Festivals & Events

From cycling to cabaret and food to Fringe, South Australia has a string of major events and festivals held across Adelaide and regional South Australia. The atmosphere in Mad March is at an all-time high with the Fringe Festival, WOMADelaide and the Adelaide Festival taking over the city.

All year-round there are great events happening in Adelaide and South Australia - from music gigs and concerts to sports events, festivals, feasts, markets, theatre shows and exhibitions.

Festivals and Events not to be missed include:

Santos Tour Down Under

Inaugurated in 1999, the Santos Tour Down Under, stands as the largest cycling race in the southern hemisphere. Spanning 10 days each January, the event attracts UCI WorldTour professional cycling teams, featuring both male and female athletes racing on the streets of Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Adelaide Festival

The internationally renowned Adelaide Festival, recognised as Australia's pre-eminent arts festival, held in March amid South Australia's festival season. Celebrating creative excellence, it ranks among the world's top three festivals, with a program showcasing a striking cross-section of music, theatre, dance, literature and visual art from artists of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Adelaide Fringe

Adelaide Fringe, Australia's largest arts festival, transforms the city and South Australia for 31 vibrant days and nights. With 6,000+ independent artists in 300+ venues, it offers diverse events from cabaret to VR experiences.

WOMADelaide

WOMADelaide, held on Kaurna People's traditional lands in Botanic Park, is an iconic open-air festival celebrating cultural discovery. Since 1992, it has showcased the best in global music, arts, dance, and ideas. Featuring artists like Ziggy Marley, Baaba Maal, and more.

Barossa Vintage Festival

Barossa Vintage Festival unfolds against the captivating autumnal landscapes of Barossa and Eden Valley. A five-day biennial event, its 75-year history has seen continual evolution, attracting 70+ events and 70,000+ visitors. The 75th Anniversary promises a jubilant celebration of the post-vintage harvest, showcasing the nuanced character of this epic corner of the world.

Illuminate Adelaide

In South Australia, winter ignites late nights, bright lights, and grand adventures during Illuminate Adelaide. Throughout July, the premier winter event transforms the city and state with art, music, technology, and invention, creating a city-wide spectacle that invites everyone to shake off the winter blues and rediscover a sense of wonder. A diverse program of free and ticketed events by local, national, and international artists giving you an opportunity to awaken imaginations and let curiosity run wild.

Tasting Australia

Tasting Australia by RAA Travel is a longstanding eating and drinking festival, celebrating the synergy of people, produce, and place. In autumn, the festival invites audiences to explore beyond the ordinary, offering unique culinary experiences across the state, from global chef collaborations to regional getaways. Whether on a Tasting Australia Airlines flight or in Adelaide's Town Square, it creates lasting memories with distinct South Australian flavors.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival

In its 24th year in 2024, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival stands as the world's largest cabaret festival, holding a prominent place in the global and Australian arts calendar. Renowned for showcasing exceptional artists, the festival presents a diverse program of classic and contemporary cabaret performances.

OzAsia

OzAsia Festival, Australia's premier contemporary arts festival engaging with Asia, presents a bold and diverse lineup each year. It showcases top talent in theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, and more from across Asia, fostering cultural connections and conversations. Highlights include the Moon Lantern Trail for families and the popular Lucky Dumpling Market. In Other Words, the festival's writing and ideas program, serves as the largest showcase for Asian and Asian Australian writers and thinkers, exploring Australia's engagement with Asia.

Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

For over 30 years, the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge has attracted global innovators to Australia, challenging them to create solar-powered vehicles. Teams of students travel 3,000 kilometers from Darwin to Adelaide in vehicles designed and built by them. The event, occurring every two years, engages a global audience and fosters industry partnerships, contributing to advancements in sustainable transport. Bridgestone World Solar Challenge alumni have gone on to work with leading companies in engineering, automotive, and sustainable transport.

LIV Golf Adelaide

Experience golf like never before. 12 teams, 48 players, 54 holes, no cuts, and shotgun starts. Australia's only LIV Golf tournament returns to The Grange Golf Club, featuring world-class players like Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson. Join the high-stakes action from April 26-28, 2024, with a festival-style Fan Village offering great food, drinks, interactive fun, and live music at the Après Golf Concerts.

AFL Gather Round 2024

For the second edition of Gather Round in the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, all 18 AFL clubs will converge on South Australia. Highlights include matches at Mount Barker, a Saturday double-header at Adelaide Oval, and the return of the Food and Wine Festival at Norwood Oval. The family-friendly free Footy Festival will also return to Elder Park. All the clubs, players, matches, and entertainment – Gather Round it!

Adelaide International Tennis

The Adelaide International, a professional tennis tournament on outdoor hard courts at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, is part of the WTA and ATP tours. Witness world-class tennis action as top players compete at the Drive. The tournament is held in January or February each year.

VAILO Adelaide 500

The renowned Adelaide Street Circuit hosts excellent racing and a vibrant race atmosphere. As Australia's largest domestic ticketed motorsport event, the Adelaide 500 serves as the season finale for the Repco Supercars Championship. An action-packed weekend with driver autograph sessions, exotic vehicle displays, family entertainment, and more. The festivities continue off the track with headlining acts at the VAILO Adelaide 500 After-Race Concert in the scenic Adelaide parklands.

Winter Reds

Indulge in the winter warmth of the Adelaide Hills during Winter Reds. With rain pelting the window of a rustic cellar door and a roaring fire, experience wineries and iconic venues whether it's for a cosy long lunches, fireside feasts, live music, art, trails, or family-friendly events – there's something for everyone!

View the events calendar to see a full list of upcoming events in Adelaide and regional South Australia.