Adelaide Christmas Pageant to be held at Oval for up to 25,000 people – free tickets will be in a ballot
Yes, there will be a Christmas Pageant this year – but it’ll be very different, with free tickets handed out by ballot.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Carols by Candlelight cancelled over COVID
- Are you getting the most out of your digital subscription?
Up 25,000 people will pack Adelaide Oval on November 14 for a historic twilight Christmas pageant in what official say will be a theatrical production complete with singing, dancing and possibly a celebrity MC.
A ballot will be held for the prized golden tickets, which will be free, and the government will move to ensure no tickets are scalped.
Details of how the ballot will work are being finalised. It comes as the 2020 Carols by Candlelight at Elder Park is cancelled because of coronavirus risks.
The first twilight pageant will see floats enter via the northern gate, do two laps then exit.
Official say the event – first revealed by the Sunday Mail – will be a grand arena spectacular, likening it to the opening of major sports events like the Sydney Olympics.
Premier Steven Marshall said he was thrilled that Father Christmas would come to town as usual with the Pageant.
“The National Pharmacies 2020 Christmas Pageant will go ahead,” he said.
Mr Marshall said the final crowd number would hinge on health advice closer to the event but he hoped it would be up to 25,000, a number previously been approved for football before later being withdrawn.
He predicted huge interest in the ballot for the tickets.
“It is the golden ticket,” he said.
Pageant director Brian Gilbertson and families at home would be encouraged to watch the event and join in the activities including using chalk in the driveway and painting their own blue honour line.
“In the 88 years the Pageant has been with us, this year for the first time it will be a historic twilight event in an arena — it will be like a massive theatre show,” he said.
The event will be broadcast on Channel 9 — the Pageant normally draws 300,000 people to the city and another 150,000 watch in on TV. .
Details on the crowd including how many children and adults per family will be allowed with a winning ticket from the ballot are still being worked out.
Health officials note outdoor seated events carry lower risk of COVID transmission and also that children appear to have better defences against coronavirus.
