by Carla Caruso

The festive season is officially upon us.

On November 17, the Giant Christmas Tree in Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga was lit up for another year.

While it’s not real greenery, it does soar 25m into the sky and features 13,616 individually programmable LED lights.

The light display’s on each night of the Adelaide City Council’s Christmas Festival until January 4, 2022. Lighting takes place from 8.30pm to 2.30am, with the light display loop lasting 10 minutes.

The fountains are also on for the kids to splash in, under the Christmas lights, on hot summer nights.

*The Giant Christmas Tree stands as tall as some of the Park Lands’ real greenery, like its river red gums and Moreton Bay figs. Photo: James Elsby.*

Also part of the Christmas Festival, Adelaide’s Makers Market will be staged at Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga on December 10. Patrons can browse 60 stalls for gifts to round out the year – whatever their religious persuasion.

And, on December 12, Fork on the Road’s event, Forkmas, will transform the square into a festive food wonderland. Think food trucks, pop-up bars, live music, performances, and more.

In other festive fun, city-dwellers can also download a free Adelaide Christmas Cracker Trail app, which can take them on a family-friendly trail across the CBD and North Adelaide.

Designed by local creatives Monkeystack, the app offers 14 festive activities, including augmented reality experiences (like faux fish jumping out of the Victoria Square fountain), selfie filters, badges to collect, and Chrissy jokes and quizzes.

*Various events will take over Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga this festive season. Photo: City of Adelaide.*

Kiss under the mistletoe

In other things festive, you might not see many decorations in Park 11, but you will find a spot with a Christmas-inspired name: Mistletoe Park / Tainmuntilla.

The park’s a beautiful, revegetated bushland patch, skirting the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri from Hackney Road to Frome Road.

It’s also home to the Sir Douglas Nicholls Bridge - honouring the first Australian Aboriginal to be appointed State Governor - and the 1994 River Torrens Sculpture Park, which comprises five public artworks.

Deceptively, you’ll feel kilometres away from the Christmas crowds here. Though, in 1844, it was the site of the first Adelaide Show.

*Park 11 encompasses many parts, including Mistletoe Park* */ Tainmuntilla. Image: APA.*

As for its name, the mistletoe plant has been linked to many stories over the years. Some see it as a symbol of fertility and life, which is probably why it’s tradition to kiss underneath it at Christmastime.

Being hemiparasitic, mistletoe derives some of its energy from other plants while still engaging in photosynthesis. In winter, when many trees are bare and other plants have died away, you’ll still see it growing happily around branches.

In Adelaide, you’ll likely spot two mistletoe species: box mistletoe (Amyema miquelii) and harlequin mistletoe (Lysiana exocarpii).

*Mistletoe Park / Tainmuntilla offers some green-and-red cheer in its name. Photo: WeekendNotes.*

Stocking-filler options

Also on the festive front, if you’re stuck for eco-chic gift ideas this year, we have a few suggestions. Like the bead bracelets from Fahlo, aiding wildlife organisations.

Each bracelet tracks a real-life animal in the wild. Take your pick from a sea turtle, elephant, polar bear or shark. A percentage of the profits goes towards helping their conservation.

Or, of course, check out APA’s new, limited range of merchandise, from tea towels to aprons, face masks and tote bags – and let your green flag fly.

*Give a gift with meaning this Christmastime - like this tote bag from APA.*

Already looking ahead to New Year’s?

The council has announced a reimagined New Year’s Eve schedule this year, including fireworks, street parties, and a family-friendly festival in the East End.

City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said: “Following last year’s cancellation, we had to find ways to adapt and spread the large crowds across multiple areas of the city and North Adelaide and I’m genuinely excited about what’s planned.”

Light Up, presented by Gluttony, is the new community event in Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14).

Running from 6pm-1am, it’ll feature two lighting and pyrotechnic shows at 9.30pm and midnight. There’ll be multiple stages, roving performers, interactive displays, food, and more.

Light Up will be a ticketed event with capacity for up to 5000 people, pending COVID-19 restrictions.

There will also be five, new Midnight Moments events spread across the city and North Adelaide, with each having live music and being within proximity of a fireworks show.

The sites are:

The East End
Peel Street
Jerningham Street
Eleven, off Waymouth Street, and
Sparkke at the Whitmore

Season’s greetings!