National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant

The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is a magical, free community event, full of fantasy, floats, colourful characters, bands, dancers and more. It has been shared by generations of Australians for 87 years. 

As the southern hemisphere’s largest public parade, the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is a joyful celebration of community and marks the official welcoming of Father Christmas to Australia. A total of 325,000 people lined the streets of Adelaide to enjoy the event in 2019.

The pageant winds its way through the city centre, with Father Christmas arriving at the Adelaide Town Hall to greet the people of South Australia.

Its colourful characters come from a wide range of local community groups, with hundreds of National Pharmacies staff and members also taking part. Floats and roving entertainers are joined by an array of bands and dancers. This exuberant celebration invites us all to share joy and gratitude.

The event began in 1933 and is one of the largest free community parades in the world. Today it includes 174 moving theatrical sets, including 270 certified clowns and elves, 65 floats, 18 bands, four penny farthings, 33 dance groups, five choirs and a live DJ/rapper.