Where to find a Christmas pageant near me in South Australia
It’s been two years since some of our beloved pageants have taken place. Now Santa is promising to reach every South Aussie and spread a little cheer. See our map.
Local
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It may well be we look back on 2022 as the year of the Christmas pageant.
While they have long been a part of South Australian tradition, they were devastated by Covid restrictions.
The full-scale return of the National Pharmacies Adelaide Christmas Pageant saw about 240,000 people head along despite the state later that day being lashed with one of the worst storms we’ve seen.
That marked a revival of pageants across the state, with several streets set to be covered in Christmas cheer from now until Santa Claus arrives.
And, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a mild 21 degree weekend and (hopefully) summery weather leading into December and until Christmas.
In Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, mayor Robert Bria said the council was expecting a record return to the streets.
“It is one of most loved and anticipated events in our City – with more than 20,000 people expected to watch the festivities along The Parade this year,” he said.
With festival-goers keen to get back to The Parade, Mr Bria said a new float – Rocking Around the Christmas tree – had been put together as a sight for sore eyes.
“After the very disappointing news for the past two years that the Pageant could not go ahead, we are calling on the community to help us celebrate in style and in the spirit of Christmas,” he said.
From country towns to suburban streets, these are all the Christmas pageants and parades near you.
Norwood
When: November 26 between 10 and 11am.
Where: The Parade, Norwood.
What to expect: “Colour and glory”, floats, Christmas cheer.
Run by the Norwood, Payneham & St Peters council, The Parade pageant is one of the largest suburban parades in the state.
About 20,000 are expected to attend in 2022 after Covid forced its cancellation in 2020 and 2021.
While council workers had been frantically working away like elves behind the scenes to make the pageant run smoothly, it was the community who stood to benefit the most.
“The Norwood Christmas Pageant provides a wonderful opportunity for community groups, schools, businesses and individuals to participate in the festivities,” Mr Bria said.
“Not only does the pageant create long-lasting festive cheer, it also provides a boost to our local economy with many families and residents staying in our city to enjoy our world-class food and hospitality.”
Reynella
When: December 9 from 3pm, procession starts at 5.45pm.
Where: John Reynell Heritage Park, Bridge Street, Old Reynella.
What to expect: Another pageant returning to full billing from a Covid enforced hiatus, organisers are expecting an unforgettable day.
Festivities will kick off from 3pm, but the main event pageant procession will start from 5.45pm on the corner of Bridge Street and Old Main South Road.
The procession then heads up Old Main South Road to the corner of Peach Street.
Pageant secretary Alayna de Graaf said, “there will be kids games, surprises, interactive art experience in the park, free face painters and more”.
There’s also an opportunity to decorate the community Christmas tree for those who bring their own decoration along.
Salisbury
When: December 3 from 9am until 2pm with the parade from 10am until 11.30am.
Where: Salisbury City Centre.
What to expect: Three decades of community tradition.
Yep, 2022 is the 30th year of the pageant – which is still raging despite the Covid hit all pageants suffered.
Organisers, the Salisbury Business Association, expect about 8000 spectators to show up to watch the 2000 people involved in the parade.
Floats will drift up Commercial Road, along John Street and finish on Gawler Street.
Playford
When: November 26 from 7am until 1pm.
Where: X-Convenience Oval – 10 Goodman Road, Elizabeth.
What to expect: The pageant is taking on a new route this year, moving from Munno Para to the home of the SANFL Central Districts Bulldogs.
Floats, floats and more floats will proceed around the oval before ending with Santa and a Christmas tree.
There will also be stalls selling a range of wares, plants, and food and drink.
Glenelg
When: November 27 from 10.30am until 12.30pm.
Where: Jetty Road, Glenelg.
What to expect: A staple of the Christmas calendar, the iconic parade has long welcomed community groups and attendees to the seaside streets of Glenelg.
Another pageant returning after a two year hiatus, offerings are spread far and wide.
A Children’s Christmas Village will be set up in Moseley Square and Santa and Mrs Claus will be available for photos in the Glenelg Town Hall from midday.
Stirling
When: December 4 from 4pm until 8pm.
Where: Stirling Oval, Mount Barker Road, Stirling.
What to expect: The crisp Adelaide Hills air will be filled with Christmas cheer with the pageant running alongside a market and fair.
Starting on Druid Ave at Stirling, the procession will continue to the Stirling Oval where attendees will find the market and fair.
The pageant is run by The Hut Community Centre who are also putting on live music, activities, sideshows, an animal nursery, food stalls and more.
Port Lincoln
When: December 10, starting at 3pm.
Where: Port Lincoln
What to expect: The pageant is taking on a different shape this year and combining with the Carols on the Foreshore.
But it doesn’t end at Carols with markets, the Port Lincoln City Band for entertainment and a host of food stalls.
The pageant itself Starts at 3.30pm after floats get ready to roll out from the Port Lincoln Hotel before heading along Tasman Terrace.
Whyalla
When: November 26 from 5pm.
Where: Throughout Whyalla.
What to expect: Returning after a couple of years off, the Apex GFG Whyalla Christmas pageant promises to be huge.
Floats will travel down from the top of Forsyth Street, along Patterson and Jamieson streets to Cudmore Terrace and finish up at Ada Ryan Gardens.
An after-pageant fair will be held at the gardens.
Organiser Damien Trenwith said it was a thrill to have the pageant return.
Mt Barker
When: December 3 from 10.30am.
Where: Mt Barker Recreation Centre/oval.
What to expect: Four decades strong, the Mt Barker returns after a two-year lay-off.
The pageant procession runs from the Mt Barker oval, through the town and finishes in Walker Street.
Floats include Cinderella, a fireman, a Gingerbread Man, a lobster, and others.
Organisers expect more than 1000 to head along, just to participate in the parade.
Onkaparinga
When: December 4 from 10am.
Where: Beach Road, Christies Beach.
What to expect: Santa will be back in Christies town for the pageant which flows into Christmas in the Park at Rotary Park on the corner of the Esplanade and Beach Road.
The procession starts on the corner of Hunt Crescent and Beach Road before marching bands, dance groups, sporting clubs, community groups and business snake their way up towards the beach.
Photos with Santa, entertainment and stalls are all part of the offering.
Blackwood
When: December 2 from 6:30pm.
Where: Gulfview Road.
What to expect: The beloved annual event is back starting at Gulfview Road, head south along Main Road, and then up Edward Street
The route will be shorter this year due to construction in Waite Reserve.
Lobethal
When: December 10, from 6pm.
Where: Main Street, Lobethal.
What to expect: Created by the community of Lobethal, this much loved Christmas festival has been lighting up the Lobethal Valley in the Adelaide Hills for more than 60 years.
In the true spirit of Christmas, it has now evolved into the largest Community Christmas Light Display in the Southern Hemisphere.
While Lobethal may be famed for its Christmas light display, visited by thousands every year, the pageant is nothing to be sneezed at.
Tailem Bend
When: December 10 from 6pm.
Where: Railway Terrace.
What to expect: The party will be cranking from 4.30pm with entertainment for the kids, market stalls, displays, food, music in the street and Santa’s Wonderland.
Photos with Santa will also be available after the parade.
Port Pirie
When: December 3 from 7pm.
Where: The Terrace.
What to expect: The pageant committee have made it their mission to return the event to its former glory.
From fairies, clowns and elves, to float and traffic marshals, there’s something for everyone.
Moonta
When: December 10 from 4:30pm.
Where: George Street.
What to expect: An afternoon market will be held in Queen Square, with a wide variety of stalls including giftware, clothing, sweets and treats, pet accessories, handmade crafts and a range of local foodstuffs.
The market will run between 3.00pm and 8.00pm and will form the backdrop to a number of other activities.
At 4.30pm the Christmas Pageant Procession will make its way down George Street to Queen Square before turning left into Henry Street, heralding the arrival of Santa who can be photographed with children in the rotunda.
Kadina
When: December 19 from 6pm.
Where: Victoria Square.
Morgan
When: December 10 from 10am.
Where: Morgan Riverfront Precinct.
Victor Harbor
When: December 10 from 5:30pm.
Where: Croquet Club on Flinders Parade.
Mount Pleasant
When: December 3 from 5:30pm.
Where: Talunga Park Showgrounds, Melrose Street.
Two Wells
When: December 16 from 5pm.
Where: Wells Road.
Woodside
When: December 15 from 7pm.
Where: Nairne Road.
Port Augusta
When: December 2 from 6pm.
Where: Commercial Road.
Cradock
When: December 11 from 3pm.
Where: Cradock Hotel.
Barossa
When: December 2 from 7pm.
Where: Murray Street Tanunda.
Jamestown
When: December 4 with the pageant starting at 5.30pm.
Where: Jamestown (look out for a ride on the town’s famous little engine Leo the Loco).
Barmera
When: December 9 from 5:30pm.
Where: Barwell Ave.
Peterborough
When: December 16 from 4pm.
Where: Main Street.
Kingscote
When: December 16 from 6pm.
Where: Kingscote Oval.
Prominent GP resigns: Who is Dr Taylor?
A prominent South East GP has resigned after restrictions were placed on his registration – but who is Dr Jeffrey Taylor?
Speirs signs off: What ex-top Lib said in last letter to voters
The former opposition leader, now facing drug supply charges, has laid bare his “heavy heart” in a letter to thousands of voters in Adelaide’s south. Read it here.