Visit the Giant Christmas Tree at the State Library on North Terrace, Adelaide.
Each year the magic of Christmas comes to South Australia’s Mortlock Library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
There is something for everyone to see and discover at the State Library, from the largest indoor Christmas tree in Adelaide and storytelling sessions under the tree by local authors, to fun displays from the State Library’s collections and festive performances.
View the Giant Christmas Tree from 23 November 2024 until 5 January 2025.
The giant Christmas Tree will be unveiled at a free ticketed sneak peek event from 10am on Saturday 23 November 2024 and will then form the centrepiece for a variety of free Christmas activities for families. Activities will be daily and include a craft and making space, writing postcards to Father Christmas, storytime sessions, a reading nook and live choirs. Click here to book tickets for the unveiling.
The special display of treasures from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is filled with nostalgia, joy and wonder. Featured pieces include Kingsley Vintage Cars, character heads such as Seven Dwarfs and Teddy Bears Picnic, Humpty Dumpty and PS Murray Explorer float model and costumes, and Pageant clown costumes, thrones and a fairy bench from the John Martin’s Magic Cave, and the 2024 mini float competition winner ‘Bee Merry’.
The Mortlock Chamber is on the ground floor with easy access to the stunning Christmas tree, the centrepiece of the State Library’s Christmas program, which also includes a traditional Christmas-themed display from the State Library’s Children’s Literature Research Collection, themed to reflect past Christmas traditions in different countries. The upper levels of the Mortlock Wing include quiet study areas.
Each year there are also a number of family friendly activities in the lead up to Christmas day, including a Christmas reading nook, Christmas crafts, Christmas story telling sessions with local authors and storytellers and School Choir performances.
2024 Activities:
- Postcards to Father Christmas (Daily from 23 November): Write a postcard to Father Christmas with your Christmas wishes
- Christmas reading nook (Daily from 23 November): A fairy-themed reading nook
- Chairs from John Martin’s Magic Cave (Daily from 23 November): take a picture on the chairs where Father Christmas once sat
- Christmas Pageant Exhibition (Daily from 23 November): an exclusive display of treasures from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
- Christmas storytelling (11am and 1pm daily from Monday 16 to Friday 20 December): storytelling under the Christmas Tree
- Santa the Curator by City of Adelaide (Daily from 2 November): Visit ‘Santa the Curator’, a giant inflatable Santa stationed in the Library’s forecourt as part of the City of Adelaide’s Santa Course
- Christmas craft (Daily from Monday 16 to Friday 20 December): Make your own Christmas Ornaments
- School choir performances (10am and 1pm on Monday 2 December to Friday 6 December): School choirs from around Adelaide will perform Christmas carols in the Mortlock Chamber
- Choir Performances:
- Aurora Vocal Ensemble – Saturday 23 November 2024 at 10:30 and 11:30am (booking required)
- Lumina Choir – Sunday 8 December 2024 at 1pm
- South Australian Children’s Choir – Saturday 2024 14 December at 1pm
- Young Adelaide Voices Youth Choir – Tuesday 17 December 2024 at 1pm
- Young Adelaide Voices Community Carols Choir – Saturday 21 December 2024 at 12pm
It’s FREE to enter the Mortlock and view the tree and no bookings are required.
At the entrance to the State Library you can’t miss one of the Santa’s from The Santa Course! ‘Santa the Curator’, a giant inflatable Santa stands in the Library Foyer as part of the City of Adelaide’s Christmas Trail, which encourages people to follow a city wide ‘Santa Course’ map and visit all 10 Santas around Adelaide.
Christmas at the Mortlock – 2022 Review by Claire Davill
The Mortlock Wing is a spectacular place to visit at any time of year but at Christmas time it is extra spectacular, and there are additional things to see and do.
Step inside the quiet, ground floor of the Mortlock Wing and the first thing you’ll notice is the huge Christmas tree at the other end, stretching up above the second level and topped with a lit up star. Twinkling lights abound and presents surround the base, as well as an inviting red armchair to sit on for photos or read a Christmas themed book (there is a well-stocked basket next to the chair).
To one side is a “fireplace” with more armchairs and more books, for more reading and more photo opportunities.
There are also colouring tables with plenty of Christmas themed pictures to colour in. Pencils, scissors, string and staplers are provided and you’re encouraged to add your creation to the nearby Christmas tree.
Many of the displays feature Christmas related items, including plenty of old-fashioned toys that children hoped to find in their stockings in years past.
Once you have discovered everything at the ground level, head up the stairs or or use the lift to the second level to get a different view of the Christmas tree, as well as take in the gorgeous historic reading and study nooks, surrounded by old books and dark wood. Remember that people often study or read up here, so remember to keep your voices low!
A visit to the Mortlock Wing is a must when you are in the city during the Christmas season – it’s like stepping back in time! Remember that entry is free. You can enter from the main entrance of the State Library – head up the stairs and along the walkway connecting the State Library building to the Mortlock Wing. During Christmas time you can also enter from the other end of the wing, near the South Australian Museum courtyard. This is well signposted.
Opening Hours:
- Monday: 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday: 9am to 7pm
- Wednesday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 5pm
(Closed Public Holidays)
The quietest times to visit are early mornings on weekdays – make sure you allow enough time to read some books and colour in some Christmas decorations.
Location:
The State Library of South Australia is located on the corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue in the city.
There is a tram-stop just outside the State Library and there are bus stops close by near the War Memorial on North Terrace and the closest train station is the Adelaide city station on North Terrace. The nearest car park is Wilson’s Adelaide Central car park next to David Jones and there is paid metered street parking along Kintore Ave and Victoria Drive.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the State Library of South Australia website or follow their Facebook page.
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: photos by Play & Go 2020 – 2022
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