From Adelaide’s iconic Christmas Pageant to seaside celebrations, carols and whole towns covered in lights, here’s where to get into the festive spirit across SA.
Mariah Carey has officially defrosted, TikTok is full of beauty advent calendar unboxings and supermarkets are stocking increasingly bizarre Christmas treats.
But for South Australians, the festive season doesn’t properly kick off until the Man in Red takes to the streets on Saturday 14 November, as part of the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.
Then the celebrations spread across the state: regional parades, whole towns covered in lights and carols in wineries, right up to Christmas week.
Whether you’ve got kids to impress or a group chat that needs a plan, here’s what’s on, and what’s worth a weekend away.
The big one: National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
14 November – Adelaide CBD
The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest public parade, a televised extravaganza and one of those South Australian traditions that really does deserve all the hype.
More than 335,000 people turned out last year to cheer on the floats, bands, clowns and performers, and welcome Father Christmas to South Australia. The Pageant is owned and managed by the state government’s South Australian Tourism Commission.
Since 1933, the Pageant has grown from just eight floats and three bands into a huge theatrical production, with more than 170 moving sets, 300 clowns and elves, 18 bands and thousands of costumes.
This year’s 94th Pageant brings two new major floats: The Magic Hat, an enormous elf’s hat shaped like a house, and Bumper Christmas, which turns Christmas morning into a winter fun park on wheels.
There’s a distinctly SA addition too: Sandy Christmas, a mini float designed by 10-year-old Riley Radbone, featuring a koala enjoying hot chips at the beach, a festive seagull and a sandcastle.
Emma Memma is returning, much to the delight of her young fans, along with the familiar favourites, the Golden Whistle and the grand arrival of Father Christmas.
Want to know how to get the best spot, what to bring and how to navigate the crowds? Check out our grown-up’s guide to surviving (and secretly loving) the Christmas Pageant.
AAM Timber Mount Gambier Christmas Parade
21 November – Limestone Coast
This annual Christmas Parade brings floats, performers and community groups into Mount Gambier’s city centre.
The procession starts at 11am along Commercial Street, with Party in the Park adding to the celebrations.
Stick around for the Blue Lake, which begins turning its famous cobalt blue around this time of year, and the gardens of Umpherston Sinkhole.
Loxton Lights Festival
28 November – 31 December – Riverland
For more than 30 years, the Riverland town of Loxton has transformed itself into an after-dark Christmas attraction, with hundreds of hand-painted festive scenes, illuminated homes and lights throughout the town.
The Loxton Lights Festival starts on 28 November with a day of celebrations and fireworks over the Murray River.
There’s also Christmas Wonderland at Loxton North, where a 400m walking trail takes visitors past Santa’s Big Boot, a Christmas Village and nativity scene. Look out for the Minions and hidden Where’s Wally characters along the way.
Selected drive-around nights are available for people who need an alternative to walking the trail.
Stay a little longer for a riverside meal or a few days on a houseboat.
Port Broughton Christmas Festival
12 December – Yorke Peninsula
Port Broughton might be a small seaside town, but at Christmas it goes big.
The Port Broughton Christmas Festival is Yorke Peninsula’s largest Christmas celebration, with a street party, food trucks, entertainment, a pageant and Santa’s Cave at the Town Hall.
The festivities finish with community carols and the lighting of the Christmas tree by the jetty.
While you’re in town, don’t miss the famous local seafood – or try your luck fishing off the historic jetty before the celebrations begin.
St John Carols by Candlelight
12 December – Elder Park, Adelaide
Grab a picnic rug and get ready for a big Christmas singalong under the stars.
The free St John Carols by Candlelight has been bringing South Australians together since 1944, and this year’s concert features Samantha Jade, Marina Prior, Amber Lawrence, Travis Collins and The 60 Four.
Head to Elder Park in the afternoon for live entertainment, food trucks and activities before the main concert begins after sunset. The night finishes with fireworks over the city.
The event is supported by the state government and raises funds for St John Ambulance SA’s first aid and community programs.
Lights of Lobethal
12-22 December – Adelaide Hills
Some people decorate their Christmas tree. Others put a few fairy lights around the verandah.
And then there’s Lobethal, where an entire town gets involved.
Running for more than 60 years, the Lights of Lobethal Festival has grown into the largest community-run Christmas lights display in the Southern Hemisphere, with 700 homes, gardens and entire streets transformed into glowing displays.
There’s plenty more happening too, including Christmas markets, a living nativity with real animals and the Lobethal Christmas Pageant on 23 December.
Spend the afternoon exploring Hahndorf or the cellar doors around Woodside, grab an early dinner in the Hills, then head into Lobethal as the sun goes down.
Christmas on the Bay
18 December – Coffin Bay, Eyre Peninsula
There are worse places to celebrate Christmas than Coffin Bay.
Christmas on the Bay is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, with a free community event along the Esplanade. Festivities begin at 4.30pm, with the pageant at 6pm.
Come early for the town’s famous oysters, a wander through Coffin Bay National Park or a few hours at one of the famous local beaches.
More Christmas celebrations around SA
Still looking for somewhere to get into the Christmas spirit? Here are more pageants, carols, light displays and community celebrations around the state.
Adelaide and suburbs
- Norwood Christmas Pageant – 21 November, Norwood: Floats, bands and performers take over The Parade from 10am.
- Glenelg Christmas Pageant – 22 November, Glenelg: The much-loved Jetty Road pageant returns after a year off.
- Onkaparinga Christmas Pageant – 22 November, Christies Beach: Parade followed by Christmas in the Park.
- Port Adelaide Christmas Parade – 6 December, Port Adelaide: The 36th annual parade, followed by a street party with free rides and Santa’s Cave.
Adelaide Hills and Barossa
- Stirling Christmas Pageant – 6 December, Stirling: Floats, bands and choirs, finishing at Stirling Oval.
- Hahndorf Christmas Village – 12-14 December, Hahndorf: Festive entertainment and activities throughout the historic Hills town.
- Yalumba Community Christmas Carols – 15 December, Angaston: Free Christmas carols at Australia’s oldest family-owned winery.
Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island
- McLaren Vale Christmas Pageant – 6 December, McLaren Vale: A community parade through Main Street, followed by a Piazza Party with live music and entertainment.
- Christmas Where the Angas Flows – 11 December, Strathalbyn: A pageant, free activities, concert and fireworks in the historic town.
- Victor Harbor Christmas Pageant and Carols – 12 December, Victor Harbor: A free pageant followed by community carols near Warland Reserve.
- Kingscote Christmas Pageant – 18 December, Kingscote: Community floats, Santa and Christmas lights celebrations.
Clare Valley and Mid North
- Carols in the Pub – 6 December, Clare: Free singalong at Bentleys Hotel, raising money for SA charity Wellness Sisters.
- Port Augusta Christmas Pageant – 4 December, Port Augusta: Rotary’s annual parade through the town.
- Burra Christmas Fair and Pageant – 18 December, Burra: A traditional country Christmas celebration in the historic mining town.
Riverland and Murraylands
- Waikerie Christmas Pageant – 27 November, Waikerie: A community celebration in the Riverland.
- Renmark Christmas Pageant – 4 December, Renmark: Festive floats and entertainment.
- Mannum Christmas Pageant – 5 December, Mannum: Pageant, street party and fireworks beside the Murray.
- Barmera Christmas Pageant – 18 December, Barmera: Christmas celebrations and fireworks near Lake Bonney.
Yorke Peninsula
- Curramulka Light Up – 5 December, Curramulka: The town switches on its Christmas lights, which remain on display until the New Year.
Eyre Peninsula
- Whyalla Christmas on the Avenue – 21 November, Whyalla: Pageant along Nicolson Avenue, followed by celebrations in Civic Park.
- Port Lincoln Carols on the Foreshore – 5 December, Port Lincoln: Christmas singalongs beside Boston Bay.
Limestone Coast
- Robe Christmas Parade – 20 December, Robe: A community Christmas parade in the seaside town.
Find even more Christmas celebrations across South Australia on southaustralia.com.
