It will feature panel discussions with riders and experts, the race live streamed on the big screen, and a space for fans to cool off in the new ‘recovery zone’ featuring ice baths, physio and localised cryotherapy.
Patrons can enjoy daily knock-off hour drinks thanks to Hahn and Seppeltsfield wines, with key South Australian food vendors including Pellegrino Pizzeria, Rik’s Grill ‘the Home of Low’n’Slow’, and Moi An Vietnamese Street Food.
Family fun will also be a focus across the 10-day festival, including a full Family Day program of events on Saturday 13 January, a Family Day Ride for children 12 and under, activity stations, and a book signing by dual Olympic athlete and world BMX champion Caroline Buchanan.
Cycling fans will have exclusive access to the women’s and men’s WorldTour teams, with the ability to walk through the Team Zones, watch the mechanics in action, and meet and greet their favourite cyclists. The largest bike expo in the southern hemisphere will also return to the City of Adelaide Tour Village, showcasing the latest technology and brands in cycling.
The 2024 Santos Tour Down Under will also see the return of the much-loved street party, the Unley Gala as part of the festival program revealed today.
Extending the benefits of the Santos Festival of Cycling beyond the city, the Unley Gala (formerly Unley Gourmet Gala) will take over King William Road on Saturday 20 January with a showcase of South Australian food and beverage, as well as fashion, family activities, music, and entertainment.
Last held in 2020 when it attracted 20,000 visitors, the Unley Gala is the longest running event associated with the Santos Tour Down Under and generates almost $1 million for the local economy.
Other community events taking place as part of the program include the Glenelg Ice Cream Festival and the Sandbar in Christies Beach, as well as multiple events held throughout Adelaide and regional South Australia at the race stage start and finish lines.
The Santos Tour Down Under is taking place across Adelaide and regional South Australia from 12 to 21 January 2024, featuring nine days of elite racing for men and women.
In 2023, the Santos Tour Down Under generated $66.5 million for South Australia’s visitor economy and created 776 full-time equivalent jobs.
See the full Santos Festival of Cycling program at tourdownunder.com.au
As put by Zoe Bettison
Building on the momentum of the 2023 event, the Santos Tour Down Under will once again drive visitors to our city and surrounding regions, boosting our leisure and business sectors.
This year has been a bumper year for tourism in South Australia with record-high visitor expenditure. The Santos Tour Down Under is one of our state’s world-class major events contributing to this record spend, with the 2023 event creating 776 full-time jobs and injecting $66.5 million into our economy.
This event is a world class cycling race, but the festival that supports it, is what makes the Santos Tour Down Under a unique visitor experience.
The Santos Tour Down Under has something for everyone, from cycling fans to those who are looking to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the festival atmosphere, there is nowhere else in Australia to be this January.
As put by Michael Hewitson AM, Mayor City of Unley
We are thrilled to bring the popular Unley Gala back to King William Road in 2024, after a four-year break.
The Unley Gala is a fabulous opportunity for Unley retailers and restaurants to showcase some of Adelaide’s finest fashion, food and music to tens of thousands of revellers at this much-loved summer street party.
In keeping with our 20-year tradition of staging this spectacular summer street party, the Unley Gala will have something for all ages, from stellar live music performances to fashion parades, roving performers and children’s entertainment.
