More than 300,000 attend Adelaide’s 94th Christmas Pageant

The Adelaide Christmas Pageant welcomed an estimated 335,000 spectators as it kicked off the festive season in the city. Throngs of residents arrived early to secure prime viewing spots along the parade route, braving the grey skies. While the David Jones store's collapse has cast a shadow over the popular Magic Cave attraction, the pageant proceeded as planned.

The David Jones collapse has left a cloud over the Magic Cave, the popular Christmas attraction remains open. Organisers estimated that around 335,000 people attended the 94th edition of the annual yuletide parade. The pageant featured new floats such as The Magic Hat and A Bumper Christmas, drawing cheers from the crowd. Parents with their families expressed their delight at the early start, describing it as worth it.

The beloved Magic Cave, which has been a staple of Adelaide's Christmas traditions since 1998, continued its operations despite David Jones' recent financial struggles. Renowned entertainer Emma Watkins, who returned for her second year, was accompanied by deaf performer Elvin Lam, who signed throughout the parade. The event brought together a diverse community, with attendees expressing their love for the tradition, with some even saying they would come without their children if it meant preserving this cherished Adelaide institution.