Darwin’s Christmas Pageant heralded a success and set to return

Thousands flock to Darwin’s Christmas Pageant dressed in their Christmas finest. Were you snapped? See all the pics here.

A parade of 50 festive floats sailed down the streets of Darwin on Saturday for the Top End’s first Christmas pageant in decades.

Thousands of Territorians became Santa’s little helpers as they watched the big man roll into town 35 days ahead of Christmas.

The colourful event gave the city’s hospitality a much-needed boost as families kicked on at a variety of pubs and restaurants.

Good Shepard Lutheran College won best float and St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School was awarded for best walking group.

Both schools receive a $500 prize.

The event was heralded a success by organisers and is set to return in 2023.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the evening was fantastic.

“It was incredibly heartwarming to watch many community and cultural groups come together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas,” Ms Fyles said.

“The Darwin Christmas Pageant will definitely be back for 2023 and I know it will grow into a much anticipated event in our festive calendar.”

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the pageant was a time to celebrate Christmas and community.

“I was so impressed by not just the event but the response from the people of Darwin,” he said.

“The number of people who came along to watch the parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree showed me there is a real appetite in Darwin for this event.”

IN PICTURES:

City of Darwin Mayor Kon Vatskalis, Santa and Bill Buckley are ready for Christmas in the tropics. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Prawn Cracker Spice in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A walking Xmas Tree in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Leah McLennan and daughter Ebi Van Der Mark in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

St Mary’s Primary in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Rosie King in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Elvis Prawnsley and the Prawnettes in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Chantell Fisher and Hamish Niemeier in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Santas Helper in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Crowds line the route for the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Sea Scouts Oliver Fryer, Nicholas Back and Seitaro Kawano In the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Alice Sing as crowds line the route for the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Kilarney Rankin in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Christine Miles in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Crowds line the route for the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Crowds line the route for the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Dean Wilson and son Oscar as crowds line the route for the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Essington School in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The CareFlight Crew in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Andy Warton in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Same Dance Academy in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Ist Darwin Sea Scouts In the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The department of Sport in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Dept of Education in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Tyler and Lily Cooper with Grinchy in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Lucy Parry in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Naomi Blewit in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Jacob Young in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Leslie Hart in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Peter Windle and Paddy the Platypus in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Deacon Shuse in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Chloe Warthold, Georgia Cruickshank and Ashley Mitchell in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Ivy Smith, Poppy Hennessy, Lily Goldstraw and Katie Jacobi in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Kindness Shake group in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Parap Primary in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Darwin Skate School in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Michael Prentice with Archie and Riley in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Lizzie the Lizard in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Christina Magbojos and Duchess in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Rusty Rhubarb Smith in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Darwin Performance Academy in the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade down the Esplanade and Knuckey Streets. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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Originally published as Darwin’s Christmas Pageant heralded a success and set to return