Darwin’s Festive Extravaganza: 650+ Territorians Parade with Giant Laksa, skating reindeers and Santa

Darwin’s second annual Christmas parade lit up the CBD with vibrant floats, including a giant Laksa, singing shark, and Santa, bringing festive cheer to the heart of the city. See the pictures.

Thousands gathered in the heart of the city on Saturday to watch over 40 groups walk, dance and sing along the streets for the second annual ‘Very Darwin Christmas Pageant.’

More than 650 Territorians took part in the parade, beginning at the Esplanade before making their way through the CBD with participants including a giant Laksa float, reindeers on rollerskates and Santa himself.

Josephine Toaligur and Matthew Downey brought their six month old daughter Leila to watch her first pageant.

“I love it, it’s very bright and vibrant and it’s been a while since we’ve seen something like this,” Ms Toaligur said.

Families gathered along the streets of Darwin for the return of the city‘s Christmas pageant to celebrate the start of the festive season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“So we wanted to come down and bring Leila to her first pageant.”

This Christmas will also be the family’s first in Darwin since moving from Tennant Creek in August.

“It’s our first Christmas as a family so it’s pretty special,” she said.

While she’s still a newborn, Leila’s parents looked forward to seeing their daughter walk in a future Darwin Christmas pageant.

The Cole family had front row seats to all the action on the Esplanade with mum Davina looking forward to seeing her son walk in the pageant for the first time.

Daughter Sophie had high praise for the show and said it was “amazing” to watch.

The parade ended at Smith Street Mall where Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis officially launched Christmas in Darwin by lighting the Christmas tree.

He said he was “absolutely thrilled with the turnout” of this year’s pageant.

Flynn Whiteside was in the middle of all the action. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The noise, colour, excitement and Christmas magic exceeded our expectations,” he said.

“It was an exceptional night, one that is very unique to Darwin, and we’re looking forward to it continuing to grow in the coming years.”

The pageant kicks off festivities in the city including Christmas-themed lighting displays throughout the Mall and Candy Cane lane in Raintree Park.

Scroll down to see pictures of all the festive action.

L-R: Claudia Banks, Annie Tsataros, Keira Dunkley, Chloe Warthold getting into the spirit. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Darwin Waterfront’s float was a favourite. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Zoe Moir waves hello to the Christmas season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The details on one float. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

L-R: Zac Scown, Renae Scown, Georgia Young and Isobel Reynolds. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Darwin Skate Club at the streets speed along the Esplanade. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Layla Milligan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Families gathered along the streets of Darwin for the return of the city's Christmas pageant to celebrate the start of the festive season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Santas galore at the Christmas parade. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Tales from the Tinny reeled in a winner at the pageant. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Bunnings crew nailed the festive brief. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Bailey Baker, Ellie Carberry and Summer Hewitt. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Eirini Miaoudis, Anna Rakkas and Anna Koulianos looked angelic in the parade. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sarah Omnes representing CareFlight. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

New Darwin councillor Samuel Weston. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Present-eating crocodiles were of course a feature of the parade. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Grinch made an appearance. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Even injured Territorians came along. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Rev Tony Goodluck and Steve Orme on the streets of Darwin Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Tristan Mcculloch and Tate Mcculloch. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A Laksa love for Christmas. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Raymond Family got into the spirit. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Lambros Koulianos. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Rebekah Stapleton and Taij Stapleton were revved up for the pageant. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Families gathered along the streets of Darwin for the return of the city’s Christmas pageant to celebrate the start of the festive season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mckenzie Watters. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Karen Walsh brought some festive tunes to her float. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Big cars and small were all paraded in the streets. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kids waved to their fans at the parade. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kai Rheinberger. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Lesley Merrett walking for the Festive Mocktailz. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mabel Mackenzie and Natalie Hoschke took their Christmas costumes seriously. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sam's Dance Studio. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Families gathered along the streets of Darwin for the return of the city's Christmas pageant to celebrate the start of the festive season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin