by Carla Caruso
After the Adelaide City Council was slammed for its ‘drab’ Christmas decorations last year, it has upped the ante in 2024.
Below is a list of where you can find festive displays throughout your Adelaide Park Lands. Though, unfortunately, there are none to be found in a park with a Christmas-themed name: Mistletoe Park / Tainmuntilla (Park 11).
And, as Adelaide city councillor Phillip Martin told the ABC Radio, there’s still more work to be done on the decor front when compared to other cities around the globe.
On the topic of all things festive, you can also check out this eco-friendly Christmas gift guide, in video form, from Clean Up Australia.
Plus, this Adelaide-inspired Christmas card range from local card maker Unseasoned Greetings. (Read our interview with one of the duo behind the greeting card line here.) Then there’s APA merchandise, which is perfect for gifting, from our very own online shop.
But on with the list of festive displays in your Park Lands…
The Giant Christmas Tree
The Giant Christmas Tree in Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga, captured by Dear Little Mango.
The Giant Christmas tree lit up. Photo: Dear Little Mango.
You can’t miss the Giant Christmas Tree in Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga, which stands 25 metres tall and twinkles with over 13,000 lights.
It also features 210 gold and red bows and 450 matching baubles.
See its dazzling light display nightly, from 8.30pm to 2.30am, until 1 January 2025. Each display loop goes for 10 minutes.
Live musical performances are also being held in the square in the evenings from December 19.
As well, Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga boasts bauble pole lights, festive flower beds, and a giant Christmas card cube, where you can take a happy snap with your family and friends.
The Santa Course
One of the giant Santas at Lot Fourteen and (main photo, top) outside the Adelaide Zoo - both in Park 11. Photos: Carla Caruso.
Get in the festive spirit this year with the city’s Santa Course. There are 10 Santas to be found, dotted everywhere from the Adelaide Zoo to Lot Fourteen (both in Park 11), plus ‘secret side-quests’ to complete along the way.
The many facets of Father Christmas’s personality are on display as part of the course, from ‘Santa the Slacker’ to ‘Santa the Suit’. Find the map here.
Delightful decorations
One of the illuminated, walk-through present boxes - this one on the edge of Rundle Road/East Terrace. Pic: City of Adelaide.
From sparkling lights to giant adornments, the council has ensured there are Christmas decorations strewn around the city and North Adelaide this year.
Included are illuminated, walk-through present boxes in Wellington Square / Kudnartu, Light Square / Wauwi, and Hurtle Square / Tangkaira.
There are also illuminated 3D stars and large baubles in Brougham Gardens / Tantutitingga (Park 29), and a festive lighting display in Whitmore Square / Iparrityi.
Pretty petunias
Candy cane-coloured petunias, care of the City of Adelaide.
About 5000 red-and-white petunias have popped up all over the city this festive season, including in Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga.
You can also see them blooming on Flinders, Pirie, Hutt, Halifax, O’Connell and Melbourne Streets, and in planter boxes along King William Street.
Happy holidays to you!
Chrissy card by Unseasoned Greetings.
