Ipswich Turf Club offers a wide range of options for race-goers, from general entry through to more lavish corporate-style packages which include lunch and beverages.

WHEN: Gates open at 11am

WHERE: Ipswich Turf Club, 219 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba.

COST: Varies

Bring your busy toddler to join in the fun of interactive songs, games and stories: Exploring stories through play. There are two separate events today.

WHEN and WHERE: Wednesday, January 17, 9.30am-10am at Bookface Orion, and 10.30am-11am at Orion Springfield Central.

COST: Free event

Learn circus skills. Juggling, hulahoops, aerial tissu (silks) and more. Circus Ipswich is the city’s first permanent circus school. For children aged six to 12.

WHEN: 10am-noon (Learn to juggle, climb and hang upside down on the aerial tissu)

1pm-3pm (Make and take home your own Poi and juggling pom poms and learn cool tricks)

WHERE: Ipswich Showgrounds, Exhibition Display Pavillion, 81 Warwick Road, Ipswich

COST: $40 per participant. Book here

Escape the heat, test your skills and challenge your friends as we explore a variety of new games and revisit old favourites including giant board games, lawn games, a VR driving competition and Nerf battles.

Please book a ticket for each child attending, and be in with a chance to win great prizes. For children and teenagers, aged 0-18.

WHEN: Wednesday, 17 January, 1.30pm-3.30pm

WHERE: Redbank Plains Library

COST: Free event, but bookings are required.

Spicers Hidden Vale invites you to indulge in a truly unique food festival showcasing the delicious variety of food and beverages that summer in Queensland has to offer.

The inaugural Flavours of Summer Gourmet Festival celebrates fresh produce, suppliers and retailers from across the local region and offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in unique Australian activities.

Today’s events include:

• All day: Home-made ice cream of the day
• All day: The Perfect Party Co. lawn games
• 6.30am-7.30am: Adventure Walk
• 10am: Sourdough masterclass
• 4pm-5pm: Cocktail making class
• 5pm-5.30pm: Market garden tour
• 6pm-7pm: Aperol chacuterie hour by the pool
• 9pm: Moonlight cinema – Burnt

WHEN: January 8-28

WHERE: Spicers Hidden Vale, 617 Grandchester Mount Mort Rd, Grandchester

COST: Varies per event

Explore the microscopic world of insects in a fantastic photographic exhibition of Queensland Museum specimens. Come face to face with colourful insects with hands on insect activities.

See images of the iconic Dodd insect collection – where art meets science; get up close to insects from the Queensland Museum collection; see live stick insects and sort their insect eggs from their frass (stick insect poo); create your own butterfly that flutters when you move; be an insect artist! Examine insects up close then draw and colour them; match the butterfly wings to create amazing butterfly pictures; see microscopic images of insects in 3D.

WHEN: Until January 21.

WHERE: The Workshops Rail Museum, North St.

COST: Adult $14.50, Concession $12.50, Child (aged 3-15) 11.50, Family $44.50

Make magical new friends at Orion Springfield Central’s garden gathering play zone, featuring seed planting, craft, interactive games, meet and greets. No bookings required.

WHEN: 10am-2pm

WHERE: Target and Coles mall, Orion Springfield Central, Main Street, Springfield

COST: Free

Viewing a photograph from the past, or holding an object of historical significance, can spark interest, emotion and dialogue. But, when a unique personal connection is established between an object and an individual, it has the power to stir poignant memories and promote a deeper understanding and knowledge of times gone by.

This is my heritage explores the profound connection that objects have to family, country and culture through the personal memories and experiences of 12 of Queensland’s Indigenous artists and educators..

WHEN: 9.30am-4pm, until January 21

WHERE: The Workshops Rail Museum, North St, North Ipswich

COST: Adult $14.50, Concession $12.50, Child $11.50 (age 3-15), Family $44.50

WHERE: Ipswich Art Gallery, d’Arcy Doyle Place, Nicholas St, Ipswich

COST: $5 per person or $15 for a family pass (admits up to five people. Must include at least one adult). Free for under 2s.

The kids can decorate their very own library bag at Brassall Shopping Centre’s back to school workshop.

WHEN: 10am-2pm

WHERE: 68 Hunter Street, Brassall

COST: Free

Keep the kids entertained with free, child friendly reptile shows. Radical Reptiles Training constructs the presentations in such a way that there are lots of different reptiles for the public to see and enjoy. No bookings required.

WHEN: 9am-4pm

WHERE: Outside BCF, Riverlink – Downs St and The Terrace, North Ipswich

COST: Free

Like to sing? Join Ipswich A Capella Harmony Club – the Miner Chords. Men and women of all abilities welcome. For more information phone David Green on 0407 831 326 or Gordon Dryden on 0414 294 120.

WHERE: Old Ipswich Courthouse, 75 East Street, Ipswich

COST: Membership applies

Create a tropical sand art bottle. Choose your colours, layer the sand and watch as your unique pattern emerges.

WHEN: 11am-2pm

WHERE: Outside Woolworths, Booval Fair, corner Brisbane Road and South State Road, Booval

COST: Free, no bookings required

This acoustic and electric guitarist has been rocking Queensland audiences for more than 20 years. He takes to the stage in Ipswich for another awesome set.

WHEN: 7pm-10.30pm

WHERE: 5A Lowry Street, North Ipswich

COST: Free