Adelaide Christmas Pageant 2025: Huge crowds, road closures to hit CBD streets | Everything you need to know here
Father Christmas is here - and so are all the photos from today’s Christmas Pageant. See the galleries
Thousands of South Australians have lined the street to welcome Father Christmas to town - many of them arriving super early to nab prime viewing spots.
Children drew pictures of Christmas trees, the Grinch, and etched their names into King William St with chalk before soaking up the magic of the pageant floats.
Father Christmas arrived shortly after 11.30 to huge applause and our photographers were there to catch it all.
Did we take your photo? Click on the gallery links below to find your pic.
GALLERY 1: PHOTOS FROM THE NATIONAL PHARMACIES CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
GALLERY 2: MORE PHOTOS FROM THE 2025 CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
HOW EARLY IS TOO EARLY TO NAB A PRIME PAGEANT SPOT?
Father of three Aaron Bettridge was one of “quite a few” who had set up on Friday evening, securing his position at about midnight — nine and a half hours before the pageant was due to start on South Tce.
The northern suburbs dad had never seen the pageant before, but stuck out the cold night “all for the kids”.
“I mainly wanted to get a good front row spot,” he said with a laugh.
“My wife and our three kids are up in a hotel room at the moment, you know, let them sleep in for a bit and then they’ll come down and start playing around.
“The two boys we haven’t actually told them exactly why we’re here so it’s a bit of a surprise, but my daughter knows, she always finds out.”
Josh said he had secured his spot at about 3.45am and by that time there “weren’t many spots left” between North Tce and Beehive Corner, where the pageant ends.
“It was almost just full all the way down, and a lot of people were here before me,” he said.
His two kids Sebastian and Stella, and his partner, joined Josh nearly three hours later with excited grins.
“We want to see Santa!” the young pageant watchers said.
Further down the street, Ashanti Grimley, 4, and her mum Tegan were some of the lucky few to come in later and still get a great spot.
Practically latecomers arriving at 6am, Ashanti was dressed head to toe in Christmas spirit in preparation for her third pageant.
“I’m really excited to see Santa,” the four-year-old said.
As more and more families packed out King William St, crews were hard at work setting up the big stage for Saint Nick’s arrival.
THE ROAD CLOSURES
Major roads around Adelaide are closed until the afternoon as 300,000 attendees are expected to revel in the fun and festivities – road users are reminded to plan ahead.
The pageant will again follow its traditional route, starting at South Tce, turning onto King William St through to Wakefield St, Pulteney St and North Tce before finishing near the Adelaide Town Hall.
Key closures include King William St from South Tce through to and including Victoria Square from 5am until 1pm.
Hindmarsh Square, between Grenfell and Pirie street will be closed from midnight until 1pm.
Other major road closures include Grote St, Wakefield St, North Tce, Pirie St, Angas St, Gouger St and Currie St.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain urged road users to plan for the closures and plan ahead before heading to the city.
“The Christmas Pageant brings huge numbers to the city each year so road closures will be in place tomorrow morning to keep everyone safe,” Mr Mountain said.
“On-street parking will be as rare as a white Christmas, so check for off-street options and allow plenty of extra time if you’re driving to the pageant.
FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Free public transport will be on offer again with Adelaide Metro’s bus, train and tram services free from 6am to 2pm on Saturday, to help families get to and from the city.
Additional buses and trains will also be in operation to cater for the large crowds expected to travel to the city and pack the route.
Extra services will be added to the substitute buses that are currently replacing trams on the partially closed Glenelg tram line.
“Let public transport be your Christmas miracle with free services and extra trips running throughout the morning,” Mr Mountain said.
“For those not attending, remember there will be several road closures and lots of children around, so drive carefully and don’t let the festive cheer be a distraction.
“The Pageant is a fantastic community celebration, but it’s important everyone plans ahead and drives safely to ensure the day stays merry for all.“
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