Hosted by the Kensington Residents’ Association, with support from the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

Images kindly shared by the Walking Wings community project, Fleurieu Environment Centre

The Kensington community warmly invites you to a joyful and family-friendly Winter Solstice Gathering, celebrating the changing seasons and our local creatures.

This community project invites children, young people, families and neighbours of all ages to gather in wonder, imagination and connection. We invite you to come dressed as a local creature, wearing masks, costumes or creature-inspired creations. You might arrive as a moth, a bird, a frog, a possum, a plant or another being of nature – or simply come as yourself.

In the weeks leading up to the gathering, two free creative workshops will be held at St Matthew’s Activity Hall, led by cherished South Australian artist Laura Wills.

These workshops will support participants to create masks, costumes and wearable artworks inspired by local creatures and the magic of winter. They are a chance to come together, meet neighbours, spark imagination and prepare for the celebration. You are welcome to attend one workshop, both workshops, or none at all and still join the Winter Solstice Gathering.

Everyone is welcome.

Key dates and bookings links:

Creative Workshop 1 – BOOK HERE

Saturday 23 May 2026 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm | St Matthew’s Activity Hall, corner of Bridge Street and Wellington Street, Kensington 5068

Creative Workshop 2 – BOOK HERE

Saturday 13 June 2026 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm | St Matthew’s Activity Hall, corner of Bridge Street and Wellington Street, Kensington 5068

Winter Solstice Gathering – BOOK HERE

Sunday 21 June 2026 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm | Borthwick Park, Thornton Street, Kensington 5068

On Sunday 21 June, we will gather at Borthwick Park beside the creek, beneath the ancient Story Tree – the magnificent old Red Gum that has watched over many seasons.

As dusk arrives, we will take a playful neighbourhood procession through the suburb, celebrating the turning of the seasons and the beauty of winter, before returning to the park for music, storytelling and seasonal refreshments.

The winter solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year — a time honoured across cultures as a moment of reflection, togetherness and welcoming the return of light. Our gathering reimagines this tradition through local nature, creativity and community connection. Whether you arrive as a glowing moth, a wise owl, a frog from the creek, a possum of the trees, or simply as yourself wrapped warmly in winter clothes — you are most welcome.

Come rugged up. Come dressed up. Come celebrate the longest night and welcome the returning light.

This very special FREE* event has been proudly arranged by the Norwood Football Club and the Kensington Residents’ Association over the past 2 years and we are delighted to be running it again in 2026!

Primary school age kids accompanied by their adult caregiver are invited to join in the fun at Norwood Oval on Thursday 4th June, 4:30-6:00pm.

🏈Participate in a coaching session and have a kick on the Oval (dress warmly and wear shoes to kick in but no footy boots please!);

🏈Meet Norwood Redlegs players;

🏈Behind-the-scenes tour of team facilities;

🏈Refreshments for the kids e.g. pies, pasties and a drink;

🏈Norwood FC gift to take home.

Event registration is essential. Limited to 25 children in total. A responsible adult must be registered to accompany every family group of 1-3 children.

Click here to book through Trybooking. Arrive by 4.15pm for 4.30pm admission to the Oval. See you there!

Borthwick Park is nestled between Second Creek and Thornton, Richmond Street and Bridge Streets in Kensington 5068. This lovely green space has been the focus of a community-driven revegetation project, supported by the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and Green Adelaide, for the past 15 years. It’s hard to imagine when you visit the Park today, but when the project began the creek bank was choked with weeds and badly eroded, and the precious remnant river red gums were marooned in an expanse of kikuyu grass.

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Working bees are held 9-11am on the 2nd Sunday of every month (except January) to maintain the understorey plants established since the project began in 2009.

Join us in the park on Sunday 14th June 2026 between 9am and 11am. We’ll be pulling out weeds, topping up mulch, tip pruning shrubs… whatever needs doing!

Volunteering locally is a great way to meet new people in your neighbourhood. Bring the kids. Invite a friend or neighbour to volunteer with you. Jobs for all ages and capabilities. No prior gardening experience necessary. All training and tools are provided. Wear enclosed footwear, hat and clothing to suit the weather. Bring your KRA volunteer vest if you have one or we’ll issue you with on on the day.

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If you can’t manage physical gardening work, you are most welcome to join us for morning tea from 11am. Free tea, coffee and a delicious spread of morning tea treats on offer.

Winter is planting time!  Come and help us build the biodiversity in Borthwick Park, Thornton Street, Kensington.

Saturday 4th July, 1pm-5pm planting with afternoon tea provided + drinks and nibbles afterwards

Sunday 12th July, 9am-12.30pm planting with morning tea provided + lunch afterwards

We will be planting locally-indigenous native seedlings, staking them, watering well and covering any exposed soil with mulch.

Jobs for everyone! Full training provided. Come by yourself or bring the family or a friend. All welcome! Kid-friendly events! Please wear clothing/footwear suitable for gardening.

Bring your KRA volunteer vest if you have one (if not, we’ll issue you one) and a couple of buckets if possible. Buckets are always in demand on planting days!

Why are we planting in Borthwick Park? It seems to be already full of plants!

🌱Weed suppression – More native ground covers = less weeds in the beds.

🌱Replacement – Species like wattles and soft herbaceous plants are short-lived. Plants are regularly damaged during park activity or due to storms or heat.

🌱Diversity – Increasing the diversity of plant species maximises the health of the park.  Every year we try out new species of shrubs, grasses and groundcovers to attract more butterflies and birds and benefit our ancient River Redgums.  All species planted are indigenous to the local area, mostly sourced from Trees for Life as seedlings.  In the past local volunteers have also provided plants grown from seeds and cuttings collected in Borthwick Park.

Find out more about the widely acclaimed biodiversity project which has transformed Borthwick Park since conception in 2009 by clicking here.

There’s no better way to spend the darkest and longest night of the year, than at the Kensington Residents’ Association’s Winter Solstice event at The Kensi Hotel.

Winter Solstice Open Mic! If you sing, play an instrument, do stand-up comedy or recite poetry please join in for the open mic. Register to perform via email to contact@kra.org.au or put your name on the board on the night. Acts limited to 10 minutes length.

Starting time to be announced asap! Free Entry! Free Finger Food!

Where? Regent Room, Kensington Hotel, 23 Regent Street, Kensington

Discount drinks for KRA members. You are welcome to join the KRA on the night ($15 for 1 year membership).

Past events – see posters below:

21 June 2025 Open Mic & Kensi Frenzy Singalong

22 June 2024: Winter Solstice Open Mic featuring Daddy Crow

22 June 2023: The Apocalyptic Winter Solstice featuring live music by Apocalyptic Breakdown, The Rude Mechanicals plus open mic opportunity