Historical Timeline

1896

The ‘Magic Cave’ – a Christmas fantasy world was established.

The first Christmas Pageant was held during the Great Depression. Created by Sir Edward Hayward (Mr Bill), it featured approximately eight floats, four bands and 200,000 spectators. It ran for around 40 minutes. All participants were staff at John Martins. The Pageant ran from Angas Street to John Martins on Rundle Street. Some of the first costumes were made of crepe paper. Father Christmas first appeared in the Pageant in 1933 and Pageant designers were employed. Ever since, Father Christmas has been delivered by the Pageant to the Magic Cave.

1935

The Pageant began acknowledging Australian stories and icons. The Pageant first included a Lord Mayor’s Christmas appeal float to raise money and encourage donations for underprivileged children.

1938

It was decided that new floats and sets would be added each year.

1939 - 1940

Pageant Queen first introduced for wartime fundraising.

1941 - 1944

There was no Christmas Pageant due to World War II.

1945

Victory Christmas Pageant – celebrating the end of World War II. First Radio broadcast, which continued to 1959.

1946

The Lord Mayor initiates a party for 800 orphans, where Father Christmas can visit them. This became an annual event.

1949 - 1959

The Pageant Queen annual tradition commences.

Sir Edward Hayward selected the Pageant Queens.

1958

The First Blue Honour Line was painted on the streets for crowd control.

1959

The floats assembled at South Terrace and travelled along King William Street, arriving at the North Terrace entrance to John Martins.

The Pageant Queen began being selected via store staff in a democratic system.

1960

1960 was the wettest year ever – the Pageant was nearly cancelled!

1961

The Prime Minister attended the Pageant: to date, the only time in Pageant history.

1969

Crowds grew to 500,000 as television broadcasting and interstate broadcasting became a great influence.

1970

16 new floats were introduced.

1983

The Golden Pageant – 50 years. Just weeks before the Pageant’s anniversary, its creator, Sir Edward Hayward, passed away.

1985

The State Bank of South Australia entered into partnership with John Martins to present the Pageant.

1988

The tradition of chalk drawing on the streets to keep the kids entertained prior to the start of the Pageant.

1990

Pageant characters comprised half John Martins and half State Bank staff.

1993

The Pageant celebrated its diamond anniversary of 60 years, with 72 sets, 1600 people taking part and a crowd of 400,000 people.

1996

John Martins sold the Pageant to the State Government of South Australia. The Pageant is now owned by Events South Australia (formerly Australian Major Events), a division of the South Australian Tourism Commission and the naming rights sponsors are the four leading South Australian credit unions; People’s Choice, Beyond Bank Australia, Credit Union SA, Police Credit Union with additional assistance from the Adelaide City Council, David Jones and the many volunteers and other supporters involved. The credit unions maintain the Pageant Queen tradition, using the Queen and the Princesses to spread the Pageant magic and Christmas cheer to regional areas.

2002

2002 was the Credit Union Christmas Pageant’s 70th year. A new Pageant manager and creative director, Brian Gilbertson was appointed – only the fifth Pageant director and manager since the Pageant began.

2003

The first female artist, Jill Halliday, was appointed to create a float.

2004

The First Black and White Float was featured in the Pageant.

2006

Credit Union information sites made their first appearance at the Pageant.

2007

The Pageant celebrated 75 years of Pageant magic! 75 tap dancers led the parade – a Pageant first.

2008

An attempt for the Guinness World Record was made for the largest Mexican wave to celebrate the event’s theme of community.

2009

For the first time, a Credit Union Christmas Pageant King and four Princes joined the Queen and Princesses to create the Pageant Royal Family and spread Pageant magic across South Australia.

A second attempt was made at the Guinness World Record for the largest Mexican Wave. The wave travelled for 3.2 kilometres through the city around 7 corners but fell short of the numbers required.

2010

The Credit Union Christmas Pageant Facebook page and free iPhone App were launched.

The Pageant audience broke the Guinness World Record for the largest group of Carol Singers.

2011

Junior royals added to the Credit Union Christmas Pageant Royal Family through a talent competition.

A Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing red noses was achieved.

2013

Pop star Samantha Jade became the first national celebrity to sing the Australian anthem at the start of the Pageant.

2014

In 2014, the Credit Union Christmas Pageant celebrated the theme of 'Share the Pageant With Someone You Love'. For the first time, the event held a national competition to bring a Pageant fan's expat family to Adelaide to see the event, thanks to Tiger Air Australia.