The 12 days of Christmas
Spending the holidays at home? South Australia has some surprises in store for you this festive season. Let’s start with day one.
Disclaimer: Forgive us if you have this Christmas carol stuck in your head all festive season.
Day 1: Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga Christmas tree
On the first day of Christmas, SA sent to me
A giant Victoria Square Christmas tree.
Details: See Adelaide CBD’s giant Christmas tree (pictured above) light up nightly until 4 January 2023. The display will switch on about 8.30am until it’s lights out at 2.30am.
Day 2: Santaland at Myer Rundle Mall
On the second day of Christmas, SA sent to me
Two tickets aboard The Santaland Express train.
Details: Snap a photo with Santa, post him a letter or jump aboard the magical train at Santaland in Myer Rundle Mall, headed straight for the North Pole.
Day 3: Hahndorf Christkindlmarkt
On the third day of Christmas, SA sent to me
Three Hahndorf Christkindlmarkt gingerbread men.
Details: Head for the Adelaide Hills to get into the festive spirit at Hahndorf Christkindlmarkt (16–18 December), which is just one of many Christmas markets in South Australia.
Day 4: Cherry picking
On the fourth day of Christmas, SA sent to me
Four kilos of Fleurieu cherries.
Details: It isn’t Christmas without delicious, juicy cherries. What better way to enjoy them than by eating ones you’ve picked yourself. Visit Cherry Growers Association of South Australia for a map of cherry-picking locations.
Day 5: Adelaide Central Market elves
On the fifth day of Christmas, SA sent to me
Five Adelaide Central Market elves.
Details: The Adelaide Central Markets elves are back to entertain the young and young at heart from 21–24 December. See if you can spot five or more elves darting between the stalls while you’re shopping for produce for Christmas lunch.
Day 6: Oysters on the Eyre Peninsula
On the sixth day of Christmas, SA sent to me
Half a dozen oysters shucked on the Eyre Peninsula.
Details: Choose oysters shucked on the Eyre Peninsula this festive season for Christmas lunch. They’re even tastier when they’re shucked on the boat. Sample these tasty molluscs at their freshest on an Experience Coffin Bay cruise. Don’t worry, you don’t have to limit yourself to six.
Day 7: Riverbank Christmas Lights Display
On the seventh day of Christmas, SA sent to me
Seven cheeky Riverbank Christmas Lights dwarfs.
Details: Formerly known as the West End Brewery Christmas Riverbank Display, the dazzling exhibit (now open until 30 December) features a range of oversized lights, Christmas decorations and Snow White and the seven dwarfs.
Day 8: Rundle Mall Christmas windows
On the eighth day of Christmas, SA sent to me
Eight Rundle Mall Christmas windows.
Details: Featuring both classic and modern takes on what the festive season means to South Australians, all eight of Rundle Mall Christmas windows tell an enchanting Christmas story.
Day 9: SeaLink Carols by Candlelight
On the ninth day of Christmas, SA sent to me
Nine carollers at Carols by Candlelight.
Details: Held in Elder Park, Carols by Candlelight will have the whole family singing Christmas carols for days. There are, however, more than nine carollers at this epic event – about 30,000, in fact.
Day 10: Santa’s Wonderland
On the 10th day of Christmas, SA sent to me
10% off tickets to Santa’s Wonderland.
Details: Rides, stage shows, an activity trail and, of course, the big man in red. Santa’s Wonderland is back from 2–24 December – and so is our awesome member discount. This year, RAA members can save 10% on entry tickets to Santa’s Wonderland.
Day 11: FruChocs
On the 11th day of Christmas, SA sent to me
11 FruChocs truffles.
Details: Still have Christmas gifts to buy? Forget the socks and jocks; get festive with FruChocs. This silly season, the way to your loved one’s heart is through their stomach. Make FruChocs truffles or FruChoc-olate crackles, box them up with a pretty red bow and gift it someone lucky. Don’t forget RAA members can save 10% in store. Yum!
Day 12: Lights of Lobethal
On the 12th day of Christmas, SA sent to me
12 days of Lights of Lobethal.
Details: Known as one of the largest community Christmas light displays in the southern hemisphere, the Lights of Lobethal event has illuminated the town for more than 60 years. There are 12 days of dazzling displays, street stalls and the annual Christmas pageant.