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Planning a trip to Adelaide and want to experience the city at its most vibrant? Whether you’re visiting for a holiday, Sunrise EMR training, or a travel contract, keeping an eye on Adelaide’s events calendar is one of the best ways to experience all this stunning city has to offer.
Heading to Adelaide for a getaway or an upcoming nursing or midwifery placement and want to make the most of your time? Known as Australia’s ‘Festival City’, Adelaide delivers a packed lineup of festivals, sporting events and cultural experiences throughout the year… meaning there’s always something happening, no matter when you arrive. This vibrant city offers a vast array of experiences that you cannot miss.
We’ve done the heavy lifting for you, and have compiled some of the Affinity community’s most beloved events and festivals. Pack your bags and bring your travel journal – there’s no better way to experience one of Australia’s greatest cities than by ticking off each of its iconic events, one unforgettable moment at a time.
Popular Festivals and Events in Adelaide and Surrounding Regions
Ready to immerse yourself in some of the Festival City’s finest events? Adelaide’s calendar is packed year-round, meaning there’s always something happening. Summer, winter or anywhere in between – this incredible state has just so much on offer!
1. Adelaide Fringe
Held annually from February to March, Adelaide Fringe is Australia’s largest creative arts festival, transforming the city into a buzzing playground of creativity. From comedy and cabaret to circus acts, theatre and live music, it’s an explosion of colour, talent and atmosphere you won’t want to miss.
What makes Adelaide Fringe so special is the way it completely takes over the city, transforming Adelaide into an open-air festival hub filled with pop-up bars, garden venues, late-night shows and spontaneous street performances. It is an atmosphere that feels energetic, inclusive and very hard to replicate anywhere else in Australia.
2. Laneway Festival
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival typically lands in Adelaide during February, bringing a carefully curated lineup of alternative and indie artists from around the globe. It’s a summer favourite for music lovers who enjoy discovering emerging local talent alongside established acts.
Over the years, Laneway Festival has built a reputation for bringing some of the world’s most influential, up-and-coming artists to our stages, often before they hit mainstream superstardom. Previous lineups have featured acts like Billie Eilish, Tame Impala, The 1975, Lorde, Fred again.., Haim, Joji, Glass Animals, Charli XCX and Florence + The Machine. This makes it a bucket list event for die-hard music fans to experience at least once in their life. You might even catch the next best artist before they skyrocket!
3. Tasting Australia
Held each autumn, Tasting Australia is a celebration of South Australia’s world-renowned food and wine scene. Expect curated dining experiences, chef collaborations and immersive masterclasses that showcase the very best of local produce. Whether you’re a passionate foodie or simply looking to experience South Australia’s culinary culture, enjoy a unique opportunity to discover the people, stories and flavours that make this state one of Australia’s leading food and wine destinations.
4. Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend
Can’t walk past impeccably crafted food and hand-crafted wines from local producers? You won’t be able to say no to this delectable event, Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, held in May each year. The best part? Shuttles buses are available, and your passport to the event is a gourmet wine tumbler. More information is available here.
5. Gather Round
In Adelaide during footy season? Gather Round is an event you need on your radar. This AFL showcase sees a spectacular round of matches across the best local iconic venues, including Adelaide Oval. With fans flooding in to attend from across the country, the electric atmosphere stretches well beyond the final siren. The energy is truly infectious, even for those who aren’t die-hard supporters.
6. Adelaide Motorsport Festival
Attention car lovers: you can’t absolutely can’t go past this historic racing event. Typically held in March, the Adelaide Motorsport Festival celebrates the rich history of racing in South Australia. Classic cars, Formula One legends and high-speed demonstrations make this event a bucket-list experience for motorsport enthusiasts.
7. Illuminate Adelaide
Have a contract or training booked in over winter? You’re in for a treat! This light and technology event during winter is sure to delight. Taking place during winter, Illuminate Adelaide transforms the city into a glowing canvas of light, art and technology. Think large-scale projections, immersive installations and after-dark experiences that make the cooler months surprisingly magical.
8. Feast Festival
Say hello to Adelaide’s very own premier LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural festival – Feast Festival. Typically held in November, the program features theatre, cabaret, visual arts and community events that celebrate diversity, inclusion and creativity.
Attendees can expect an exciting mix of drag performances, cabaret shows, live music, comedy, visual art exhibitions and independent theatre from both emerging and established artists. From high-energy nightlife events to intimate storytelling performances, Feast Festival offers a diverse program that showcases bold creativity, individuality and some of the most dynamic talent on Australia’s arts scene.
9. Winter Reds Festival
A highlight of the Adelaide Hills calendar, the Winter Reds Festival is one of the finest in the region, devoted to mouth-watering food, and – it goes without saying – bold, deliciously silky reds. Bring a friend, grab a glass, and cosy up in front of an open fire to squeeze the very last drop out of winter.
10. Adelaide International
This professional tournament is a must-see for tennis lovers everywhere. Held annually in January, the Adelaide International is a professional tennis tournament attracting world-class players ahead of the Australian Open. This stellar event has seen the likes of A-list names such as Novak Djokovic, Ashleigh ‘Ash’ Barty, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Aryna Sabalenka – the perfect opportunity to watch elite athletes compete in an intimate stadium setting.
11. Santos Tour Down Under
Love cycling and world-class sporting events? Set your sights upon Australia’s version of Tour de France. Santos Tour Down Under is a multi-day cycling event held annually in January brings international teams, thrilling race stages and a festival-like atmosphere to the region. Over the years, Santos Tour Down Under has attracted some of the biggest names in cycling across the globe, with elite riders such as Chris Froome, Peter Sagan, Cadel Evans, Richie Porte and Mark Cavendish competing across its stages.
12. Christmas Pageant
In South Australia near the Christmas period? A must-see is the annual Christmas Pageant – a beloved tradition since 1933 and proudly the largest public parade in the Southern Hemisphere, The festival welcomes Father Christmas to Australia each year, and draws more than 335,000 excited parade-goers.
Want to maximise your time in South Australia?
If you can’t bear to miss any of the action and events in Adelaide and surrounding regions, Affinity Nursing is your ticket to working and travelling in South Australia. Unlock your personal and professional goals as a travel nurse or midwife today by joining the Affinity community. Our Specialists can’t wait to match-make you with your next adventure.
What can Affinity Nursing offer?
- Contract opportunities across every state and territory
- Be paid to work in iconic destinations like South Australia
- Competitive contract packages for nurses and midwives
- A simple, stress-free onboarding experience from start to finish
- Dedicated Specialists to support you through every step of your journey
- Access to roles that combine career growth with unforgettable travel experiences
- The freedom to explore new cities, events and regional destinations while you work
Start your next chapter with Affinity Nursing to turn your Australian bucket list into reality!
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Frequently asked questions about a trip to Adelaide
The most popular time of year to visit Adelaide (otherwise known as the Festival City) is dependent on your contract and interests. Each season also has plenty to offer – as a temperate region, enjoy the Jacarandas in Spring, the stunning auburn vineyards and national parks in Autumn, or a fantastic glass of red or mulled wine in winter. No matter what time of year you are visiting, there is always plenty to see and do!
Three to four days is ideal for exploring Adelaide CBD, along with a day or two for seeing local beaches and wine regions such as the Barossa. If you’re staying longer or are on contract with Affinity Nursing, days off are perfect for exploring Kangaroo Island, Victor Harbor or Adelaide Hills.
If you are travelling with Affinity Nursing, click here for more information on Sunrise eMR Training.
Need to stick relatively close to the vicinity of Adelaide CBD for Sunrise EMR Training? Click here to read a guide to travelling in Adelaide during Sunrise EMR Training.
Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills are popular wine regions that are all within 30 to 75 minutes of Adelaide city. Each region offers cellar doors, scenic views and award-winning wines.
Public transport is highly accessible in Adelaide, with their network consisting of buses, trains and trams. These modes of transport make it relatively pain-free to travel from A to B around the city and surrounding suburbs, with the free tram zone in the city centre being particularly convenient. For travel beyond the free zone, you can purchase a MetroCARD or use contactless payment options on most services.
It is quite easy to explore the CBD without a car – Adelaide’s grid-like city centre is compact and walkable, with many restaurants, cafés, gardens and attractions all within close proximity. Public transport is also highly reliable. However hiring a car is recommended if you are having an extended holiday, or plan to visit wine regions, coastal towns or national parks that are far away from the city and inaccessible via shuttle bus.
Yes. From coastal walks at Hallett Cove and Granite Island to hiking in Morialta or Mount Lofty, Adelaide blends urban convenience with easy access to nature.
