Father Christmas's annual arrival in Adelaide was met with adoration. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke )
Thousands have lined the streets for the Adelaide Christmas Pageant, marking the start of the festive season in the city.
Pageant-goers flocked to the city early to secure good spots, ahead of the arrival of Father Christmas.
While the David Jones collapse has left a cloud over the Magic Cave, the popular Christmas attraction remains open.
More than 300,000 people are estimated to have lined the streets for this year's Adelaide Christmas Pageant, the 94th edition of the annual yuletide parade.
Pageant-goers arrived in the city early, along with hundreds of performers who gathered near South Terrace and King William Road, ahead of the much-loved parade.
Young faces lined the CBD streets to watch the floats pass by, ahead of the arrival of Father Christmas. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke )
Five new floats were added to this year's line-up, including The Magic Hat and A Bumper Christmas.
"Seeing all the floats go past, they love it," one parent said while sitting with his family.
Hundreds of performers took part in the event. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke )
Organisers believe about 335,000 people turned out for the event, which culminated with the much-anticipated arrival of Father Christmas.
Beneath grey skies, a slight shadow was cast on proceedings by the collapse of David Jones, whose Adelaide store has hosted the children's Christmas attraction, the Magic Cave, for almost three decades, although it will continue operating for the time being.
But, overwhelmingly, there were beaming smiles along the event's route.
Five new floats were added to this year's line-up. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke )
Renowned children's entertainer Emma Watkins, better known by her stage name Emma Memma, said she was thrilled to be back after making her debut last year.
This year Watkins was part of the float The Sounds and Signs of Christmas, a reference to her push to help make entertainment more accessible for deaf and and hearing children alike.
Emma Memma says she is thrilled to be back for the Christmas Pageant. ( ABC News: Stephen Opie )
"Today is the first time that my co-performer Elvin Lam is actually joining me in the pageant," she said.
"It's his first Christmas pageant ever, and Elvin is profoundly deaf, and he will be signing throughout the whole parade."
Kunal Dhingra and his family were among those who rose early to secure good spots.
"I can see a lot of people are here from different backgrounds. All the kids are really happy," he said while holding his slightly tired infant daughter.
"We're here from 6am, she woke up pretty early."
Kunal Dhingra and his family were among the early risers. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke )
A cross-section of the community was present at the time-honoured parade, with young pageant-goer Miabelle saying she relished "spending time with my cousins" and seeing the floats.
"There's one big teddy bear I'm looking forward to," she said.
Another attendee, a local grandmother, said her connection to the event went back decades.
"Now I get to enjoy it with my grandchildren.
"I just love it. I think I'd come without the kids, if I had to."
The event brings Christmas magic to the streets of Adelaide. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke )
The Magic Cave, held in David Jones at the Adelaide Central Plaza, has been part of the city's Christmas landscape since 1998 when its original host John Martin's closed down.
While the Magic Cave welcomed Father Christmas this year, questions have emerged about what lies ahead for the attraction.
Last week, David Jones went into voluntary administration, with 19 of its 38 stores slated for closure across Australia and New Zealand.
Organisers estimate more than 300,000 people attended. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke )
In SA, stores in Westfield Marion and Westfield West Lakes will shut down by the end of the year.
But the store in Rundle Mall will remain open, and locals are keen to keep the Magic Cave as part of Adelaide's Christmas festivities.
"It's an Adelaide icon, bringing my now baby like when I was a kid, and now letting her do it," local woman Erin said.
"We need David Jones … we need the Magic Cave, the kids love it, it's one thing they look forward to."
Entertainers were everywhere to be seen on the city's streets. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke )
