Christmas parade back on the streets with a new, longer route

The Christmas pageant is back, but this time with a longer route. Read the course it charts.

Darwin’s second annual Christmas pageant will this year have a longer and sweatier route.

‘A very Darwin Christmas pageant’ is scheduled for November 18 and will this year begin from the end of Knuckey Street on The Esplanade, promenade to Cavenagh Street, scoot down Bennett Street and finish at Herbert Street.

More than 40 floats have signed up for this year’s event, ranging from walking groups, dance groups, single vehicle floats and trailer floats.

Leslie Hart In the annual Christmas Pageant and Parade last year. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Some of the local schools and associations taking part in the Pageant include, Rosebery Primary School, Darwin Karting Associations, St John Ambulance and Curled Ice Cream

On the day there will be roving entertainment, activities for the kids, food trucks for light snacks and, following the pageant, Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis will be there for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles thanked participants in the parade.

“I look forward to seeing all of the floats at this year’s Christmas Pageant, and want to thank all of the Territorians who will make this event unforgettable as they take part in the parade,” she said.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the celebrations would be bigger than ever.

“I am very pleased to see the popularity of the pageant has grown even more since last year,” he said.

“Personally, I am looking forward to lighting the Christmas tree at the conclusion of the pageant.”

Originally published as Christmas parade back on the streets with a new, longer route