Eight ways your kids can get their festive fix at Marketplace Gungahlin
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Canberra – and if you’re wondering where the whole family can get their festive fix, we have the answer.
Kickstarting the most enchanting time of year with eight different family-friendly activities running from late November right up until Christmas Eve, Gungahlin Town Centre will be overflowing with Christmas spirit and cheer – perfect for keeping the kids entertained. Please note, some activities require booking.
Here’s a jolly guide to the Christmas program!
Santa’s Arrival Parade
Christmas is always a Claus for celebration, so you’ll want to be front and centre at Santa’s arrival at Marketplace Gungahlin. Kicking off with a parade and dance performance at Grease Monkey and finishing on Level 1, near MarketQuest, it’ll be impossible to not feel festive after watching this mini-Christmas concert.
Saturday 25 November | 11 am | Commencing at Grease Monkey
Roaming Entertainment
Keep an eye out – Santa’s helpers will be roaming Marketplace centre throughout November and December! And because it’s not Christmas without presents, if you’re on the nice list, you might be able to score yourself a little gift to take home…
Sunday 26 November, Sunday 3 December, Sunday 10 December and Sunday 17 December | 11 am – 2 pm | Various locations
Christmas Workshops
Tap into your Christmas creativity this year with some free festive workshops. From making your own snow globes to DIY Santa sacks, lolly wreaths, and more, there are plenty of options to keep your little ones as busy as Christmas elves. Plus, there’s nothing like being gifted a handmade Christmas goodie! Here’s the full list of what’s on:
- Snow Globes – Monday 27 until Wednesday 29 November
- Christmas Wrapping Paper – Thursday 30 November to Friday 1 December and 4 and 5 December
- DIY Santa Sacks – 6-8 December and 11 December
- Santa Keys – 12-15 December
- Lolly Wreaths – 18-21 December
Bookings required | Various dates | 11 am – 2 pm | Outside Big W
Festive Face Painting
Colourful and fun, a festive face-painting session at Marketplace Gungahlin might just be the most wholesome family bonding session. The only question is what will you be – an elf, reindeer, or the man in red himself?
Saturday 25 and Saturday 26 November, Saturday 2 December and Sunday 3 December, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December, and Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December | 11 am – 2 pm | Level 1, near MarketQuest
Santa Photos
It’s not Christmas until the annual family Christmas photo has been snapped – and luckily there’s plenty of Santa Photo sessions on at Marketplace Gungahlin. Make sure to book in quickly because we all know Santa is a very busy man this time of year.
Bookings required | Saturday 2 and 9 December, Saturday 16 December, Saturday 23 December and Sunday 24 December | 11 am – 2 pm | Outside Big W
Santa’s Breakfast
It’s set to be a festive feast – Santa is hosting a magical morning full of Christmas fun and food for everyone to enjoy. We don’t know what’s on the menu, but we are Claus-itive that this is one event that will make it a Christmas to remember.
Bookings required | Saturday 2, 9, and 16 December | 11 am | Outside Big W
Community Gift Wrapping
Okay, this one is more for the parents – but if you hate gift wrapping you can thank us later. In late December you can head along to Marketplace Gungahlin to have all of your presents hand-wrapped for you by some very helpful elves. You might want to leave the kids at home for this one!
Sunday 17 and Monday 18 December and Wednesday 20 until Sunday 24 December | Outside Kmart
12 Days of Christmas
Unleash the magic of the holidays with the 12 Days of Christmas program. With more details to be revealed soon, all we can hope is there will be five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree in the future. Keep an eye on the Marketplace Gungahlin website for all the details!
Wednesday 13 until Sunday 24 December | 11 am – 2 pm | Upstairs, near Marketquest
Feature image: Ben Calvert Photography.
