At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Shoppers, families and drivers planning for Hobart’s Christmas events after the Christmas Pageant
- What to do now
- Put Friday 27 November (late night shopping, from 5:00pm) and Saturday 28 November (Big Switch-On, 6:30pm to 9:00pm, Mawson Place) in the diary, and note that Christmas Park and Ride starts on Monday 7 December
- Black Friday
- Friday 27 November 2026, from 5:00pm, in the Hobart CBD; closing times are set by each store
- Big Switch-On
- Saturday 28 November 2026, 6:30pm to 9:00pm, Mawson Place, free
- Park and Ride
- Free shuttle from the Regatta Grounds, Monday to Saturday from Monday 7 December to Thursday 24 December, car park 9:15am to 6:00pm
- Last checked
- Monday 9 November 2026, on the City of Hobart’s Christmas pages
- Not yet confirmed
- Black Friday store names and closing times, the Big Switch-On parking and road arrangements, and the December carol dates and venues are not published
Hobart’s Christmas season has three dates to plan around after the Christmas Pageant on 21 November: late night shopping in the CBD from 5:00pm on Friday 27 November, the free Big Switch-On at Mawson Place from 6:30pm on Saturday 28 November, and the free Park and Ride shuttle from the Regatta Grounds, which starts on Monday 7 December. The City of Hobart has published dates for all three, but not every detail.
This guide gives what the council’s pages say about each, and says plainly where a page is silent. For pageant day itself, see our Christmas Pageant guide. The council’s pages are under its Christmas section, and were read on Monday 9 November 2026.
What is on, and when?
| Date | Event | Time | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 27 November | Black Friday Late Night Shopping | From 5:00pm | Hobart CBD | Not stated |
| Saturday 28 November | The Big Switch-On | 6:30pm to 9:00pm | Mawson Place | Free |
| Monday 7 to Thursday 24 December | Christmas Park and Ride | Car park 9:15am to 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday | Regatta Grounds | Free shuttle |
| December | Christmas carols | Not yet announced | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
What is Black Friday late night shopping?
The council says that on Friday 27 November the city centre comes alive for Black Friday, with businesses staying open later and offering special promotions, discounts and shopping experiences. The page lists major retailers and department stores, local boutiques, gift stores, homewares and speciality shops. It says a growing number of businesses have signed on, with many offering exclusive Black Friday deals and extended trading hours through the evening, and tells shoppers to check individual store trading hours.
The council gives a start time of 5:00pm and the location as the CBD. It does not give a closing time or a list of stores. Businesses that want to take part can contact the council’s Hello Hobart team at business@hobartcity.com.au.
Where do I park for Black Friday?
The Black Friday page does not mention parking or buses. The council’s own car parks and fees are covered in our guides to Centrepoint Car Park and Argyle Street Car Park. Opening hours for those car parks are on the council’s car park pages, so check them against your plans for the evening. Metro Tasmania says bus travel is free across the State until 30 June 2027; see our free bus travel guide.
What happens at the Big Switch-On?
The Big Switch-On is a free night of live music, festive fun and community celebration as the city’s Christmas tree comes to life, on Saturday 28 November from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at Mawson Place. The council names Teeny Tiny Steevies as the headline act, and says Little Feet Music and Bingle the Bear will also perform. It describes a lively family show with catchy songs, playful dancing and plenty of audience participation for little ones.
The council gives 03 6238 2491 and events@hobartcity.com.au for questions. The page does not list road closures, parking or bus arrangements for the night. The council has not linked the Park and Ride service below to this event.
How does Christmas Park and Ride work?
The council says you can park at the Regatta Grounds and catch a free shuttle bus to and from the city or waterfront, from Monday 7 December. To reach the Regatta Grounds car park, follow McVilly Drive until you pass the public toilets; the entrance is signposted. The gates open 15 minutes before each shuttle service starts and are locked 30 minutes after it ends.
| Period | Days | Car park hours | Shuttle bus hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas shopping | Monday to Saturday only, Monday 7 December to Thursday 24 December | 9:15am to 6:00pm | 9:30am to 5:30pm |
| Taste of Summer | Sunday 27 December to Sunday 3 January | 11:45am to 8:30pm | 12 noon to 8:00pm |
| New Year’s Eve | Thursday 31 December | Gates open at 9:00am and are not locked overnight; vehicles can be left overnight and picked up on 1 January | 11:30am to 1:00am |
The council’s page names the New Year’s Eve section “Bring in 2025 safely and conveniently”, but the day it lists is Thursday 31 December, which falls in 2026. The page says that because of road closures the Morrison Street bus stop, outside Mission to Seafarers, will be moved to Elizabeth Street between Davey and Macquarie streets from 3:00pm to 1:00am on New Year’s Eve.
Where does the shuttle go?
The bus runs a continual loop of about 15 minutes: Regatta Grounds car park, the bus stop on Murray Street outside the Treasury Building, the bus stop on Morrison Street outside Mission to Seafarers, then back to the Regatta Grounds. You can get on and off at any of the three stops. The shuttle is wheelchair accessible and prams are welcome.
Our Taste of Summer guides cover getting there and opening hours, the New Year’s Eve party and the music program.
When are the Christmas carols?
The council’s Christmas page says carol events will take place in December and that details will be announced later. It gave no dates or venues when it was read on 8 November 2026.
Quick plan
- Saturday 21 November: Christmas Pageant, with free parking and roads closed from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
- Friday 27 November: late night shopping from 5:00pm. Check each store’s hours.
- Saturday 28 November: Big Switch-On at Mawson Place, 6:30pm to 9:00pm.
- From Monday 7 December: free Park and Ride, Monday to Saturday, with the car park open 9:15am to 6:00pm.
- December: carol dates and venues to come.
Sources
- City of Hobart — Black Friday Late Night Shopping (checked 9 November 2026)
- City of Hobart — The Big Switch-On! (checked 9 November 2026)
- City of Hobart — Park and Ride (checked 9 November 2026)
- City of Hobart — Christmas (checked 8 November 2026)
Featured image: Hobart Town Hall at night, photographed in July 2015 (photo: Soma Kondo / CC BY 2.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Hobart. Dates, times and arrangements can change; check the council’s pages before you travel.