Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant: Festivities and happy families light up Perth city for 53rd year

Festive cheer filled the air when more than 100,000 happy faces swarmed the Perth city for the 53rd annual Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant.

The massive turnout has been celebrated as “one of the biggest” ever after families filled St Georges Terrace to soak in all things festive.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the pageant, which included fireworks, was the “perfect tonic” for families doing it tough.

“The combination of the perfect weather and the reimagined floats, new participants in the pageant, and some of the big-name guest stars really drew the crowd out,” Mr Zempilas said.

“Saturday night’s crowd was one of the biggest we’ve seen in the past decade.

“There’s so many Christmas events on in the city, but the Christmas pageant has always been a generational favourite.”

The stars of the show, yet again, were Santa, Mrs Claus and their elves.

Home and Away stars James Stewart and Ada Nicodemou also made the journey to be part of Perth’s Christmas festivities.

The real-life couple — who play Home and Away love interests Justin Morgan and Leah Patterson — said they couldn’t say no to a trip to Perth.

“I love coming to Perth, everyone’s so lovely and any opportunity I get, I try and come over,” Nicodemou said.

Channel 7 personalities dressed up for the occasion in an assortment of colourful characters, including Peter Pan Tinker Bell — which was a giant hit with the crowd.

One of the many festive faces eagerly watching on Saturday night was nine-year-old Emily Lockhart.

“I’m so excited to see Santa . . . it’s so much fun,” she said.

“I really want Santa to bring me a buggy so I can ride the streets around my house.”

The 2024 Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant, which first ran in 1972, was supported by Channel 7, The West Australian, the City of Perth and RAC.