Extended Shopping Hours for Black Friday and Christmas in Adelaide

Retailers in the city can open until midnight on Black Friday and three selected weekdays before Christmas Day as part of trading hour extensions during the festive season.

The State Government has confirmed shops can keep their doors open on 29 November, Black Friday, as well as Thursday 19 December, Friday 20 December and Monday 23 December.

Trading hour extensions will be across the city and metropolitan Adelaide.

Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) Executive Manager Rundle Mall Andrew White says the city will take full advantage of longer trading hours.

“The countdown is on until Christmas and we expect November and December to be the two busiest months of the year for Rundle Mall,” Mr White says.

“We know South Australians love the opportunity to shop, eat, drink and have fun in Rundle Mall later in the evening.

“Last year, we saw the number of visitors increase by up to 25 percent and spending rise by up to 70 percent on days when the Mall was open until midnight.

“Extra opening hours means more time to shop at a busy time of year, more hours for stores to make sales, and more shifts for retail workers.”

Businesses can still choose to open later than 9am, or not at all on Sundays and Boxing Day, if they wish. Workers can also refuse to work these days.

Trading hour extensions came into effect following consultation between businesses and unions, as well as changes to the Shop Trading Hours (extension of Hours) Amendment Act 2022.

It comes as Rundle Mall welcomed Father Christmas to Rundle Mall—the heart of the festive season in Adelaide—following the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant on 2 November.

As part of silly season celebrations, The Santa Course returns to the city where shoppers and visitors can find 10 giant Father Christmases across the CBD and North Adelaide.

Upon finding a Father Christmas, shoppers can scan a QR code to enter a competition. The more Father Christmases you visit, the more entries into the competition to WIN Santa's Sleigh of Surprises.

Towering, inflatable Santas will also pop up across the Mall, while visitors can also swing for joy on illuminated festive bells, inspired by the traditional Christmas decorations.

Father Christmas told tens of thousands of people at the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant he looks forward to experiencing the festive season in the city following his warm welcome to Rundle Mall.

“I wish you joy, peace and love for Christmas and throughout the whole year,” he said.

To find out more about festive activities in Rundle Mall, click here.