National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant back on the streets for 90th year

Saturday 12 November will mark the 90th year of the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, with the beloved event returning to the streets of Adelaide for the first time since the pandemic began.

After two years hosted at the Adelaide Oval as an arena spectacular, excitement is building for the Pageant to return to the streets. The street parade will depart from South Terrace at 9.30am, delivering Father Christmas to the Adelaide Town Hall about 11.30am.

Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas said it was a tremendous day for all South Australians to see this cherished event return to the streets and commemorate its 90th year.

“The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is a wonderful Christmas tradition for South Australia, and I am delighted that many more children and families will be able to see the parade live and in its traditional format – signalling a major step forward in the state’s COVID recovery,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“Since 1933, South Australians have welcomed the start of the festive season with the Southern Hemisphere’s largest public parade – 90 years of Pageant magic is a special milestone that we are thrilled to celebrate as a community.”

Pageant Director Brian Gilbertson said the event is expected to draw a significant crowd.

“On average, upward of 300,000 people have lined the streets for the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant to welcome Father Christmas to South Australia,” Mr Gilbertson said.

“We know how much everyone has missed the street parade, so I encourage all South Australians to come along bright and early to the event, save your favourite spots behind the blue honour line to be a part of our huge Pageant family as Father Christmas comes to town and heralds the start of the Christmas season."

Vito Borrello, Chief Executive Officer, National Pharmacies said that he, and the National Pharmacies staff and members are proud to support the Pageant and see South Australians embrace the arrival of Father Christmas on Saturday 12 November.

“National Pharmacies is delighted to support and participate in this cherished Adelaide tradition and the team is thrilled to see the parade back where it belongs,” Mr Borrello said.

“Adelaide Oval is a wonderful venue and has served us so well over the past two years. However, we really cannot wait to welcome the crowds back to the streets of Adelaide for the 2022 National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.”

For more information, visit www.christmaspageant.com.au.