Adelaide's Christmas Festival will officially begin tonight with the annual Christmas Tree lighting in Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga - the first in a bumper calendar of events to help people get into the festive spirit.
Running from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm tonight, "Festive Weekends: Lighting Launch" will feature a wide range of performers filling the Square with Christmas cheer. A pipe band, youth choir, DJ and performers will entertain the crowd before Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith flicks the switch with competition winner, 9 year-old Blake Langton, at approximately 8:30 pm to begin our Christmas Festival.
Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga will be transformed into the home of Christmas celebrations, hosting the Festive Weekends program which features a variety of free celebrations including markets, a fire festival, a children's circus and musical performances most weekends.
Tonight's Festive Weekends: Lighting Launch will be the first public event for the Lord Mayor, who was elected on Saturday.
"Christmas is an amazing 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 that most weekends 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."
Other highlights of the Christmas Festival include:
• Artistic "Christmas Bauble Canopy" light installations at Peel Street and Vaughan Place
• Free, interactive augmented reality trail across the city and North Adelaide
• Bands, carollers and musicians performing in public spaces
• Adelaide Town Hall Christmas Concert
• Extended trading hours at Adelaide Central Market and Rundle Mall
The total budget for the City of Adelaide Christmas Festival is $600,000.
