We confirmed 12 Christmas events for kids in Hobart for 2026. The season starts on 21 November with Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant and runs until 23 December (A Very ExitLeft Christmas). 5 of them 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
- 12 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Hobart, Glenorchy, Bridgewater, Brighton, Kingston and more
- First: Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, Hobart, 21 November
- Free events: Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, Brighton Community Christmas Carols, The Big Switch-On!, Brighton Community Christmas Pageant and Swinging Christmas
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).
Hobart Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 12 confirmed for 2026
- Suburbs
- Hobart, Glenorchy, Bridgewater, Brighton, Kingston and Rosny Park
- Season
- 21 November to 23 December
- Free events
- 5
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Hobart
6 confirmed events in Hobart, soonest first.
Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant
Christmas paradeFreeCity of Hobart · Hobart
- Host
- City of Hobart (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Hobart CBD streets, Hobart 7000
- When
- Sat 21 November, 10:30 am to 12 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Every November thousands of people line Hobart's streets for the Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, which marks the start of the festive season in the city. In 2026 the Hobart puppetry company Terrapin is lead artist, shaping the creative direction and sending five of its giant roving puppets into the parade.
Terrapin has been working with the community groups at the heart of the pageant on simple choreography, and its workshop team is building a brand-new, cheeky puppet that could turn up anywhere along the route. The pageant runs through the Hobart CBD from 10:30am to midday and is free to watch, so it is easy to bring a picnic rug and settle in on the kerb.
Parent tip: Arrive early to find a kerbside spot; the parade runs 10:30am to 12pm.
See dates and details from City of Hobart (opens in a new tab)A Very Christmas Ballet
Christmas showTheatre Royal Hobart (presented by Southern Beaches Dance Studio) · Hobart
- Host
- Theatre Royal Hobart (presented by Southern Beaches Dance Studio) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Studio Theatre, The Hedberg, Corner of Campbell and Collins Streets, Hobart 7000
- When
- Sat 28 November, 11:30 am
- Cost
- Child $15, concession $20, adult $25, plus $6.95 booking fee
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Southern Beaches Dance Studio presents A Very Christmas Ballet as its end of year performance, celebrating the studio's first year with its very first concert. The festive ballet is staged in the Studio Theatre at The Hedberg, next to the Theatre Royal in central Hobart.
At 45 minutes with no interval and a late morning start, it is well suited to young children who might not sit through a full-length show, and the theatre lists it as suitable for all ages. Tickets are modestly priced, with child tickets at $15. It is a chance to support local young dancers while giving children a gentle introduction to live performance during the Christmas season.
Parent tip: Runs 45 minutes with no interval; for accessible seating call the box office on (03) 6146 3300.
See dates and details from Theatre Royal Hobart (presented by Southern Beaches Dance Studio) (opens in a new tab)The Big Switch-On!
Tree lightingFreeCity of Hobart · Hobart
- Host
- City of Hobart (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Mawson Place, Hobart 7000
- When
- Sat 28 November, 6:30 to 9 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Children and families
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Big Switch-On is the City of Hobart's free evening celebration to light up the city's Christmas tree on the waterfront at Mawson Place. Families are invited to sing, dance and celebrate together, with live music and festive fun leading up to the moment the tree comes to life.
The headline act for 2026 is Teeny Tiny Stevies, and the evening is billed as a chance to sing, dance and celebrate with family and friends. The event runs from 6:30pm to 9pm, so it suits families who can manage a slightly later night. The council lists it under children and families, and further details are available from the City of Hobart events team.
Parent tip: For more details contact the City of Hobart on 03 6238 2491 or events@hobartcity.com.au.
See dates and details from City of Hobart (opens in a new tab)Jack and the Beanstalk: Children's Pantomime
Christmas showHobart Repertory Theatre Society (The Playhouse Theatre) · Hobart
- Host
- Hobart Repertory Theatre Society (The Playhouse Theatre) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Playhouse Theatre, 106 Bathurst Street, Hobart 7000
- When
- Fri 4 December, 7 pm; Sun 6 December, 11 am and 1 pm
- Cost
- Ticketed; book through the Playhouse
- Ages
- Suitable for children 3+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Hobart Repertory Theatre Society's children's pantomime is a Christmas-season fixture at the Playhouse Theatre in Bathurst Street. This year it is Jack and the Beanstalk, directed by Justin Turner, with a fun twist on the classic fairy tale.
The show is recommended for children aged three and over. There are three public performances: Friday 4 December at 7 pm, and two Sunday matinees on 6 December at 11 am and 1 pm, which are the best fit for younger children. The box office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 am to 2 pm, or you can book online.
Parent tip: The Sunday 11 am and 1 pm shows suit little ones best. Box office: 03 6234 1536.
See dates and details from Hobart Repertory Theatre Society (The Playhouse Theatre) (opens in a new tab)The Greatest Christmas Show
Meet SantaTheatre Royal Hobart · Hobart
- Host
- Theatre Royal Hobart (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Theatre Royal, 29 Campbell Street, Hobart 7000
- When
- Mon 7 December, 4 pm and 7:15 pm
- Cost
- Child (12 and under) $49.90 to $69.90; adult $59.90 to $79.90, plus $6.95 booking fee
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Greatest Christmas Show returns to Hobart's historic Theatre Royal in 2026 with new acts, new magic and new carols. A cast of dancers, aerialists, singers and an illusionist brings the season to life, mixing beloved carols with joyful new favourites, glittering costumes and soaring aerial feats.
The show builds to a grand appearance from Santa Claus himself, and it is pitched as a heartwarming outing for the whole family. It runs about 110 minutes including an interval, and the 4pm matinee is the easier choice for younger children. Patron advice notes smoke, haze and strobe lighting effects. Tickets come in Premium, A Reserve and B Reserve, with child prices for ages 12 and under and group rates for eight or more.
Parent tip: The 4pm session suits younger children; the show uses haze and strobe lighting.
See dates and details from Theatre Royal Hobart (opens in a new tab)A Very ExitLeft Christmas
Christmas showExitLeft Productions (at The Playhouse Theatre) · Hobart
- Host
- ExitLeft Productions (at The Playhouse Theatre) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Playhouse Theatre, 106 Bathurst Street, Hobart 7000
- When
- Mon 21 and Tue 22 December, 5 pm and 7 pm; Wed 23 December, 5 pm and 6:15 pm
- Cost
- Ticketed; book through the Playhouse
- Ages
- Festive family outing
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
A Very ExitLeft Christmas is a collection of Christmas songs performed by ExitLeft Productions' young performers at the Playhouse Theatre. Expect festive favourites, Christmas classics and modern holiday hits, with big vocals, harmonies and plenty of Christmas spirit, and the chance to sing along.
Each show runs about 75 minutes with no interval. Different groups perform on different nights: the Monday and Tuesday shows feature the Grade 3 to 12 performers, while Wednesday 23 December features the youngest Kindergarten to Grade 2 performers. Early evening start times make it a manageable outing with children in the last days before Christmas.
Parent tip: Check you have picked the right concert time when booking, as each night features a different group of performers.
See dates and details from ExitLeft Productions (at The Playhouse Theatre) (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Glenorchy
2 confirmed events in Glenorchy, soonest first.
Variety Carols by Candlelight (Glenorchy)
Christmas carolsVariety Tasmania · Glenorchy
- Host
- Variety Tasmania (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Tolosa Park, Tolosa Street, Glenorchy 7010
- When
- Sat 19 December, gates 6:30 pm, carols 8 pm
- Cost
- $15 general admission; under 15 free with a child ticket
- Ages
- Whole family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Variety Carols by Candlelight brings Matt Ives and his Big Band to Tolosa Park in Glenorchy, joined by a lineup of Tasmanian guest stars from radio, stage and television for a night of festive cheer. Families are invited to bring a picnic rug and nibbles and watch the evening come to life as the light fades.
The organisers promise a special visit from the man in the big red suit, which makes it a good evening outing for children who can stay up a little later. Gates open at 6:30pm and the carols begin at 8pm. General admission is $15 and children under 15 are free, though every child needs a valid child admission ticket. Funds raised support Tasmanian children living with disability, illness or disadvantage.
Parent tip: Children must be accompanied by an adult and hold a free child ticket; low chairs preferred and free parking via Tolosa Street.
See dates and details from Variety Tasmania (opens in a new tab)Variety Kids Carols (Glenorchy)
Christmas carolsVariety Tasmania · Glenorchy
- Host
- Variety Tasmania (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Tolosa Park, Tolosa Street, Glenorchy 7010
- When
- Sat 19 December, gates 10 am, carols from 11 am
- Cost
- Over 15 $10, ages 5 to 15 $5, under 5 free
- Ages
- Designed for families with younger children
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Variety Kids Carols returns to Tolosa Park in Glenorchy for a joyful morning designed especially for families with younger children. Kids, parents and grandparents sing, clap and dance along to festive favourites such as Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, hosted by John X with live music from the Glenorchy City Brass band.
Bring a picnic rug and snacks and keep an eye out for a special visit from the man in the big red suit. Gates open at 10am and the carols begin at 11am, finishing in good time for naps and lunch. Food, soft drinks and festive merchandise are available to buy, and all proceeds support Variety, the Children's Charity, helping Tasmanian kids who are sick, disadvantaged or living with disability.
Parent tip: Every child needs a valid child ticket (under 5s free); low chairs preferred. Free parking via the main Tolosa Street entrance.
See dates and details from Variety Tasmania (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Bridgewater
1 confirmed event in Bridgewater, soonest first.
Brighton Community Christmas Carols (Bridgewater)
Christmas carolsFreeBrighton Council · Bridgewater
- Host
- Brighton Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Brighton Civic Centre, 25 Green Point Road, Bridgewater 7030
- When
- Sat 28 November, 5:30 to 8 pm
- Cost
- Free (free barbecue)
- Ages
- Family friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Brighton Council invites families to its community Christmas carols celebration at the Brighton Civic Centre in Bridgewater. The Ho-Ho-Hobart Christmas Choir leads the carols, and there are family-friendly activities to keep children entertained through the evening.
A free barbecue is provided and the Bean to Brew Cafe will be open. The event is smoke-free and alcohol-free, which makes for a relaxed atmosphere with young kids. Limited disability parking is available on site. It is an early-season option, on the last Saturday of November, and only about 20 minutes' drive from central Hobart.
Parent tip: Limited onsite disability parking is available; the event is smoke-free and alcohol-free.
See dates and details from Brighton Council (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Brighton
1 confirmed event in Brighton, soonest first.
Brighton Community Christmas Pageant
Christmas paradeFreeBrighton Council · Brighton
- Host
- Brighton Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Remembrance Park to Ted Jeffries Memorial Park, Corner of Menin Drive and Main Road, Brighton 7030
- When
- Sat 5 December, from 11 am
- Cost
- Free (free barbecue)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Brighton Community Christmas Pageant is back for 2026, with local community groups, schools, performers and businesses invited to enter floats. The parade sets off at 11 am from Remembrance Park, on the corner of Menin Drive and Main Road, and makes its way to Ted Jeffries Memorial Park in Seymour Street.
At the finish there is a community celebration with a free barbecue. Brighton Council describes it as a chance to celebrate the festive season through colour, creativity, music and local spirit. Brighton is about 25 minutes' drive north of central Hobart, so it is an easy Saturday morning outing for families in the northern suburbs.
Parent tip: Find a spot along the route before the 11 am start, then follow the pageant to Ted Jeffries Memorial Park for the barbecue.
See dates and details from Brighton Council (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Kingston
1 confirmed event in Kingston, soonest first.
Breakfast with Santa (Kingston)
Breakfast with SantaChannel Court Shopping Centre · Kingston
- Host
- Channel Court Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Madame Clarke's, Channel Court Shopping Centre, 29 Channel Highway, Shop 19, Kingston 7050
- When
- Sat 5 December, one-hour sessions from 9 am
- Cost
- About $17 per ticket
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Channel Court Shopping Centre in Kingston is bringing Santa to Madame Clarke's for a festive breakfast on Saturday 5 December. Families book a one-hour session and share breakfast with the man in red, a nice way to start a Saturday in the lead-up to Christmas.
Tickets are sold through the centre's Eventbrite page at about $17 each, and sessions run on the hour in the morning. Refunds are available up to seven days before the event. Kingston is about 15 minutes' drive south of central Hobart, and the shopping centre makes it easy to combine breakfast with some Christmas shopping.
Parent tip: Book ahead, as tickets are sold per session; refunds are available up to seven days before.
See dates and details from Channel Court Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Rosny Park
1 confirmed event in Rosny Park, soonest first.
Swinging Christmas (Rosny Park)
Christmas showFreeRosny Farm (City of Clarence) · Rosny Park
- Host
- Rosny Farm (City of Clarence) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Rosny Farm, 22 Rosny Hill Road, Rosny Park 7018
- When
- Sat 5 December, doors 6:30 pm, show 7:15 to 9:15 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Christmas is swinging back to Rosny Farm on the Eastern Shore. The City of Clarence invites everyone to round up their favourite people, pack a picnic and settle in for a free summer evening of live music, festive favourites and plenty of Christmas cheer.
All the usual Swinging Christmas favourites return, including, by popular demand, The Grinch, which tends to delight children in the crowd. Special guests and the full lineup are still to be announced. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show runs from 7:15pm to 9:15pm, so younger children may want to come for the first half. The venue lists both fully and partially wheelchair accessible areas. Entry is free and no tickets are listed.
Parent tip: Pack a picnic; full lineup still to be announced, so check the page closer to the date.
See dates and details from Rosny Farm (City of Clarence) (opens in a new tab)More Christmas events for kids in Australia
- Christmas events for kids in Sydney
- Christmas events for kids in Melbourne
- Christmas events for kids in Brisbane
- Christmas events for kids in Perth
- Christmas events for kids in Adelaide
- Christmas events for kids in Gold Coast
- Christmas events for kids in Canberra
- Christmas events for kids in Newcastle
- Christmas events for kids in Sunshine Coast
- Christmas events for kids in Australia
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
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)Hobart Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Hobart in 2026?
We confirmed 12 Christmas events for kids in Hobart for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, A Very Christmas Ballet, Brighton Community Christmas Carols (Bridgewater), The Big Switch-On!, Jack and the Beanstalk: Children's Pantomime, Breakfast with Santa (Kingston), Brighton Community Christmas Pageant (Brighton), Swinging Christmas (Rosny Park), The Greatest Christmas Show, Variety Carols by Candlelight (Glenorchy), Variety Kids Carols (Glenorchy) and A Very ExitLeft Christmas. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Hobart?
Yes. 5 of the 12 events here are free, including Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, Brighton Community Christmas Carols (Bridgewater), The Big Switch-On!, Brighton Community Christmas Pageant (Brighton) and Swinging Christmas (Rosny Park). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Hobart this year?
Santa appears at Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, Breakfast with Santa (Kingston), The Greatest Christmas Show, Variety Carols by Candlelight (Glenorchy) and Variety Kids Carols (Glenorchy). Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
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 2 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.
