20 Nov, 2023

Christmas Celebrations Kick Off In The City Centre

Adelaide’s Christmas Festival will begin tonight with the annual Christmas Tree lighting in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga to kick-off celebrations and help people get into the festive spirit.

Running from 6pm to 9pm tonight, the tree lighting event will feature a wide range of performers filling the Square with Christmas cheer. A pipe band, a children’s dance group and a special performance by party band The Cast will entertain the crowd before Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith flicks the switch with Year 5 student Ava Todorov, representing Sturt Street Community School, at approximately 8:45pm to begin our Christmas Festival.

5000 people are expected to attend the celebration, with Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga to be closed to traffic for the tree lighting event for the first time since 2019. There will be food and beverage at the site with families encouraged to bring a picnic rug and enjoy the festivities.

Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga will be transformed into the home of Christmas celebrations in the city, hosting the Festive Weekends program which features a variety of free events in the lead up to Christmas.

The Festive Weekends calendar of events include:

• Saturday December 2 - Christmas Wonderland Festival presented by Bamboozled

• Friday December 15 & Saturday December 16 – Adelady Christmas Village

• Friday December 22 – Christmas Wrap Party presented by ForMile Events

Throughout December the City of Adelaide will also be delivering 30 unique live music performances from 13 different musical groups to add a soundtrack to people’s Christmas experience in the city. To top it all off there will be live music at the Giant Christmas Tree every night in the week before Christmas.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith encouraged people to come into the city with loved ones and enjoy the festive atmosphere over the next five weeks.

“Christmas is an uplifting time of year, and I’m looking forward to turning on the tree lights tonight to officially begin our celebrations,” said the Lord Mayor.

“It’s fantastic there will be free events happening in the city centre, as part of the Festive Weekends program, with something to suit everyone.

“The City of Adelaide is presenting a wide variety of events and activities as part of the Christmas Festival, so I encourage everyone to come into the city and experience the magic for themselves and, while there, find a present for someone special.”

The total budget for the City of Adelaide Christmas Festival is $712,000.

Festive Weekends

Saturday 2 December (5pm-10pm) - Bamboozled will transform the square into a playful children’s festival hub ‘Christmas Wonderland’ creating magical Christmas experiences including circus, theatre, and live music.

Friday 15 (4pm-10pm) and Saturday 16 December (4pm-10pm) - The Adelady Christmas Village will see a diverse range of high-quality vendors, engaging entertainment, and a family friendly festive experience.

Friday 22 December (3:30pm – 9:30pm) - The Christmas Wrap Party will entertain the after-work crowds with music, dancing, food and beverage on the final Friday before Christmas. A chance for city workers to ‘down tools’ and head into the square with colleagues, family and friends.

Jack Berketa