If you’ve ever wondered how SA got its name as ‘The Festival State’, maybe this year it's time to find out!
Image Credit: Adelaide Fringe Festival - South Australian Tourism Commission
Spanning art, comedy, music, performance, sport, history, film, and everything in between, South Australia is lucky to have a year-long roster of world-class festivals that promote the best local, national, and international talent. There's always something happening!
Image Credit: Garden of Unearthly Delights - Brad Griffin, South Australian Tourism Commission
G’day Parks are the perfect place to stay when attending a South Aussie event, whether you want to be located near Adelaide city, on the coast, or in a nearby wine region. Check out Adelaide’s festival calendar below, then start searching for your site or cabin accommodation on the G’day Parks app or online.
Adelaide Fringe
Image Credit: Adelaide Fringe - Aaron Walker Photography, La Ronde, South Australian Tourism Commission
Starting the year off strong, the Adelaide Fringe electrifies the CBD. This is Australia’s biggest arts festival, with comedy gigs, concerts, theatre, cabaret, circus, food experiences, busking, street performers, and more! It typically kicks off mid-February and runs into 'Mad March'. While the festival is primarily held in Adelaide, with the park lands playing host to festival hubs at Gluttony and The Garden of Unearthly Delights, the festival also extends into other SA regions like the Coonawarra and the Riverland.
Adelaide Festival
Image Credit: Adelaide Festival - South Australian Tourism Commission
Overlapping with the Adelaide Fringe, the Adelaide Festival launches at the tail end of February and continues into March, making the most of the existing festival buzz. Unlike the eclectic Fringe, the Adelaide Festival prides itself on a curated program of international art, theatre, dance, opera, music, conversations, and live events. From engaging free events to exclusive performances, every year brings something different to the table.
WOMADelaide
Image Credit: WOMADelaide - Saige Prime, South Australian Tourism Commission
Held in early March on the fringes of the CBD in Botanic Park, WOMADelaide’s name represents the 'World of Music Arts and Dance in Adelaide'. Around town, most people just call it ‘WOMAD’. For more than 30 years, WOMADelaide has showcased outstanding, innovative, and creative acts from all over the globe, boosted by an infectious atmosphere, a love of music, and international food vendors.
Tasting Australia
Image Credit: Tasting Australia - South Australian Tourism Commission
After an Easter break, Adelaide's festival spirit comes back with a bang in May for Tasting Australia. In a state so famous for its food and wine, it’s no surprise that this gourmet festival is a hit with residents and visitors alike. The festival hub sets up shop in the iconic Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, and events, tastings, and experiences are held all across the state, with a program designed to encourage guests to appreciate the cuisine and destination in tandem.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Image Credit: Adelaide Cabaret Festival - Adelaide Festival Centre
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is the biggest cabaret festival in the whole world. Drawing people out of their winter shells for irresistible classic and contemporary cabaret performances, it takes place over three weeks in June (and has done so for more than 25 years). A festival of this scale and importance can’t help but attract international attention, with local, national, and international artists gracing the stage.
Illuminate Adelaide
Image Credit: Illuminate Adelaide - Tyr Liang Xplorer Studio, South Australian Tourism Commission
When July rolls around, Illuminate Adelaide fills the CBD with interactive installations, large-scale building projections, and childlike wonder. On a chilly winter’s night, it’s the best reason to rug up and watch the fusion of art, light, music, and technology (and warm up with a fireside beverage at Base Camp). From ticketed events to the free City Lights trail, every year brings something new that will blow you away.
SALA
Image Credit: South Australian Living Artist Festival - South Australian Tourism Commission/Chris Timcke
SALA – South Australian Living Artists Festival – is an annual open-access visual arts festival. Throughout August, it transforms cafés, libraries, and bookshops into art galleries. Hundreds of exhibitions, workshops, events, open studio days, and artist talks are held throughout the festival, shining a light on the talents of South Australian visual artists.
Adelaide Film Festival
Image Credit: Adelaide Film Festival - Josh Geelen Photographer, South Australian Tourism Commission
Appreciate the best of all things silver screen at the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), where movies come to life every October. Welcoming filmmakers and audiences alike, the program contains a range of film premieres (both local and global), art, talks, and festivities. From feature films and documentaries to shorts, the festival celebrates both emerging and established artists.
Harvest Rock
Image Credit: Harvest Rock - Zennieshia Butts, South Australian Tourism Commission
Harvest Rock is one of the most recent additions to Adelaide’s festival calendar, launching in 2022. This two-day festival pairs a cracking line-up of local and international musicians with culinary delights. Get your music fix in Adelaide’s East End at Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka (Park 14) and King Rodney Park/Ityamai-Itpina (Park 15) in the park lands.
OzAsia
Image Credit: Moon Lantern Festival - South Australian Tourism Commission
Held in late October and early November, OzAsia is the country’s leading contemporary arts festival celebrating Asian culture. It spans theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, cuisine, and cultural events. Annual highlights include the stunning Moon Lantern Trail and the delicious Lucky Dumpling Market, which can both be found on the banks of the River Torrens.
Feast Festival
Image Credit: Feast Festival Opening Night - Feast Festival
The vibrant Feast Festival is Adelaide’s LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural festival, taking place throughout the month of November (or ‘Pridevember’). It’s a showcase of art, diversity, and culture, dedicated to queer storytelling and creative expression. Key events include the opening night party, Pride March, and closing Picnic in the Park, but there are over 100 events in between to enjoy.
National Pharmacies’ Christmas Pageant
Image Credit: National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant - South Australian Tourism Commission
In Adelaide, the festive season always starts on the second Saturday of November. Why? Because it’s the day of the National Pharmacies’ Christmas Pageant! It’s the largest Christmas parade in the Southern Hemisphere, with intricate floats, dance groups, live bands, and cheeky clowns making their way through the streets of Adelaide. For generations, Adelaideans have gotten up – sometimes even before dawn – to claim their spot behind the Blue Honour Line for a front-row view when Father Christmas arrives.
Year-Round Sporting Events
Image Credit: Santos Tour Down Under - South Australian Tourism Commission
SA sure loves its sport, and the state hosts a year’s worth of sporting events to prove it. In January, cyclists descend for the Santos Tour Down Under, followed by the Adelaide International for tennis fans. Golfers tee off for LIV Golf Adelaide in February, and a footy festival like no other – Gather Round – transforms the city in April, before the Adelaide Equestrian Festival comes hot on its heels.
Image Credit: AFL Gather Round - South Australian Tourism Commission
Racing fans also have plenty to look forward to, with the Airtouch 500 at the Bend in September and the bp Adelaide Grand Final in November. Plus, throughout the year, catch any of the state’s resident teams for sports including AFL and AFLW, basketball, cricket, netball, soccer, and more.
Where to stay?
DISCOVERY PARKS - WEST BEACH PARKS
Combine the coast with the city at Discovery Parks - West Beach Parks. The short drive to the Adelaide CBD takes 15 minutes, and the premier beachside precinct of Glenelg is just down the road. Packed with an abundance of fun family-friendly features like a waterpark, resort pool, bouncing pillow, hire equipment, sports facilities, activity room, bike station, on-site café, playground, e-bike hire, gym, and beach access, you’ll have no trouble extending the entertainment factor into the park.
LEVI ADELAIDE HOLIDAY PARK
Nestled in the inner north-eastern suburbs, Levi Adelaide Holiday Park offers leafy camping sites and modern cabins for your getaway. Less than quarter of an hour away from the CBD (and attractions like Adelaide Zoo and Adelaide Oval), it’s easy to get to and from events. Then, when you’re back at the grounds, unwind in the pool, play tennis, and cook up a BBQ in camp kitchen while the kids enjoy the playground.
ADELAIDE BROWNHILL CREEK TOURIST PARK
If you want to be close to the city while enjoying time in the Great Outdoors, book a site or cabin at Adelaide Brownhill Creek Tourist Park. Set amongst native bushland, just 15 minutes from central Adelaide, you don’t need to step far beyond the park perimeter for bushwalking, cycling, and wildlife spotting. Add in features like a swimming pool, playground, and all-day breakfast at the on-site Café 1954, and you’ll have an extra reason to return for another Adelaide holiday.
DISCOVERY PARKS - ADELAIDE BEACHFRONT
Stay right beside the shoreline at Discovery Parks - Adelaide Beachfront, where you can reach the city in a mere half hour. Follow the beach to Semaphore, or hang out in park with a swimming pool, bouncing pillow, playground, and activity room. Whether you need a campsite by the sea breeze or a pet-friendly cabin so your dog can join you, they’ve got you covered.
BELAIR NATIONAL PARK HOLIDAY PARK
There’s a special kind of outdoor adventure that awaits at Belair National Park Holiday Park, where you can stay in the middle of a beautiful national park in the Adelaide Hills. What’s more, you’re still only 20 minutes’ drive from the CBD! In-park features include a swimming pool, playground, and kiosk, and it’s the ideal place to come back to for rest and relaxation after soaking up the carnival atmosphere.
DISCOVERY PARKS - HAHNDORF
Half an hour away in the charming Adelaide Hills, you’ll find Discovery Parks - Hahndorf. When you’re not attending gigs and events, venture up to the historic main street with its German influence or visit one of the nearby cellar doors in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region. The fun doesn’t stop in park. Dive into the swimming pool, ride around the pump track, and play on the playground, bouncing pillow, activity room, and mini golf course.
CHRISTIES BEACH TOURIST PARK
A little over half an hour south of the city, Christies Beach Tourist Park is a charming coastal park. Perfect for those who want to mix their festival going with a fishing weekend, the park has a boat ramp to launch you straight onto the sea, plus there’s a playground, lawn games, and pedal carts for hire. Book powered sites, villas, or even a holiday house, and get ready to relax.
MCLAREN VALE CABIN AND CARAVAN PARK
Pair Adelaide’s iconic festival season with one of the state’s most famous wine regions at McLaren Vale Cabin and Caravan Park. The freeway will get you to the city in less than an hour, and you can spend every spare second savouring wine tastings and cellar door lunches. Cool off in the pool, hang out on the playground, or play a tennis match to keep the good times going.
MOANA BEACH TOURIST PARK
Make every moment matter at Moana Beach Tourist Park, perched in a great location right on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Hire go karts to ride around the park, play tennis, or capitalise on the direct path to the ocean to go surfing, swimming, and beachcombing. From this coastal park, it takes approximately 40 minutes to reach the city, and just 10 minutes to explore the McLaren Vale vineyards.
Fill up on South Australia’s festival spirit
Image Credit: Adelaide Fringe - Madison Griffiths, Artist Ari Arari
It doesn’t matter if you love comedy, cabaret, or Christmas—there’s an event for you on SA’s festival calendar. Search for your ideal trip dates and start planning your journey down south on the G’day Parks app or online today.
