Darwin September October School holidays 2025

Are you ready for our – Darwin September October School holidays 2025? We have two weeks in total! (for Darwin public schools, private and independent school holidays may be slightly different – please check with your school). Holidays start Saturday 20th September and students will return to school for Term 4 2025 on Tuesday 7th October (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 September October School holidays.

Best of Annecy Kids 2025 – Sunday 21st September

The Darwin International Film Festival presents – The “Best of Annecy Kids 2025” assembles funny, touching and poetic short films that children will adore! Runs for 60mins and showing at the Museum and Art Gallery NT – you can read more and book your tickets here

Recording Studio Experience – From Monday 22nd to Friday 26th September

Join in the library’s recording studio for an immersive experience with a professional music producer/audio engineer. These structured sessions give young people the chance to book a time slot, explore the recording process, and learn the essentials of music production — from songwriting, vocal recording, and instrument tracking, through to sampling, podcast creation, mixing and mastering. Open to all young people aged 12–25. Participants can book a session to record music, pod cast, or any other creative audio project. What is provided – Access to professional microphones, mixing tools, and sound editing software (Pro Tools, Logic Pro) Support from a music producer/audio engineer and library staff throughout the session
What to bring: Participants will need to provide their own instruments. These sessions are totally FREE but bookings are essential. To book email recordingstudio@palmerston.nt.gov.au or call 8935 9999

Circus pop up – Tuesday 23rd September

The CORRO crew is heading to PaRBA’s Youth Drop In Sports and they are bringing the circus! Join the talented teaching artists for a hands-on afternoon of seriously fun circus skills, where anyone aged 8 to 25 can join in, play, learn and show off their skills. Expect loads of other exciting activities at Youth Drop In Sports too! Totally free event from 3pm to 5pm, held at Palmerston Recreation Centre.

Surf and Survive – Wednesday 24th September & 1st October

Surf And Survive, teaches kids about Water & Surf Awareness and Rescues Technique in a fun, supervised environment. These two free event will be held at Lake Alexander from 9am to 11am. Recommended for ages 7-16 years. Registration essential here. For more details email Maddi. Maddi.james@lifesavingnt.com.au

Feel good factory – FREE Hip Hop & Breakdance Workshops – 23rd & 30th September

Ever wanted to learn hip-hop dance? Kick off the September school holidays with a high-energy street dance workshop led by B-Girl Nat and B-Boy Ricky! Learn to groove, pop, lock and break it down. All skill levels welcome. Snacks are provided! Suitable for ages 7-12 years and 13-17 years. Held on various dates and times at Palmerston Recreation Centre, Community Room 2. More details here

FREEZE Skate – Thursday 25th September

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. Snacks will be provided. Don’t forget your socks!! Registrations will open 9am Thursday 18th September – no advanced registrations available. More info and book here

CLUB CORRO-AOKE – Thursday 25th and Friday 26th September

Ever wanted to tap into your inner rock star or try karaoke in the most inclusive club in Darwin? Then this FREE workshop is for you! Join in at Club Corro-aoke where you will learn how to sing with confidence to your favourite karaoke tunes with Benhur Helwend and Natalie Leysley. You will: Have fun with friends, Learn vocal mic techniques, Create simple choreography, Play with fashion and costuming. Snacks provided. Suitable for ages 10-17 years – times and venue details and enrol here

Scream-Inspired Art Class! Tuesday 30th September

Designed for kids aged 6+, this hands-on session invites young artists to explore emotion, colour, and creativity by reimagining Edvard Munch’s iconic The Scream in their own unique style.

Using paints, yarns, collage, and a splash of imagination, kids will learn about the story behind the famous artwork, then create their own dramatic masterpiece to take home. It’s the perfect mix of art history, self-expression, and messy fun—no experience needed, just a big imagination!

Art bookings here

Gaming After Dark and Amazing XR VR – Friday 26th September

Gaming After Dark is a safe, action-packed and inclusive place for young people aged 12-17 to hang out with friends, play casual setups and compete in low stakes esports competitions. Held at Casuarina Library from 6.30pm-8.30pm (Last Friday of the month) Snacks provided and sessions are totally free.

GEEK UP – Sunday 28th September (last Sunday of every month)

Geek Up is a FREE event for young people held on the last Sunday of the month at Casuarina Library. There are three activities on offer: Board Games with The GG Social Club, Dungeons & Dragons with Grimm and Art workshops with a different guest artist each month. PLUS a DIY toastie station! Last Sunday of each month* 1pm – 4pm at Casuarina Library *Geek Up runs March to November. Geek Up has been created by young people for young people and a space for young people to connect with their peers. It is is recommended for ages 15-25.

Kids cooking classes – various dates Sept and Oct

The perfect mix of creativity, confidence, and kitchen magic! Designed for kids aged 8 upwards, each session is packed with hands-on activities where young chefs whip up delicious treats, learn kitchen safety, explore healthy habits, and take home their tasty creations! Use your NT Sports vouchers to pay for the class! Easy done! Book here

Spiderman – Into the Spider verse – at Deckchair Cinema – 1st October

Screening in partnership with City of Darwin’s LAUNCH program! Another FREE movie at the Deckchair Cinema for another epic school holiday dry season evening. FREE for ages 12-25 (ID required) To book your free ticket here **Those outside the 12-25 age bracket are welcome to attend, however will need to purchase a ticket. Be one of the first 100 to say hi to the LAUNCH team at the cinema to get your free bag of Katja’s Delicious Popcorn! Deckchair Cinema gates open 5.45pm for a 7pm film.

Aussie Animals Alive – Thursday 2nd October

FREE Reptile Meet & Greet at Coolalinga Central. Meet all your favourite reptiles with us from 10.00am to 1.00pm and receive a FREE surprise* to take home. No bookings required.

*T&Cs apply. No bookings are required for the Reptile Meet & Greet. Only 150 FREE surprises available on Thursday 2 October. While stocks last.

Museum and Art Gallery NT activities

Children’s Talk | From Jaws to Claws – Thursday 2nd October

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 the marine stingers and mini monsters that live in the Northern Territory. Join MAGNT Curator Emeritus of Molluscs, Dr Richard Willan, for an exciting tour through this gallery. Suitable for ages 5 to 16 years. Adult supervision essential and a limit of one accompanying adult per booking applies. Please cancel your booking if you are no longer able to make it to free up tickets for others. Free tour – but register here

Children’s Field Trip | Shorebird Safari – Friday 3rd October

Join our MAGNT Education Team and a flock of other birders for a field trip along Bundilla Beach and surrounds. Practice identifying shorebirds in preparation for World Migratory Bird Day on 11 October. Learn how to conduct some land-based surveys, and complete some hands-on activities with your (un) feathered friends in the Discovery Centre. Suitable for ages 7 – 14. Accompanying adult required for children under 12. Please cancel your booking if you are no longer able to make it to free up tickets for others. Free but bookings essential here

Sunday Funday | Discovering Dalirrgang – Sunday 5th October

Step inside the Discovery Centre and develop new skills through a series of fun activities that give children a chance to explore science, technology, engineering, art and maths at MAGNT. Run by STEAM Lead Educator, Caitlin Conway, this drop-in session is perfect for children with curious and creative minds who want to create, investigate and learn more about the Dalirrgang season that sweeps across Larrakia Country and is affectionately known as the Build-up!

Session One | 10.30am – 12pm – register here

Session Two | 1pm – 2.30pm – register here

Suitable for families with children aged 4 to 12 | Free | Limited Spaces | Drop in activity | Remember to cancel your booking if you are no longer able to make it to free up tickets for others.

Darwin Waterfront – Beach Bash – Kids Festival – 3rd and 4th October

Close the school holidays with the iconic Beach Bash Kids Festival! Darwin Waterfront welcomes you down for two days of FREE fun-filled entertainment. On Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October, between 3pm and 7pm, play beach games, jump through obstacle courses, dance at the disco and admire giant kites along the shore! For all the Kpop Demon Hunter fans, they will have a ‘Huntrix Disco’ at 5pm with Fairy Jill’s Enchanted Entertainment on both days. An exciting fabric printing workshop will teach you how to screen print a tote bag, this is a free activity, but spots are limited, so don’t forget to book to secure your spot! (EDIT: Booked Out. Waitlist Available – contact Darwin Waterfront) More info here

Tech Zone – Wednesday 8th October

Come and play with all the favourite tech in one place at this FREE program! Try out Osmo, robots, virtual reality goggles, and much more in a fun and interactive environment. Session held at Casuarina Library from 3.30-4:30pm. Recommended for age 5+.

Public Library Activities – September October School holidays 2025

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 Monday 22nd September to Friday 3rd October, daily sessions during the week – held at 10:00am – 12:00pm at City of Palmerston Library. There is a variety of activities daily from movies, crafts, canvas paintings, various workshops. Check out all the details on their fb page events here

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 archery, various art activities, learn to beat box, movies and much more! The fun in the parks program also is aimed at children aged 5 to 12 years. Check out all the program details here

Litchfield Community Library (previously Taminmin)

Litchfield Community Library (now located at Coolalinga Centrel – 425 Stuart Highway) are hosting various workshops these holidays. From Science Explorers, funky chickens, Mario carts and more. Some booking required. Check out the full program here

Eco Art Class – 2nd October

The Eco Art Class is a joyful blend of imagination and sustainability, where children aged 6 upwards transform everyday egg cartons into quirky characters—from silly monsters to magical creatures and everything in between. With paints, googly eyes, recycled treasures, and plenty of laughter, kids will learn the art of upcycling while crafting their own carton critters to take home and proudly display. It’s hands-on, planet-friendly fun that sparks creativity and teaches the value of turning trash into treasure. Eco Art bookings here

Oasis Shopping Village

Free family fun!

Get that job – first aid course launch – Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th October

This FREE two-day first aid course from 9am to 1pm is being delivered by Surf Life Saving Northern Territory, with support through NTG’s Darwin Youth Activity Grants. Both days must be attended to gain qualification. For ages 13-25 held at Surf Life Saving NT – 16 De Latour St, Coconut Grove. Registrations are essential and places are limited – book here

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

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 3pm Monday – Friday, plus the usual weekend times of Saturday 9 am till 2pm and Sunday 10am till 3pm. Weekday entry is only $11.90 per child (5-12), toddlers are $9.90 and bubs under 1 are free with an older sibling (or $3). Weekend entry is $11.90 (ages 1-12). 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

Gardening Group – Mondays 22nd Sept, 29th Sept and 6th October

A social space to try all things gardening, happening on Mondays from 3:30pm to 5pm at Headspace Casuarina. For young people aged 12-25 years. Free event and snacks provided. No bookings or registration required.

Jingli Skateboarding Workshops – Mondays 22nd Sept, 29th Sept and 6th October

Free skateboarding workshops. All experience levels welcome, for ages 10 – 18 years. Food provided for participants. Limited number of skateboards and safety gear available. These workshops will be held at Jingli Skatepark at the Jingli Watergardens from 5pm to 7pm on the Mondays.

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

With the weather heating up – why not plan a day trip and visit one of our amazing National Parks and swimming spots like Buley Rockholes, Berry Springs or Howard Springs Nature park – all great spots for families.

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

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Museum and Art Gallery NT activities

Public Library Activities – September October School holidays 2025

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