Santa Claus comes to town as thousands of South Australians flock to the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant in the CBD
South Aussies have welcomed the Christmas season to Adelaide at the annual National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant. See the pics.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Father Christmas touched down in Rundle Mall for the first time in 31 years at the annual National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.
Tens of thousands of South Australians lined the streets of Adelaide to welcome the Christmas season to the state.
Some keen Christmas lovers went the extra mile, camping out from the early hours to secure their spot to see Santa.
“I have been here since 3am,” Nadia Hodgson, who was set up in prime position out the front of the Hilton Hotel said.
“It was already busy when I got here, the guys next to me got here at 11:30pm last night.
“My parents always used to do it for me so I just love it.”
Across, the road Rose Aloi and Melissa Rugolo said they arrived to Victoria Square at 1:30am, just as they have previous years.
“We love it,” Ms Aloi said.
“We are all one big family so we set up and then us mums chit chat and then we chit chat some more.”
Before the pageant kicked off, the route was decorated with chalk drawings, with William and Edward Asker jumping at the chance to show off their artistic skills.
“They absolutely loved sitting in the middle of the street and drawing – certainly a novelty for them,” mum, Daniela Asker said.
“We’ve been (to the pageant) a couple times now and they love it and were very excited, especially to see Santa.”
Christmas colours painted crowds as far as the eye could see, with Santa hats and reindeers antlers being dusted off for another year of fun.
Hannah and Charlotte Beagley along with their friend Hannah Cattanach were dressed up in matching hats and T-shirts and enjoyed blowing bubbles and drawing on the street.
Mum, Kristel Beagley rented a hotel room at the Hilton with some other parents to ensure her girls had the best viewing spot to take it all in.
“We have been taking two hour shifts from about 9:30am last night,” the Surrey Downs mother said.
“It’s turning into a tradition, coming in to see the pageant.
“I hope (the lining up) doesn’t get any earlier as it is getting a bit ridiculous.”
This year’s pageant featured several new floats including the P.S. Murray Explorer which included live music from the Pageant Jazz Band and a Humpty Dumpty float.
Volunteers brought buckets of Christmas cheer with Attorney-General, Kyam Maher greeting crowds from the new Indigenous float, Kumangka Malturri-Apinithi, which means ‘Coming Together’.
Old favourites and classics including Nipper and Nimble, Bruto and Stardust castle also made an appearance.
94-year-old Eileen Harris’ Christmas wish to be in the pageant for the last time came true with the West Croydon mother smiling and waving as she was driven down King William Street on the Christmas in the Parade float.
Christmas clowns kept sweltering crowds entertained with comedic relief as temperatures soared to a top of 29 degrees.
The crowd went wild as Father Christmas made his way to Beehive Corner, with confetti raining down to mark the big man’s arrival.
After a warm welcome from the Lord Mayor, Saint Nick was driven in style down Rundle Mall, flocked by children looking to make it onto his ‘nice’ list.
“Thank you South Australia for coming out today and showing your kindness to me,” Father Christmas said.
“I wish you joy, peace and love for Christmas and throughout the whole year,
“Merry Christmas!”
Star reveals truth about Savage Garden split
Former Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes has addressed the band’s controversial split, as he unveils his new memoir.
All the best shows to stream in November
From a flashy-looking Dune prequel and a rebooted classic thriller to Yellowstone post-Costner and more of those Bad Sisters, here’s what’s worth your time on streaming this month.