Festive spirit draws crowd of 30,000+ to Hobart Christmas Pageant

More than 30,000 people lined Hobart’s CBD streets today for the 43rd City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, with headline act Zindzi and the Zillionaires and a cheeky new devil mascot proving major drawcards.

Council staff used drone cameras and smart city technology to estimate the crowd size at between 30,000 and 35,000 attendees, making it one of the largest Christmas pageants in recent years.

Rum’un, the Tasmania Devils’ new mascot, made his pageant debut to enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, who judged the 50 float entries alongside Myer Hobart Store Manager Kathy Kelly and Hobart Children’s Mayor Noah Dobson, said the quality of entries made judging particularly challenging this year.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints took out the top prize for Best Christmas Themed Entry, while Alpaquitay Tasmania won Best Community Entry.

Other standout winners included South Hobart Tip Shop for Best Costumed Entry and Dancing Divas Dance School for Best Children’s Entry.

The Lord Mayor’s Award went to Scouts Tasmania, while Salsita Kids impressed the judges enough to win both the Best Dance Entry category and the coveted Myer Award.

Local marching bands added to the atmosphere, with the Derwent Valley Concert Band claiming the Best Band Entry award.

The pageant featured a diverse range of participants, including sporting clubs, multicultural organisations and community groups.