It’s the most wonderful time of the year…. It’s CHRISTMAS IN ADELAIDE!
Here at Kids In Adelaide, Christmas isn’t just about presents, decorating Christmas trees & eating too much (though we love those things too!). We think it’s about getting out & about in Adelaide, getting involved in all of the Christmas festivities & starting some family traditions. We have rounded up the best Christmas events across Adelaide & we ho-ho-hope you are on the good list so you can make the most of the festive season with your kids.
From free Christmas events, Pageants, full days out, Carols, Christmas Lights around Adelaide & evening markets, we have all of the best events that will have you jingling all the way across Adelaide & beyond. Book a Santa’s Wonderland session at the Adelaide Showground for rides, ice skating, stage shows & more. No Christmas in Adelaide is complete without a visit with the kids to the Brewery Lights – this is one of many FREE Christmas activities across Adelaide that you can enjoy with the family.
Christmas is all about giving right? A great way to support your local community is to attend a local Carols event or Christmas Pageant. They often feature local community groups, schools & businesses & are a wonderful way to keep in touch with what’s happening in your area. After all, is it really Christmas if your local real estate agent hasn’t thrown lollies at you out of their tinsel adorned car in the Council Pageant? Your kids will love seeing performances from local dance schools or waving to Father Christmas!
So whether you are looking to go all out, or looking for free or local events, look no further than the Kids In Adelaide Christmas Events Guide! We’ll be updating it as more fabulous Christmas events get added, so be sure to keep checking back and also keep an eye on the Kids In Adelaide socials for some Christmassy ideas!
National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant has grown to become one of Adelaide’s most cherished events. celebrated every November usually on the second Saturday, it’s every childs dream to watch! It’s a magical community event featuring fantasy & fairy floats, colourful characters, over 200 clowns, bands, dancers & more! The best part – it’s FREE.
Check out all the information on this years event below.
Santas Wonderland
Santas’s Wonderland is back again and if we’re completely honest, this event just keeps getting bigger and better! Featuring a range of amazing amusement rides, spectacular Christmas stage shows, a magnificent ice skating rink and tobogganing slides, plus an awesome Christmas Activity trail, there is so much to entertain your little believers! Tickets are all inclusive – once the curtain opens and you enter the pavillion, almost everything is covered under the one price.
It really is 3 hours of magic!
Sealink Adelaide Carols by Candlelight
The SeaLink Carols by Candlelight is back at Elder Park/ Tarntanya Wama on Saturday, December 9 and really, there is no better way to celebrate Christmas than this wonderful SA tradition.
With a fantastic line-up of performers, grab your family and friends, plus a picnic rug and enjoy a FREE afternoon/ night celebrating the festive season. With pre-show entertainment, interactive games and activities, food stalls and more, we can’t love this event any harder.
We’re ready to sing our little hearts out – are you?
Lights of Lobethal
The Lobethal Christmas festival has been lighting up the Lobethal Valley in the Adelaide Hills for over sixty years… created by the community of Lobethal. In the true spirit of Christmas, a tradition that has now evolved into the largest Community Christmas Light Display in the Southern Hemisphere.
Following the official “Lights On” ceremony residents will turn on their lights and these wonderful light displays will remain lit each night until Sunday the 30th. There will also be lots of activations throughout the township during the period.
Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga Christmas Tree
Get ready for a dazzling light display that loops every 10 minutes. If it’s a warm night, the kids will love having a splash in the Victoria Square fountains too!
Lighting up Novemeber 18 – 2 January from 8 pm – 2:30 am nightly. Loved by kids and adults alike, we can’t wait for this again in 2023!
The Santa Course
Here’s a FUN way to experience Christmas in the city this year.
With 10 giant Santa’s scattered all around the CBD, North Adelaide and Rundle Mall, the kids will love this magical interactive trail.
Don’t forget to snap a selfie!
Riverbank (West End Brewery) Christmas Lights
Celebrate the festive season with Adelaide’s iconic Riverbank (West End Brewery) Christmas display.
Lighting up from November 24, this is a annual tradition for many families and we can’t wait to see this dazzling display in all her glory!
The Kids in Adelaide Christmas Lights Map
Our MASSIVE Christmas lights map is updated every year and has become one of the biggest and best places to look for Christmas Lights in your area.
click here to take a look
Local Council Pageants
Keep an eye on the local council pageants and make it your mission to go along and support your community as they parade down the main street in your suburb. Wave to the dancers from the nearby dance school as they twirl on by. Don a Santa hat and catch lollies from your neighbourhood real estate agent as they thrown them out of their car. Line the streets of Adelaide and the burbs’ and just get into the Christmas spirit – go on, no one likes a grinch!
Santarilla Trail
Follow the Santarilla trail through the southern Adelaide Hills. Use the map online for your Santa spotting expedition. Spreading Christmas fun! Santas are brought to you by the festive and witty residents of Kangarilla and surrounds.
This is a FREE event and a favourite among the KiA crew.
We’ll be updating the info plus the 2023 map once it’s live
Civic Park Carols
Civic Park Carols is a community Christmas event hosted by the City of Tea Tree Gully attracting wonderful local artists. Usually held at Civic Park every December, this year will be no different. With pre-entertainment kicking off from late afternoon, the performers AND the crowd will get ready to sing their little hearts out.
Find out all the details on this years event below.
Christmas at the Mortlock
Head to the State Library and celebrate Christmas by visiting the iconic Mortlock Chamber where Adelaide’s largest indoor Christmas tree stands.
The 7-metre-tall tree will be the centrepiece of the Christmas program which will include lots of fun activities such as; a Christmas reading nook, Christmas craft, story-telling and a school choir performance.
This is a must-see for Christmas lovers of all ages.
Adelaide Christmas Cracker Trail
Back again for 2023, the Christmas Cracker Trail will surprise and delight both young and old.
Download the free app on the Apple or Google Play stores and find hidden surprises across the CBD and North Adelaide. There are 14 Christmas activities waiting to be discovered at iconic locations such as the Mall’s Balls, Town Hall and the Victoria Square Christmas tree, that each reveal Christmas quizzes, jokes, badges to collect, selfie filters, and augmented reality experiences.
This year, by visiting six of the golden cracker trail locations, you can enter the draw to win a family city staycation valued at $1,500 including a stay at the Intercontinental Hotel, shopping vouchers and tickets to the Adelaide Zoo.
Are you looking for ADELAIDE’S BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS?
We’ve made it so easy for you to find the best Christmas light displays in Adelaide with our clickable Map
More Christmas Events Happening in Adelaide and Regional S.A
We have LOADS more Adelaide Christmas Events on our main event calendar below. And if you’d like to list your Adelaide Christmas Event with us, please click here to list your Adelaide Christmas Event with us.