Myer Hobart Christmas Pageant

Christmas Pageant 2023

The Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant traditionally marks the start of the festive season in Hobart. 

This year saw over 45 floats and over 1200 participants, and each of them showcased wonderful displays, many of them handcrafted especially for the pageant. Thousands of people came into the city to watch the parade this year and the streets were lined with children and families.

The event filled the streets of Hobart with a huge celebration of floats, dancers, marching bands and showcased participants from a diverse range of community, school, sporting clubs and charity groups, as it made its way around the central city block.

We are delighted to announce the Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant winners below.

Pageant winners

Best Community Entry

  • Winner - Salsita Kids
  • Runner up – Indian Festivals Association of Tasmania

Best Christmas Themed Entry

  • Winner - Holy Rosary Catholic School - The Christmas Story
  • Runner up – Derwent Valley Marching Band

Best Costumed Entry

  • Winner - Thai Community of Tasmania – A Colourful Fusion of Thai Culture in Hobart
  • Runner up – Oberek Dance Group

Best Dance Entry

  • Winner – Latin Spring
  • Runner up – Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism

Best Musical Entry

  • Winner – Australian Army Band Tasmania
  • Runner up – Young Voices of Hobart

Best Band

  • Winner – City of Hobart Highland Pipe Band
  • Runner up – Southside Steppers

The Lord Mayor’s Award

  • Winner – Nepali Society of Tasmania

The Myer Award

  • Winner – Salsita Kids

Road closures

The following road closures will be in place on pageant day:

Pageant road closures map

Pageant road closures map(PNG, 152KB)

Free parking

Please note: the CBD is the area within the borders of Brisbane Street, Harrington Street, Davey Street and Campbell Street.

The CBD parking meters, City of Hobart car parks (Argyle Street, Centrepoint and Hobart Central), and the Regatta Grounds will be free.

Parking meters in the CBD will display this message on the screen: Christmas Pageant (Free Parking Saturday 18 of November only).

EasyPark will display a message when a parking space within the free area is entered.

Additionally, TasPorts will provide free parking on the Hobart waterfront on Hunter Street, along Franklin Wharf, and in the Morrison Street and Salamanca Wharf car parks.

All other parking meters outside the CBD will operate as normal.

More information about parking can be found on the car parks page:

Car parks

Regatta Grounds Free 'Park and Ride' Shuttle Service

Salamanca Shuttle

The free Regatta Grounds 'Park and Ride' Shuttle Service is running for the Pageant!

Where: The service runs between the Regatta Grounds and Franklin Square on Elizabeth Street (opposite Town Hall) in the CBD.

When: 9 am to 2 pm, every 15 minutes. The first bus takes off from the Regatta Grounds at 9 am, and the last bus leaves Franklin Square on Elizabeth Street at 2 pm.

Capacity: The bus has 18 seats, and one wheelchair space.

The bus: keep an eye out for the green Salamanca Market bus!

Argyle Street Car Park open hours

Open: 7 - 9 am and 1 - 10 pm.

Argyle Street will be closed to traffic from 9 am to 1 pm.

Please note: you need to be parked in this car park prior to 9 am and won't be able to leave until 1 pm.

Centrepoint Car Park open hours

Open: 8 - 9.15 am and 1 - 5.15 pm.

Harrington Street will be closed to traffic from 9.15 am to 1 pm.

Please note: you need to be parked in this car park prior to 9.15 am and won't be able to leave until 1 pm.

Hobart Central Car Park

Open: 8 am - 5.30 pm

This car park is not affected by road closures.

Dunn Place Car Park

Open: 8 am - 5.30 pm

This car park is not affected by road closures.

Melville Street Car Park

Open: 8.30 am - 5.30 pm

This car park is not affected by road closures.

Accessibility

The City of Hobart is committed to creating fully accessible events. We are open to your suggestions and value your contribution towards making the pageant and all our events for everyone. If you have any suggestions or feedback on how we can improve the pageant and other City of Hobart events, please contact us at events@hobartcity.com.au. All ideas and suggestions are welcome!

Accessible viewing area

  • An accessible viewing area is located opposite the pageant stage at the Liverpool Street end of Elizabeth Mall.
  • A drop-off point for the accessible viewing area is located on the corner of Bathurst and Elizabeth Streets.
  • A white picket fence and pageant signage will indicate the viewing area.
  • Space for wheelchairs and limited seating is provided.
  • Pageant Crew are available at the viewing area if you need assistance or have any questions or concerns.

Accessible parking

  • Dedicated parking spaces are available for people who hold a 'Transport Access Scheme Parking Permit' and require parking closer to the pageant route. These spaces are located on Elizabeth Street near the accessible viewing area (approximately three spaces) and Collins Street, between Harrington and Barrack Streets (approximately five spaces).
  • Limited spots may be available to small groups with minibuses to view the pageant from their vehicle. Please contact events@hobartcity.com.au a minimum of 3 days before the pageant to check availability.
  • There will be free parking at City of Hobart car parks (Argyle Street, Centrepoint and Hobart Central), CBD parking meters and the Regatta Grounds (see 'Free Parking' drop-down above for more information).
  • A free shuttle bus will run between the Regatta Grounds and Franklin Square from 9 am to 2 pm. The bus has 18 seats and one wheelchair space (see 'Free Parking' drop-down above for more information).

AUSLAN

The MC and Judges located at the pageant stage (opposite the Accessible Viewing Area) will be AUSLAN interpreted.

Auslan logo

Guide dogs and service animals

  • Guide dogs and service animals are welcome at the event. Water bowls will be available to keep dogs hydrated at the Accessible Viewing Area and the Info & Help Desk.

Sensory information

  • The Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant draws many spectators annually across the busy Hobart CBD.
  • Pageant attendees can expect large crowds, loud noises, lights and sirens.
  • Limited spots may be available to small groups with minibuses to view the pageant from their vehicle. Please contact events@hobartcity.com.au a minimum of 3 days before the pageant to check availability.

Viewing options

  • There are no reserved or allocated public viewing areas at the Christmas Pageant (except for the Accessible Viewing Area).
  • Spectators are encouraged to find a viewing spot by 10 am to ensure they catch the great variety of entertainment around the 1.6 km pageant route.
  • Spectators are not permitted to congregate around the Royal Hobart Hospital on Argyle and Liverpool Streets. This area must be kept clear for ambulances entering and exiting the hospital.

Toilets

Public toilets, including accessible toilets and changing places, are located throughout the city, for information visit the National Public Toilet Map website:

Public Toilet Map

Info & Help Desk

The pageant Info & Help Desk will be located in Elizabeth Mall next to Tourist Information. If you need assistance or have any questions or concerns, please visit the Info & Help Desk, and we will be happy to assist.

First aid

In the case of a medical emergency during the event call 000.

For minor medical attention please speak to one of the pageant staff, easily identified by their hi-vis vests or Medical Edge First Responders, located in Elizabeth Mall.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Events in Tasmania are no longer regulated by specific COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines. However, events must still be conducted safely and in accordance with the requirements and recommendations of local government, workplace health and safety regulators, and others.

Please consider the following before attending this event:

  • Stay home if you are unwell.
  • If you become unwell at the event, please leave the event.
  • Where practicable keep some distance from other people or social groups.
  • Wash and sanitise your hands.
  • You are welcome to wear a face mask. Wearing a face mask can reduce the risk of catching or spreading viral infections, especially when space is limited. Particularly consider wearing a face mask if you are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and/or the community incidence of COVID-19 is moderate or high.

For more information please visit the Department of Health website.

Weather

The pageant is an all-weather event. The event will run rain or shine – unless weather conditions become extreme or dangerous and pose a serious safety risk. Please check the forecast and plan ahead.

List of participants

  • Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
  • Hobart Social Skates
  • Derwent Scottish Band
  • ExitLeft
  • Illawarra Primary School Jumping Jacks
  • Clown Doctors
  • Shrek and Fiona
  • Holy Rosary Catholic School
  • Nepali Society of Tasmania
  • Hobart City Council - Steam Roller
  • Hobart Junior Football Club
  • Derwent Valley Concert Band Inc.
  • Faerie Land
  • Barbie and Ken
  • Unions Tasmania
  • RACT
  • Indian Festivals Association of Tasmania
  • Hobart Junior Roller Derby
  • Southside Steppers
  • Scouts Tasmania
  • TasPop
  • Young Voices of Hobart
  • Cancer Council Tasmania
  • Panchajanya Pty Ltd
  • Our City Canopy
  • The Faerie Shop
  • Pipe Bands Tasmania
  • Cricket Tasmania
  • Oberek Dance Group
  • Southern City BMX Club
  • Waimea Heights Primary School
  • Dancing Divas Dance School
  • Lindisfarne Junior Football Club
  • Thai Community of Tasmania
  • Dynasty DrillDance
  • Salsita Kids
  • City of Hobart Highland Pipe Band
  • ABC Hobart
  • Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism
  • Richmond Speedway Inc
  • This Theatre Company
  • Van Diemen Fencing Club
  • Latin Spring
  • Tas Fire Museum
  • North Pole
  • Australian Army Band Tasmania
  • Santa

Thank you

The City of Hobart would like to thank our naming rights sponsor Myer My Store.

Myer logo

We would also like to thank everyone who is supporting the Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant this year.

A special thank you to Naomi Marantelli and her creative expertise to assist with the design of the floats in this year's parade. Thank you also to our Santa who has been bringing joy and magic to the event every year.

This wonderful community Christmas celebration would not have been possible without your support.

When

  • Saturday, 18 November 2023 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM