Weekend events across the state are being cancelled or postponed due to the extreme weather warning

The state’s biggest annual carols night is among events expected to proceed through any forecast rain, while a growing list of events across SA are being cancelled or postponed. See the list.

Even with hot weather and up to 40mm of rain bucketing down this weekend cancelling many Christmas celebrations, it’s not enough to stop more than 300 surfers hitting the beach.

Surf Lifesaving SA will press ahead with the Glenelg Spring Challenge on Saturday morning, with a spokesman confirming weather conditions for the surf sport event were being monitored but “our athletes are used to being a bit wet”.

Inland, Athletics SA said Saturday’s summer series event would also go ahead, while the two-day Murray Bridge Triathlon – which was expecting 350 athletes – was cancelled and will now be held March 24.

On Saturday morning, the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association announced all men’s, women’s and junior matches would be cancelled for the weekend.

The state’s main annual carols event in Elder Park on Saturday night will go ahead at this stage.

Despite the predicted wet weather conditions, organisers said the 79th SeaLink Carols By Candlelight would proceed – with gates opening at 2pm, a pre-show concert from 5pm before the main event from 8.15pm.

Rain at the Sealink Carols By Candlelight in Elder Park in 2022. This year’s main carols event is still going ahead at this stage. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

However, Christmas events across the state are being cancelled from Friday night and into the weekend.

Salisbury Council joined the chorus of cancellations on Friday, canning its Salisbury Community Christmas Carols event planned for Saturday evening at Carisbrooke Park.

“The safety of the community, volunteers, performers, vendors and staff is of the utmost importance to Council, and this conclusion has been made after a thorough risk assessment and consideration of all potential solutions,” the council said in a statement.

On Thursday, Burnside Council announced its highly anticipated Christmas carols event had been cancelled after an extreme weather warning was issued by authorities.

The council’s annual Carols in the Park was cancelled because of “inclement weather”, including predicted high temperatures and thunderstorms amid an extreme fire danger rating.

Burnside Council took to social media to alert crowds that the free outdoor event that was scheduled to kick off at 4.30pm on Friday at Hazelwood Park would no longer go ahead.

“These conditions may compromise the safety of our community, performers and staff,” it said in the statement.

“This has led us to make the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Carols in the Park.”

Event organisers apologised for the cancellation and said the event would not be rescheduled because of “the limited availability of performers and vendors” during this year’s festive season.

Mitcham’s Christmas Carols at Kingswood Oval in 2018. Picture: File

Mitcham Council has also canned their Christmas carols planned for Kingswood Oval because of the heavy rain and strong wind forecast for Saturday.

“We are so disappointed that we can’t bring you this wonderful Christmas celebration, but your safety is important to us,” the council said in a statement released on Thursday.

“Thank you to the many performers, volunteers and community groups who have already contributed many hours in the lead-up to the day, and to our partners Flinders University, Wallis Cinemas Mitcham, Ted Turner Signs and Regis Aged Care for their support.”

Whyalla City Council also followed suit by announcing their Christmas on the Ave event would be rescheduled to Wednesday December 20 from 6pm.

“Due to the high likelihood of heavy rain predicted across the weekend and the risk it poses to electrical equipment and floats, and the likelihood of significantly reduced crowd numbers,” the council wrote in its statement.

“Being midweek, we understand this may unfortunately not be suitable for everyone.

“However, due to the extremely short notice at this late stage of the year, this is the only date we can make work due to many factors, including availability of equipment, participants etc.”

Some events have been postponed or relocated, including the Stirling Carols on the Lawn event, which will now happen on Saturday evening in the gym at Hills Christian Community School.

Events cancelled

Friday, December 8

• Carols in the Park, Burnside, Friday

• St Nicholas Comes to Hahndorf

• Christmas Market at Hahndorf – postponed December 15

• Clare Christmas Pageant, Friday night

• Two Wells Twinkling Trail

• Christmas Outdoor Movie Night at Pt Pirie

Saturday, December 9

• Salisbury Community Christmas Carols

• Christmas in Prospect Street Party

• Gawler Community Christmas Carols

• Mitcham’s Carols at Kingswood Oval

• Dockside Festival, Port Adelaide

• Freeling Christmas Street Party

• St Clair Carols – postponed to December 23

• Tailem Bend Christmas Parade – postponed to December 23

• Whyalla Christmas Pageant

• Come and Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Port Noarlunga

• South Australian 500cc and Gilman 250cc Solo Championships – postponed to December 16

• Murray Bridge Sprint Meeting

• Murray Bridge Triathlon (day 1)

• Norwood Movie Nights at the Pool – postponed to January 27

• Victor Harbor Christmas Pageant

• Victor Harbor Artisan Market

• National Solo Championship at Gillman Speedway – postponed to December 28

• Barmera Pageant & Fireworks Spectacular

• Marion Outdoor Pool Movie Night

• Little Athletics SA Interclub Region 1 Carnival

• Hot Rod & Classics Picnic at Balhannah

• Rotary Christmas Fun For Kids Day at West Lakes

• Pt Broughton Christmas Festival

• Whyalla Steel City Drag Club Race

• Murray Bridge Speedway Christmas Cup

• All Adelaide Turf Cricket Association men’s, women’s and junior fixtures

Sunday, December 10

• Dawn vigil for victims of gender based violence, Port Noarlunga jetty

• Southern Community Christmas Carols

• Murray Bridge Triathlon (day 2)

• Rotary Club Carols at the Rotunda at Unley

• All Adelaide Turf Cricket Association men’s, women’s and junior fixtures