Major events

The Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art it is the country’s longest-running survey of contemporary Australian art.

Every June, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival sweeps through the city to present an eclectic program of classic and contemporary cabaret performances.

The Adelaide Festival brings internationally acclaimed theatre, music, dance, visual art and writers to Adelaide. Held annually in March, the festival is recognised as one of the world’s major celebrations of creative excellence.

The purpose of the Adelaide Festival of Ideas is to celebrate the life of the mind, particularly the public value of ideas, thinking and innovation as foundations of civil society, an informed democracy and a robust economy.

Adelaide Film Festival (ADL Film Fest) is an eleven-day celebration and exploration of Australian and international screen culture held in October.

Held in February and March each year, the Adelaide Fringe is the world's second-largest annual arts festival, and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Adelaide Guitar Festival is an immersive winter festival, celebrating the world’s most popular instrument.

Held in May, the Adelaide Marathon Festival attracts runners from all over Australia to compete in the full 42.2 km marathon, as well as a 21.1 km half marathon, 10 km and 5 km fun run/walk events.

The Adelaide Rally (formerly the Adelaide Motorsport Festival) is a four-day celebration of classic cars and great driving. With street parties in Adelaide and touring through the Hills, this is a motoring event not to be missed.

Held in October, the Adelaide Vegan Festival is a celebration of vegan life with guest speakers, live music, cooking demonstrations, hands-on workshops and a diverse array of vegan market stalls.

Celebrate Australia Day on 26 January in the heart of the city with the annual 'Australia Day in the City' festivities at Elder Park on the banks of the River Torrens.

Held annually on the third weekend in November, the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International 3 Day Event is Australia’s premier equestrian competition.

The anime and videogaming community come together once a year for a spectacular three-day event of gaming competitions, cosplay showcases and anime screenings.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge sees solar powered vehicles run from Darwin to Adelaide, powered only by the sun.

Join the Christmas cheer at Elder Park for the annual event, Carols by Candlelight. A host of home-grown talent will take the stage singing the songs of the season to a crowd glowing under candle light.

Australia’s biggest Cheese Festival and Fermentation Festival is held in Spring with over 100 food and beverage stalls featuring the best cheese, food and beverage producers.

It's the most wonderful time of the year again! Celebrate this festive season with loved ones in the city.

The annual Westpac City-to-Bay Fun Run is Adelaide's largest running event attracting over 25,000 participants each year. The 12 km fun run starts in the Adelaide central business district and ends at the beach-side suburb of Glenelg.

DreamBIG Children’s Festival is South Australia’s iconic biennial arts festival for schools and families that places its audience at the centre of fresh, inventive, imaginative and inspiring arts experiences.

East End Unleashed is back in 2021, with outdoor dining on Rundle Street every weekend to soak up the the festival vibes during the Fringe.

The most colourful and diverse fixture of Adelaide’s festival calendar is undoubtedly Feast Festival, a showcase of queer arts and culture.

Indofest-Adelaide is a free annual family festival of Indonesian culture, food, dance, music, and crafts presented by the Australian-Indonesian Association of South Australia.

The most significant festival on the Chinese lunar calendar, Lunar New Year is a time when tradition is honoured and practiced.

The Christmas Pageant is a South Australian Christmas tradition which takes place on the second Saturday of November. Families line city streets to welcome the festive season and of course, Father Christmas to Adelaide.

OzAsia Festival is a feast for the senses, held annually over three weeks in spring during the month of October. The extensive OzAsia Festival program includes theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, film, food and cultural events from across Asia.

The Royal Adelaide Show occurs annually in August/September at the Wayville Showgrounds to the south of the city. The Show is run by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA and it is the state's longest running event.

The History Festival is one of South Australia’s largest community events. The festival promotes the State’s wonderful historical collections, places and stories through an amazing range of history-related activities.

The South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival is a state-wide festival of Visual Art, promoting and celebrating the many talented visual artists in South Australia.

The Santos Tour Down Under is the biggest cycling race and the largest Festival of Cycling in the southern hemisphere.

This festival of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is celebration and showcase of hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia.

The state-wide Tasting Australia festival is the year’s largest and most delicious showcase of South Australian produce and culinary talent.

The Vogue Festival is a lavish two-day array of pop-ups and parties celebrating all things fashion. Find out how you can join the celebrations.

Traditionally held on the March long weekend, WOMADelaide is one of Adelaide’s biggest cultural festivals celebrating the world of music, arts and dance.