Events
Wishes to Santa at the Waterfront
Three lu
cky children will win up to $1000 worth of Christmas presents from Santa this year.
All you have to do is spend $20 or more at any of the Darwin Waterfront and Stokes Hill Wharf businesses between 1 and 16 December and pick up your wish list to go into the draw to win up to 5 gifts of your choice
(children must be aged between 0 – 15 years).
Hand deliver your wish list to Santa personally at the Waterfront between 5pm and 7pm each evening from 7 to 14 December 2018.
Alternatively, drop it into Santa’s mail box on the ground floor next to the Glass Observation Lifts anytime during the promotion period between 1 and 16 December 2018.
The three winners will be drawn just in time for Christmas and their presents delivered personally to the Waterfront by Santa himself on Sunday 23 December.
You can also find Santa at the Darwin Waterfront on Saturday 1 December from 5pm to 8pm when he officially launches Christmas at the Darwin Waterfront and Wishes to Santa at the Waterfront.
For full terms and conditions click here.
Christmas at the Darwin Waterfront
The magic of Christmas comes to life every night during December from 7pm to 10pm at the Darwin Waterfront.
Enter through the ‘Twinkle Palms’ to discover a Christmas lighting display amongst the Parklands, similar to a mini ‘Tinsel Town’.
Take a stroll through the gingerbread man’s house, standing at almost 4 metres tall and Illuminated in traditional gold, red and green.
Wander around the 5 metre pines and firs draped with tiny lights and embellished with baubles and garland.
Be sure to stop at Santa’s sleigh to watch the reindeer grazing or even make a special wish at the giant star of lights, encased with 1000 globes.
Santa himself will make an appearance on 1 December from 5pm to 8pm to officially launch Christmas at the Waterfront and the Wishes to Santa at the Waterfront promotion.
You can also catch the jolly man in red every evening between 7 and 14 December from 5pm to 7pm as part of the Wishes to Santa at the Waterfront promotion, so be sure to pay him a visit.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Darwin Waterfront
The Darwin Waterfront presents a magnificent line up of free entertainment for the whole family, set amongst the harbour-side jewel this New Year’s Eve. 
The evening’s events will showcase two spectacular fireworks displays at both 9pm and midnight.
Family fun will commence from 5pm, with three Despicable Me 80’s Dance Party shows, face glitters, balloon twisting and roving entertainment to wow the little ones and young families.
From 9:30pm, headline act, Justice Crew, will explode onto the main stage to perform all of their chart topping favourites and more including ‘Boom Boom’, ‘Everybody’, ‘Best Night’ and ‘Que Sera’.
Taking us through to the countdown is the Australian Ultimate Kylie Minogue Tribute show, with an exhilarating and vibrant, stage show performance.
MC Amy Hetherington will play host to the festivities throughout, supported by DJ Emily Rose and DJ Sonix, along with acoustics by local artists Bridey Rose, Max Fredericks and Bob Christian.
Pack a picnic dinner, blanket and chairs and relax on the lawns for all of the celebrations or grab a bite to eat from one of the food stalls serving delicious offerings. Eskies are welcome, but no glass or alcohol is permitted.
The festivities will continue on New Year’s Day with a free live concert from Melanie Gray Duo who will perform Australian favourites inspired with a modern twist from 2pm to 6pm.
New Year’s Day at the Darwin Waterfront
Spend New Year’s Day with your friends and family, soaking up the New Year energy with a free live concert by Melanie Gray Duo,
on the lawns at the Darwin Waterfront from 2pm to 6pm.
Enjoy a picnic or swim by the tranquil tropical harbour side while basking in the sounds of local singer/songwriter Mel Gray, performing a modern spin on Australiana lyrical favourites.
Please remember, no glass or alcohol is permitted on the lawns.
School holiday fun days – Splash and Play
Tuesday 8 January from 9am to 12pm.
The kids can soak in all the fun at the Splash and Play fun day these January school holidays.
The jam packed morning of aqua, sun and swim will include:
Pico boat sailing in the Recreation Lagoon
Nippers Surf Life Saving in the Recreation Lagoon *Note: parent supervision is required
Blue lagoon waterslide
The giant slip n slide
Big splash slippery dip
Giant bubble fun with The Burning Circus
AFL Aus Kick Clinic
All activities are free and no bookings required.
School holiday fun days – Craft and Play
Wednesday 16 January from 9am to 12pm. 
Kids can craft there way throughout their day, at the Craft and Play fun day in the Parklands these school holidays.
The creating and decorating activities will include:
Scratch art
Dancing and instruments with Melody Mel
Cookie decorating
LEGO Brick build and play
Giant Jenga
Playdough fun
All activities are free and no bookings required.
School holiday fun days – Splash and Play
Thursday 24 January from 9am to 12pm.
The kids can soak in all the fun at the Splash and Play fun day these January school holidays.
The jam packed morning of aqua, sun and swim will include:
Underwater scene creation – crafting coral and fish to design a giant art installation
Nippers Surf Life Saving in the Recreation Lagoon *note : parent supervision is required
Blue lagoon waterslide
The giant slip n slide
Big splash slippery dip
Giant bubble fun with The Burning Circus
AFL Aus Kick clinic
All activities are free and no bookings required.
OZ RUN
Saturday 26 January at 7am
Australia Day is a day for all Australians. This Australia Day throw on your best Aussie attire and kick start your celebrations with the Territory’s largest fun run.
Starting from the Darwin Convention Centre at 7am, participants can walk, jog or sprint their way through the 3km or 5km route, while enjoying on-course entertainment along the way.
Entry is via gold coin donation, register online at nt.australiaday.org.au by Monday 21 January to go in the draw to win two return airfares from Darwin to Townsville.