Christmas at the Bay | Glenelg | 6 Dec 2025
Christmas at the Bay will mark the start of the festive season in Holdfast Bay.
Christmas at the Bay replaces the traditional Glenelg Christmas Pageant this year, due to the ongoing Jetty Road Glenelg construction works. A spectacular, five and a half hour long community celebration has been planned for the whole family to enjoy.
There will be Christmas-inspired activities in Moseley Square, including Christmas crafts, youth market stalls, face painting, games and free photos with Santa inside the Bay Discovery Centre.
Christmas Stage Show & Carols
As the sun begins to set, the evening stage show will come to life on the Glenelg Foreshore, with community performances and a spectacular showcase of everyone’s favourite Christmas carols from 6.30pm. Fringe favourite Charmaine Janitha (Jones) and, Gospo Collective, will headline the twilight carols and stage show on the lawns of Jimmy Melrose Park. High-energy Adelaide party band Malibu Drive will also appear as special guests while Layla Schillert, star of the new circus theatre production, Cirque Alice will perform much-loved carols/
Meanwhile, a variety of local community groups that would usually feature in the pageant will take to the stage throughout the evening, with 7News presenter Gertie Spurling hosting as emcee.
Songbooks will be available in print and online so attendees can sing along to their favourite carols, and Auslan interpreters will be on stage to ensure the festivities are fully accessible.
Children’s Activities
Before the stage show begins, visitors can enjoy Christmas crafts, youth market stalls (creating a charming miniature Christmas-village atmosphere), face painting, games and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs Claus.
The following free activities will fill Moseley Square and its surrounds from 3pm – 6pm
- Free Face Painting by Nifty Entertainment – From glittery reindeer noses to colourful Christmas trees, the team from Nifty Entertainment will add a little sparkle to your child’s Christmas at the Bay experience
- Coles Healthy Kicks powered by AFL Max – Join in the fun and take part in an exciting program that combines fitness, healthy eating education and interactive games. Inspiring the next generation to develop lifelong healthy habits.
- Christmas craft by the City of Holdfast Bay Library team – Join the Holdfast Bay Library team in Moseley Square for a fun and free Christmas craft activity!
- Loose Parts Play with Climbing Tree – Let imaginations run wild at the Foreshore! We have teamed up with Climbing Tree to bring you Loose Parts Play, a hands-on, nature-inspired activity where children (and grown-ups too!) can build, create and explore using a treasure trove of natural materials. Let the children dive into open-ended play while you relax and enjoy the beautiful Christmas vibes. No bookings required, just bring your imagination!
- Christmas Cookies with Dot Chocolate (SOLD OUT)
- Join Little Picassos for creative art, full of colour and sparkle. 3 workshops will be guided by experienced art teachers and designed to inspire imagination, confidence and festive cheer.
- Enjoy giant lawn games with the Girl Guides West Met
- Come and Try Beach Volleyball – Join the team from Volleyball SA on Glenelg Beach, where you will learn the basic skills of beach volleyball with qualified coaches. Courts will also be available for free play.
Visit Santa
You will be able to visit Santa and Mrs Claus in the Gallery of the Bay Discovery Centre between 3pm – 6pm
- Tickets are free and bookings can be made online.
- Tickets are distributed for 15-minute time slots, with the first session beginning at 3pm, and the last session at 5.45 pm
- There will be no professional photographer, but they encourage you to take photos on your own devices
Christmas Windows
Jetty Road traders will add to the festive spirit with dazzling Christmas window displays. Visitors can vote for their favourites using QR codes on shop posters for the chance to win a family pass to Cirque Alice.
Youth Markets
This year, the Youth Markets will be at the Christmas event from 3pm – 7pm. In Moseley Square, you will find a series of young designers and creatives aged 10 – 25 who will be selling their wares.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the City of Holdfast Bay website or follow their Facebook page for event updates.
What: Christmas at the Bay
When: Saturday 6 December 2025 | 3pm – 8.30pm
Where: Moseley Square, Glenelg
Who: Everyone
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: City of Holdfast Bay
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