Adelaide shoppers will have a little extra time to tick off their Christmas gift lists this year, with three nights of midnight trading confirmed for December, giving locals the chance to shop well into the evening in the lead-up to Christmas.
The extended trading hours will see stores across Adelaide able to remain open until midnight on Thursday 17 December, Tuesday 22 December and Wednesday 23 December 2026.
For anyone juggling work, family commitments and the Christmas rush, the additional hours offer a welcome opportunity to get some last-minute shopping done without having to squeeze everything into the weekend.
The confirmed midnight trading dates are:
- Friday 27 November: Black Friday midnight trading
- Thursday 17 December: Christmas midnight trading
- Tuesday 22 December: Christmas midnight trading
- Wednesday 23 December: Christmas midnight trading
The three December dates were selected following consultation with businesses, shopping centres and unions, with the State Government saying the arrangement aims to balance greater shopping flexibility with workers’ rights to time off.
The decision follows another successful year of extended trading in 2025, when shoppers spent more than $66 million in the City of Adelaide across the three Christmas midnight trading days.
Friday 19 December 2025 was the biggest spending day of the entire year, with more than $28 million spent in the city in just one day.
Black Friday also delivered a significant boost for city retailers, generating more than $22.5 million in spending during last year’s midnight trading day.
Deputy Premier Kyam Maher said this would mark the fifth year of three Christmas midnight trading days, with feedback from shopping centres and customers overwhelmingly positive.
“Having the ability to shop late in the evenings on these three extra nights means shoppers can start their shopping closer to Christmas or stock up on any last minute gifts.”
In the heart of the CBD, Rundle Mall is expected to be a major destination for Christmas shoppers, with its extensive mix of retailers, dining venues and gift stores providing plenty of options for those making the most of the extended hours.
“Christmas midnight trading is a much-loved Rundle Mall tradition, with more than 1,000 retailers across fashion, beauty, technology, homewares, dining and gifting,” Rundle Mall Executive Manager Andrew White said.
The extended trading arrangements were introduced following changes to South Australia’s shop trading laws in November 2022, allowing midnight trading on Black Friday and up to three weekdays each December.
The same reforms also brought forward Sunday trading to 9am across Adelaide and made Boxing Day trading permanent in the city and suburbs, excluding larger supermarkets.
Regional South Australian retailers operate under deregulated trading hours, meaning businesses can determine their own opening and closing times.
With Christmas fast approaching, the extra shopping nights will give Adelaide locals more opportunities to find those perfect presents, enjoy the festive atmosphere and support local retailers before the big day.
Individual store opening hours may vary, so shoppers are encouraged to check with their preferred retailers before heading out.
Related
Previous articleSA Government calls urgent roundtable to tackle violence against healthcare workers
