We are dedicated to making the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant a magical and joyful experience for all South Australians. We have dedicated sites along the Pageant route to provide better access for members of the community in wheelchairs, using strollers or requiring sensory reduced environments.
Accessible areas and facilities
Click the dropdowns for more information
This dedicated area is open to anyone using a mobility device and does not require a ticket or reservation. Carers and family are warmly welcome to join attendees in this space. There will be staff and security in the vicinity should any assistance be required.
WHERE: On the Northern side of Victoria Square, located on the Western corner. This position offers easy access from the west (e.g., Grote Street & Franklin Street). See the Route Map for details.
HOW TO ACCESS: No ticket or reservation is needed for entry to this area.
This dedicated area is open to anyone using a mobility device and does not require a ticket or reservation. Carers and family are warmly welcome to join attendees in this space.
Staff and security will be in the vicinity to assist. They can be found either in the area or at nearby support locations (Rudolph’s Community Site on Wakefield Street or the Grandstand in Victoria Square).
Where: On the Southern side of Wakefield Street, located on the edge of Victoria Square. See the Route Map for details.
How to access: No ticket or reservation is needed for entry to this area.
Rudolph's Community Site is a special reserved viewing area located on Wakefield Street. It is accessible only by an official pre-arranged pass, unless you have a mobility device.
The site caters for the following groups with official passes:
- Regional schools and kindergartens.
- Community and disability organisations.
- Special schools (such as Novita).
Exception for Mobility Devices: If you are attending with a mobility device, you will not need an official pass to enter the dedicated access area within the site.
Where: Located on the Southern Side of Wakefield Street. Please note this is a ticketed area unless you are accessing the mobility device area.
Arrival time: As this is a reserved space, attendees can arrive later in the morning. There is also a special bus drop-off zone and a great team of volunteers to provide assistance.
What to bring: Attendees are invited to bring along low chairs, picnic blankets, and cushions to sit on.
How to apply: To get on the Rudolph's Community Site mailing list or apply for your school or group's eligibility, please email [email protected].
This space is dedicated to ensuring a supportive and comfortable experience for attendees with hidden disabilities. Carers and family are warmly welcome to join attendees in this area.
Features of the hidden disability site include:
- A protected and fenced-off space.
- Staff with Sunflower training will be available within the area and can also be found at the Grandstand opposite the site.
- The Office for Autism’s new sensory bus will be positioned directly behind the area, providing a quiet space should attendees need a break from the crowds and noise.
Where: Northern side of Victoria Square, beside the Queen Victoria Monument. See the Route Map for details.
How to access: No ticket or reservation is needed for this space. Simply arrive at the designated area.
Arrival time: Attendees can arrive at their own leisure, but we recommend arriving before 9:00 AM.
What to bring: Attendees are invited to bring along low chairs, picnic blankets, and cushions to sit on.
These dedicated spaces are designed to provide a calm and quiet environment for those with sensory needs. The Quiet Rooms are available to anyone who needs them on Pageant Day, and no reservations are required for access.
Quiet & sensory spaces are located at:
-
St Francis Xavier Cathedral (Quiet Room): Provided and managed by Autism Angels, this quiet room is located within the administration building of the Cathedral on Wakefield Street.
-
Metropolitan Fire Services (Sensory Reduced Area): A sensory reduced area is included inside the MFS building on Wakefield Street, coinciding with their open day on Pageant Day.
-
Office for Autism (Sensory Bus): The Office for Autism will provide their new Sensory Bus on the Northern Side of Victoria Square (behind the Hidden Disability Viewing Area).
All U-Park locations within the city have wheelchair carparks within them. You can see the locations on our Route Map or Car Parking page.
Vision Australia Radio Adelaide broadcast the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, complete with Audio Description thanks to Access2Arts.
Audio Description offers people who are blind or have low vision an understanding of what is happening visually at the Pageant. It is an additional narration that succinctly paints an image of transitions, movements, gestures, props, settings, costumes and scenery. The audio description service is provided by Access2Arts in partnership with Vision Australia Radio, supported by the City of Adelaide and the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service.
Vision Australia Radio are positioned on a balcony on Waymouth Street where they audio describe the floats like Nellie the Elephant, Bruto, and of, course, Father Christmas.
Adelaide based listeners can tune into the broadcast via 1197 AM / VA Radio or VA IRIS on digital radio.
If you would like to attend the Pageant and listen to the Audio Description from the community section where the live description is being broadcast on Waymouth Street, you can register via Vision Australia Radio.
