Christmas will soon be arriving in Darwin, with a range of interactive and free family events happening across the municipality during November and December.
City of Darwin will be hosting a range of fun and festive activities for the whole family, with Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis encouraging everyone to get involved.
“Christmas is a time for everyone to come together and celebrate and we are pleased to offer a number of activities across the city to celebrate the magic of Christmas,” Mr Vatskalis said.
“The action starts with the popular ‘A Very Darwin Christmas Pageant’ on Saturday 18 November 2023, delivered in collaboration with the Northern Territory Government,” he said.
The Christmas Pageant sees community groups, schools, not-for-profits and businesses building and showcasing floats through the heart of Darwin City, followed by the Lord Mayor lighting the Christmas tree to officially launch Christmas in Darwin.
Starting from Knuckey Street on the Esplanade, the floats will dance, walk and parade across Cavenagh Street, down Bennett Street and finish at Herbert Street.
A magical Santa’s Village will also open from Friday 24 November, running every Friday and Saturday until Saturday 9 December, after which it will run every day (except Sunday) from Monday 11 December to Thursday 21 December.
Santa will be setting up his village at the Darwin Galleria off the Smith Street Mall and will provide the opportunity to experience the joy of Christmas and meet Father Christmas, with free photos with Santa available for kids and parents alike.
There will also be Christmas parties taking place in each of the Wards, including:
- Casuarina Cinemas Christmas party (Richardson Ward)
- Date: Saturday 25 November 2023
- Time: 8:30am – 1:00pm
- Location: Casuarina Cinemas
- Activities include:
- Visit from Santa
- Face painting
- Fun Bus Activities
- The return of ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ game
- Christmas giveaways
- And this year with two new release movies! Trolls Band Together and The Marvels
- Karama Family Fun Fair (Waters Ward)
- Date: Saturday 9 December 2023
- Time: 2pm – 4pm
- Location: Karama Shopping Plaza
- Activities include:
- Visit from Santa
- Face painting
- Local school performances
- Christmas giveaways
- Prize draws
- Library and Fun Bus activities
- And much more!
- Santa’s Fun on Wheels and Carols by the Sea (Chan Ward)
- Date: Saturday 16 December 2023
- Time: Santa’s Fun on Wheels: 5pm – 6pm
- Time: Carols by the Sea: 6:15pm – 8:00pm
- Location: Nightcliff foreshore and Nightcliff Pool
- Activities include:
- Santa’s Fun on Wheels
- Free entry to Nightcliff Pool between 3pm – 8:30pm
- Carols by the Sea starting at 6:15pm
- Listen to Darwin City Brass Band and special guests as they bring the spirit of Christmas to life through carols.
- Bring along the family, a picnic rug and your best singing voice.
“In partnership with the Darwin City Retailers Association we will also present the award for the best Christmas shop front in the Darwin CBD, so I encourage local businesses to deck their halls and spread some holiday cheer,” Mr Vatskalis said.
