2025 National Pharmacies Adelaide Christmas Pageant

GET THERE EARLY!

The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant starts at 9:30am on Saturday 14th November 2026 and if you want to be Pageant rock stars with front row seats you need to be there by 7am, AT THE LATEST!

Actually, when we say 7am, we actually mean 6am. And by 6am, we actually mean 5am. Get Dad, or Grandpa, or Uncle Bob on the job, ask them to go early and throw down a picnic blanket and some chairs so you don’t have to drag the kids there for hours of pre-pageant over excited madness. Coffee bribes tend to work.

SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, WRAP… kind of!

At this stage we have absolutely no idea what the weather will be. Fingers crossed for a perfect, sunny (but not too hot) day! Worth packing a hat, light jacket, and sunscreen just in case.

PRINT OUT A ROUTE MAP (OR TWO)

As usual the Adelaide Pageant will begin at South Terrace from 9:30am. The route will begin at South Terrace and travel north along King William Street, west of Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, through Reconciliation Plaza along Wakefield Street, left into Pulteney Street, left along North Terrace and then south along King William Street finishing at Beehive corner, on the corner of Rundle Mall.

Print out a few copies of the route map at www.christmaspageant.com.au/pageant-day/route

DON’T LOSE YOUR KIDS!

It might also be a good idea to mark some “I’m lost” spots on your route map. Kids can go there if they get lost (if they’re old enough to use a map that is). Or if not, find a recognisable and easy-to-find meeting spot and make sure your youngsters know to go there and STAY there if they get lost.

Police officers along the route will have lost child/vulnerable people wristbands on them for parents/guardians/carers to write on and put on the wrist of their child/vulnerable person they are responsible for. They will also be available at National Pharmacies merchandise stands and cross-over points along the route. Bring a permanent marker with you so you can write your information on the wristband.

Another great idea is to take a pre-pageant photo of your kids so you know what they are wearing, just in case you need help finding a wandering child. It’s much easier than trying to remember if they’re wearing red or green while you’re in a fluster. But really, just try not to lose them!

KNOW THE ROAD CLOSURES

Stay tuned for road closures updates!

SNACKS & DRINKS

Pack more than you think you will need. Once you’ve got your perfect pozzie you don’t want to be getting up to find water and snacks. Pack heaps (and I mean HEAPS) of snacks, and lots of water. It’s amazing how long kids can take to get through a container of grapes cut into quarters to keep them sane while you wait. But forget nutrition. That’s not why you’re there. Snacks are purely for entertainment purposes. Big people need snacks too. And coffee, to save themselves from other people’s annoying children. If you do happen to forget your drink bottles, seven water stations provided by the pageant’s official water sponsor SA Water will be dotted along the pageant route as it snakes from South to The Town Hall.

BRING CHALK, CHALK and MORE CHALK!

One of the best parts of the pageant is all the chalky artworks that line the streets. When else do you get permission to draw on public property! Go your hardest! And please send us in any photos of your street art, we’d love to see. (PS – bubbles are also a great idea and kids love them!)

CONSIDER RIDING YOUR BIKE THERE

With roads closed and super busy all around the area, public transport will be pretty crowded and kids hate a long walk, so consider riding bikes. You could even park outside the Parklands if you don’t live close to the city and ride from there. Remember your helmets and a good bike lock. If you do drive, bring some change for the parking meter or your credit card and check road closures prior to leaving.

BEST SPOTS TO WATCH?

The best roadside spots (in our opinion) are:
– Right at the start along South Terrace before Victoria Square. You can get there early and be one of the first to watch the pageant, then have the rest of the morning to walk around the bustling city. If you can’t get to the pageant before 8am, then the start is the only place you might still pick up a spot where you can actually see – it’s generally the least crowded area. You can also see all the floats in the south parkland before the whole thing begins. Good for a fast exit afterwards too.
– If you’ve got a bladder like a pregnant lady (we’ve been there) or kids who need to go every 15mins, scope out toilet options before choosing a place to watch, so you don’t have far to dash if needed!
– Hindmarsh Square is going to provide a few shady spots for those who get there early enough, and also has a bit of room for running around while you’re waiting for the start whistle.
– Although you’ll have the longest wait, I think the biggest buzz is along King William Street right before Santa reaches his landing spot at Beehive corner, on the corner of Rundle Mall. Get there early for a good spot!

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

So this is a HUGE event and car parks are going to be harder to find than a left over prawn at Christmas lunch! Additional bus, tram and train services will be running and two children under 15 travel free with an adult using a Day trip ticket on Pageant day. Trams won’t be running all the way into the city though with the tram service to Glenelg stopping at West Terrace, and the tram service to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre stopping at South Terrace. You’ll need to walk the rest of the way. Check www.adelaidemetro.com.au for timetables.

KEEP YOUR EYES OUT FOR THE NEW FLOATS IN 2026

The winner of the 2026 National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant Mini Float Competition – Sandy Christmas

REMAIN CALM, HAVE MANNERS, BE PATIENT AND REMEMBER IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS! (aka DON’T BE A GRINCH/SPOT HOG or BLOCK KIDS VIEWS)

Let the little ones take front spot, even if they’re not yours. Make sure you stay behind the blue honour line. If you’re bringing chairs, try and bring those low to the ground ones so everyone can see. Try to be patient. Remember your manners. Smile! Laugh. Take photos and have a fantastic day!