Pageant King and Queen prepare for Father Christmas' arrival ROYALTY: Pageant King Kym Burls and Queen Natalie Menz are ready for the big day. FINISHING TOUCHES: Christmas Pageant Elf Leah Puillen gets ready for Saturday's pageant. MORE than 300,000 South Australians are set to welcome Father Christmas to a slightly cooler climate than usual at ­today's Christmas Pageant. With the mercury tipped to only reach 17C and showers clearing, it will be a cooler event than in years past, and the bearded man in the red suit is sure to be glad of the change. Despite the lower temperatures and cloud cover, Cancer Council volunteers will dish out free sunscreen at the event amid warnings UV levels remain "very high." Council chief executive Professor Brenda Wilson urged parents to protect their children from sunburn, saying failure to take precautions will leave children "with noses as red as Rudolph's." Around 300,000 people are expected to line the pageant route to celebrate this year's theme Everybody's Welcome and to wave at Father Christmas as he makes his way from South Terrace to the Magic Cave. This year's Pageant King, Kym Burls, and Pageant Queen, Natalie Menz, have put the finishing touches to the David Jones Magic Cave and have made sure everything is in place for Father Christmas' arrival. The pageant royals are looking forward to seeing children's faces light up at one of the biggest events of the year to mark the festive season. GALLERY: Images from 2012 Pageant "It will be great to see everyone happy and smiling," Queen Natalie said. All of South Australia comes together to see such an iconic event. King Kym said they will be spreading the magic of Christmas at the Women's and Children's Hospital after the pageant to bring cheer to sick children. "The visit to the hospital and interacting with the children is a highlight to bring that personal touch and bring the pageant to them," he said. The pageant will be travelling a slightly different route around Victoria Square due to the current redevelopment. If you are driving to the city, many of the UParks are offering all-day pageant parking for only $6, with entry before 9.30am, exit by 6pm (except UPark Central Market, where normal charges apply). Adelaide Metro is providing extra buses, trains and trams, including extra rail and substitute buses. For the first time there will be two designated reserved ­areas on Wakefield St for wheelchair access. Space is limited and is on a first-come-first-serve basis for people in wheelchairs and their immediate family/carer. Don't forget to send us your favourite pageant pictures to advertiser.com.au/newsforce