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The Best Things to Do This Christmas in Adelaide
Adelaide is full of festive cheer, with plenty of lovely ways to make memories, embrace a few traditions and enjoy the magic of the Christmas season.
The countdown to Christmas is on, and Adelaide is getting into the spirit with festive markets, outdoor movie nights, carols, Christmas shopping and plenty of opportunities to meet Santa. Whether you’re planning a family day out or looking for a little seasonal magic, here’s what to put on your Christmas calendar.
Christmas Events in Adelaide
National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant returns to Adelaide on November 14, bringing its annual parade of floats, performers, bands and plenty of festive sparkle to the city. Running since 1933, it’s the Southern Hemisphere’s largest public parade, with more than 335,000 people lining the route last year. Expect 170-plus theatrical sets, 18 bands, 30 dance groups, five choirs and around 3000 costumes, plus the all-important clowns, elves and police horses. It’s free to watch, so claim a spot early and consider your Christmas outfit part of the ticket.
Where: Adelaide CBD
When: Saturday 14 November 2026, from 9:30am
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Kids, Free events, Weekend plans, Festival season
Need To Know: Arrive early to claim a spot along the route.
Carols by Candlelight
A much-loved fixture on Adelaide’s Christmas calendar, St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight returns to Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama on December 12 for an evening of festive favourites and riverside magic. Bring a picnic rug, gather your favourite people and make an afternoon of it, with food trucks, a Christmas market, Santa visits, face painting and plenty to keep little ones entertained. Festivities begin at 3pm, followed by the Experience Adelaide Community Concert at 5pm, before the main event takes over at 8.30pm. This year’s line-up features Samantha Jade, Marina Prior, Emma Memma, Nikki Webster and her daughter Skylah, Rachael Beck, Amber Lawrence and Travis Collins, with a fireworks display over the river bringing the evening to a fitting close.
Tickets available here
Where: Elder Park, Adelaide
When: Saturday 12 December 2026, gates open 3pm, community concert 5pm, main concert 8:30pm, fireworks 10:30pm
Cost: Free general admission, reserved seating from $82
Best For: Families, Kids, Live music, Outdoor activities, Festival season
Need To Know: Reserved seating tickets include a battery-operated Carols candle. Show your ticket, printed or on your phone, for entry to the reserved area.
Santa’s Wonderland
An entire pavilion transformed into a Christmas wonderland, Santa’s Wonderland is a festive day out for little ones and big kids alike. Expect rides, jumping castles, ice skating, Christmas shows, hands-on activities and plenty of twinkling lights, with roaming elves and characters keeping the magic alive. There’s also the all-important chance to meet Santa and capture a holiday photo. Book a morning or afternoon session and allow three hours to explore it all.
Tickets available here
Where: Adelaide Showground, Wayville
When: Friday 4 December to Thursday 24 December 2026, morning sessions 10am to 1pm and afternoon sessions 2pm to 5pm
Cost: From $54, free entry for children under 2
Best For: Families, Kids, Unique experiences, Festival season
Need To Know: Arrive 30 minutes before your session. Food, showbags and Santa photos cost extra.
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Christmas Wreath-Making
A little festive creativity comes with a generous side of Christmas cheer at Made & Nurtured Art’s annual wreath-making experience, hosted with Our Boy Roy. Guests will create their own wreath using a handmade vine base, fresh and dried flowers, foliage and seasonal botanicals, with materials gathered from local growers and the artist’s own garden. The experience extends well beyond the workshop, with grazing platters from Our Boy Roy, a well-stocked bar and a long-table setting beneath festoon lights. A lovely way to spend an afternoon making something beautiful to take home.
Tickets available here
Where: Our Boy Roy, Clarence Park
When: Friday 27 November 2026, 6:30pm to 9pm
Cost: From $95
Best For: Girls’ night, Art lovers, Unique experiences, Food lovers, Festival season
Christmas Movie at Lot 100
A Christmas movie under the stars, with the Adelaide Hills as your backdrop, makes for a lovely festive evening at Lot 100. This year’s screening is Home Alone, playing on the mega screen in the venue’s natural amphitheatre. Arrive early for dinner on The Lawns, or settle in with pizza, popcorn, snacks and ice cream, with the lawn bar pouring local drinks throughout the evening. Bring your own rugs, pillows or chairs and get comfortable for a Christmas classic.
Tickets available here
Where: Lot 100, Hay Valley
When: Wednesday 23 December 2026, doors 6pm, movie 8:45pm
Cost: $15 per person
Best For: Families, Film lovers, Outdoor activities, Food lovers
Need To Know: No seating is provided, and no outside food or drinks are allowed.
Christmas Markets in Adelaide
Hahndorf Christmas Village and Gathered Christmas Design Market
Hahndorf takes on an extra dose of Christmas charm from December 12 to 14, as its historic main street transforms into a festive village filled with twinkling lights, decorated shopfronts and extended trading hours. With more than 150 local businesses to explore, there’s plenty of reason to make a day of it, from festive food and boutique shopping to the Gathered Design Market at Alec Johnston Park, where South Australian makers will be showcasing thoughtful gifts, homewares and handmade finds. Little visitors can keep an eye out for Santa, follow the children’s reindeer trail and enjoy street performers and live music, while gift-wrapping stations make ticking off the Christmas list that little bit easier.
Where: Main Street and Alec Johnston Park, Hahndorf
When: Gathered runs Friday 11 December 2026, 5pm to 10pm, then Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, 3pm to 10pm. Hahndorf Christmas Village runs Saturday 12 to Monday 14 December 2026.
Cost: Gathered entry is $3 at the gate, with kids under 12 free. Hahndorf Christmas Village entry is free
Best For: Families, Markets, Food lovers, Dog-friendly, Festival season
Need To Know: Gathered is a dog-friendly event.
Adelaide Central Market
Christmas comes with a little extra sparkle at the Adelaide Central Market, where more than 100 bespoke decorations by South Australian artists will bring a festive flourish to the historic halls for the first time in a decade. It’s also the place to stock up on Christmas provisions, with seasonal produce, cherries, puddings, hams and premium seafood filling the stalls. Beyond the shopping, expect a festive program of carols, live music and family-friendly activities, alongside special events ranging from wreath-making workshops to Christmas cooking demonstrations. For a more leisurely evening, A Taste of Christmas brings live jazz, cabaret and seasonal bites to Gouger Dining, while Cheese After Dark pairs champagne and cheese with a little Broadway-inspired entertainment.
Find the program here
Where: Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide CBD
When: Festive program runs Friday 27 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026.
Cost: Free entry, produce and ticketed events at additional cost
Best For: Foodies, Food lovers, Markets, Families, Locals
Sunday Funday Christmas Market
Sunday Funday Markets is getting into the festive spirit with two Christmas editions at Tonsley Innovation District. Expect a mix of local brands, handmade gifts and festive finds, alongside street food, sweet treats and activities for younger visitors. Santa will also be making an appearance, with the markets offering an easy-going way to get some Christmas shopping done while supporting local South Australian businesses.
Where: Tonsley Innovation District, Tonsley
When: Sunday November 22nd & December 13th 2026
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Markets, Families, Kids, Foodies, Weekend plans
Plant 4 Bowden Christmas Twilight Market
Plant 4 Bowden’s annual Christmas Twilight Market brings an evening of festive shopping and family-friendly fun to the precinct. Browse stalls from South Australian makers and small businesses for thoughtful gifts, then settle in for food and drinks from Plant 4’s favourite vendors. Little visitors can look forward to a visit from Father Christmas, glitter tattoos, Christmas crafts and kids’ entertainment, while live music sets the tone for a relaxed evening out.
Where: Plant 4 Bowden, Bowden
When: Friday 18 December 2026, 4pm to 9pm
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Kids, Markets, Live music, Free events
Meander Market
Christmas shopping takes a leisurely turn at Meander Market, returning to Melbourne Street with more than 75 artisan stalls showcasing handmade goods, bespoke pieces and local gifts. There’s plenty to make a day of it, too, with free photos with Father Christmas, live music, a pop-up Christmas choir, face painting and caricatures, alongside coffee and street food from local favourites. It’s a lovely opportunity to get a few gifts sorted while supporting South Australian makers and businesses.
Where: Melbourne Street, North Adelaide
When: Saturday 5 December 2026, 10am to 3pm
Cost: Free
Best For: Markets, Families, Kids, Live music, Free events
Need To Know: Free photos with Father Christmas run from 10:30am to 1pm only, so arrive early if that’s on your list.
Santa Photos in Adelaide
Adelaide Central Plaza
A Christmas photo worth keeping, David Jones brings its much-loved Santa experience back to Adelaide Central Plaza, complete with its iconic animated Christmas puppets and a little extra festive magic. Families can choose from a range of sessions, including classic Santa photos, a quieter Sensory experience for little ones who prefer a gentler setting, and Santa Pawtraits for four-legged family members. Keep an eye out for roller-skating elves on Saturdays, with complimentary popcorn and fairy floss served daily from 12pm to 3pm.
Book your session here
Where: Adelaide Central Plaza, Adelaide CBD
When: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, then daily from Wednesday 18 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
Cost: Packages from $30.85 to $120
Best For: Families, Kids, Dog-friendly
Need To Know: Tickets are limited and non-transferable.
Santaland at Myer
A little Christmas magic awaits at Myer Adelaide, where little ones can hop aboard the Santaland Express for a festive journey to the North Pole and a chance to meet Santa along the way. The experience includes special photographic moments to capture the occasion, with Baby’s First Christmas, Sensory Santa and Santa Paws sessions also available at selected locations. Whether it’s a first festive photo or an annual family tradition, bookings are essential to secure your time with Santa.
Book your session here
Where: Myer Adelaide, Adelaide CBD
When: Daily, Saturday 14 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
Cost: Free entry, photo packages from $33
Best For: Families, Kids, Dog-friendly, Unique experiences
Need To Know: Santaland is on Level 2 of Myer Adelaide City.
Burnside Village
Make a little Christmas magic with a special visit to Santa at Burnside Village. Running from November 16 to December 24, the photography sessions give families the chance to share their Christmas wishes, meet Santa and capture a festive keepsake to treasure. Whether it’s a little one’s first visit or a much-loved annual tradition, it’s a lovely way to mark the season.
Book your session here
Where: Burnside Village, Glenside
When: Monday 16 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
Cost: From $45
Best For: Families, Kids
Westfield
Santa and his elves are bringing a little festive magic to Westfield’s photography sets across Adelaide. Families can book a classic Christmas photo, with additional sessions available for those looking for a more tailored experience. Sensitive Santa sessions offer a quieter setting, while Auslan Santa and Pet photography make room for more families and four-legged members to join the tradition.
Book your session here
Where: Westfield Marion, Tea Tree Plaza and West Lakes.
When: Sunday 15 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
Cost: From $28
Best For: Families, Kids, Dog-friendly
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Things to Do This Christmas In Adelaide
Adelaide’s Christmas markets run from late November until the week before Christmas in 2026. Meander Market brings more than 75 artisan stalls to Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, on Saturday 5 December, while Gathered Christmas Design Market runs at Alec Johnston Park in Hahndorf from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December, with $3 entry. Sunday Funday Markets at Tonsley host Christmas editions on Sunday 22 November and Sunday 13 December, and Plant 4 Bowden’s Christmas Twilight Market runs from 4pm to 9pm on Friday 18 December, featuring South Australian makers and food vendors.
Many of Adelaide’s best Christmas events in 2026 are free. The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant runs through the CBD on Saturday 14 November, and general admission to Carols by Candlelight at Elder Park on Saturday 12 December is free. Meander Market on Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, offers free entry and free photos with Father Christmas on Saturday 5 December. Plant 4 Bowden’s Christmas Twilight Market on Friday 18 December, the Sunday Funday Christmas markets at Tonsley and the Hahndorf Christmas Village are also free to attend.
Adelaide has several Santa photo options for Christmas 2026. Myer Adelaide’s Santaland on Rundle Mall is free to visit, with photo packages from $33 and the Santaland Express train. David Jones at Adelaide Central Plaza offers packages from $30.85, including Santa Pawtraits for pets. Burnside Village in Glenside runs sessions from 16 November, with packages from $45, while Westfield Marion, Tea Tree Plaza and West Lakes offer Sensitive Santa, Auslan Santa and pet sessions from $28. Bookings are essential at most centres, so secure a time early.
General admission to St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama is free, with reserved seating available from $82. Reserved seating tickets include a battery-operated Carols candle. The 2026 event takes place on Saturday 12 December, with gates opening at 3pm for food trucks, a Christmas market, Santa visits and face painting. The Experience Adelaide Community Concert starts at 5pm, followed by the main concert at 8:30pm and a fireworks display over the River Torrens at 10:30pm. Bring a picnic rug and arrive early for a good spot.
The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant takes place on Saturday 14 November 2026, starting at 9:30am in the Adelaide CBD. Running since 1933, it is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest public parade, with more than 335,000 people lining the route in 2025. This year’s parade features 170-plus theatrical sets, 18 bands, 30 dance groups, five choirs and around 3000 costumes, alongside clowns, elves and police horses. The Pageant is free to watch, and spots along the route fill quickly, so families should arrive early to secure a good view of the floats.
Are you feeling in the festive spirit? Keep the magical moments going with the best Christmas movies and sort out last-minute gifting with same-day delivery services in town.
