The State Library of South Australia brings Christmas magic to the Mortlock
The State Library of South Australia is inviting Christmas lovers to experience some festive season magic in the iconic Mortlock Chamber these holidays, with an exclusive display from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, Adelaide’s largest indoor Christmas Tree and a range of free Christmas activities and events from Saturday 23 November.
The special display of treasures from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is filled with nostalgia, joy and wonder. Featured pieces include Kingsley Vintage Cars, character heads such as Seven Dwarfs and Teddy Bears Picnic, Humpty Dumpty and PS Murray Explorer float model and costumes, and Pageant clown costumes, thrones and a fairy bench from the John Martin’s Magic Cave, and the 2024 mini float competition winner ‘Bee Merry’.
State Library of South Australia Director, Megan Berghuis, is looking forward to embracing the season, and making the display of treasures from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant available for the public to view up close.
“It has been magical watching this nostalgic collection of treasures come together in our gorgeous Mortlock Chamber. As the custodian of the state’s stories, we feel proud to display these pieces 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 7-metre-high Christmas tree, which also offers a gorgeous photo backdrop, and enjoy free seasonal crafts, activities and entertainment.”
The State Library of South Australia’s 7-metre-high Christmas tree is powered by SA Power Networks and has been displayed in the Mortlock Chamber each year since 2020. It reaches to the second level of the Mortlock Chamber and is adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights and dazzling decorations.
The giant Christmas Tree will be unveiled at a free ticketed sneak peek event from 10am on Saturday 23 November and will then form the centrepiece for a variety of free Christmas activities for families. Activities will be daily from 23 November and include a craft and making space, writing postcards to Father Christmas, story time sessions, a reading nook and live choirs.
Visitors to the Library 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.
Key activities this holiday season at the Mortlock Chamber include:
- Postcards to Father Christmas(Daily from 23 November) – Write a postcard to Father Christmas with your Christmas wishes
- Christmas reading nook (Daily from 23 November) – A fairy-themed reading nook
- Chairs from John Martin’s Magic Cave (Daily from 23 November) – take a picture on the chairs where Father Christmas once sat
- Christmas Pageant Exhibition (Daily from 23 November) – an exclusive display of treasures from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
- Christmas storytelling (11am and 1pm daily from Monday 16 to Friday 20 December) – storytelling under the Christmas Tree
- Santa the Curator by City of Adelaide (Daily from 2 November) - Visit ‘Santa the Curator’, a giant inflatable Santa stationed in the Library’s forecourt as part of the City of Adelaide’s Santa Course
- Christmas craft (Daily from Monday 16 to Friday 20 December) – Make your own Christmas Ornaments
- School choir performances (10am and 1pm on Monday 2 December to Friday 6 December) - School choirs from around Adelaide will perform Christmas carols in the Mortlock Chamber
- Choir Performances
- Aurora Vocal Ensemble - Saturday 23 November at 10:30 and 11:30am (booking required)
- Lumina Choir - Sunday 8 December at 1pm
- South Australian Children’s Choir - Saturday 14 December at 1pm
- Young Adelaide Voices Youth Choir – Tuesday 17 December at 1pm
- Young Adelaide Voices Community Carols Choir - Saturday 21 December at 12pm
The Christmas at the Mortlock activities will be free to visit and open daily from Saturday 23 November until Sunday 5 January 2025, unless otherwise specified.
For tickets to the free Christmas tree unveiling please visit First look at Christmas at the Mortlock.
For more information, visit Christmas at the Mortlock.
Details
Mortlock Chamber, State Library of South Australia
Corner North Terrace and Kintore Avenue
Free entry
Opening hours
Monday: 9am to 5pm
Tuesday: 9am to 7pm
Wednesday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Special holiday hours - Sunday 24 November until Sunday 22 December
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 5pm
(Closed public holidays)
Media contact
Laura Peters
CALLIE
0404 976 299
laura@callie.com.au
Lisa Reichstein
CALLIE
0481 238 560
lisa@callie.com.au