Santa Approved: Best Things to Do This Christmas in Adelaide

And just like that, Christmas is upon us once more! As we decorate our trees and add sparkle to our homes, the magic of Christmas can also be found in the streets and stores of Adelaide, with endless ways to find joy this festive season.

From photos with the big man in red and merry markets to checking out the Christmas displays around town, our guide to the best things to do this Christmas in Adelaide will be sure to get you into the holiday spirit!

Hahndorf Christkindlmrkt

While we may not have a snowy Christmas in Australia calling for ugly Christmas sweaters, mulled wine and hot cocoa, Adelaide does have Hahndorf and its strong German heritage to explore.

Back again for one weekend in December, the Hahndorf Christkindlmrkt is your ticket to a Euro-inspired Christmas market, complete with stalls of gifts, homewares, food (think crepes, jerky, fruit and seafood), drinks from Ambleside Distillers, live entertainment, and plenty of Christmas spirit!

13th - 15th December

Corner of Main Street & Auricht Road, Hahndorf

Santa's Wonderland

What's more magical than an entire pavilion transformed into a Christmas wonderland? Delighting families for almost a decade, Santa's Wonderland is home to rides, jumping castles, ice skating, Christmas shows, photos with Santa, fairy lights, hands-on activities for the kids and roaming elves and characters spreading cheer.

Book a morning or afternoon session, dress the kids in their best Christmas 'fits and watch the smiles as they enter this land of dreams and wonder, where they will have three hours to run wild (and tire themselves out).

Open daily to December 24th

Adelaide Showground, Jubilee Pavilion

12 Days of Christmas in Rundle Mall

Making the countdown to Christmas even more exciting, 12 Days of Christmas in Rundle Mall brings bonus cheer from December 13th to Christmas Eve! Daily activations make your Christmas shopping a little more enjoyable, while extended trading helps you get the job done.

From carols by the Australian Girls Choir, an Elfie photo booth, and an express post box to get your letters to Santa to kids' face painting, spritz bar and bakery pop-ups, Naughty or Nice spinning wheels and roaming entertainment, it's time to be merry at Rundle Mall.

Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Adelaide Arcade 

Adelaide Arcade combines holiday cheer, unique shopping and community spirit every Christmas. With festive decor and live performances setting the mood throughout December, Minda's beloved charity gift-wrapping service is back, with all proceeds supporting vital disability services and easing your to-do list.

Discover the Adelaide Arcade Gift Guide to find the perfect pressie, and snap holiday photos with the Santa figure - an Adelaide tradition for over 25 years. With extended trading hours and a spot on Rundle Mall’s interactive Santa Course, Adelaide Arcade is a must-visit this festive season.

Adelaide Arcade, between Grenfell Street and Rundle Mall

Gathered Christmas Design Market

Hahndorf is spoiling us this Christmas! If you can't find what you're looking for at Christkindlmrkt - or perhaps your gift list includes a little something for yourself - pop over to the Gathered Christmas Design Market.

Support over 70 local and small businesses at the special edition markets, held over three days to provide ample time for last-minute shopping. Browse stalls of niche homewares, handmade candles, clothing, art and ceramics, then sit back and admire your haul and find food and drinks from local vendors.

13th - 15th December

102 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf

The Christmas Spectacular: A Magical Wonderland

Combining music, circus, dance and Christmas magic, The Christmas Spectacular is extravagant and cheerful enough to get a smile from Scrooge. The stage is set for a musical journey through Christmas classics and modern anthems, performed by Prinnie Stevens and supported by talented dancers and performers. Expect tributes to the Radio City Rockettes, The Nutcracker and a hefty dose of Christmas spirit.

December 18th, 2 pm & 6.30 pm

Her Majesty's Theatre, 58 Grote Street, Adelaide

See the Lights

It's easy to see Adelaide embracing the Christmas spirit, decking city streets and shopping malls with garlands and baubles before December even hits. But beyond the giant Christmas tree in Victoria Square and the twinkling CBD, a few suburbs stand out as the jolliest of all. From the Lights of Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills to the Riverbank display in Thebarton, there are thousands of tiny light globes waiting to be discovered.

Check out our guide to the best Christmas lights in Adelaide.

Visit the David Jones Magic Cave

Christmas has arrived at David Jones with its enchanting 'Home of Christmas' campaign. Adelaide families can embrace the holiday spirit at the Magic Cave, returning for the festive season in David Jones’ Adelaide Central Plaza.

A beloved family tradition since 1896, capture festive memories with Santa, who’ll be there for professional portraits through to Christmas Eve. To add to the magic, kids can enjoy rides on the vintage carousel, meet Christmas fairies and listen to roaming carolers spreading cheer.

Photo packages are available to suit all families, including Santa PAW-traits and Sensitive Santa sessions. Get the Christmas shopping sorted while you're there, with stylish gifts, festive decor, and luxury beauty products. Seal it with a bow, with bespoke gift-wrapping available in-store, with all donations supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Bookings for photos with Santa are highly recommended.

November 2nd to December 24th

David Jones, 100 Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Feeling inspired to embrace the festive period from our guide to the best things to do this Christmas in Adelaide? Keep the magical moments going with the best Christmas movies and sort out last-minute gifting with same-day delivery services in town.