It’s Adelaide’s largest indoor Christmas tree, and for the past four years it’s been the centrepiece of festive season celebrations in the Mortlock Chamber at the State Library of South Australia.
And this year the tree will tower over an exclusive display from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, featuring treasured pieces including Kingsley Vintage Cars, characters such as the Seven Dwarfs and Humpty Dumpty, a fairy bench from the John Martin’s Magic Cave and the 2024 mini float competition winner Bee Merry.
To round off the Christmas cheer there will also be a range of free activities and events, including a chance to write a postcard to Father Christmas himself.
State Library of South Australia Director Megan Berghuis said that she was looking forward to embracing the season.
"It has been magical watching this nostalgic collection of treasures come together in our gorgeous Mortlock Chamber," Ms Berghuis said.
"As the custodian of the state’s stories, we feel proud to display these piec
es that bring back such wonderful Christmas memories.
"We look forward to having generations of Christmas lovers visit us to experience the display, take in our beautiful 7m-high Christmas tree, which also offers a gorgeous photo backdrop, and enjoy free seasonal crafts, activities and entertainment.”
The Christmas tree is powered by SA Power Networks and has been displayed in the Mortlock Chamber each year since 2020.
It reaches to the chamber's second level and is adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights and dazzling decorations.
Visitors will also be greeted by Santa the Curator, a giant inflatable Santa displayed in the library’s forecourt as part of the City of Adelaide’s Christmas Trail.
The trail encourages people to follow a city-wide ‘Santa Course’ map and visit all 10 Santas around Adelaide.
Other key activities this holiday season at the Mortlock Chamber include:
- Postcards to Father Christmas: Write a postcard to Father Christmas with your Christmas wishes
- Christmas reading nook: A fairy-themed reading nook
- Chairs from John Martin’s Magic Cave: Take a picture on the chairs where Father Christmas once sat
- Christmas storytelling: Storytelling under the Christmas Tree
- Christmas craft: Make your own Christmas ornaments
- School choir performances: School choirs from around Adelaide will perform Christmas carols in the Mortlock Chamber
- Choir performances, including Aurora Vocal Ensemble, Lumina Choir, South Australian Children’s Choir, Young Adelaide Voices Youth Choir and Young Adelaide Voices Community Carols Choir.
Christmas at the Mortlock runs until Sunday 5 January. For times and more information, click here.
