City of Darwin is inviting families to celebrate Children's Week 2026, with free activities providing opportunities for children to create, play and connect.
Children's Week runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November and celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood, while providing opportunities for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and achievements.
The celebrations will kick off with the official launch of the 2026 Children's Artwork Exhibition at Casuarina Library on Saturday 24 October from 9.30 am to 11.30 am.
Lord Mayor Peter Styles said Children's Week was an opportunity to celebrate Darwin's youngest residents and bring families together.
"Children's Week is about recognising the important place children have in our community and giving them opportunities to learn, play, create and have fun," Mr Styles said.
"The Children's Artwork Exhibition is a great way to start the week and give our young artists the chance to see their work on display.
"We also have two fantastic free events at Jingili Water Gardens, giving families the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some fun activities.
"I encourage Darwin families to come along and join us in celebrating Children's Week," he said.
This year's Children's Week theme is "Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion," based on Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Children's Artwork Exhibition is being delivered in partnership with the Office of the Children's Commissioner and showcases works by young Darwin artists aged up to 12 years.
The official launch will include children's entertainment and activities, morning tea and a lucky-door prize. Artwork will be displayed at Casuarina Library and Darwin City Library until Sunday 29 November 2026.
The celebrations will continue with a Free Family Fun Morning at Jingili Water Gardens on Wednesday 28 October from 9 am to 12 noon.
The Family Fun Morning will include the Fun Bus, a pop-up library, children's activities and morning tea.
Families can return to Jingili Water Gardens on Friday 30 October from 3 pm to 6 pm for a Free Family Fun Afternoon, featuring wet and wild play activities through City of Darwin's Fun Bus and Fun in the Parks programs.
Families are encouraged to bring clothes that can get wet and messy.
Children who are already City of Darwin Library members, or who join during Children's Week, can also enter the draw to win a basket of goodies. To enter the draw, children are required to attend at least one of the free City of Darwin events on offer.
All Children's Week events are free and no bookings are required.
