Christmas History, Magic Cave and the Adelaide Christmas Pageant
‘The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant’ book is a rare and charming historical account of the miracle of community spirit and fun during the Christmas season. Both children’s gifts were created during times of despair for the South Australian community.
Adelaide 1963
Beautifully presented, this book brings you the origins of the mythological Christmas story from around the world, together with heart-warming stories of South Australia’s own unique, legendary Christmas events.
‘The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant’ is a must have for any Christmas enthusiast and will appeal not only to South Australians, but to sentimentalists world wide. This comprehensive social history is sure to melt your heart, educate and amaze you, sparking your own Christmas spirit.
The David Jones Magic Cave
‘The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant’ book details the story behind the two most highly valued gifts created for South Australians of all ages and children of all nationalities. Beginning in 1896, The Magic Cave was designed to bring joy to the community during a time of devastation in Adelaide. It became a city playground for children during the lead up to Christmas. The Magic Cave remains on its original site to this day and traditional family visits, introducing new generations of children, continues each year as it has for over 114 years.
The Adelaide Christmas Pageant began in 1933 and is distinctly different to other Christmas pageants or parades because of its composition. Find out why!
The Magic Cave and the Christmas Pageant is an internationally unique children’s event celebrating Santa’s arrival at his holiday home, in the Southern Hemisphere, six weeks before Xmas Eve.
Other subjects and events covered in detail within ‘The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant’ book include;
- The development and construction of the Magic Cave
- The origin of Santa Claus
- Santa’s Mailbox at John Martin’s
- Carousel and rocking horse historical facts especially Nipper and Nimble, the rocking horses in the Magic Cave.
- John Martin’s store window Nativity scenes
- Pageants around the world and through the ages
- Adelaide’s 1st Christmas Pageant
- SATAC, David Jones and the Credit Union Partnership
- Float Construction
- Reasons for Marching Bands in Pageants.
- Christmas mythologies and their origins
- Artists and much more!
1937 - Nimble
The author of The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant, Lee Lennan, believes her passion for this Christmas story and its history began growing in 1979 after visiting the Magic Cave and watching the Adelaide Christmas Pageant with her young children. She began looking for the history of these events to share with her girls, but found there was very little available. This encouraged her to delve further and eventually decide to compile her findings, to create a proper record of these two remarkably unique Christmas traditions. The result is this beautiful, yet comprehensive book.
Find splendid colourful imagery and facts on every page of this unique magical book.
Feel your heart and mind being joyfully moved throughout this touching social history.
Discover a deeper appreciation for traditional community Christmas celebrations.
Explore the rest of the pages in this website to gain more insight into this book. Check our website for unpublished stories and little known facts.
The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant is a book that has great appeal to young and old alike, from all walks of life. Secure your copy today. Share the stories with your family & friends.
This is a book that will be passed down through generations to come…
To obtain your copy or to view ordering options click here
