The Darwin Christmas Pageant is set to welcome Santa to Darwin on Saturday 15 November 2025. More than 13,000 people attended last year's event and the much-loved Darwin Christmas Pageant will once again fill Darwin city streets with festive Christmas cheer! This year’s parade will kick-off at 6:00 pm, which means less time in the sun and more time to spread Christmas cheer.
This year’s pageant will feature a new City of Darwin Maker’s Market and Christmas Concert, along with a range of fun family activities, delicious food trucks and an incredible lineup of entertainers, dancers and paraders spreading Christmas cheer.
Follow City of Darwin on Facebook for the latest announcements and pageant updates.
PAGEANT DAY ACTIVITIES
City of Darwin is proud to host an exciting range of fun activities to kick off the festive season!
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm • City of Darwin Makers Market • The Smith Street Mall
An exciting new addition to the Christmas Pageant program, the Makers Market brought to you by DCRA, showcases local artists and businesses. Pick up a gift for yourself or a loved one.
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm • Darwin Christmas Pageant • City Centre
Don’t miss the community floats journeying through the heart of the Darwin City Centre. Proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.
7:00 pm – 7:15 pm • Lord Mayor’s Lighting of the Christmas Tree • The Smith Street Mall
Watch in awe as our new Lord Mayor officially flips on the switch and illuminates the huge and majestic Darwin Christmas tree.
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm • Christmas Concert • Civic Park
Grab some refreshments or a bite to eat from 5:00 pm. Then stick around for the new Christmas Concert! Families will be treated to performances from local schools, groups and choirs as we celebrate all things Christmas. Proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.
REGISTER A FLOAT
We’re calling on community groups, schools, organisations and businesses to be part of the celebration! Register your float today and help bring the Christmas spirit to life in the heart of our city. Funding opportunities are available to eligible organisations* to assist with float construction and presentation (*subject to eligibility and availability). Registrations close on 31 October 2025.
PAGEANT ROUTE
The Darwin Christmas Pageant will start at The Esplanade (corner of Knuckey Street and The Esplanade) and make its way through the city streets, finishing at Civic Park on Smith Street.
Check out our parade route map (coming soon) to plan the best viewing spots for your family and friends. Don’t miss a moment of the colourful floats, music and festive cheer as community groups, schools, and local organisations bring the Christmas spirit to life!
FAQs
Below are a list of frequently asked questions about this year’s event, if you have further questions, please email us at sponsorship@darwin.nt.gov.au.
- WHEN AND WHERE IS THE PAGEANT?
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The City of Darwin Christmas Pageant will be taking place on Saturday 15 November 2025. The pageant parade will move throughout the streets City Centre. The pageant route map will be shared very soon!
- HOW CAN I REGISTER A FLOAT?
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Simply complete the online form, making sure you include as much info as you can. The Pageant Participant Coordinator will be in touch with you to advise if you’ve successfully secured a place in the 2025 Christmas Pageant!
- HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE $500 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR REGISTERING A FLOAT?
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Funding of up to $500 per eligible organisation* is available to assist with float construction and presentation (subject to eligibility and availability). To apply for funding, please complete the application form via the Smarty Grants website.
- WHAT IS THE PAGEANT ROUTE?
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The Pageant begins from the corner of the Esplanade and Knuckey S street. Participants will drive, march, walk and dance down Knuckey and turn right on into Cavenagh Street, then they’ll head right down Harry Chane Avenue (Bus Terminal), turning left onto Smith Street, where the pageant will officially conclude at Civic Park. Watch this space for a detailed map!
- WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?
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If you have a question that isn’t answered on this website, please email us and we can add it to this FAQ page at darwin@darwin.nt.gov.au
You can also follow City of Darwin's Facebook Page to ensure you’re totally up to date with everything about the Darwin Christmas Pageant. - IS THE PAGEANT FREE AND DO I NEED TO BOOK TICKETS?
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It’s free to attend all activities held on the Christmas Pageant day, this includes, the City of Darwin Makers Market, Christmas Pageant Parade, Lord Mayors Lighting of the Christmas Tree and the Christmas Concert!
- WHERE SHOULD I PARK?
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You can park at the following car parks below:
- West Lane Carpark
- State Square Carpark
- Fort Hill (Darwin Waterfront)
- Nichols Place Carpark (limited parking)
- Dragonfly Carpark
- You can also park at available on-street parking spaces outside of the pageant route.
- WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE PARADE?
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The best place to watch the parade is on one of the key streets the route passes (Knuckey, Cavenagh and Smith Street).
Knuckey Street is perfect if you’re bringing smaller children, as there is plenty of space and shade particularly at Raintree Park.
Cavenagh Street is perfect if you are planning on bringing your own chairs and rugs to really settle in and watch the pageant. Entertainers will also be roaming up and down Cavenagh Street entertaining families and children while you wait for the floats!
Smith Street This where the main stage will be and is also the last street of the parade route before they finish for the evening at Civic Park – it’s also close to the Lord Mayor’s Lighting of the Christmas Tree which is held after the parade finishes. There will also be street food vendors serving up delicious food and treats in Civic Park from 5:00pm.
- WHAT OTHER ACTIVITES WILL BE HAPPENING ON THE DAY?
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- City of Darwin Makers Market (4:00pm-7:00pm) The Mall
- Darwin Christmas Pageant (6:00pm-6:45pm) City Centre
- Lord Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree (7:00pm-7:15pm) The Mall
- Christmas Concert (7:30pm-9:00pm) Civic Park
- WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
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Rain, hail or shine – the Darwin Christmas Pageant will go-on!
Being in November, it might be a good idea to pack an umbrella, but we also recommend joining the City of Darwin Facebook Event to keep up to date with any event updates.
To ensure our attendees and pageant participants are safe, if there is a storm or lightning in the area, then the parade will be paused until it moves away.