At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Families, spectators and drivers heading into the Hobart CBD on Saturday 21 November 2026
- What to do now
- Park for free at the Regatta Grounds or in a City of Hobart car park, or on the street inside the CBD, and be in your spot before the pageant starts at 10:30am
- When
- Saturday 21 November 2026, 10:30am to about 12:00pm; roads on and around the route are closed to all traffic from 9:00am to 1:00pm
- Route
- Starts at Melville Street and Elizabeth Street, down Elizabeth Street, onto Liverpool Street, up Harrington Street, then Collins Street, finishing at Elizabeth Street and Collins Street
- Cost
- Free, and parking is free (see the details below)
- Last checked
- Monday 9 November 2026, on the City of Hobart’s pageant page
- Not yet confirmed
- The council’s page does not list how many floats or performers will take part, and it gives no running order for the groups
The Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant runs on Saturday 21 November 2026 from 10:30am to about 12:00pm, the route and surrounding streets are closed to all traffic from 9:00am to 1:00pm, and parking is free at the Regatta Grounds, in five City of Hobart car parks and at on-street meters inside the CBD. The parade starts at the corner of Melville Street and Elizabeth Street and finishes at Elizabeth Street and Collins Street.
This guide sets out the route, the free parking and shuttle bus, which car parks stay open, where to watch if you need an accessible viewing area, and the facilities on the day. It is based on the City of Hobart’s pageant page, read on Monday 9 November 2026. If you are planning the rest of the Christmas season, our guide to Black Friday, the Big Switch-On and Christmas Park and Ride covers the next three dates.
What is the route, and when do the roads close?
The council says the pageant begins on the corner of Melville Street and Elizabeth Street at 10:30am. It goes down Elizabeth Street and onto Liverpool Street, then turns up Harrington Street and onto Collins Street. It finishes on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Collins Street at roughly 12:00pm. The council has a pageant map as a PDF on the same page.
| Time on Saturday 21 November | What the council says |
|---|---|
| 9:00am | The pageant route and surrounding streets close to all traffic |
| 10:30am | The pageant starts at Melville Street and Elizabeth Street |
| About 12:00pm | The pageant finishes at Elizabeth Street and Collins Street |
| 1:00pm | The road closures end |
Where can I park for free?
The council lists several free options for the day.
- Regatta Grounds: free parking, with a free shuttle bus (details below).
- On-street parking in the CBD: free, within the area bounded by Brisbane, Campbell, Davey and Harrington streets. Parking meters in the CBD will display “Free today Xmas Pageant”. The EasyPark app will display “Christmas Pageant (Free Parking Saturday 21 of November only)” when you enter a space in the free area.
- TasPorts waterfront spaces: TasPorts will provide free parking in 2P spaces on the Hobart waterfront on Hunter Street, along Franklin Wharf, and in the Morrison Street and Salamanca Wharf car parks.
- Outside the CBD: all other parking meters outside the CBD operate as normal.
Which City of Hobart car parks are free, and are they open?
| Car park | Open | Road closure effect |
|---|---|---|
| Argyle Street Car Park | 6:30am to 10:00pm | Not affected by road closures |
| Centrepoint Car Park | 8:00am to 5:15pm | Closed for entry and exit between 9:00am and 1:00pm |
| Hobart Central Car Park | 8:00am to 5:30pm | Not affected by road closures |
| Dunn Place Car Park | 8:00am to 8:00pm | Not affected by road closures |
| Melville Street Car Park | 9:00am to 4:00pm | Closed for entry and exit between 9:00am and 1:00pm |
The council lists all five under “Free car parks”. If you want to park in Centrepoint or Melville Street, get in before 9:00am: both are closed for entry and exit from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Our Centrepoint Car Park guide has that car park’s height limit and entrance.
How does the free shuttle from the Regatta Grounds work?
A free Park and Ride shuttle bus runs from 9:30am to 2:30pm on pageant day, in a continuous loop between the city and the Regatta Grounds. The council expects each loop to take around 15 minutes, and you can get on and off at any of the stops:
- Regatta Grounds car park
- Bus stop on Murray Street, outside the Treasury Building
- Bus stop on Morrison Street, outside Mission to Seafarers
- Back to the Regatta Grounds
The shuttle bus is wheelchair accessible and prams are welcome. The council’s regular Park and Ride page says to reach the Regatta Grounds car park you follow McVilly Drive until you pass the public toilets, and the entrance is signposted.
Is there an accessible viewing area?
Yes. The accessible viewing area is opposite the Judges Stage, at the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth streets. It is marked by a white picket fence and pageant signage, and has space for wheelchairs and seating. A drop-off point is on Liverpool Street, with access from Argyle Street, and Pageant Crew are at the viewing area to help.
- Accessible parking: roughly five spaces for people with a Transport Access Scheme Parking Permit are on Collins Street between Harrington and Barrack streets.
- Accessible shuttle: a free shuttle bus runs between the Regatta Grounds and Franklin Square from 9:00am to 2:00pm. It has 18 seats and one wheelchair space.
- AUSLAN: the MC and judges at the pageant stage, opposite the accessible viewing area, will be AUSLAN interpreted.
- Guide dogs and service animals: welcome. The council asks you to think about water, shade, hot pavement, sanitation and the crowds.
- Sensory information: the council says to expect large crowds, loud noises, bright lights and sirens.
- Access hotline: the council runs a call-or-text hotline for access questions that is active on pageant day only, and its number is on the pageant page. Outside that day, email events@hobartcity.com.au.
What else is on offer on the day?
- First aid: in a medical emergency, call 000. For minor medical attention, speak to pageant staff in hi-vis vests or to Medical Edge First Responders in Elizabeth Mall.
- Toilets: public toilets, including accessible toilets and changing places, are located throughout the city, and the council points to the National Public Toilet Map.
- Water: Taswater is providing free water stations, so you can bring a bottle. They are at Mathers Place (6 Criterion Street, behind Criterion House), the RACV Hotel (154-156 Collins Street) and Collins Court (134 Collins Street). Fixed fountains are in Elizabeth Street Mall, Franklin Square and Mathers Place (108 Bathurst Street).
- Weather: the pageant is an all-weather event and runs rain or shine, unless conditions become extreme or dangerous and pose a serious safety risk.
Who is in the parade?
The council says the Tasmanian puppetry company Terrapin is the lead creative partner and is making a new large-scale puppet for the 2026 pageant. It also says Terrapin has supported community groups with creative workshops to help them develop their floats. The council’s participant list names the following groups:
501st Legion Thylacine Outpost & Friends; ASSOCOLTAS (Association of Colombians in Tasmania); Australian Army Band Tasmania; Australian Red Cross; City of Hobart Fire Crew; City of Hobart Highland Pipe Band; Dancing Divas Dance School; Derwent Scottish Pipe Band Inc; Derwent Valley Marching Band; DJIsaac; Hobart City Band; Hola kids Tasmania; Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism; Illawarra Jumping Jacks from Illawarra Primary School; Indian Festivals Association Of Tasmania; Metro Tasmania; Modern Musician; Patrick Bryce & Acits; Polish Association in Hobart Inc.; Punjabi Society Tasmania; Red Decker Bus; Salsita; Sandy Bay Regatta; Scouts Tasmania; Second Echo Ensemble; South Hobart Tip Shop; Southern City BMX Club; St Cuthbert’s Catholic School; Tas. Police Pipe Band; Tasmania Football Club; Tasmanian Chinese Buddhist Academy of Australia; Tasmanian Transport Museum; Tazfurs; Terrapin; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Unions Tasmania; Velocity Church; and Waimea Heights Primary School.
Quick plan for pageant day
- Arrive early: roads close at 9:00am, and Centrepoint and Melville Street car parks are shut for entry and exit from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
- Free parking is at the Regatta Grounds (with the shuttle from 9:30am), at five City of Hobart car parks and at CBD meters.
- The pageant starts at 10:30am at Melville Street and Elizabeth Street and finishes at about 12:00pm at Elizabeth Street and Collins Street.
- Bring a water bottle and check the forecast; the event runs rain or shine.
- Need an accessible viewing spot: go to Liverpool and Elizabeth streets, using the Liverpool Street drop-off from Argyle Street.
The council’s contact for the pageant is 03 6238 2711 or coh@hobartcity.com.au.
Sources
- City of Hobart — Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, including route, free parking, accessibility and road closures (checked 9 November 2026)
- City of Hobart — Park and Ride (checked 9 November 2026)
Featured image: Franklin Square, Hobart (photo: Gary Houston / CC0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Hobart or Myer. Times and closures can change; check the council’s page and follow the signs and directions on the day.