Christmas Events for Kids in Darwin (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

5 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 8 Christmas events for kids in Darwin. The season opens on 13 November with A Very Cas Santa Arrival and runs until 23 December with Christmas Wonderland 2026. Of these, 4 are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Australia.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Darwin, Casuarina, East Point and Palmerston: 8
  • First: A Very Cas Santa Arrival, Casuarina, 13 November
  • Free events: A Very Cas Santa Arrival, Darwin Christmas Pageant, Casuarina Christmas Pool Party and Christmas Wonderland 2026

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by suburb, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Darwin

Kids’ Christmas events
8 confirmed for 2026
Suburbs
Darwin, Casuarina, East Point and Palmerston
Season
13 November to 23 December
Free events
4
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Darwin

Listed soonest first: 5 confirmed events in Darwin.

Christmas carols

Christmas Concert, Civic Park

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The Christmas Concert at Civic Park closes the City of Darwin's pageant night. It runs from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at 13 Harry Chan Avenue, straight after the Lord Mayor lights the tree at 7pm.

Check the council page for performers, ages and price before you go.

Parent tip: It finishes at 9pm, which is late for toddlers.

Host
City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)
Where
Civic Park, 13 Harry Chan Avenue, Darwin 0800 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 7 more Darwin events researched for you.

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Coming up on this page

  • 3 Santa
  • 2 Lights
  • 2 Parades
  • 1 Shows
  • 4 Free

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Christmas market

Christmas Makers Market

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The Christmas Makers Market runs in The Mall on Smith Street from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday 14 November. It is one of the City of Darwin events held on pageant night, so families can browse stalls before the tree is lit at 7pm.

Check the council page for the price before you go. It also does not say what the stalls sell.

Parent tip: Pageant night is busy, so plan how you will reach the Mall.

Host
City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)
Where
The Mall, Smith Street, Darwin 0800 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas paradeFree

Darwin Christmas Pageant

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The Darwin Christmas Pageant is the city's kick-off to the festive season. Expect colourful floats, lively performances and a visit from Santa Claus, and entry is free.

It is run by City of Darwin with the NT Government. The same Saturday also has the Christmas Makers Market, the Lord Mayor's tree lighting and a concert at Civic Park. The start time and route are still to come, so check the council page nearer the day. Disabled access is available.

Parent tip: The start time and route are still to come. Contact City of Darwin on 08 8930 0300 for details.

Host
City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)
Where
Darwin CBD, Darwin City, Darwin 0800 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)

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Tree lighting

Lord Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree

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The Lord Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree is a short ceremony, listed from 7:00 to 7:15pm in Smith Street Mall. It follows the Christmas Makers Market, which starts at 4pm, and comes before the Civic Park concert at 7:30pm.

Check the council page for the price.

Parent tip: The ceremony is only 15 minutes, so arrive a little early with young children.

Host
City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)
Where
Smith Street Mall, Darwin 0800 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)

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Family Christmas eventFree

Casuarina Christmas Pool Party

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The Casuarina Christmas Pool Party is one of the City of Darwin's Richardson Ward Christmas parties. It runs from 8:30am to 1:00pm at the Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 17 Gsell Street.

The council describes a morning of music, games and festive fun, and pool entry is free. No age range is given.

Parent tip: Bring swimmers and sun protection.

Host
City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)
Where
Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 17 Gsell Street, Casuarina, Darwin 0810 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Darwin (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Casuarina

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Casuarina.

Christmas paradeFree

A Very Cas Santa Arrival (Casuarina)

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Casuarina Square welcomes Santa with a Top End twist: he arrives by helicopter. Gates open at 4.30pm and the helicopter lands at 5.30pm. Families then follow Santa's parade from the helipad to the food court, where there is a festive performance.

The centre describes it as a free event and a fun way to start the Christmas season with little ones. A Christmas raffle is drawn on stage at 6.30pm for a share in over $1,000 in prizes, and tickets are sold separately. Entry is on foot only, through the old Casuarina Bus Interchange and the bottom of the Woolworths travelator.

Parent tip: Pedestrian access only, via the bottom of the Woolworths travelator. Raffle tickets are optional and sold separately.

Host
Casuarina Square (opens in a new tab)
Where
Casuarina Square (old Casuarina Bus Interchange), 247 Trower Road, Casuarina 0810 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Casuarina Square (opens in a new tab)

New events in Darwin every week

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Christmas events for kids in East Point

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in East Point.

Meet Santa

Variety NT Santa Fun Run/Walk (East Point)

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Variety NT's annual Santa Fun Run and Walk is a festive morning for all ages and fitness levels at Lake Alexander, East Point. You can choose a 2km or 5km course and walk, run or dance to the finish line in your most Christmassy outfit, with prizes for the best costumes.

Every step raises funds for Variety, the Children's Charity NT, which supports Territory children who are sick, living with disability or experiencing disadvantage. Entry is $30 for an adult, $10 for a child and $70 for a family of two adults and up to three kids. Water is available, and you are asked to bring your own bottle.

Parent tip: Bring a water bottle and wear your Santa gear. Start early, as the Top End morning heats up quickly.

Host
Variety NT (opens in a new tab)
Where
Lake Alexander, East Point, East Point Road, East Point 0820 (opens in maps)
Booking
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Variety NT (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Palmerston

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Palmerston.

Christmas lightsFree

Christmas Wonderland 2026 (Palmerston)

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Christmas Wonderland is the City of Palmerston's free festive attraction, held at the Palmerston Recreation Centre. It runs for eight nights, from Wednesday 16 December to Wednesday 23 December, with doors open from 5pm to 9pm each evening.

The council lists admission as free. More details are coming shortly, so the exact displays and activities are not yet published. Check the City of Palmerston website closer to December for the program.

Parent tip: The council also lists a low sensory night on Tue 15 December, 5 to 9pm, with registration details to come. Check the council page for updates.

Host
City of Palmerston (opens in a new tab)
Where
Palmerston Recreation Centre, Forrest Parade, Palmerston 0830 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Palmerston (opens in a new tab)

New events in Darwin every week

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More Christmas events for kids in Australia

A story for the trip home

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Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.com.au (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Darwin: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Darwin?

For 2026, we confirmed 8 Christmas events for kids in Darwin, each on its host’s own page: Variety NT Santa Fun Run/Walk (East Point), A Very Cas Santa Arrival (Casuarina), Darwin Christmas Pageant and 5 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Darwin?

Yes, 4 of the 8 events here are free: A Very Cas Santa Arrival (Casuarina), Darwin Christmas Pageant, Christmas Wonderland 2026 (Palmerston) and 1 more. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Darwin?

Where to see Santa: Variety NT Santa Fun Run/Walk (East Point), A Very Cas Santa Arrival (Casuarina) and Darwin Christmas Pageant. Check the listings above for times and booking.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 5 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

The story of Christmas in Darwin

Darwin's Christmas season opens in mid-November, well before Christmas, with a pageant of floats and a tree lit by the Lord Mayor.

A Christmas season that starts in mid-November

Darwin does not wait for December. The season opens in mid-November with the City of Darwin pageant, and the Lord Mayor lights the city tree in Smith Street Mall the same evening.

It is a warm, tropical Christmas, so the pageant starts late in the afternoon, and the council also runs ward parties, a Santa's Village at the Galleria and a light trail at the Darwin Waterfront.

A pageant that came back on 15 November

The city's season opens in mid-November, well before Christmas. In 2024 the pageant was on Saturday 16 November, starting at 5:30pm to dodge the heat, with the Lord Mayor lighting the tree at 7pm. It had over 50 floats and 11 schools, a record. Floats left Knuckey Street on the Esplanade and ended at Herbert Street.

In 2025 the City of Darwin revived the parade for Saturday 15 November and invited local groups, schools and businesses to register a float.

900 people on 50 floats, and a Santa in the Galleria

Darwin's parade is built by locals. The council said the 2022 pageant had more than 900 participants and 50 floats. In 2023 it ran on 18 November, and Santa's Village opened at the Galleria off Smith Street Mall on 24 November, with free photos with Santa.

The council also runs ward parties, such as a family fun fair at Karama and Carols by the Sea at the Nightcliff foreshore in 2023. In 2025 a 1 km light trail at the Darwin Waterfront had a giant octopus and a lighthouse.

Traditions today

  • Darwin Christmas Pageant: A community parade of floats run by City of Darwin, set for Saturday 14 November 2026.
  • Lord Mayor's tree lighting: The Lord Mayor switches on the city tree in Smith Street Mall, listed at 7pm for 2026.
  • Santa's Village at the Galleria: A Santa photo and activity spot off Smith Street Mall, run in November and December; exact 2026 dates are still to come.
  • Ward Christmas parties: Local parties in council wards, such as the Casuarina Christmas Pool Party on 28 November 2026 with free pool entry.
  • Waterfront light trail: A 1 km trail of decorations at the Darwin Waterfront ran from 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.

A fact for kids

Darwin's Christmas pageant in 2022 had more than 900 people riding and walking with 50 floats.

Questions about Christmas in Darwin

When is the Darwin Christmas Pageant in 2026?

The Darwin Christmas Pageant is on Saturday 14 November 2026. Expect colourful floats, lively performances and a visit from Santa Claus, and entry is free. The start time and route are still to be announced.

Is the Darwin Christmas Pageant free?

Yes. Entry to the 2026 pageant on Saturday 14 November is free, and disabled access is available. For other questions you can contact City of Darwin on 08 8930 0300 or by email at darwin@darwin.nt.gov.au.

What time does the Darwin Christmas tree get lit in 2026?

City of Darwin lists the Lord Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree for Saturday 14 November 2026, from 7:00 to 7:15pm in Smith Street Mall. It sits between the Christmas Makers Market, which starts at 4pm, and the Civic Park concert at 7:30pm.

Where is the Christmas concert in Darwin on 14 November 2026?

The Christmas Concert is at Civic Park, 13 Harry Chan Avenue, Darwin City, from 7:30 to 9:00pm on Saturday 14 November 2026. It follows the tree lighting. Price, performers and age guidance are still to be confirmed, so check before taking very young children.

Besides the pageant, what can kids do at Christmas in Darwin in 2026?

City of Darwin lists a Christmas Makers Market from 4 to 7pm on 14 November, a free-entry Casuarina Christmas Pool Party on 28 November, and Santa's Village at the Galleria, where families can meet Santa. Rally Takes the Train's Darwin Christmas events guide lists the confirmed dates.

When is the Casuarina Christmas Pool Party?

It is on Saturday 28 November 2026 from 8:30am to 1:00pm at Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 17 Gsell Street, Casuarina. City of Darwin describes a morning of music, games and festive fun, and says pool entry is free. No age range is given.

Where can children meet Santa in Darwin?

City of Darwin lists Santa's Village at the Galleria, where families can meet Santa and join in activities, running through November and December 2026 with no exact dates posted. Santa is also listed at the Darwin Christmas Pageant on 14 November. In 2023 the village was at Darwin Galleria, off Smith Street Mall.

Is Santa's Village in Darwin free?

The 2026 price has not been announced. In 2023, City of Darwin said photos with Santa at the village were free, and it opened Friday 24 November at Darwin Galleria, off Smith Street Mall. Check the council page for the 2026 dates and cost before you go.

Is Santa at the Darwin Christmas Pageant?

Yes. Santa Claus is listed at the Darwin Christmas Pageant, along with colourful floats and lively performances, and entry is free.

Where do the Darwin pageant floats finish?

Floats finish at Herbert Street after leaving Knuckey Street on the Esplanade and travelling via Cavenagh and Bennett Streets. That was the route in recent years.

What did the Darwin Christmas Pageant look like in 2024?

It was on Saturday 16 November 2024, starting at 5:30pm, with the Lord Mayor lighting the tree at 7pm. There were over 50 floats and 11 schools, a record, with floats running from Knuckey Street on the Esplanade along Cavenagh and Bennett Streets to Herbert Street.

Why did the Darwin pageant start earlier in 2024?

The earlier 5:30pm start was meant to help people avoid the heat. The pageant also had more food options, improved accessibility areas and plenty of free parking, plus some new floats and critters making their debut.

What route does the Darwin Christmas Pageant take?

The 2026 route has not been announced. In 2023 and 2024 floats left from Knuckey Street on the Esplanade and travelled via Cavenagh and Bennett Streets to Herbert Street. The Lord Mayor then lit the tree. Check City of Darwin's page for the 2026 route.

How many people take part in the Darwin Christmas Pageant?

City of Darwin said the 2022 pageant had more than 900 participants and 50 floats. The 2024 event had over 50 floats and 11 schools. Floats are built by community groups, schools, not-for-profits and businesses.

Can my school or club enter a float in the Darwin pageant?

In 2025 City of Darwin invited local groups, schools, organisations and businesses to register a float for the Saturday 15 November pageant. For 2026, check the council's Christmas page or contact City of Darwin on 08 8930 0300 to ask how registration works.

Is there a Christmas light trail in Darwin?

The Darwin Waterfront ran a 1 km Christmas Light Trail from 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, with 11 new decorations including a large Santa, a lighthouse and a giant octopus. No 2026 dates have been confirmed, so it is not on the confirmed list.

What events happen in Darwin's suburbs at Christmas?

City of Darwin holds ward parties. The 2026 one confirmed is the Casuarina Christmas Pool Party on 28 November. In 2023 there was a Karama Family Fun Fair on 9 December and Carols by the Sea at the Nightcliff foreshore on 16 December, with free Nightcliff Pool entry that evening.

Where can I find carols in Darwin?

No 2026 carols date has been confirmed. In 2023 City of Darwin ran Carols by the Sea at the Nightcliff foreshore on Saturday 16 December, starting at 6:15pm after Santa's Fun on Wheels. A Christmas Concert is listed at Civic Park on 14 November 2026.

Where can families spend Christmas Day in Darwin?

No Christmas Day event for Darwin has been confirmed, so book any meal or outing directly. City of Darwin's 2026 events listed are in November: the pageant on 14 November and the pool party on 28 November. Check the council's Christmas page for additions.

Where can I park for the Darwin pageant?

For the 2024 pageant, organisers said there was plenty of free parking in the city. No 2026 parking details have been published, and the council has not said whether free parking will be offered again. Contact City of Darwin on 08 8930 0300 or check darwin.nt.gov.au/christmas nearer 14 November.

Sources

  1. Christmas in Darwin 2026, City of Darwin
  2. Darwin Christmas Pageant, Northern Territory tourism
  3. Darwin sparkles in the lead up to Christmas (2023), City of Darwin
  4. Darwin Christmas Pageant set to return bigger than ever, NT Independent
  5. Darwin Christmas Pageant 2025, City of Darwin
  6. Severe Tropical Cyclone Tracy, Bureau of Meteorology
  7. Christmas Light Trail, Northern Territory tourism
Kelsey Cecil
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