Perth's city centre was bathed in festive magic on Saturday night as the iconic 2025 Christmas Pageant transformed St Georges Terrace into a vibrant river of colour, music, and pure Christmas joy. The beloved annual tradition drew enormous crowds, with families creating a sea of Santa hats and smiling faces along the famous boulevard.
A Star-Studded Procession of Floats and Performers
The spectacle was brought to life by an incredible 2500 performers and 21 dazzling floats, each adding a unique chapter to the night's story. The festivities kicked off with a burst of local star power as the Channel 7 float carried Perth broadcasting legends Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr, setting a joyful tone for the evening. They were joined by colleagues Ryan Daniels and Samantha Jolly, with Daniels' young son William adding to the charm.
A whirlwind of dancers in red and green followed, their energy infectious. The excitement reached a fever pitch with the arrival of the beloved Fat Cat in his big red car, much to the delight of every child lining the street. The procession was a who's who of local favourites, from the brave little Telethon stars receiving hero's applause to Home and Away cast members like Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, who waved to adoring fans.
James Stewart, who attended with his daughter Scout, highlighted the unique community spirit of the event. "WA has this real community vibe," Stewart said. "In Sydney, it would be pretty hard to do this... That's probably the best part about it." He noted how rewarding it was for the cast to connect directly with their audience, describing the cheers as "a pat on the back."
Festive Characters and Community Spirit Shine
The parade was a rolling storybook of Christmas and fairytale characters. Channel 7 newsreaders brought cheer to a nativity scene, while the unmistakable flash of orange signalled Emma Memma's arrival on the candy house float. Floats themed around Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, and a pirate ship captained by a crew including Ben Cousins as Captain Hook, captivated the crowd with their detail and whimsy.
The grand finale, as always, was the arrival of the main VIP: Santa Claus on his big red sleigh, accompanied by Channel 7's Jerrie Demasi, which drew a final, massive cheer from the terrace. A playful moment saw the Grinch get "arrested" after a cheeky attempt to steal a police officer's hat, adding comic chaos to the night.
A Unifying Tradition for Generations
Beyond the celebrity sparkle, the pageant's heart beat strongly in its celebration of community. It showcased multicultural talent, school groups, and local marching bands, weaving a tapestry of West Australian pride. For many families, it marks the true start of the festive season.
Ryan Daniels, sharing the experience with his children, called it a "beautiful, rare thing." He said, "The pageant is a real community event, the whole of Perth is involved in some way or another. It brings everyone together."
This sentiment was echoed by attendees like Leslie Smith, who watched with her grandchildren. "It's a tradition, it's been going for so many years," she said. "Each one of these children here today will bring back their grandchildren, so it's great to be part of it."
For those who missed the live magic, the entire 2025 Perth Christmas Pageant will air on Seven and 7plus on Thursday from 7pm, with a special replay on Christmas morning.
