Darwin September October School holidays 2026

Are you ready for our Darwin September October School holidays 2026? School holidays start Saturday 19th September to Monday 5th October (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 4 on Tuesday 6th 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 Darwin September October School holidays 2026.

September October School Holidays

Wave Lagoon – open daily

Catch a wave at Darwin’s coolest Waterfront attraction, the Wave Lagoon. A palm-fringed swimming pool turns into a tube-riding, bucket of fun when the siren signals the start of the swell. Open daily, 10am – 6pm. A Family pass (max 2 adults & 3 children) for $25, or individual tickets: under 3 years FREE, under 15 years $8, 15 years and over $10 or FREE for Darwin Waterfront members – buy an annual membership here and get unlimited wave pool access for the year plus loads more benefits!

City of Darwin – Fun in the Parks and Libraries

Looking for exciting ways to keep the kids active and entertained these school holidays? Fun in the Parks is a free outdoor program filled with games, laughter and community spirit, perfect for children and families! Join in every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the school holidays (excluding public holidays) for a morning of fun in our beautiful local parks. Everyone is welcome. Just drop in and be part of the fun. Check out the Fun in the parks schedule and City of Darwin Library activities events here

Darwin International Film Festival – Buffalo Kids (PG) – Saturday 19th September

FREE family movie under the stars! DIFF is heading back to Palmerston for another magical Saturday night of family fun in Goyder Square! Saturday 19th September – Buffalo Kids (PG) will kick off from 7pm. Pack the picnic rug, round up the kids and settle in for an evening filled with food trucks, entertainment from the fabulous Fairy Jill️, and an incredible light show from Northern Lights NT before the movie begins at sunset! Free registration here

Darwin September October School holidays 2026

Tennis Palmerston program – Tuesday 22nd to Friday 25th September

Looking for something fun, active and social for the kids these school holidays? Kids will enjoy a mix of sport, games, challenges and activities, giving them the opportunity to stay active, try new things, develop their skills and make new friends. Program runs from 8am to 4pm and includes: Tennis & racquet activities, Multi-sport games, fun challenges & activities, team games, plenty of fun! Places are limited, so get your booking in early! For more information and to book head here

Auslan Storytime – Tuesday 22nd September

Celebrate National Week of Deaf People with us at the Palmerston library! Enjoy a special Auslan Storytime, 10am on Tuesday 22nd, where stories, songs and rhymes are shared in both English and Auslan (Australian Sign Language). This inclusive and engaging session is a wonderful way for children and families to experience the joy of storytelling while learning more about deaf culture and language.

Zone 3 – Unlimited Laser tag and free arcades

Book in a session with our friends at Zone 3! these school holidays you can book an hour pass for just $15 per person for 1hr, or $25 per person for 2hrs, includes unlimited laser tag and arcades. My kids love heading here during the school holidays (or for birthday parties!). To book head here

Youth First Aid – Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd September

Surf Lifesaving NT are hosting FREE sessions in First Aid for 13-17yr olds only. Gain Accredited First Aid & CPR qualifications. Attendance at both days required to complete qualification. Sessions being held 9am – 12.30pm on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd September at 16 De Latour St, Coconut Grove. You will need a USI (unique student identifier) to complete this course. Registrations required and spots limited – register here

Kids cooking + Design classes – various dates

From upcycling and design, cake decorating, cooking class making pasta and sauces, Darwin Adult Short courses have a range of classes and workshops these September October School holidays for kids – book cooking classes here. Limited spots in all classes.

FREEZE skate – Thursday 24th September

Grab your warmest winter woollies and chill out at Darwin’s only ice rink! Don’t forget to bring your socks! FREE-ze Skate is exclusively for ages 12-20. Registration is essential for this FREE event as spaces are limited. FREE-ze Skate is a drug and alcohol free event, this includes tobacco and vapes. Visit here for more info and how to register!

Gaming after dark – Friday 25th 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. Happening at Casuarina Library (entry via the courtyard) on Friday 25th September – 6:30pm to 8:30pm. 100% FREE including snacks – no bookings required! Gaming after dark is a regular event that runs the last Friday of each month till November 2026. September also has an AMAZING XR VR included for the school holidays session.

Family Fun Day – Saturday 26th September

Gerard Maley MLA, Member for Nelson and Andrew Mackay MLA, Member for Goyder will be hosting a rural area free family fun day. Bring the whole family along for a morning of fun at Lakeview Hall, Freds Pass Reserve! Happening on Saturday 26 September from 9am to noon at Lakeview Hall, Freds Pass Reserve. There’ll be plenty to keep the kids entertained, including: Fairy Jill, Top End Critters, Jumping Castle, Face Painting, Rotary are cooking a Sausage Sizzle.

Geek up – Sunday 27^th September

Geek Up is a FREE event for young people held on the last Sunday of the month at Casuarina Library. It includes: art workshops with Darwin Emerging Creatives, Dungeons & Dragons, Board Games. PLUS a DIY toastie station! Geek up is happening at Casuarina Library from 1pm to 4pm. Geek up is a regular event happening on the last Sunday of each month till November.

PLEASE NOTE: Geek Up has been created by young people for young people as a space for young people to connect with their peers. It is recommended for ages 15-25. Young people a year or two younger are welcome to attend provided they can self manage/regulate. The majority of attendees are over 18 so conversations between participants may include adult language and topics of conversation.

Deckchair Cinema Spider-Man – Tuesday 29th September

City of Darwin’s LAUNCH program has teamed up with the crew at the stunning Deckchair Cinema for another epic school holiday movie. Spider-man 2002 stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. A shy high school student who gains superhuman abilities after being bitten by a genetically engineered spider. Peter adopts the masked persona of Spider-Man and begins to fight crime in New York City. Gates open 5:45pm, movie starts 7pm. FREE for ages 12-25!

*Attendees outside the age range are welcome but will need to purchase a ticket.

Bookings are essential and can be done via the Deckchair website or this link

City of Palmerston Library – Monday 21st to Friday 25th September

Looking for some free fun activities to do for the school holidays? City of Palmerston have you covered. They offer a range of activities, crafts, entertainment, movies, magic shows, disco, animal encounters and more at the library these school holidays. All sessions are free, start at 3:30pm aimed at children aged 5-12yrs. Bookings are required for groups of 5 or more.

WEEK 1: Mon – Movie Monday: Lilo & Stitch, Tue – Natural Dream Catcher, Wed – Paint Your Masterpiece, Thurs – Create with Bunnings, Fri – Amazing Drumming Monkeys

WEEK 2: Mon – Movie Monday: Smurfs, Tue – Felt Animal Bag Tags, Wed – Paint Your Masterpiece, Thurs – Pom Pom Animals, Fri – Friday Flic: The Magic Faraway Tree

Litchfield Community Library – Monday 21st September to Friday 2nd October

Looking for some free fun activities to do for the school holidays? There is a range of activities happening at Litchfield Community Library (located at Coolalinga Central 425 Stuart Highway) from drawing workshops, design a badge, movies, gaming Mario cart, magnet making and more! Note bookings required for all activities, call the library on 8988 1200 or book via Eventbrite

DJ and Mentoring workshops – Friday 18th September Friday 2nd October

City of Palmerston Library, in partnership with Dream Impact Inspire, presents free DJ and mentoring workshops for young people on Friday nights from 5pm to 7pm. These sessions are designed to discover and support the next generation of DJs in the NT. Participants will develop practical DJ skills, connect with experienced mentors, and gain support to reach their full potential in a creative and positive environment.

Skalliwagz School holidays discount – every day during holidays

Head into Skalliwagz at Gateway shopping Centre Palmerston these school holidays. At Skalliwagz, the fun never ends with over six exciting play areas designed for endless adventure and imagination! From action-packed zones like the ninja course and bouldering wall to their multi-level playground filled with slides, tunnels, and climbing frames, there’s something for everyone. Their famous lucky dip is back all holidays long! They will also have FREE Face Painting by Maki from Play fit aerial every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10 till 1pm and on Thursday and Friday’s – slime workshops from 10am to 1pm. All activities are free with entry. No bookings needed.

Gateway Shopping Centre – Free Circus Academy

Everyone is welcome to the Circus Academy FREE School Holiday Program at Gateway. The team from Tip Top Circus Entertainment has fun-packed activities including face painting, balloon animal workshops, and circus workshops. Happening – Monday to Thursday during holidays, 10am – 1pm. No registrations required, just drop in.

Darwin Waterfront – Beach Bash – Saturday 3rd October

Head down to the Darwin Waterfront on Saturday 3 October from 3pm to 7pm for a fun filled afternoon for the whole family including:

Let the Good times UNO – a dedicated area for Uno Social Club
Under the Sea Craft club – ocean themed craft activities for children
Beach activities and games
Water zone with water slides
DJ zone

Coolalinga Central – Thursday 1st October and Friday 2nd October

Join in for some School Holiday FUN! Book into their Create & Decorate Workshops and let your creativity run free! Thursday 1 October: Charm Creation Station. Friday 2 October: Squishy Decoration Station. Booking Fee is $5.50 per child, with a redeemable $5 Foodie Fiver Voucher to spend in-store on the day! Workshops are recommended for ages 5 and up. Book here

Office of Youth Affairs

Check out the Office of Youth affairs for young people aged 12-25 school holiday calendars here

The Playshack – school holiday events

The SHAK Youth Hub

Drop in at the SHAK during the school holidays! Various FREE activities on offer from 12pm to 8pm daily, snacks provided, located at Sanderson High School.

Palmerston Youth Drop in Centre

Palmerston Youth Space offers a safe hangout with daily activities like baking, crafts and waterpark days. Located at 31 Tilston Avenue Moulden.

Leanyer Recreation Park

Another great option to keep the kids busy and cool these Darwin June July 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

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

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog and have fun in the September October School holidays 2026. Wishing you and your family a safe and fun holiday season!

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September October School Holidays

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