Darwin January School holidays 2025

Are you ready for our Darwin January School holidays 2025 ? School holidays are underway and we have six weeks in total! (for Darwin public schools, private and independent school holidays may be slightly different – please check with your school). Students will return to school for Term 1 2025 on Wednesday 29th January (public schools).

Darwin Family Life has rounded up some of the fantastic options that are free (or affordable) activities to do with your kids these January School holidays.

Liquid Light Show

FREE FAMILY SHOWS – Every night until Sunday 5th January – Liquid Light show in New Years theme! Liquid Light will transform the Darwin Waterfront recreation lagoon into a showcase of water, light and sound! Three shows each night 7:30pm, 8pm and 8:30pm. The Waterfront Peninsula Lawns are the perfect spot for families wanting to roll out a picnic blanket & grab a takeaway from one of their restaurants. Alternatively, the boardwalk surrounding the Darwin Convention Centre offers close-up views of the show, and the Sea Wall provides a great undercover option if we’re getting a bit of rain!

Darwin Waterfront January School holidays 2025

Tay Tay Pool Party – Thursday 9th January

Head to the Wave Lagoon for the ultimate Taylor Swift themed party! The Wave Lagoon will stay open a bit later for two hours of non-stop Tay Tay’s music from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday 9th January. Whimsical decorations, a glitter make-up station, cool pool inflatables, friendship bracelets and paper rings craft areas will transform the Wave Pool into a dreamy space, the perfect backdrop for a great photo opportunity!

The usual Wave Lagoon entry fees will apply. Get your tickets now here

Splash Arena – Thursday 16th January

Welcome to Splash Arena; the ultimate water battle zone at Darwin Waterfront on 16th January from 4pm to 6pm. Choose your ‘weapons’ and be ready to fight your enemy team until the last drop of water has been sprayed! This is a FREE event but booking is required – to book head here

All abilities Pool Party – Thursday 23rd January

The Wave Lagoon will have a special opening before normal operating hours – from 8am to 10am on 23rd of January to welcome kids of all abilities to a pool party and a sensory play zone including a slime station. A quiet space will be available and a mixed range of seatings to cater for all abilities. TICKETS: The standard Wave Lagoon entry fee will be applied. Get your ticket now here

Top End Multi Sports – January School holidays program

TEMS have their popular sports holiday program back for January holidays break. For the best holiday fun, book your kids into their holiday program where they have a variety of sports and activities to keep your kids entertained! Whether your kid is a beginner or expert player, their school holiday program provides for all levels of ability. They can expect lots of fun, learn a skill and much more.

Program consists of: Soccer, tennis, volleyball, swimming, movie time and more. Daily activities have flexibility to suit children. For ages 5+ 8am to 4pm (half days and earlier starts available on request)

Monday 6th to Friday 10th January (week 1)

Monday 20th to Friday 24th January (week 2)

Cost is $300 for full 5 days/week or $75 per day

Enrolments are now open and filling up fast! For more information and to enrol, click here.

Music School Holiday Program – January

Musicking Maestros are excited to be able to offer various musical programs for children from 0 to 12 years old these upcoming January holidays.

Group Keyboard Classes from 4 to 12 years.

Kidzrock- Introductory Rock band class (playing electric guitar, keyboard and drums) for children 5 to 8 years.

Kindermusik- Get your child moving and learning about music with this internationally respected early childhood music and movement curriculum.

For more information and registration purposes, click here

City of Palmerston Library

Head into the Palmerston library for some School holiday fun. All sessions are free and suitable for ages 5-12 years. Holiday program will be running from 6 January – 24 January 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm at City of Palmerston Library. There is a variety of activities daily from movies, craft, circus and more. Check out all the details here

Dalay (meaning monsoon) reading club

Get ready for a fun and exciting wet season with the Dalay Reading Club, starting from 14 December 2024. This annual program encourages young readers to dive into books during the holidays. Whether you’re a child or teen there’s something for everyone! ‘Dalay’ means ‘monsoon season’ in the language of the Larrakia people. The Dalay Reading Club is suitable for all ages, so whether you’re reading picture books, novels, or something in between, you’ll be part of a community of book lovers. Don’t miss out on this wonderful school holiday activity — get ready to read, have fun, and win prizes! Head into one of the City of Darwin Libraries to sign up today.

City of Darwin Libraries and Fun in the Parks

The City of Darwin Libraries have a many regular programs running like family story time, rhyme time, lego club and STEAM zone happening. Plus many extra activities like animal education, first aid course and more. The fun in the parks program also is aimed at children aged 5 to 12 years including activities like decorate your own library bag, squash, slime making and more! Check out all the program details here

Taminmin Community Library

Taminmin Community Library located on Challoner Circuit in Humpty Doo have a variety of activities for the kids to keep busy these school holidays. From Lego holiday league, Sand Art, movies, minecraft gaming and more. Some booking required. Check out their Facebook page here for all the details.

Free kids cooking classes – 16th, 17th and 20th January

Strictly for ages 12+ check out these free cooking classes run by Darwin Adult short course. From Pasta, sushi and cake decorating – bookings essential and places limited. Book here

FREEZE Skate – 22nd January

This FREE skating session is exclusively for teenagers. Bring your friends! Bookings essential as places are limited. Ages 12-20 only from 5:30-7pm at Darwin Ice Skating Centre. Snack will be provided. Don’t forget your socks!! Registrations will open 14 January – no advanced registrations available. More info here

Geektacular 2025 – 18th January

MEET | CONNECT | PLAY Geektacular is returning in 2025 with all the usual FREE geeky fun, created by fans for fans!

Geektacular is a space to experience and celebrate YOU! Recommended for young people 15-25 years of age. This 100% free event includes: A minimarket of local young creatives, Cosplay competition, Tabletop games, Dungeons & Dragons, Art exhibition, Gaming, Karaoke, Cooking workshops and more! Geektacular will be held on Saturday 18th January, 2-6pm at Casuarina Library (17 Bradshaw Terrace, Casuarina) STAY TUNED to the LAUNCH Darwin Instagram & Facebook for updates.

Leanyer Recreation Park

Another great option to keep the kids busy and cool these Darwin December and January School holidays is to visit Leanyer Recreation park. It is a FREE water recreation park located at 215 Vanderlin Drive Leanyer. The Park consists of dry and wet recreational areas. The wet area includes a swimming lagoon (shallow in many areas – great for toddlers and young children), three massive water slides for the older kids. There are large, grassed areas for play, BBQ’s, a dry playground, skate park and basketball courts. The Park has lots of shaded areas including over the pool, the wet play area, the skate park and the grassed areas. There are toilets and change room facilities.

Opening hours during the school holidays are:

Park from 9am

Wet Play & Lagoon from 10am

Slides from 11am

Park closes at 6pm

There are also FREE events and activities happening at Leanyer Recreation Park over the school holidays with Yenz entertainment including:

Monday 13th of January: Craft in the Park ‘Paint me Silly’ 10am – 12pm

Tuesday 14th of January: Craft in the Park ‘Sand Art’ 10am – 12pm

Wednesday 15th of January: Putt Putt in the Park 10am – 1pm

Thursday 16th of January: Putt Putt in the Park 10am – 1pm

Hey Caddy

Grab the Hey Caddy $99 School Holiday Bundle for a fun-filled day with your kids that doesn’t break the bank, including 18 holes of mini putt, pizza and drinks.

Book your school holiday activities today! T&Cs apply!

Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory

Lego Minifigures hunt – Lego takes over the Museum…again

Lego® minifigures are taking over MAGNT so be on the lookout as you explore the galleries and peer into exhibition cases. Can you find some? Can you find them all? Challenge yourself and your friends to a LEGO® count and see who can spot the most! Don’t forget to capture your discoveries with photos and share your findings using the hashtag #MAGNTlegohunt. This is a free activity for families and children of all ages during the January school holidays. Ending Sunday 2 February 10am – 4pm. Suitable for all ages | Free | Adult supervision essential. Plus why not check out the new Cyclone Tracy exhibit now open!

Museum is located at 19 Conacher St. Entry to the MAGNT is free and they are open every day of the week 10am till 4pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Children’s Workshop | Oil Pastel Portraits: Colourful Budgies

Fledgling artists will take flight in this drawing workshop with local art educator Maeve McCambridge designed to increase confidence and creativity. Participants will use oil pastels, learn about colour theory and let their imagination soar as they create a portrait of the cheekiest and chattiest bird of Australia’s outback, the beloved budgerigar.

Tuesday 7 January 10.30am – 12pm (ages 6 to 9 years)

Tuesday 7 January 1.30pm – 3pm (suitable ages 10 to 12 years)

$12.50 per child | Bookings essential | Accompanying adult not required

Suitable for all skill sets and price includes workshops materials. BOOK HERE

Children’s Workshop | Printmaking: Boats Ahoy! Wednesday 8th January

Set sail on a creative journey with local art educator and artist, Maeve McCambridge, and navigate the art of etching and printmaking. Participants will learn how to carve into lino and experiment with textures and patterns to set their imagination adrift as they create a boat-themed artwork worthy of the high seas.

Wednesday 8 January 10.30am – 12pm (ages 6 to 9 years)

Wednesday 8 January 1.30pm – 3pm (ages 10 to 12 years)

$12.50 per child | Bookings essential | Accompanying adult not required

Suitable for all skill sets and price includes workshops materials BOOK HERE

Children’s Workshop | Puppet Parade: Inspired by Indonesian Traditions – Thursday 9th January

Take your art to another dimension with local art educator and artist, Maeve McCambridge, and be inspired by the vibrant traditions of Indonesian puppet making. Participants will learn to design, cut and decorate 2D puppets and let their imagination take centre stage as they explore storytelling through art.

Thursday 9 January 10.30am – 12pm (ages 6 to 9 years)

Thursday 9 January 1.30pm – 3pm (ages 10 to 12 years)

$12.50 per child | Bookings essential | Accompanying adult not required

Suitable for all skill sets and price includes workshops materials BOOK HERE

Children’s Field Trip | Charles Darwin National Park

Embark on a field trip with the MAGNT Education Team and discover the local flora and topography of Charles Darwin National Park. Learn how to identify different types of plants and conduct land-based surveys before returning to the Museum to apply your citizen scientist skills.

The field trip bus will depart MAGNT at 8am bound for the car park shelter in the National Park. Travel with us or make your own way there for an 8.30am start. Everyone will head back to MAGNT at 10am and regroup for follow up activities in the Discovery Centre.

Friday 10 January 8am – 12pm

Suitable for ages 8 – 14 years | Free | Bookings essential | Accompanying adult not required

Appropriate footwear for bush walking, hat, sunscreen, snacks and drink bottles are essential BOOK HERE

Children’s Tour | From Jaws to Claws – Tuesday 14th January

The natural science gallery, ‘Transformations: the changing nature of the territory’, is a special place in the Museum where you can discover multiple crocodiles, touch real fossils and learn about marine stingers and the mini monsters that live in the Northern Territory. Join MAGNT Curator Emeritus of Molluscs, Dr Richard Willan, for an exciting tour through this gallery.

Tuesday 14 January 11am – 12pm

Suitable for ages 5 – 16 years | Free | Bookings recommended | Adult supervision essential

Sunday Funday | Discover Cardboard Construction – Sunday 19th January

Focusing on engineering, design and construction, participants will create and build their own construction project using cardboard. Join MAGNT STEAM Lead Educator, Caitlin Conway, for one of two hands-on workshops in the Discovery Centre and get building!

Sunday 19 January 10.30am – 12pm (ages 6 to 9 years)

Sunday 19 January 1pm – 2.30pm (ages for age 10 to 12 years)

Free | Limited Spaces | Bookings recommended | Accompanying adult not required BOOK HERE

Youth Workshop | Wild Weather of the Wet – 21st-23rd January

MAGNT STEAM Lead Educator, Caitlin Conway, presents this three-day workshop focussing on the wild weather we experience in the Top End during the wet season. Participants will draw inspiration from the Cyclone Tracy exhibition then embark on a three-day design challenge in the Discovery Centre.

Tuesday 21 January 10.30am – 2.30pm

Wednesday 22 January 10.30am – 2.30pm

Thursday 23 January 10.30am – 2.30pm

Suitable for ages 12 to 16 years | Free | Bookings essential | Accompanying adult not required

Workshop materials provided. BYO Lunch, water bottle and STEAM curiosity. Participants are asked to attend all three sessions BOOK HERE

Children’s Field Trip | Casuarina Coastal Reserve – Friday 24th January

Embark on a field trip with the MAGNT Education Team and discover the local fauna and topography of Darwin’s newest park, the Casuarina Coastal Reserve. Learn how to identify different types of birds and conduct land-based surveys before returning to the Museum to apply your citizen scientist skills.

The field trip bus will depart MAGNT at 8am bound for the Dripstone Park Picnic area. Travel with us or make your own way there for an 8.30am start. Everyone will head back to MAGNT at 10am and regroup for follow up activities in the Discovery Centre.

Friday 24 January 8am – 12pm

Suitable for ages 8 – 14 years | Free | Bookings essential | Accompanying adult not required

Appropriate footwear for bush walking, hats, sunscreen, snacks and drink bottles are essential BOOK HERE

Office of Youth Affairs

The Office of Youth affairs compile calendars including programs and activities during school holidays for young people (most aged 12-25yrs). Check out their calendars here

Playshack Palmerston

Why not head into the Playshack located in the Hub complex Palmerston (Shop 7, 3 Maluka Drive). Let the kids run and burn their energy on the massive indoor playground and you can enjoy a coffee or drink and a snacks available for purchase. Their hours during school holidays will be 8.30 am till 2 pm Monday – Friday, plus the usual weekend times of Saturday 9 am till 2pm and Sunday 10 am till 4 pm. Entry is only $9.90 per child and bubs under 1 are free with an older sibling (or $3). Please remember your socks!

Palmerston Water Park

Palmerston Water Park is the second water park in Darwin. It also FREE and open seven days a week. Located at Cnr University Ave and Roystonea Ave (access via Roystonea Ave). The water park includes a 14 metre high – 100 metre long – six-line racer water slide, a wet play area for families and toddlers featuring sprays, water curtains and a shallow wading pool. Another wet play area for teenagers featuring more active water cannons, buckets and high intensity interactive play, a café, toilets and change room facilities, open grassed play area with BBQs, shaded areas and a skate park.

Opening hours during the school holidays are:

Park from 9am

Wet Play from 10am

Slides from 11am

Park closes at 6pm

The SHAK Youth Hub – at Sanderson Middle School

A drop in youth space for all young people with no registration required, a variety of activities, food and transportation home provided. Food and transport home provided. From 12pm most days of the school holidays till late. For 10-17yr olds. Sanderson Middle School is located at 60 Matthews Road Malak. View more details here

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog and have fun January School holidays 2025.

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Liquid Light Show

Darwin Waterfront January School holidays 2025

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