At a glance
- Santa’s arrival
- Friday 13 November 2026 at Casuarina Square: gates open from 4:30pm, the helicopter arrives at 5:30pm, the Christmas raffle is drawn on stage at 6:30pm (Darwin time, no daylight saving)
- Santa’s Village
- The Darwin Galleria, 37 Smith Street, 9am to 1:30pm on listed days from Saturday 21 November to Monday 21 December 2026
- Casuarina Christmas Pool Party
- Saturday 28 November 2026, 8:30am to 1pm, Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 17 Gsell Street; free pool entry and a free BBQ
- Cost
- The Pool Party offers free pool entry and a free BBQ; the pages checked give no entry price for the Santa arrival or for Santa’s Village, and the raffle needs a ticket
- Parking
- Casuarina Square: free, with a 4-hour limit and 90-minute areas. The Galleria: the centre points to the West Lane car park
- Who it’s for
- Families in Darwin with young children who want a photo with Santa before Christmas
- What to do now
- The 13 November arrival is pedestrian access only; the City’s Christmas page lists the Village and Pool Party dates
- Last checked
- Saturday 7 November 2026, against the Casuarina Square, City of Darwin and Darwin Galleria pages
- Not yet confirmed
- Whether the Santa arrival and Santa’s Village are free or need a booking, what the raffle ticket costs, and any bus or shuttle service for the arrival (none of the pages say)
Darwin has three official ways to meet Santa this year: his helicopter arrival at Casuarina Square on Friday 13 November, Santa’s Village at The Darwin Galleria on set days from 21 November to 21 December, and the Casuarina Christmas Pool Party on Saturday 28 November. This guide sets out the dates, times, venues and parking for each, using the pages of Casuarina Square, the City of Darwin and the Darwin Galleria, checked on 7 November 2026.
When does Santa arrive at Casuarina Square?
The A Very Cas Santa Arrival page gives the date as Friday 13 November 2026. Gates open from 4:30pm and the helicopter arrives at 5:30pm. The page says Santa “has swapped his sleigh for a chopper”.
| Item | What Casuarina Square says |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday 13 November 2026 |
| Gates open | From 4:30pm |
| Helicopter arrives | 5:30pm |
| Where it starts | The old Casuarina Bus Interchange; pedestrian access only, via the bottom of the Woolworths travelator |
| After the landing | Santa’s parade goes from the helipad to the Food Court, where there is a festive performance |
| Raffle | Christmas raffle drawn on stage at 6:30pm for a share in over $1,000 in prizes |
The centre has also tied a radio competition to the day. From Monday 2 November to Thursday 13 November, Sam and Ant on HOT100 are asking listeners to say why they are Santa’s best helper, for a chance to join Santa on his arrival, thanks to Nautilus Aviation, Casuarina Square and HOT100.
Where do I park at Casuarina Square?
The centre’s location and parking page gives the address as 247 Trower Road, Casuarina NT 0810, and the phone number as 08 8920 2345. It says the best access to the car parks is from Trower Road, Dripstone Road and Bradshaw Terrace.
| Rule | What the centre says |
|---|---|
| Cost | Parking is free for customers |
| Time limits | A 4-hour limit, with 90-minute timed parking in selected areas; each area is signed |
| Breach notice | A parking breach notice of $65.00 can be issued to vehicles that do not follow the car park terms |
| Families | “Parents with Prams” spaces are extra wide and close to most entrances |
| Accessible | A large number of accessible spaces are close to the entrances |
The page also warns that, while Woolworths and The Quarter are upgraded, some entry points, walkways and parking areas may be redirected or temporarily closed, and it points to maps and signs on site. The arrival page says pedestrian access is only through the bottom of the Woolworths travelator.
What is Santa’s Village, and which days is it on?
The City of Darwin’s Christmas in Darwin 2026 page says Santa’s Village runs through November and December at The Galleria, where families can meet Santa. The City’s event listing describes a photo with Santa and his elves, and activities from the City’s Fun in the Parks team, including face painting every Saturday and hands-on activities for children. The page invites children to bring a wish list.
| Dates in 2026 | Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21 November | 9am to 1:30pm |
| Saturday 28 November | 9am to 1:30pm |
| Saturday 5 December | 9am to 1:30pm |
| Monday 7 to Friday 11 December | 9am to 1:30pm each day |
| Saturday 12 December | 9am to 1:30pm |
| Monday 14 to Saturday 19 December | 9am to 1:30pm each day |
| Monday 21 December | 9am to 1:30pm |
The City’s page also lists two dates in October (Thursday 22 and Friday 23) that have already passed. It still carries 2025 dates and a cancellation notice from last year, so only the 2026 dates above apply this year.
How do I get to The Darwin Galleria?
The venue is The Darwin Galleria, 37 Smith Street, in Smith Street Mall. The centre’s own site says its food court gives access to both Mitchell Street and the Mall, and that parking is available close by in the West Lane Car Park. For West Lane’s fees and the City’s street parking zones, see our Darwin CBD parking guide.
What is the Casuarina Christmas Pool Party?
The City’s event page for the Casuarina Christmas Pool Party lists Saturday 28 November 2026, 8:30am to 1pm, at Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 17 Gsell Street, Casuarina NT 0810. It promises free entry into the pool and a free BBQ. Families and friends are invited to “kick off the holiday season” with a morning of activities.
| What the City lists | Detail |
|---|---|
| Santa | Meet Santa Claus in person and take a photo |
| Fun Bus | Interactive adventures with the Fun Bus team |
| Fun in the Parks | Hands-on activities |
| Pool and BBQ | Free entry into the pool and a free BBQ |
The City lists the event under the Richardson Ward. The page does not say whether you need to register; the City’s Christmas in Darwin page lists it. Santa’s Village is also on that Saturday morning at The Galleria, which is a separate venue.
What else is on in Darwin on 14 November?
The day after the helicopter arrival is the City of Darwin’s Christmas Pageant, with the Makers Market, tree lighting and Civic Park concert on the same evening. See our Darwin Christmas Pageant route and parking guide.
Sources
- Casuarina Square — A Very Cas Santa Arrival (checked 7 November 2026)
- Casuarina Square — Location & Parking
- City of Darwin — Christmas in Darwin 2026, with its Santa’s Village and Casuarina Christmas Pool Party event pages
- The Darwin Galleria
Featured image: Casuarina Square, Darwin, September 2025 (photo: DaHuzyBru / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Casuarina Square, the City of Darwin or The Darwin Galleria. Dates, times and rules can change; check the official pages before you go.