Find your holiday cheer in Adelaide with our comprehensive event guide. Whether you're rediscovering Adelaide or experiencing it for the first time, this guide is your holiday lifeline.
Popular events abound in the city, starting with the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, a beloved tradition featuring vibrant floats and entertaining performances that herald the festive season. Combine your celebrations at the Sealink Adelaide Carols by Candlelight, where the enchanting atmosphere and community spirit come to life through joyous carols sung under the stars. And the stunning Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga Christmas Tree is something you definitely don't want to miss as it illuminates the square, creating a magical backdrop for your holiday photos. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Adelaide
- National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
- Sealink Adelaide Carols by Candlelight
- Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga Christmas Tree
- Riverbank (West End Brewery) Christmas Lights
- The Santa Course
- Santarilla Trail (Kangarilla)
- Christmas at the Mortlock
- Adelaide Christmas Cracker Trail
- Mount Barker Carols & Fireworks (Mount Barker)
- Playford Community Carols (Elizabeth)
See these and even more events listed below!
Adelaide Holiday Light Displays
Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
13,616 individually programmable LED lights.
Description:
The Giant Christmas Tree in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga stands 25 metres tall, adorned with 13,616 individually programmable LED lights. Each night, a dazzling light display runs from 8:30 pm to 2:30 am, with each loop lasting 10 minutes. The tree is installed each November and lit up mid-November.
Where: Adelaide | More Info: Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga Christmas Tree
Riverbank (West End Brewery) Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Iconic light display with historical and cultural elements.
Description:
The Riverbank Christmas Lights Display, formerly known as the West End Brewery Riverbank Christmas Lights, is an annual event that has been a South Australian family tradition for over 60 years. It features a variety of festive displays including Santa and his reindeers, Jack in the box, Vulcan's volcano, and a Ferris wheel. The event is held along the banks of the River Torrens in Thebarton, offering a fabulous view of numerous moving displays.
Where: Adelaide | More Info: Riverbank (West End Brewery) Christmas Lights
Lights of Lobethal Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven light displays and festive activities.
Description:
The Lights of Lobethal Festival is a community-driven event showcasing impressive light installations and traditional Christmas events in the Adelaide Hills. Visitors can explore local markets, drive through dazzling displays, and immerse themselves in festive spirit.
Where: Lobethal | More Info: Lights of Lobethal Christmas Festival
Loxton Lights Festival
What to Expect:
Unique hand-painted Christmas scenes and vibrant village-style main street.
Description:
The Loxton Lights Festival is a cherished annual event in South Australia, featuring spectacular Christmas light displays, unique hand-painted scenes, and a vibrant village-style main street. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the festive atmosphere, diverse shopping, and various activities.
Where: Loxton | More Info: Loxton Lights Festival
Adelaide Holiday Markets and Shopping
Minda Community Christmas Carols & Markets
What to Expect:
Live music and entertainment with a variety of activities.
Description:
Join Minda Community for a vibrant Christmas celebration featuring live music, Christmas carols, market stalls, food trucks, rides, amusements, face painting, and a petting zoo, all culminating in a visit from Santa.
Where: North Brighton | More Info: Minda Community Christmas Carols & Markets
St Clair Carols by Candlelight & Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Community carols event with a Christmas market.
Description:
The St Clair Carols by Candlelight & Christmas Market is a community event held at Hill Smith Reserve, featuring a Christmas market starting at 6pm, followed by carols at 7:45pm. The market offers food and local gifts, with funds raised for sustainability initiatives. Raffle prizes and battery-operated candles will be available for a gold coin donation.
Where: St Clair | More Info: St Clair Carols by Candlelight & Christmas Market
Adelaide Holiday Shows and Entertainment
National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
What to Expect:
Largest public parade in the Southern Hemisphere with a rich history since 1933.
Description:
The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is a vibrant public parade in Adelaide, featuring over 170 moving theatrical sets, 3000 costumes, and 30 dance groups. It marks the official welcoming of Father Christmas to Australia, attracting over 320,000 spectators.
Where: Adelaide | More Info: National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
Sealink Adelaide Carols by Candlelight
What to Expect:
Free family fun day with world-class entertainment and community support.
Description:
Celebrate 80 years of Christmas tradition with Sealink Adelaide Carols by Candlelight, featuring Australian music legend Mark Seymour, giveaways, and family activities in Elder Park.
Where: Adelaide | More Info: Sealink Adelaide Carols by Candlelight
Mount Barker Carols & Fireworks
What to Expect:
High-quality entertainment with local artists and schools.
Description:
Mount Barker Carols & Fireworks is the largest Christmas Carols event in the Adelaide Hills, featuring family fun activities starting at 5:00 PM, a high-quality entertainment program at 7:00 PM, and fireworks approximately at 9:15 PM. The event includes free face painting, rock climbing, and the Bethlehem Trail, along with a wide range of food and drink vans.
Where: Mount Barker | More Info: Mount Barker Carols & Fireworks
Playford Community Carols
What to Expect:
Vibrant community celebration with live performances and festive activities.
Description:
The Playford Community Carols is a vibrant outdoor event featuring fantastic performances, face painting, Christmas market stalls, and a variety of food options. Attendees can enjoy the electrifying atmosphere and community spirit at Fremont Park.
Where: Elizabeth | More Info: Playford Community Carols
Twilight Carols
What to Expect:
Family-friendly Christmas carol concert with live performances and activities.
Description:
Join Twilight Carols at Linde Reserve in Stepney for a free, family-friendly open-air concert under the stars. Sing along to your favorite Christmas songs with performances by Stacey Lee, Cool Kids, Wobbles the Clown, the Australian Girls Choir, and a 5-piece band. Enjoy face painting, games, and a variety of food options.
Where: Stepney | More Info: Twilight Carols
Campbelltown Christmas Carols & Movie
What to Expect:
Christmas carols and movie screening with local entertainment.
Description:
Join family and friends at Max Amber Sportsfield for Christmas celebrations featuring food stalls, face painting, carols, a visit from Santa, and a screening of Elf at sundown. Enjoy singing along to well-known Christmas carols played by the Campbelltown City Band and sung by Mark Oates.
Where: Paradise | More Info: Campbelltown Christmas Carols & Movie
Hallett Cove Community Carols
What to Expect:
Community carols event with local music and family activities.
Description:
Hallett Cove Community Carols is a long-standing community event held at Heron Way Amphitheatre, featuring local music and activities for families to enjoy together.
Where: Hallett Cove | More Info: Hallett Cove Community Carols
Balhannah/Oakbank Community Carols
What to Expect:
Community carols event with live music and local support.
Description:
Join the Balhannah/Oakbank Community Carols at Oakbank School Hall on Saturday 25th November 2023, featuring the Carols Super Band and a goodwill offering.
Where: Oakbank | More Info: Balhannah/Oakbank Community Carols
Band of the South Australia Police Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
World-renowned band performing traditional Christmas music.
Description:
The Band of the South Australia Police presents their ever-popular Christmas Concert at the Adelaide Town Hall, featuring traditional Christmas tunes suitable for all ages.
Where: Adelaide | More Info: Band of the South Australia Police Christmas Concert
Adelaide Other Holiday Activities
The Santa Course
What to Expect:
City-wide Santa trail with festive activities.
Description:
The Santa Course is a city-wide trail where participants can visit all 10 Santas around Adelaide, following a festive Santa Course map.
Where: Adelaide | More Info: The Santa Course
Santarilla Trail
What to Expect:
Santa spotting along roadside properties in the Adelaide Hills.
Description:
The Santarilla Trail is a festive event in the southern Adelaide Hills where families can drive through the region to spot Santa along roadside properties. Residents of Kangarilla and surrounding areas have created quirky Christmas displays, including areas like Meadows and Clarendon.
Where: Kangarilla | More Info: Santarilla Trail
Christmas at the Mortlock
What to Expect:
State's largest indoor Christmas tree in a historic library setting.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at the State Library of South Australia by visiting the Mortlock Chamber, featuring the state's largest indoor Christmas tree and various festive activities.
Where: Adelaide | More Info: Christmas at the Mortlock
Adelaide Christmas Cracker Trail
What to Expect:
Vibrant city-wide celebrations with live music and public performances.
Description:
The Adelaide Christmas Festival features free events and live performances to spread Christmas cheer, with a focus on community engagement and festive activities.
Where: Adelaide | More Info: Adelaide Christmas Cracker Trail
Nairne Community Carols
What to Expect:
Free family-friendly Christmas carols event with local performers.
Description:
Join the Nairne Community Carols at the Nairne School Oval for an evening of Christmas carols and community spirit. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the music, food, and company of your friends and family.
Where: Nairne | More Info: Nairne Community Carols
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Adelaide Hills (6 miles)
- Morphett Vale (15 miles)
- Gawler (24 miles)