The Top Adelaide Christmas Activities Loved by the Locals
If you are coming from far and wide to spend Christmas with your family in SA, it’s time to think about extending your stay right through to the New Year. The Festival State is buzzing with good cheer and there is plenty for you and your family to do and see!
In Adelaide, we take Christmas seriously. As we get ready for RoofClimb’s first Christmas season, the rest of the city is coming alive with festive events, displays, decorations and the odd sighting of the big man in a red suit. We have compiled the best things to see and do when you visit Adelaide this Christmas, and a few suggestions for when you (inevitably) extend your trip to NYE!
Commonwealth Bank RoofClimb
Image: RoofClimb Facebook
Hey, it’s us! But for a good reason; we have just lowered the compulsory climbing age to 8 years old, which means you can take the whole family for a RoofClimb adventure. We have availabilities on either side of Christmas day, so book fast!
The RoofClimb is a unique way to see our lovely city and is quickly becoming a ‘must-do’ for people who visit. Your family will be amazed as they overlook the city from above and go high above the grounds of Adelaide Oval.
For more information on the different RoofClimb packages you can choose from, head to our website.
The many markets of Adelaide
Image: Prospect Eco Market
All that famed fresh South Aussie produce isn’t just in restaurants – it’s also available for your purchasing pleasure at the many weekly markets around the city. And as well as the food, many of the markets host stalls selling clothing, antiques, candles, and other gifts perfect to fill anyone’s stocking.
On sunny summer days, the markets are often visited by local choirs and acoustic musicians which makes them the perfect place to get the freshest, cheapest ingredients for your Christmas lunch and a great family day out!
Some of our favourites are:
Adelaide Farmers Market: The farmers come from all around SA to represent their region at this lively farmers market. This results in an average of 6000 locals and tourists who make their way to Adelaide Showground every Sunday to take their pick of the many farm fresh choices.
The Market Shed on Holland: In the heart of the CBD, the Market Shed is a mecca of delicious things for your breakfast – and plenty for you to take home for dinner. Stalls range from gourmet cheeses, probiotic cabbage, big mexican breakfasts and the iconic paella which is made from scratch every week. The Market Shed is an atmosphere of unmissable Adelaide culture, with live acoustic bands all day and plenty of dogs to pat.
Gilles Street Market: Known as Adelaide’s best fashion and design market, Gilles Street is the best place to shop for anyone who hates the thought of shopping. Any clothes, jewellery and accessories you buy here are bound to be secondhand or made locally, just in time for Christmas. Plus they have DJ’s and plenty of local food stalls.
Rundle Mall
Image: Rundle Mall
Rundle Mall is Adelaide’s most famous shopping precinct and they have gone all out to make your last minute Christmas gift browsing a festive and truly enjoyable experience. The entire mall has been transformed into The Festive Forest and several shops are host to workshops and Christmas activities for the kids. Plus all of its world class retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues!
Even if you’re organised before Christmas hits and don’t need the last minute dash to the shops, a visit to Adelaide really isn’t complete without a visit to Rundle Mall (for more quintessential Adelaide must-dos read our blog on 11 Experiences in Adelaide to Add to Your RoofClimb!)
Watch the forest coming to life here:
Santa’s Magical Village
Image: Santa’s Magical
It is Christmas after all. If you’re going to take your family to one Christmas themed village this year, make it this one – because you will find yourself having fun as well. For the first time in Adelaide, Bonython Park is hosting Santa’s Magical Village. An event for the entire family, the village is full of Christmas themed performances, activities and even real life reindeers.
If you would like to book your tickets in advance, head to the event page.
RoofClimb and Dine
Image: RoofClimb
If you have already organised presents for the kids, give yourself a night off and treat your partner, and yourself! The RoofClimb experience is enhanced with a complimentary photo of just the two of you, a keepsake menu, glass of Henschke Blanc de Noir NV and a three course à la carte lunch or dinner at Adelaide Oval’s Hill of Grace Restaurant.
The RoofClimb and Dine experience turns conventional romance on its head and is guaranteed make your other half feel lightheaded – and not just from the heights. If you would like to book a RoofClimb and Dine, visit our website.
Hahndorf Christmas Village
Image: Hahndorf Christmas Village
Okay, maybe try and visit two Christmas themed villages while you’re in Adelaide. The reason we love the Hahndorf Christmas Village is because it’s completely community driven and the drive, while only 45 minutes outside of the city, is a beautiful journey through the Adelaide Hills.
From the 16-18 of December, Hahndorf will go back to its German heritage for a European themed Christmas celebration. The popular Christkindlmarkt is the centrepiece in a town that gets festive with window displays, live entertainment, food and drink – and a visit from the elusive and jolly Father Christmas himself. For more information, head to the Hahndorf SA tourism page.
And while you’re in the area, make sure you stop by the famous Lobethal Lights on your drive home – it’s tradition!
And if you stay until New Years?
Image: AdelaideNow
There is even more for you and your family to experience together – and some events you may want to find a babysitter for. The New Year’s Eve double header is on at Adelaide Oval, where you’ll be treated to two matches – the Strikers Women’s League WBBL followed by the men’s BBL, with a concert and lights show immediately after it all wraps up.
The fireworks will be going off over the River Torrens and the Riverbank Footbridge, as well as live music and a range of food and alcohol stalls.
Looking for a party? CBD restaurants who are participating in the midnight revelry include:
Intercontinental Adelaide: Adelaide locals will remember the Waves Bar, and as a visitor you get to experience it for the first time! An iconic nightclub from Adelaide’s past, Waves is being recreated for NYE, complete with the best view of the fireworks and river display. Tickets are just $30 per person and available here!
The Gallery on Waymouth: Adelaide’s best boutique rooftop bar is hosting another of their popular New Year’s Eve parties. An all food and drinks inclusive package is $130 per person and sets you up for a night of DJ’s, canapes and their premium selection of drinks. Book your tickets here!
The Stamford Grand’s New Year’s Eve Saturday Night Fever Party: An indulgent theme, carried off to perfection. The Stamford Grand is hosting a NYE party that will transport you to the world of disco, and at $169 per person you will be treated to a four course dinner and five hour drinks package. And lots of dancing. Book your tickets and bring your dancing shoes, details here!
It’s a merry time to explore Adelaide
The Christmas spirit is well and truly alive in Adelaide. For a small city, we don’t lack in lifestyle and culture and as so many of our visiting RoofClimbers tell us, it’s surprising how much there is to do and see.
So take your time in Adelaide and don’t leave in a rush. Start with a RoofClimb and map your way across the city as you look out over it from the top of Adelaide Oval!
For more information on the different climbs we have on offer, visit our website.
We hope you have a safe and joyous Christmas break!