Workshop & Festival Program
The countdown is on!
20-23 June 2025
Dates & Events
Day 1
Araluen Arts Centre, 61 Larapinat Drive, Alice Spring
10am – 5pm then 5.30pm - 8.30pm Witchetty’s
Beanie Central opens. More than 7000 beanies for sale, as well as our tea shop, fresh cakes, BBQ and textile demonstrations.
11am-3pm Central Craft
Pods to Roses - Natalia Rodrigo $90 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Transform aluminium coffee pods into a cute, colourful and everlasting bouquet.
1pm-5pm Central Craft
Introduction to Loom Weaving - Lucy Bourne and Lorraine Brinkman $90 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Learn the basics of loom weaving and create your own handwoven piece with the Bunbury Weavers in this hands-on beginner workshop.
3pm - 5pm (2hr drop-in) Araluen Foyer
FREE: Pop-Up Paper Weaving for Kids - Nina Scarlett Annand
Get weaving with colourful paper in this fun, free drop-in workshop for kids (and the young at heart).
5:30pm - 7:30pm Central Craft
Get Hooked: Crochet Basics with Baggins Bags - Billie Barton $50
Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Discover the endless joy of crochet in this fun, hands-on workshop!
5.30pm – 8.30pm Araluen Arts Centre
Gala Opening Night (Sponsored by the Alice Springs Town Council)
Opening of Sporting Headgear Exhibition Announcement of the Competition winners, live entertainment - Gleny Rae Virus Trio, Katie Harder, Dave Crowe with special guests Cassii Williams and Jamie-lee Ashenden, food, dancing and fun!
Gallery open from 6pm
Day 2
Araluen Arts Centre, 61 Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs
9am-10am Beanie Central
****Disability access - On Saturday June 21 from 9am-10am we will open to allow those with a disability to access beanie central - wheelchairs, gofers, walkers, Autism, ADHD, mental illness – anyone who requires space and quiet times.
9am-1pm Central Craft
From Flat to Form: 3D Felt Making - Pam Mills $100 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Explore the tactile art of wool felting as you create a small pod, bowl, or sculptural vessel using merino wool, silk, and thread. Learn the basics and discover the creative possibilities of this richly textured craft.
10am-12pm Central Craft
Garment First Aid - Margy Alexander $60 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Prolong and fortify your favourite textiles using invisible or boldly visible mending.
Saturday 21st June
10am-12pm Central Craft
Basket Weaving Workshop with Tjanpi Desert Weavers $90 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Join the Tjanpi Desert Weavers for a relaxed basket weaving workshop where culture, craft, and connection come together.
10am - 1pm (2hr drop-in) Araluen Foyer
FREE: Pop-Up Paper Weaving for Kids - Nina Scarlett Annand
Get weaving with colourful paper in this fun, free drop-in workshop for kids (and the young at heart).
10am – 5pm Witchetty’s
Beanie Central opens. More than 8000 beanies for sale, as well as our tea shop, fresh cakes, BBQ and textile demonstrations.
10am – 5pm Araluen Arts Centre Galleries
Sporting Headgear Exhibition and National Beanie Competition
Saturday 21st June
10am – 5pm Araluen Arts Centre Foyer
Needle felt a beanie with Indigenous Women of Central Australia Drop-in anytime $50
10am – 5pm Araluen Arts Centre Foyer
Free drop in children’s workshops
Saturday continued…..
10am-2pm Araluen Arts Centre Verandah
Live radio broadcast by 8CCC Community Radio
10.30am-12.30pm Tangentyere Artists Art Centre, 16 Fogarty Street, Alice Springs
We present three generations of the Williams family running a workshop on seed jewellery making featuring hot wiring.
Participants will drink billy tea and eat homemade damper by the fire as they make their jewellery.
Cost $35 each Phone 08 8951 4232 for bookings.
Saturday 21st June
11am-12pm Verandah
Free drumming workshop with Pete and Arrente girls (max 20 people first in best dressed)
12pm-4pm Central Craft
Make your own Sun Hat or Bucket - Jan Black $90 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Make your own upcycled bucket or sun hat with expert sewer Jan Black in this fun, beginner-friendly sewing workshop at Central Craft!
1pm-2pm Verandah
Free drumming workshop with Pete and Arrente girls (max 20 people first in best dressed)
1.30pm-3.30pm Central Craft
Creative Paper Vases: A Mixed Media Workshop- Mandy Webb $15
Bookings centralcraft.org.au
A Vase with no water - Decorate it your way!
2pm Araluen Arts Centre Foyer
Free Beanie Making Crochet workshops ($15 if you need wool and a hook)
Day 3
Araluen Arts Centre, 61 Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs
10am - 1pm (2hr drop-in) Araluen Foyer
FREE: Pop-Up Paper Weaving for Kids - Nina Scarlett Annand
Get weaving with colourful paper in this fun, free drop-in workshop for kids (and the young at heart).
10am – 5pm Witchetty’s
Beanie Central opens. More than 8000 beanies for sale, as well as our tea shop, fresh cakes, BBQ and textile demonstrations.
10am – 5pm Araluen Arts Centre Galleries
Sporting Headgear Exhibition and National Beanie Competition
10am – 5pm Araluen Arts Centre Foyer
Needle felt a beanie with Indigenous Women of Central Australia Drop-in anytime $50
10am-12pm Araluen Arts Centre Foyer
Indigenous Basket Weaving – sit with Louise and learn to weave your own basket or earrings.
Cost $80 Phone 0408 436 928 to book
10am – 5pm Araluen Arts Centre Foyer
Free drop in children’s workshops
10am-1pm Central Craft
Felt-Up! Upcycled Felt Jewellery - Maggie Pereyra $65 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Turn Beanie Festival felt scraps into bold, beaded jewellery full of flair and imagination!
11am-1pm Central Craft
Get Hooked: Crochet Basics with Baggins Bags - Billie Barton $50
Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Discover the endless joy of crochet in this fun, hands-on workshop! Learn the basics, create your first project, and leave with a new skill you’ll love.
11am-12pm Verandah
Free drumming workshop with Pete and Arrente girls (max 20 people first in best dressed)
12pm-4pm Central Craft
Introduction to Loom Weaving - Lucy Bourne and Lorraine Brinkman $90
Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Learn the basics of loom weaving and create your own handwoven piece with the Bunbury Weavers in this hands-on beginner workshop.
1pm-4pm Central Craft
Introduction to Eco Dyeing - Margy Alexander $130 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Learn to dye fabric using nature’s palette and simple tools from your kitchen
2pm-5pm Central Craft
Make a Pair of Raffia Earrings - Kirrily Jordan $90 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Sunday 22nd June
1pm-2pm Verandah
Free drumming workshop with Pete and Arrente girls (max 20 people first in best dressed)
2pm Araluen Arts Centre Foyer
Free Beanie Making Crochet workshops ($15 if you need wool and a hook)
Day 4
Araluen Arts Centre, 61 Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs
10am – 2pm Witchetty’s
10% off all Beanies – TODAY ONLY!
Beanie Central opens. More than 8000 beanies for sale, as well as our tea shop, fresh cakes, BBQ and textile demonstrations.
10am – 2pm Beanie Central
Needle felt a beanie with Indigenous Women of Central Australia Drop-in anytime $40
10am – 5pm Araluen Arts Centre Galleries
Sporting Headgear Exhibition and National Beanie Competition
10am – 2pm Witchetty’s
Needle felt a beanie with Indigenous Women of Central Australia Drop-in anytime $40
10am-2pm Central Craft
Learn to Weave! Make a Twined Basket - Kirrily Jordan $100
Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Learn the ancient art of two-strand twining using beautiful, natural fibres. Create your own miniature basket to treasure.
1pm Araluen Arts Centre Galleries
Announcement of the Centred in Choice People’s Favourite Award. Come along to find out who the people voted as their favourite beanie for 2025.
5.30pm-7.30pm Central Craft
Felt & Silk Fusion: Nuno Felting - Margy Alexander $110 Bookings centralcraft.org.au
Learn the art of nuno felting and craft your own silk and wool creation.
Download the 2025 Program below.
For a free bus pick up call Kris 0410 806 825
Free Beanie Making Workshop.
Learn to crochet a beanie for free. (If you wish to keep your wool and hook that will be $15) Saturday 21 June and Sunday 22 June 2pm. No need to book just rock up to the Araluen Foyer!
Needle felt a Beanie with the Indigenous Women of Central Australia
Spend some time with the women as they teach you how to create a stunning beanie using needle felting. You can drop in at any time and start crafting. Take a break from your daily routine, share stories, and soak up the warmth of the winter sun while you meditate.
Saturday 21, Sunday 22, Monday 23 June, from 10am – 5pm
Cost: $50
Central Craft Workshops Friday June 21 - Sunday June 23
