Experience the magic of the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant in Adelaide on Saturday 14 November 2026.

See your favourite floats, clowns and elves, and Father Christmas parade through the City of Adelaide to Beehive Corner, to deliver his Christmas message. 

The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is a magical, free community event, full of fantasy, floats, colourful characters, bands, dancers and more, shared by generations of Australians.

Experience the magical atmosphere at the 94th edition of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest public parade, marking the official start of the festive season.

Follow our handy tips to ensure the day is as easy as possible:

• Beat the traffic and use public transport, which will still be operating.
• Arrive early to get first pick of the best spots along the route – some enthusiastic pageant-goers camp out all night long!
• There will be some very exciting National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant merchandise available for purchase along the route at National Pharmacies stalls. Pick up some new Christmas tree decorations or festive hats.
• Bring some colourful chalk from home to decorate the roads and keep the kids busy as they wait for Father Christmas.
• Build the pre-pageant excitement with the kids and have fun creating magical Christmas-inspired signs to take to the Pageant.
• Take plenty of snacks and cool drinking water – essential for a day filled with fun!
• Safety first! Police officers along the route will have lost child/vulnerable people wristbands available. Parents, guardians or carers can write their contact details on the band and place it on the wrist of the child or vulnerable person in their care. 

Follow the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates.

What do I need to know before I go to the Pageant? 

Plan your arrival, transport, snacks, drinks, pre-pageant entertainment and kids safety prior to attending.

Parents are encouraged to take a photo of their child/vulnerable person and retain this on their mobile when at the event. If the child/person you are responsible for becomes lost, it allows SA Police to see what the person looks like and what they are wearing. 

For a good spot along the pageant route, be sure someone from your family or friend group arrives EXTRA early to set up – lay out a blanket and low chairs etc. Pick a spot in the shade if it looks like being a hot morning. Whoever volunteers for this job can bring the paper and a coffee to relax while they wait as the crowd steadily grows. There are cafes nearby all selling coffee and breakfast. How early you ask? Well…often by 6am the ‘front row’ along the blue line is already reserved. Having volunteers go early means you can take the kids in a bit later so there is less waiting time for them. If you are in the front row, try to only have rugs there and not chairs, so people behind get to see as well.

How do I get to the Pageant?

• Public transport is FREE on pageant day and a great option to get to the city – catch a train, bus or tram. Free Adelaide Metro services will run from 6am–2pm.
• There are also plenty of parking options. Find out more here.
• Make sure you plan your transport into the pageant ahead of time. 
• Families are reminded to stay safe, remain behind the Blue Honour Line, and plan their travel ahead

Where can I see the Official National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant Route Map?

SEE THE OFFICIAL PAGEANT ROUTE MAP

Which roads will be closed on Pageant Day?

A number of road closures will be in place on Pageant Day. 

SEE THE FULL LIST & MAP OF ROAD CLOSURES

What should I take to the Pageant?

Chalk

Take along lots of sidewalk chalk to keep the kids occupied while they wait for the pageant to start. – the large, chunky sticks are best! You can pick up FREE chalk from National Pharmacies.

Drinks and Snacks

Pack a mini-hamper as there’s nothing worse than hungry or thirsty children in a large crowd with the closest shop too far (and too hard) to walk to! Take along refillable water bottles – there are 17 SA Water Quench Benches where you can re-fill your bottles for free. 

Mobile Phone Number

Write your mobile number on your child’s wrist or arm in case they get lost and take a photo of them in the morning in the clothes they are wearing before you leave home.

Hats and Sunscreen

If the sun is shining on pageant morning don’t forget these items, along with sunglasses!

Wet Weather Gear

If it looks like there might be rain, bring umbrellas, but only use them until the Pageant starts. When the Pageant is on, try not to use umbrellas so that people behind you can see. This is where hooded rain jackets are the best – just the cheap $2 ones do the trick. Most kids don’t mind getting a bit wet. Bring spare clothes for the kids to change into afterwards if necessary.

Catch Public Transport

Our kids love to catch the bus into town for the pageant – it adds to the excitement and can be easier than taking ages to get out of a car park and fighting traffic after. PLUS IT’S FREE!  If you do want to drive, some of the U-Park car parks and others near the Pageant have a special flat rate offer on the day.

Where can I find lunch in the City?

If your kids aren’t too tired and don’t need naps anymore, consider staying in town for lunch until the crowds dissipate and the traffic gets back to normal. You can enjoy a packed lunch in the Hindmarsh Square interactive play space or go to one of the food courts in Rundle Mall (City Cross, David Jones, Myer or Rundle Place). They all have a good food selection and it’s often not as busy as you think because most people rush out of the city straight after the Pageant finishes. You could also share a pizza at one of the great cafes along Rundle Street too.

SEE OUR EATING OUT WITH KIDS GUIDE HERE

Where can I see Father Christmas?

You could also get in early and see Father Christmas after the Pageant at Myer or David Jones and have your photo taken with the jolly man in the big red suit!

FIND OUT WHERE TO SEE FATHER CHRISTMAS

What should I NOT take to the Pageant?

You should NOT bring deck chairs, umbrellas or ladders.

Is the Pageant accessible? 

There are several dedicated accessibility features along the Pageant route and for those tuning in from home:

• Wheelchair Accessible Viewing Areas
• Hidden Disability Sunflower Site
• Rudolph’s Community Site
•  Quiet Rooms (Sensory Friendly Spaces)
• Vision Australia Radio Broadcast
• Auslan and Closed Captions (for at-home viewing)
  

What are the best family-friendly spots in the city to visit after the Pageant?

If you’re planning to make a day of it in the city, you could visit Rundle Mall or the Adelaide Central Market and grab some lunch. To burn off some energy, if you’ve been sitting, visit one of the City’s playgrounds, or take a stroll around the Botanic Gardens. If you need a little quiet and calm, we recommend you head to the Himeji Garden on South Terrace. 

FIND OUR LIST OF FREE THINGS TO DO & SEE IN THE CITY OF ADELAIDE

DISCOVER MORE PAGEANT DAY TIPS

Fun Pageant Facts!

From humble beginnings in 1933, the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant has been shared by generations of Australians for 87 years.

On average, the Christmas Pageant features:

• 170 moving sets
• 260 clowns
• 66 floats
• 21 dance groups
• 15 bands
• Five walking sets
• Three choirs
• One DJ
• The first Pageant was held in 1933.
• More than 120 talented makeup artists are set to apply make-up to more than 1000 characters between 6.30am and 9am on Pageant day.
• It takes 15 trucks to transport costumes, shapes, heads, bikes and props to Pulteney Grammar School, the starting point, the day before the Pageant.
• It takes more than 240 boxes of tissues and 70 jars of make-up remover to remove all character make up.
• From the week after the Pageant until Christmas Eve, well over 3,000 costume pieces are washed, ironed and placed in plastic bags for storage ready for the next year.

History

In 1896, Mr Edward Waterfield Hayward – then owner of the John Martin & Company Limited, established the ‘Magic Cave’. It was a Christmas fantasy world, to support children’s cultural heritage and provide a joyful community Christmas experience.

The Christmas Pageant escorted Father Christmas to the Magic Cave. Created by Sir Edward Hayward (Mr Bill), who was the grandson of Mr E. W. Hayward; the Pageant featured approximately eight floats, four bands and ran for around 40 minutes. 200,000 spectators came to watch the Pageant.

The Pageant encouraged the development of artists, with a team of artists, carpenters, wardrobe designers and mechanics all involved in the Pageant.

Father Christmas

Father Christmas continues his special relationship with South Australia since appearing in the first Pageant in 1933. Father Christmas loves the way South Australian children are so well behaved. He loves to see the smiles on their faces and returns every year. This is one event he would not miss for the world.

Father Christmas stands on a sleigh atop his float in his shiny red suit waving to the crowd, accompanied by his eight majestic reindeer standing at the ready on a specially made ice landing glacier. As the float passes by you can feel the cold. Father Christmas feels very much at home even though the day may be hot. It is always awe inspiring to see Father Christmas escorted in grand style by the Pageant Queen.

For more information and all enquiries please visit the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant website

What:   National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant

When:   Saturday 14 November 2026

Where:   City of Adelaide

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: Top photo from the Christmas Pageant; all other pics by Play & Go 

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