The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant will once again bring the magic, wonder and excitement of Christmas to Adelaide’s city streets on 2 November 2024 in a spectacular parade. Favourite floats like Stardust Castle, Nipper and Nimble and Father Christmas along with dancers, bands and roving entertainers will delight families in this free community event.
South Australia will celebrate the 92nd year of the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant on Saturday 2 November 2024, commencing at 9.30am. The parade will wind its way through the city, with Father Christmas being welcomed at Rundle Mall.
An audience of 320,000 people enjoyed the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant – the southern hemisphere’s largest public street parade – in 2023.
Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said she was delighted South Australians could start planning for the next National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.
“This event is unique and special to South Australians, bringing huge crowds of all generations into the heart of Adelaide to launch festive celebrations,” Minister Bettison said.
“With this year’s pageant route finishing in Rundle Mall I think we will see a special finish to this iconic and much-loved event – it will be the perfect way to kick off the 2024 festive season.”
National Pharmacies Chief Executive Vito Borrello said he expected the 92nd National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant to share joy with the entire community once again.
“The love everyone shows the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is incredible and being able to see the joy across the entire crowd on Pageant Day is something we look forward to every year,” Mr Borrello said.
“There may still be a few more months until the event, but the countdown has started for everyone here at National Pharmacies. Our teams and our members are so passionate about this event and it fills us with great pride for what we are able to help deliver each year.”
National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant Director Brian Gilbertson said preparations were well under way for another wonderful edition of the event in 2024.
“We are ready to celebrate 92 years of festive magic in 2024 and look forward to sharing some exciting new additions with everyone too,” Mr Gilbertson said.
“Returning to Rundle Mall in 2024 is something we are looking forward to – it’s where it all began and a special way for us to honour National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant history.
“We expect a big crowd eager to welcome Father Christmas to Adelaide and explore the city afterwards.”
2023 FLOATS
In total, 170 moving theatrical sets, more than 20 dance groups and over 300 clowns and elves made for a joyful return of the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, along with over 80 colourful, magical and wonderful floats to delight all ages. You can read a description of each float here, including the year each float made its debut, or view the full list of floats in numerical order via the link below.
Getting to the Pageant:
South Australians will enjoy free travel on all Adelaide Metro bus, train and tram services to and from this year’s National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, as the iconic event celebrates its 91st birthday.
2024 ROUTE MAP
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.
From Beehive Corner, Father Christmas will be led by a band and dance group through Rundle Mall to a landing stage at the Gawler Place canopy. Here he will deliver his special Christmas message to the people of South Australia. From there, he will head into National Pharmacies in Gawler Place.
Play & Go’s Pageant Tips!
ARRIVE EARLY
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.
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!
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 SA Water stations 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 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 IS 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.
Stay for 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.
You could also get in early and see Father Christmas after the Pageant at Myer.
What NOT to bring
You should NOT bring deck chairs, umbrellas or ladders.
FIND MORE PAGEANT DAY TIPS HERE
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.
Follow the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Adelaide Fire Station Open Day starts after the Pageant – info yet to be announced
For more information and all enquiries please visit the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant website
What: National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
When: Saturday 2 November 2024 | 9.30am
Where: Starts South Terrace, Adelaide to Adelaide Town Hall
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
SUBSCRIBE
Want to get all the latest events and activities straight to your inbox?
Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter below to keep up to date with our latest posts and find out all the best events & activities for Adelaide families. Newsletters are only sent once a week, and you may sometimes get a special offer exclusively for our subscribers only!
