Hundreds of thousands of people in the city for Adelaide's 2013 Credit Union Christmas Pageant Father Christmas arrives in the 2013 Credit Union Christmas Pageant on Wakefield Street. ABOUT 320,000 excited South Australians lined the city streets of Adelaide this morning for the annual Credit Union Christmas pageant, heralding the start of the festive shopping season. Gathering behind the blue honour line, some as early as 5am, excited children seemed oblivious to the early chill and enjoyed the fun and colour of the big day. But for many there was only one man who could steal the show - Father Christmas. Escorted to the main stage in front of David Jones by Pageant Queen Natalie Menz, the man in red wished for peace over the Christmas period, before heading to his home away from the North Pole, The Magic Cave, where hundreds were already patiently waiting. Olivia Paine and Ahsa Connolly watch the 2013 Credit Union Christmas Pageant on Wakefield Street. This year's pageant welcomed its first celebrity guest - last year's X Factor winner Samantha Jade, who kicked off proceedings by singing the National Anthem and her first single, What You've Done To Me, before taking her place on the Swinging On A Star float. Other familiar faces in this year's parade included local identities such as Monique Bowley from the Great Australian Bake Off, state Liberal leader Steven Marshall, Tourism Minister Leon Bignell and Sunday Mail editor David Penberthy. Pre-pageant celebrations kicked off the buzz, with performances from 50 dance groups along the route between 8.40am-8.55am. The main event started at 9.30am when the whistle blew at the corner of South Terrace and King William Street. While it was a spectacular parade of colour and excitement - as it has since it first started 81 years ago - this year's theme held a deeper message. Everybody's Welcome encourages people of all ages and cultures to stand shoulder to shoulder with a sense of equality, event manager and creative director Brian Gilbertson said ahead of the pageant. The 2013 event is a reminder to us all that everybody in a broadly based community like Adelaide is welcome to share each other's celebrations and cultures in harmony with one another. The pageant knows no boundaries," he said. Today, 172 bright and colourful sets; floats, bands, dancers and clowns entertained the crowd. When we added the Christmas Around the World float, which celebrates the cultural nature of the state, there were 179 countries represented in South Australia. Now there are over 200 countries represented in South Australia and all these groups, despite their beliefs, still come out and support the pageant with love, tolerance and peace," Mr Gilbertson said. Now the pageant has finished, there's no need to rush home. Here are some suggestions for what else to do in the city: The 9th Korean Culture and Food Festival is being held in Rundle Park, cnr East and North Tce, city, from 10am-4.30pm. While you're in the city enjoy the day that will showcase traditional dance, live music, taekwondo, exhibitions and food. Details: cityofadelaide.com.au Join a day of family activities and an opportunity to see the inner workings of South Australia's largest fire station. There will be aerial rescue exercises, firefighter computer simulations and an interactive child fire safety education display. It's on today at the Metropolitan Fire Service Adelaide Fire Station, 99 Wakefield St, Adelaide, 11.15am-2.30pm. Details: mfs.sa.gov.au After the hype of the pageant, venture into Rundle Mall for a range of free activities. Dress up and get a photo in Santa's Photobooth, sit down and colour-in with an activities pack, be entertained by roving street theatre performers between noon and 3pm and don't forget to visit Father Christmas inside the Magic Cave (in David Jones, Adelaide Central Plaza) from 11.30am. Details: rundlemall.com IKEA is opening its doors to invite all families, children and friends to come along and help celebrate this occasion and raise much needed funds for the Women's and Children's Hospital Foundation. There'll be a chance to have your photo taken with Father Christmas, so all you have to do is present your favourite teddy bear to receive a free IKEA kid's lunch pack. It's on today and tomorrow 11am-3pm, at 397 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Adelaide Airport. Details: 8154 4532 or www.ikea.com.