McLaren Vale came alive with festive colour and Christmas cheer on Sunday as close to 50 floats, community groups and entertainers rolled through the main street for this year’s Christmas Pageant.

From grease monkeys to fairies, tractors, vintage fire trucks, dance crews and skateboarders — and of course a visit from Santa — the procession drew thousands of spectators who later made their way to the Piazza to enjoy food stalls, music and a relaxed community celebration.

Chair of the McLaren Vale Business & Tourism Association (MVBTA), Megan Caldersmith, said the event captured the essence of the region and its people.

“The Pageant is such a beautiful reflection of who we are as a community — creative, connected and always willing to come together to make something special,” she says.

“Seeing so many groups, families and volunteers pitch in is a reminder of the heart that makes McLaren Vale such a wonderful place to live.”

The MVBTA thanked its major partners, Bendigo Bank and the City of Onkaparinga, along with Gold Sponsor Kalyra, and all silver and bronze supporters whose backing, alongside the work of volunteers, made the event possible.

With the Christmas Pageant wrapped for another year, attention now turns to the next major celebration for the region — the return of the Tour Down Under.

Photo credit: Carney Sims