Ninth Avenue Christmas Lights: Council boosts support to improve safety

The Ninth Avenue Christmas Lights event has become a much-loved tradition in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, drawing thousands of families each December to enjoy the festive displays created by residents of Ninth Avenue in St Peters.

The Council is proud to continue supporting this long-standing and community-led celebration over the 2025 Christmas period, while also taking important steps to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families visiting the displays.

“The Council is pleased to be supporting the 2025 Ninth Avenue Christmas Lights event by allocating more than $60,000 in traffic management to ensure the safety of patrons and residents visiting the light display,” says Mayor Robert Bria.

Given the ongoing success of the event, this has become an important issue.

Safety a priority

In response to concerns raised by local residents, the Council is funding $63,000 for a robust traffic management plan for the month of December. This plan, developed with the support of South Australian Police (SAPOL), aims to:

• Protect pedestrians, especially children and families
• Ensure safe access for emergency services
• Improve traffic flow and parking management
• Minimise disruption for all local residents.

This support reflects the Council’s commitment to balancing the joy and success of the event with the practical day-to-day needs of the broader local community.

To further prioritise pedestrian safety, food truck permits will not be issued during the event. This decision—supported by SAPOL—comes following concerns that food trucks further increase congestion on footpaths, forcing pedestrians onto the roadway and thereby increasing the risk of accidents.

A joyful event for all

As the Ninth Avenue Christmas Lights remains a community-led event, the Council has met with residents to hear their feedback and offer suggestions that have greater outcomes for all local residents. These include encouraging participants to consider the timing and duration of their displays to help reduce the impact on their neighbours in the busy lead-up to Christmas.

Importantly, the Council has no authority or intention to restrict participation or timing of the light displays. Instead, it continues to support the event by fostering cooperation and offering practical solutions.

Over the years, the Council has provided signage, waste bins and parking support to help the event run smoothly. As the event has grown, so too has the need for thoughtful planning—and the traffic management investment that was provided last year and will be provided again this year, reflects that growth.

“We’re pleased to support this cherished event that is organised by residents while putting measures in place to ensure the safety of all who attend,” adds Mayor Bria.

“With the help and support of SAPOL and the cooperation of residents, we’re confident this year’s display will be magical and safe.”

Find out what else is on this Festive Season, visit: What's on this Christmas