Christmas in Darwin 2020, is well and truly coming alive! There is so much festive fun happening around the place over the next few weeks! It is hard to sometimes find and locate all the different events and Christmas happenings so we have rounded them all up for you in one place. Where to get your Santa photos, Christmas Carols, Christmas light displays and much more! Also don’t forget to stay tuned for our much anticipated School holidays blog which will have some events and places doing Christmas crafts and other activities for the kids!
Christmas Carols
Light up the Waterfront – Friday 27th November
Celebrate Christmas at their Community Carols concert, hosted by Mel Little against the backdrop of the Waterfront from 6pm to 8pm. Featuring performances from; Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, Top End Calisthenics Club, Haileybury Primary School, St John’s Catholic College and Keltikka Irish Dancers. Fundraising for the Starlight Foundation. In case of rain, this event will move to Saturday 28 November.
City of Darwin Carols by Candlelight – Sunday 6th December
City of Darwin Carols by Candlelight is on again Sunday 6th of December, gates open from 4.30pm and concert starts at 6.30pm. Finishing with a firworks show! Entry is a gold coin donation and numbers are limited. Book your free ticket due to COVID. This is a family friendly event so we it is asked that you leave your smokes and alcohol at home.
Darwin City Brass Band – Saturday 5th, 12th & 19th December
The Darwin City Brass Band will be performing from 10am till 11am, a variety of Christmas carols and songs in the Mall. This is a free community event.
ONLINE Rural Community Carols – Saturday 12th December
The Rural Community Carols by Candlelight will be kicking off an ONLINE Carols event this year due to Covid-19. They hope you will join us and enjoy this different version. See the Facebook event here
Leanyer Recreation Park – Saturday 12th December
Leanyer Recreation Park will come alive with Carols on Saturday 12th of December from 5.30pm. There will be a Sausage sizzle (by donationa) from 5.30pm and Carols will commence at 6.30pm. Electric candles available by donation, with all proceeds given to support Foodbank.
Carols by the Sea – Wednesday 23rd December
Join City of Darwin Elected Members in welcoming the Arafura Wind Ensemble and special guests for an evening of Christmas carols. Bring the family, a picnic rug and your best singing voice for this local community event. Due to COVID please register here
Christmas in Darwin 2020 – Events for families
Lighting the Christmas Tree – Friday 4th December
Smith Street Mall Christmas Tree lighting will be happening on Friday 4th December from 5pm to 8pm. Join the choir under the canopy of lights for a festive evening for the whole family.
Palmerston Christmas Wonderland from 4th December
City of Palmerston is set to sparkle this Christmas with the city coming to life like never before. For the very first time, Council will be hosting a free, three-week long program of events and light installations to bring the community together this Christmas. From spectacular light displays, pop-up Carollers, Virtual tree lighting via Facebook live, Christmas wonderland display, Christmas crafts, Xmas pool party and so much more. Check out the full program here
Santa’s Village – Smith Street Mall from Saturday 5th December
Santa’s Village will be happening again in the Mall thanks to City of Darwin from Saturday 5th December till Thursday 24th December. You will find Santa and his Fun in the parks team in the new Santa Village in the Mall opposite the playground, between 9:30-11am and 11:30-1pm Weekdays and Saturday where you can take your own photo with the Santa and your kids. There will be many festive activities for the kids to participate in.
Fun Bus Christmas Parties – Monday 7th to Friday 11th December
A Christmas party will be held each morning during the week at all Fun bus indoor venues from 9.30 am till 11.30 am. Santa will arrive at 10 am and please bring a plate of food to share for morning tea (Due to Covid no home cooked food, staff will distribute food). All parents and carers with children up to 5 years are invited.
Fun Bus Indoor locations:
Monday – Bagot Community, Bagot rd Ludmilla
Tuesday & Wednesday – Malak Community Centre, 13 Malak Cres Malak
Thursday & Friday – Lyons Community Centre, 25 Damabila Drive, Lyons
Karama Christmas Family Fun Fair – Saturday 12th December
City of Darwin and Elected members bring you the annual Karama Family Fun Fair. The fair will be held in the Karama Shopping Plaza on Saturday 12th December from 2-5 pm. An afternoon of Christmas activities, loads of giveaways, library activities, arts and crafts in air-conditioned comfort. This event is supported by Ngaree Ah Kit, Member for Karama and Karama Shopping Centre. Due to COVIDplease register via this link
Christmas for Kids – Darwin Showgrounds – Sunday 13th December
Christmas for Kids is on again in 2020 between 9am and 1pm on Sunday 13th December! Join them at the new venue at Foskey Pavilion, Darwin Showgrounds for lots of fun and activities. Drumming Monkeys, Jumping castle, rock climbing, arts and craft and of course Santa! This is a FREE event however bookings through Eventbrite are encouraged for fast track entry. It will be a super fun day!
Christmas at Darwin Waterfront
Christmas Pool Party at Casuarina Pool – Sunday 20th December
Join City of Darwin Elected Members at the very popular annual Casuarina Christmas Pool Party. lots of fun activities for all ages from 10am till 2pm with free entry. Sausage Sizzle, jumping castles, fun in the parks. inflatable obstacle course and much more fun to be had. Register via this link
Santa Fun on Wheels – Wednesday 23rd December
Join in the fun with Santa fun on Wheels leaving at 5pm from Nightcliff Pool . Bring your bike, scooter, skates, unicycle, or trike for a fun ride along the foreshore to Rapid Creek bridge and back. register online to receive your free goodie bag on the day. Register here
Free entry to Nightcliff Pool to cool off before and after ride and open until 8.30pm
Stay on after the ride for Carols by the Sea with Arafura Wind Ensemble and special guests from 6.30 – 8.00pm
Check out some more Christmas fun activities at the City of Darwin Libraries. From Santa’s STEAM zone, Merry LEGO Christmas, Carols at the libraries, photo booths and story times. Click here to check out all the events.
Darwin and Palmerston lights – Christmas in Darwin 2020
It is always fun at this time of year to take the kids for a drive around the suburbs and check out houses that have Christmas lights and decorations up. I find this Facebook group is great to find locations and places of light displays.
Christmas in Darwin 2020 – Santa photo locations
Casuarina Square – 247 Trower Rd, Casuarina
The jolly man in red has officially arrived at Casuarina Square. Book Santa Photography, Pet Photos and Sensitive Santa online and explore inside his magical workshop! Click here to book now
Palmerston Shopping Centre – 10 Temple Terrace, Palmerston
Santa’s famous Grotto is set up again in Palmerston Shopping Centre and they are taking photos now! Unique Santa photos that can be with Party animals Darwin!
Gateway NT – 1 Roystonea Avenue, Yarrawonga
Capture your Christmas memories and have your photo taken with Santa at Gateway! Santa Photos, Pet Santa Photos and Sensitive Santa Photo bookings are essential this year. Click here to book
Coolalinga Central – 425 Stuart Highway, Coolalinga
Amazing Australiana themed Santa photos thanks to Party Animals Darwin will be happening at Coolalinga Central from 1st December!
Santa’s Village Smith Street Mall
Take your own photo with Santa in Santa’s Village in the Smith Street Mall! Santa will be there Monday to Saturdays (closed Sundays) 9.30 am till 11 am then again 11.30 am till 1 pm.
Santa’s Grotto at Darwin Waterfront (6pm to 8pm)
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog and it helped you plan your Christmas in Darwin 2020 with some festive fun for your family. Please leave a comment if you find any other activities or Christmas happenings!
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