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The magic of Christmas at the Mortlock 


This year the magic of Christmas comes to the Mortlock, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

There is something for everyone to see and discover, from the largest indoor Christmas tree in Adelaide, storytelling sessions under the tree, to fascinating and fun displays of all things Christmas from the State Library’s collections.

Hear the sounds of Christmas including carols, and songs by Patsy Biscoe, Kamahl and Jimmy Barnes. There are also beautiful books and toys from our Children’s Literature Research Collection on display. 

Building on the success of last year, the State Library together with SA Power Networks are excited to bring some Christmas cheer and magic by lighting up the tree in the majestic Mortlock.

Come and see our giant tree

Visit the Mortlock Chamber and see the largest indoor Christmas tree in Adelaide. Take a seat under the tree or in our cosy reading nook and enjoy the Christmas storybooks with your friends and family. 

Find out more

Take a selfie with the giant tree

Christmas competition

Share a selfie of yourself, friends or family when visiting our Christmas at the Mortlock display and go in the running to win a special behind-the-scenes experience at the State Library. Find out more

Discover the 12 Mortlock Treasures

Find the Christmas objects from our collection featured in the display cabinets and explore the Mortlock using the bookmark Discover the 12 Mortlock Treasures

Find out more
 

School choirs

Singing in the Mortlock

Join us in the Mortlock Chamber on Tuesday 30 November to Friday 3 December as local school choirs fill the Chamber with Christmas cheer.

Find out more

Christmas storytelling

In the Mortlock

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the Mortlock, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...but there were stories to tell!

Join us as local authors and storytellers share their favourite Christmas stories under our giant Christmas tree in the Mortlock Chamber.

Book now

Christmas display

Our Christmas display takes you back to how South Australians celebrated Christmas through the generations. See photographs from decades of South Australia’s much-loved Christmas Pageant, menus from Christmas dinners aboard ships, and more.

Our latest donation is on display in all its pop-up glory, a Father Christmas moveable book (1961) by Czechoslovakian paper artist Vojtěch Kubašta (b.1914 Vienna, d.1992 Prague). Kubašta was one of the most prolific and inventive paper engineers in the history of children’s pop-up books. Discover more

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Acknowledgment of Traditional Owners

The State Library of South Australia acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations, and recognises Aboriginal people as traditional custodians and occupants of South Australian land and waters.

Image credits
  1. A children's choir in a procession in Adelaide. SLSA: PRG 280/1/22/189
  2. Kubašta Vojtěch (illustrator), Father Christmas, London, Bancroft & Co, 1961, Czechoslovakia: [Artia]. Children’s Literature Research Collection.
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