainforest drawing!
Check the website for session dates, times & costs
National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross St, Acton
https://parksaustralia.gov.au/botanic-gardens/do/whats-on/
4 – Jumani: Welcome to the Jungle
The old-school film with Robbie Williams about the board game where the characters and settings come to life has been re-made! Four teenagers discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game’s jungle setting where they find out they must play to survive. A film the adults and kids will enjoy!
In cinemas from December 26 – check with your local cinema for session times & ticket prices
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2283362/
3 – Christmas lights
It’s an annual highlight for many families – packing the kids into the car and exploring Canberra’s spectacular Christmas light displays. There’s certainly no shortage of them, with some of the best at 47 Bissenberger Crescent in Kambah, 32 Elia Ware Crescent in Bonner, 37 Diamond St in Amaroo, 120 Bingley Crescent in Fraser, 17 Middleton Cct in Gowrie – the list goes on! Check out our list with more addresses on the MIX106.3 website and Facebook page.
http://www.mix106.com.au/everythingcanberra/canberra-s-best-christmas-light-displays
Another useful website: https://www.christmaslightsearch.com.au/Canberra/
2 – Sunset Cinema & Open Air Cinema
The last chance to sit back and relax in the beautiful setting that is the Botanic Gardens for the Sunset Cinema! The last film screened is “Daddy’s Home 2” and tickets are selling fast for tonight’s session! If you’re keen for more movies under the stars, the Open Air Cinema kicks off on January 11 through till February 25 with a whole range of films being screened at the Patrick White Lawns. There’ll also be live music, food and drinks!
“Daddy’s Home 2” – December 23, 6:30pm, National Botanic Gardens
Open Air Cinema – Jan 11–Feb 25, Patrick White Lawns
Cost: check website for ticket prices
1 – Christmas in Glebe Park
There’s a huge program planned for the third and final weekend of Christmas in Glebe Park after a successful first couple of weeks! There’ll be something for everyone with painted gingerbread cubby houses, roving carollers, a live Christmas Tree forest, light displays, visits from Santa and Nomad the Magician, heaps of performances, delicious food, a free petting zoo, goat yoga and more!
December 23 12pm-10pm (last day!)
Glebe Park, Canberra
https://www.facebook.com/christmasinglebepark/
Cost: free entry!
