‘s world-famous events and festivals showcase our exceptional food and wine, sport, art and vibrant city life. It’s no surprise then that we are known across the country as the ‘festival state’. But, the party doesn’t stop in Adelaide. Our regions will find any excuse for a celebration, with events and festivals that show off the best of our state’s food, wine, fashion, art and design.
Find out what’s on throughout the year in South Australia.
1. Festival of Cycling / SANTOS Tour Down Under, January
Pedalling across South Australia in January, The Santos Tour Down Under (or the domestic Festival of Cycling event for the 2020 – 2022 season) is Australia’s greatest cycling event, welcoming the world’s best to the city of Adelaide and South Australia’s beautiful regions. Tour time provides the perfect opportunity to see, eat and drink your way around the Barossa, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills.
2. Laneway Festival, February
The international music festival, Laneway, is all about showcasing contemporary Australian and international music in a totally unique setting. In the past the festival has attracted record-breaking numbers, drawing crowds from all across the country to the trendy, street art-splashed Port Adelaide.
3. Adelaide Fringe Festival, February – March
Adelaide Fringe is the party that defines this city! It is the largest open-access festival in the Southern Hemisphere, bursting at the seams with local, interstate and international five-star acts that transform the state for 31 wonderful days and nights. In 2019, there were 1,326 registered shows playing in 500 venues scattered around South Australia. Whether you’re a cabaret connoisseur, comedy king or queen, theatre tragic or just want to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere, there’s something for you at Adelaide Fringe. Fringe is back in 2022 from February 18 to March 20, 2021.
4. WOMADelaide, March
Each year, sounds from around the world fill Adelaide’s beautiful Botanic Park as part of WOMADelaide. Awarded Australia’s best contemporary music festival at the Helpmann Awards, WOMAD is Australia’s ultimate feast for the senses, set in a glorious 34-hectare green oasis. WOMADelaide is set to take over Adelaide from March 11 to 14, 2022 with an impressive line-up – including A.B Original, Baker Boy, The Cat Empire and Electric Fields.
5. Adelaide Festival, March
For 60 years, Adelaide Festival audiences have delighted in an outstanding mix of internationally acclaimed theatre productions, an eclectic array of world-class musicians, breathtaking dance pieces, renowned writers and striking visual arts displays. Immerse yourself from March 4 to March 20, 2022 in venues across South Australia.
6. TASTING AUSTRALIA, APRIL – MAY
South Australia’s food and wine are renowned the world over and for 10 sumptuous days one of Australia’s oldest food festivals dishes up the very best from around the state. With events across South Australia showcasing the best produce served up by our most awarded chefs, winemakers and restaurateurs, Tasting Australia is foodie heaven. Long lunches, exclusive dinners, farm tours, tastings, masterclasses and a celebration of food in Adelaide’s Town Square, loosen your belt buckle for a gourmet feast like no other. Experience every flavour of South Australia from April 29 to May 8, 2022.
7. Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, May
One of South Australia‘s premier wine regions, the Clare Valley is home to world-famous wineries with a beautiful country backdrop. The Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend was the first food and wine event of its kind in Australia. Each year, you can expect tastings, regionally inspired cuisine and full-blown feasts at more than 20 gorgeous Clare Valley wineries.
8. The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, June
Running throughout June, the dazzling Adelaide Cabaret Festival will see some of the world’s biggest acts sashay across the stage at venues throughout Adelaide. The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world with major events at the Dunstan Playhouse, Festival Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre and Artspace. Catch a show between June 10 to June 25, 2022.
9. McLaren Vale Sea and Vines Festival, June
The McLaren Vale Sea and Vines Festival celebrates the culinary and winemaking traditions of one of Australia’s best gastronomic destinations. From masterclasses, food trucks and live music to degustation dinners and tastings, it’s a feast for all five senses less than an hour away from Adelaide’s CBD in the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula.
10. The Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival, July
The Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival is a showcase of South Australian, Australian and international beer and cider with 50 mouth-watering exhibitors pouring and cooking up a storm in the Adelaide Showground’s historic Brick Cattle Pavillion. The barbie will be lit from July 15 to July 17, 2022.
11. Winter Reds Weekend, July
Shrug off your jacket and shake your scarf free when the Adelaide Hills plays host to the annual Winter Reds Weekend. Be tempted by more than 30 beautiful Adelaide Hills wineries offering sumptuous events, tastings and entertainment both day and night. Swirl some of the best deep reds around from July 29 to 31, 2022.
12. SALA Festival, August
Celebrating South Australia’s thriving visual arts community, the SALA (South Australian Living Artists) Festival runs throughout August with works and exhibitions popping up in every corner of South Australia, from offices and cafés to galleries and wineries. SALA is the largest community-based visual arts festival in Australia, with over 9,000 artists participating in 2021, and celebrates sculpture, painting, photography, mixed media, moving images and installations.
13. OzAsia Festival, October – November
Held over 18 days, OzAsia Festival is Australia’s leading contemporary Asian arts festival. Yearly programs present the very best in contemporary theatre, dance, music, visual art, film, literature talks, food and more from across Asia. Highlights include the dazzling Moon Lantern Festival and the mouth-watering Lucky Dumpling Market. Get your taste from October 21 to November 7, 2022.
14. National pharmacies Christmas Pageant, November
The Credit Union Christmas Pageant is the largest single-day parade in the southern hemisphere; the second biggest in the world (behind the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City). Each year, fairy tale characters, colourful clowns, marching bands, twirling dancers and more than 60 floats lead the way to Father Christmas and his iconic sleigh, with the festival taking to the grounds of Adelaide Oval in 2020 and 2021.
Love A PARTY?
There’s so much to see and do in South Australia. Find out what’s on today, this weekend and this month. Looking to keep the party going? Check out blog for the best things to do at night in Adelaide.
