Adelaide: What’s on When
It's for good reason that South Australia is known as the festival state – and as its capital, Adelaide leads the way with a busy calendar of annual festivals and events. Year-round, you can also enjoy the city's many sports matches (including those hosted at the impressive Adelaide Oval), concerts and theatre performances.
Our award-winning travel team at Netflights.com can advise you on the best times to visit, as well as offering the lowest possible rates on Adelaide flights, hotels and car rental.
January
Schutzenfest
The Schutzenfest (meaning "shooting festival") originated in Germany, but today it's celebrated in laid back Adelaide too. Visitors can enjoy plenty of good German-style food and beer, along with live music and entertainment.
February
The Come Out Youth Arts Festival
Held every second year in Adelaide and other parts of South Australia, the Come Out Youth Arts Festival is recognised as one of the world's best youth arts festivals. It features a host of live music and theatrical performances, puppet plays, circus acts and other entertainment, designed to inspire and excite the young.
Adelaide Festival Fringe
Adelaide's fringe festival, which leads in to the official Adelaide Festival, features free access to a huge number of alternative performances and exhibitions, ranging from the wacky to the more serious. The festival lasts for four weeks.
March
Adelaide Festival
Held every two years (on years that are even numbers), the absolute highlight on Adelaide's calendar is the Adelaide Festival. Considered to be one of the world's best arts festivals, it lasts for three weeks and includes a packed programme of art exhibitions, film showings and music, dance and theatrical performances.
WOMADelaide
WOMADelaide is a hugely popular celebration of world music, dance and art, held every year since 1992. The event runs for three days in March, with performances on six outdoor stages, workshops, street theatre, art displays and a massive flea market, with stalls selling art, crafts, food and drink.
Clipsal 500 Adelaide
Also in March, Adelaide hosts Australia's largest motor sports event; the Clipsal 500, which is a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series. Held over four days, the event includes not just the racing but also live performances, fashion parades and concerts.
Adelaide Cup
The Adelaide Cup is a highlight of South Australia's annual horse racing calendar. It's held every March at Morphettville Racecourse, and the day is celebrated as a public holiday.
April
Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival
Set in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival is a hugely popular "picnic" race meeting. Horse races were held at Oakbank as early as 1876, and today the Carnival is one of the largest race events in the country. Key events include the Onkaparinga Cup and the Great Eastern Steeplechase.
Adelaide Rose Festival
Every two years, Adelaide hosts its Rose Festival, with colourful exhibits, shows and open gardens.
May
Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend
Over 20 wineries in the lovely Clare Valley region participate in an annual food and wine celebration, marking the end of vintage each year. During the festival, you can meet local winemakers and enjoy the best of local gourmet food and wine, along with live music.
June
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Each June, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival adds "umph" to the start of the winter season, showcasing the best of both local and international cabaret performances.
July
Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival
The Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival features over 30 exhibitors and is one of Adelaide's biggest parties, with a focus not just on beer but also on cider, great food and live music. It's held at the Adelaide Showgrounds.
Winter Reds Weekend
Warming body and soul, the Winter Reds Weekend is a celebration of good food and great red wine produced in the Adelaide Hills region.
August
Strathalbyn Collectors, Hobbies and Antiques Fair
In August, Adelaide hosts one of Australia's leading antique and collectors' fairs, with exhibits, sales and workshops held at several venues across the city.
September
Royal Adelaide Show
The Royal Adelaide Show is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the agricultural side of life in South Australia. Held over ten days at the Wayville Showgrounds, it features livestock and produce competitions, along with rides, shows, plenty of good food and local wine and arts and craft exhibits. Up to half a million people attend the show every year, making it one of the biggest events in South Australia.
OzAsia Festival
Yet another highlight to add to Adelaide's calendar of festivals, the OzAsia Festival is a 14-day long celebration of Asian theatre, visual arts, music, dance and film. Always eagerly anticipated is the Moon Lantern Festival, with thousands of colourful lanterns and a fireworks display lighting up the riverbank in Elder Park.
October
Adelaide Film Festival
Held every second year over 11 days in October, the Adelaide Film Festival includes screenings of exciting new Australian and international films; along with forums and a number of special events.
November
Australian International 3 Day Event
The Australian International 3 Day Event is the country's leading equestrian competition, and only one of six CCI four-star events in the world. It has been hosted in Adelaide for over a decade.
Adelaide Christmas Pageant
Held on the second Saturday of November every year since 1933, Adelaide's Christmas Pageant is one of the world's largest Christmas parades. It features over 60 floats, upwards of 15 bands, troupes of dancers and musicians and over 100 clowns. Everything culminates with the arrival of Father Christmas.
December
Carols by Candlelight at Elder Park
In the lead-up to Christmas, Adelaide is especially festive – and one of many popular events held in the city is the annual Carols by Candlelight at Elder Park. The event attracts upwards of 30,000 people and includes performances by top artists, as well as a fireworks display. With Netflights.com, you too can experience Adelaide's key festivals and events. We receive new deals on Adelaide flights, hotels, holidays and car hire daily, enabling us to offer great low prices.