Christmas Events for Kids in Townsville (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

5 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 7 Christmas events for kids in Townsville. The season opens on 14 November with Meet Santa for Brekky and runs until 31 December with Townsville City Lights. Of these, 2 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 Townsville, Aitkenvale, Kirwan and Mount Louisa: 7
  • First: Meet Santa for Brekky, Aitkenvale, 14 November
  • Free events: Santa's Arrival and Stable in the City

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 Townsville

Kids’ Christmas events
7 confirmed for 2026
Suburbs
Townsville, Aitkenvale, Kirwan and Mount Louisa
Season
14 November to 31 December
Free events
2
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Townsville

Listed soonest first: 2 confirmed events in Townsville.

Christmas lights

Townsville City Lights

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Townsville City Lights is a December activation in the CBD, run with local schools and the Uptown Group. Businesses and schools decorate shopfront windows along Flinders Street, including Flinders Lane, City Lane and Woolworths.

Static lighting is planned at St James Anglican Cathedral, The Rock Church on Wills Street, Flinders Lane and Townsville City Central Mission. Projection displays on Sacred Heart Cathedral and YWAM Townsville run 3 to 5 December. The displays are subject to final regulatory and Council approvals.

Parent tip: Check the Stable NQ page before you go, as the displays depend on final approvals.

Host
Stable NQ (opens in a new tab)
Where
Flinders Street shopfronts, Flinders Lane and city churches, Townsville (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Stable NQ (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 6 more Townsville events researched for you.

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Coming up on this page

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

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Christmas lightsFree

Stable in the City

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Stable NQ is a free, not-for-profit Christian Christmas festival run by more than 600 volunteers. In 2026 it takes over the Townsville CBD as Stable in the City, with a main hub at the YWAM Youth Precinct on Walker Street and further hubs at St Andrews Presbyterian and TCCM Church on Wills Street, Sacred Heart Cathedral on Stanley Street and Flinders Lane.

Sessions run 5.30 to 9pm on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December, and again on Saturday 5 December. Saturday also has an Accessibility Afternoon from 3 to 5pm at Hub 1 only. Nativity Story tickets are free to book through the Stable NQ website.

Parent tip: Book the free Nativity Story tickets online. Saturday 3 to 5pm is the quieter Accessibility Afternoon at Hub 1.

Host
Stable NQ (opens in a new tab)
Where
YWAM Youth Precinct (Hub 1) and other CBD hubs, 312 Walker Street, Townsville (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Stable NQ (opens in a new tab)

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Rally looks for new Christmas events in Townsville every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Christmas events for kids in Aitkenvale

Listed soonest first: 3 confirmed events in Aitkenvale.

Breakfast with Santa

Meet Santa for Brekky (Aitkenvale)

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Santa makes an early stop at Townsville Shopping Centre in Aitkenvale on Saturday 14 November, from 8am to 10am. Families pick up their favourite brekky from the Food Court, find a seat and enjoy a relaxed chat with Santa about Christmas lists, big wishes and what he has been up to at the North Pole.

The centre describes it as an easy, laid-back way for children to spend a little extra time with Santa before the Christmas rush kicks into full swing. Surprise giveaways are planned through the morning as well. The same morning is also the first day of Santa photos at the centre, so you can combine the visit with a photo session if you have booked one.

Parent tip: Check whether this session needs booking; photo sessions on the same day need to be booked separately.

Host
Townsville Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Townsville Shopping Centre Food Court, 310-330 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale 4814 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Townsville Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)

New events in Townsville every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Townsville every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Santa photos

Santa Photos (Aitkenvale)

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Santa sets up near Bonds Outlet and Ally Fashion inside Townsville Shopping Centre in Aitkenvale and is there from Saturday 14 November through to Christmas Eve. Photo packages start at $24.95, and sessions are booked through the link on the centre's page. Children also receive a free branded Christmas Activities Book while stocks last.

Trading hours for Santa change through the season. Mid-November and early December sessions generally run from 10am to 2pm, with late nights on Thursdays. Weekends stretch to 9am to 4pm in early December, and the final week before Christmas opens as early as 8am. Pet Santa and Sensory Santa sessions are run separately with limited places, so check the centre's other pages if either suits your family.

Parent tip: Book your session online before you go, and check the day's hours on the page because they vary through the season.

Host
Townsville Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Townsville Shopping Centre, 310-330 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale 4814 (opens in maps)
Booking
Essential
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Townsville Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)

New events in Townsville every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Townsville every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Meet Santa

Sensory Santa (Aitkenvale)

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Sensory Santa returns to Townsville Shopping Centre in Aitkenvale on two Sunday mornings, 22 and 29 November, from 8am to 10am. Sessions happen before most stores open, with dimmed lighting, softer sound and a quieter centre, so families can take their time and visit Santa at their own pace.

The centre designed the sessions for a more relaxed Santa visit with less of the usual Christmas hustle. Places are limited to keep each session calm and comfortable, and bookings are essential through the link on the centre's page. Santa is found near the usual Santa set in the centre, and staff members called Santa's Helpers direct families when it is their turn.

Parent tip: Book ahead because places are limited. Doors for the session open from 8am, before most shops.

Host
Townsville Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Townsville Shopping Centre, 310-330 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale 4814 (opens in maps)
Booking
Essential
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Townsville Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)

New events in Townsville every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Townsville every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Christmas events for kids in Kirwan

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Kirwan.

Christmas paradeFree

Santa's Arrival (Kirwan)

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Willows Shopping Centre in Kirwan welcomes Santa on Sunday 15 November with a free morning for families. The Santa parade starts from 9.30am, with Santa entering through the Milk Espresso entrance.

The centre has planned kids' entertainment, Christmas characters, carollers and face painting around the parade. No end time has been announced, so plan on a morning visit. Willows also runs Santa photo sessions during the season, including Sensitive Santa and Santa Pet options, with packages from $26.95 and bookings essential, which is handy if you want a photo after the parade.

Parent tip: Arrive a little before 9.30am to see the start of the parade. Photo sessions are booked separately.

Host
Willows Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Willows Shopping Centre, 273 Thuringowa Drive, Kirwan 4817 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Willows Shopping Centre (opens in a new tab)

New events in Townsville every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Townsville every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Mount Louisa

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Mount Louisa.

Christmas carols

Carols Spectacular (Mount Louisa)

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Calvary Christian Church in Mount Louisa hosts its Carols Spectacular over the weekend of 18 to 20 December, with live carols, performances and creative moments telling the Christmas story. There are six shows across the three days, and seats are limited.

A carnival runs from 5pm to 9pm on each of the three days. The church lists carnival rides, food trucks, a jumping castle, face painting, a photo booth, an indoor air-conditioned playground and Christmas crafts. Tickets are $5 and refundable, and you register on the church's page. Because Townsville evenings are warm, the air-conditioned playground is a useful option for younger children between shows.

Parent tip: Seats are limited, so register early. Choose the session time that suits your children's bedtimes.

Host
Calvary Christian Church Townsville (opens in a new tab)
Where
Calvary Christian Church Townsville, 569 Bayswater Road, Mount Louisa 4814 (opens in maps)
Booking
Essential
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Calvary Christian Church Townsville (opens in a new tab)

New events in Townsville every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Townsville every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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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 Townsville: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Townsville?

For 2026, we confirmed 7 Christmas events for kids in Townsville, each on its host’s own page: Santa Photos (Aitkenvale), Carols Spectacular (Mount Louisa), Sensory Santa (Aitkenvale) and 4 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Townsville?

Yes, 2 of the 7 events here are free: Stable in the City and Santa's Arrival (Kirwan). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Townsville?

Where to see Santa: Santa Photos (Aitkenvale), Sensory Santa (Aitkenvale), Meet Santa for Brekky (Aitkenvale) and 1 more. 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.

Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Townsville

Townsville's Carols by Candlelight fits about 15,000 people under a 105-metre tent at Riverway. The city also has a festival that began as Stable on the Strand and now fills the CBD.

Fifteen thousand people, one big tent at Riverway

Townsville's biggest night is Council's free Carols by Candlelight, held under a big top at Riverway. In December 2021 more than 15,000 people filled Riverway Oval, a record for the city's carols. Planning starts in June, and the 105-metre tent takes three days to put up. Mayor Nick Dametto says about 15,000 come in a normal year.

The other long tradition is Stable NQ, a free Christian Christmas festival that has run for almost 30 years. It started as Stable on the Strand, moved to Cluden, and is now Stable in the City. It draws more than 30,000 people a year.

Lights on at 6.30pm and flags drawn by ten kids

In 2025 Mayor Nick Dametto switched on the city's Christmas lights at 6.30pm. The trees at The Strand and Riverway lit up in sync with Flinders Street and Victoria Bridge, and festive flags designed by 10 local children hung along the streets. Free 2P parking returned for December.

Carols by Candlelight ran on Sunday 7 December 2025 at Riverway, free, with gates open at 4pm and performers from 5pm. Dance schools, the 1 RAR Band and the Carols Community Choir played, and Santa arrived at 7.30pm. There were more than 20 food and drink stalls and a Kidz ID Alert tent run by Queensland Police.

A 12-metre tree and a sandcastle contest in November

Townsville starts Christmas early, with Christmas by the Beach at Strand Park on Saturday 25 November 2023. That night a new 12-metre Christmas tree was lit on The Strand, kids could decorate gingerbread and try a mechanical surfboard, and Santa dropped in. There was also a Sandman Sculpture competition with up to $1,250 in prizes.

The Strand is the seaside foreshore in North Ward, looking across to Magnetic Island, and it has a waterpark and a rockpool. In 2026 the CBD gets Townsville City Lights, with decorated shop windows along Flinders Street through December.

Traditions today

  • Carols by Candlelight: Council's free carols night at Riverway, with dance schools, the 1 RAR Band, the Carols Community Choir and Santa.
  • Stable in the City: A free Christian Christmas festival run by 600+ volunteers, with a Nativity story across CBD hubs.
  • Christmas lights switch-on: The mayor lights the trees at The Strand and Riverway, in sync with Flinders Street and Victoria Bridge.
  • Festive flags by local kids: Flags designed by local children hang along the city's streets each Christmas.
  • Townsville City Lights: Decorated shop windows and light displays on Flinders Street and at city churches through December.
  • Christmas by the Beach: A free early-season night at Strand Park, with Santa, gingerbread decorating and a sandcastle contest.

A fact for kids

The tent at Townsville's carols is 105 metres long, and it takes three whole days to put it up.

Questions about Christmas in Townsville

When is Stable in the City in 2026?

Stable in the City runs from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December 2026 across the Townsville CBD. Sessions are 5.30 to 9pm each night, with a Saturday Accessibility Afternoon from 3 to 5pm at Hub 1 only. The main hub is the YWAM Youth Precinct at 312 Walker Street.

Is Stable in the City free?

Yes. Stable NQ describes itself as a free, not-for-profit Christian Christmas festival run by more than 600 volunteers. Nativity Story tickets are free to book through its website too, and bidding in the festival's charity auction opens on 1 December 2026.

Where are the Stable in the City hubs?

Hub 1 is the YWAM Youth Precinct at 312 Walker Street. Hub 2 is St Andrews Presbyterian and TCCM Church at 119 Wills Street, Hub 3 is Sacred Heart Cathedral at 270 Stanley Street and Hub 4 is Flinders Lane near City Lane. St James Anglican Cathedral on Cleveland Terrace is a special mention.

How long has Stable NQ run, and what was it first called?

Stable NQ has run for almost 30 years. It was first known as Stable on the Strand, then Stable at Cluden, and is now Stable in the City. The Strand is the seaside foreshore in North Ward, where Council Christmas events and Carols by Candlelight were also held.

When does Townsville City Lights start in December 2026?

Townsville City Lights runs through December 2026, from 1 to 31 December, with window displays on Flinders Street shopfronts. The projections on Sacred Heart Cathedral and YWAM Townsville run 3 to 5 December. The displays are subject to final regulatory and Council approvals.

Which churches have lights in the Townsville CBD in December?

Static lighting is planned at St James Anglican Cathedral, The Rock Church on Wills Street, Flinders Lane and Townsville City Central Mission. Projection displays go on Sacred Heart Cathedral on the Hill and YWAM Townsville during 3 to 5 December 2026.

Who decorates the shop windows for Townsville City Lights?

Local businesses and schools decorate the shopfront windows along Flinders Street, including Flinders Lane, City Lane and Woolworths. The display is run by Stable NQ with local schools and the Uptown Group, and the aim is to make Townsville a premier regional Christmas destination in December.

How big is Carols by Candlelight in Townsville?

Mayor Nick Dametto says about 15,000 people normally attend. The record came in December 2021, when more than 15,000 filled Riverway Oval. The tent is 105 metres long, takes three days to set up, and planning starts in June each year.

Where is Carols by Candlelight held?

Council's Carols by Candlelight was held at the Riverway Complex, 20 Village Boulevard, Thuringowa Central, in 2025. It was free, from 5pm to 9pm on Sunday 7 December 2025. No 2026 date has been announced yet.

What time does Santa arrive at Townsville Carols by Candlelight?

At the 2025 carols, gates opened at 4pm, performances started at 5pm and Santa appeared from 7.30pm. That is worth knowing with small children, because the wait for Santa comes after a long evening of dance schools, the 1 RAR Band and the Carols Community Choir.

What food is at Carols by Candlelight in Townsville?

The 2025 carols had more than 20 food and drink stalls, plus food trucks and activations. In 2021 many food trucks sold out before the end of the night, so arriving with a snack for little ones is a sensible plan.

Is Carols by Candlelight in Townsville safe for lost kids?

Queensland Police ran a Kidz ID Alert tent at the 2025 carols. The show was also interpreted for Deaf and Hard of Hearing guests. With a crowd of about 15,000 people at Riverway, it is worth finding the tent as soon as you arrive.

What time did Townsville switch its Christmas lights on in 2025?

In 2025 Mayor Nick Dametto turned on the city's Christmas lights at 6.30pm. The trees at The Strand and Riverway lit up in sync with Flinders Street and Victoria Bridge. The council's Christmas Together page is the place to check for the 2026 switch-on date and time.

Who designs the festive flags in Townsville?

In 2025 the festive flags hanging along the city's streets were designed by 10 local children. At Christmas by the Beach in 2023, a Festive Flags competition also gave winning young artists a mini corflute of their design to take home.

Is parking free in Townsville city centre at Christmas?

In December 2025 free two-hour (2P) parking returned to the city centre for the whole month. Council announced it alongside the Christmas lights switch-on in the city centre. Check the council's Christmas Together page for the 2026 arrangements before you drive into town.

What was Christmas by the Beach in Townsville?

It was Council's first festive event of the season, held at Strand Park from 5pm on Saturday 25 November 2023. The night was free, with gingerbread decorating, a mechanical surfboard, a laser skirmish, a Velcro wall, Santa and the lighting of a new 12-metre tree.

How tall is the Christmas tree on The Strand?

A new 12-metre Christmas tree was lit on The Strand at Christmas by the Beach in 2023, and it was one of the night's headline moments. Council trees at The Strand and Riverway are decorated with baubles and bulbs, and in 2025 they lit up in sync with Flinders Street and Victoria Bridge.

Besides carols, what can kids do on The Strand?

The Strand is a seaside foreshore in North Ward with a waterpark, a rockpool, barbecue areas, a jetty and Strand Park. It looks across to Magnetic Island. Council Christmas events and Stable on the Strand were held there over the years.

Where can families find Christmas events for kids in Townsville?

Start with Rally Takes the Train's Townsville Christmas events guide, which covers the confirmed 2026 dates. For 2026 that means Stable in the City on 3 to 5 December and Townsville City Lights through December. Council's Christmas Together page is the place to watch for carols.

What can kids do in Townsville in the evenings of early December 2026?

In early December 2026, Stable in the City fills the CBD from 5.30 to 9pm on 3, 4 and 5 December, and Townsville City Lights runs all month on Flinders Street. Rally Takes the Train's Townsville Christmas events guide has the details and will add more events once they are confirmed.

Sources

  1. Christmas spirit to light up Townsville City, Townsville City Council
  2. Jingle all the way to Riverway for Carols by Candlelight, Townsville City Council
  3. Carols by Candlelight, Townsville City Council What's On
  4. Townsville wraps up record Christmas, Inside Local Government
  5. Christmas by the Beach marks start of Townsville's festive celebrations, Townsville City Council
  6. Stable NQ, Stable NQ
  7. Townsville City Lights, Stable NQ
  8. The Strand, Townsville, Wikipedia
Kelsey Cecil
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