Calling all creative South Australian children – time is running out to design your own mini float for the 2026 National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.
The theme for this year’s mini float competition is The Simple Pleasures of a South Australian Christmas, with entrants encouraged to present their ideas as a drawing, painting or a model.
The winner’s mini float will be constructed and showcased in this year's Pageant.
The competition, which closes on 26 June, is open to individuals or groups.
Winners will be notified by 31 July with first prize a behind-the-scenes tour of Stardust Castle, a reserved spot at the pageant and $500. The runner-up will receive $300 and third place will get $200.
Since 1933, the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant has grown to become one of the nation's most cherished events, celebrated every November with the support of National Pharmacies and the South Australian Tourism Commission.
As the Southern Hemisphere's largest public parade, it marks the official welcoming of Father Christmas to Australia. More than 335,000 excited parade-goers turned out last year to greet the jolly man in red, waving their favourite floats by from behind the 'Blue Honour Line (external site) (external site)'.
This year’s pageant will feature 3000 costumes, 300 clowns and elves, 30 dancing groups, four police horses, 18 bands, more than 320,000 spectators and a partridge in a pear tree.
For more information on the mini float competition visit National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant (external site) (external site).
