KNOW THE ROAD CLOSURES FOR 2023

Click HERE

GET THERE EARLY!

The pageant starts at 9:30am on Saturday 4th November 2023 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

At the moment we’re hopeful for a perfect Spring day with mostly sunshine. It might not sound too hot, but when you’re standing out on the road for 3 or 4 + hours it won’t take long for little people’s skin to turn a burnt Santa shade of red. Stay sun safe out there! On the flip side, do check the forecast. We have had one or two wet pageants – poncho’s are handy. You can grab one from the cheap shops if it is looking inclement.

The Pageant meanders through the city from 9:30am, with Father Christmas arriving at Adelaide Town Hall about 11:30am. Print out a few copies of the route map at www.christmaspageant.com.au/pageant-day/route
It might also be a good idea to mark some “I’m lost” spots on the 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. If you don’t have a reusable one, make a paper bracelet with your mobile number on it for each child’s wrist – cover it with sticky tape so it doesn’t come off or run. 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!

SNACKS & DRINKS

Pack more than you think you will need. Once you’ve got your perfect pozzy 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 The Adelaide Town Hall. 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 Daytrip 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.

VISIT ADELAIDE FIRE STATION AFTERWARDS

Adelaide Fire Station at 99 Wakefield Street holds it’s Open Day after the pageant from 11am – 2:30pm, so if you’re not in a rush to escape, then let the traffic die down while you swing by after the pageant. It will be awesome. It will be busy. Click here for more info

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!

You might also be interested in

  • Check out the Kids in Adelaide Christmas Carols List for 2022. If we've missed any please let us know ho ho!

  • Did someone say market?... Did someone say Christmas market? This year our Elves have been super busy finding all the BEST, must-visit Christmas markets in Adelaide for 2021 and popping them on the nice list. From locally crafted gifts to a wonderful array of delicious Christmas offerings, visiting one of these Christmas markets is sure to get you in the festive spirit (and cross some of those items of your list).

  • There’s no doubt about it, Adelaide LOVES a Christmas pageant. Maybe it’s because we’re home to one of the best and largest Christmas pageants in the world? Or maybe it’s just because we REALLY know how to do Christmas?