Feast and indulge in a host of food and wine celebrations. Clear your calendar over the next couple of months and plan for some of Australia's biggest arts, comedy and music festivals. Feast and indulge in a host of food and wine celebrations. Clear your calendar over the next couple of months and plan for some of Australia's biggest arts, comedy, and music festivals.
Known as Australia’s festival state, South Australia is about to go off with a bang for the start of its festival season with year-long events that celebrate the state’s world-class food, wine, sport, art, design, and culture. There's plenty to see and do year-round for families, couples, and friends, so why not make a trip out of it? Start exploring the events and festivals and secure your spot!
THE ADELAIDE FRINGE
Kicking off from Friday 17 February and running until Sunday 19 March 2023, the biggest arts festival in Australia returns with an even bigger program this year! Explore the wonder emporium that is the Adelaide Fringe Festival as South Australia transforms into a mecca of art, culture and creativity. The Adelaide Fringe is known for its diversity of entertainment, held at several locations across the city! You can find all things cabaret, dance and immersive light displays at Gluttony on East Terrace in Rymill Park. Or kick back and relax in The Garden of Unearthly Delights, encompassing an array of relaxing picnic spots, comedy shows, pop-up bars and more! A new addition this year to the Fringe Festival will be Fools Paradise, opening in Victoria Square known as the new home of circus and cabaret. Fool’s Paradise will be an epicentre of activity, presenting two unique venues, each with a stacked program of circus, physical theatre, comedy, music and magic, and an equally impressive program of food and beverage offerings from local South Australian artisians.
WOMAD FESTIVAL
Held in Adelaide’s Botanical Gardens running for 4 days from 10 March 2023, WOMAD is the ultimate feast for the senses. Join award-winning artists such as Florence + The Machine and Bon Iver in the leafy-green surrounds of Adelaide’s Botanic Park this March. Offering an incredibly diverse selection of international cuisines prepared by the finest food vendors, WOMAD takes great pride in presenting dishes that go above and beyond the standard festival fare.
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL
For 60 years now, Adelaide Festival audiences have enjoyed 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. This year the beloved New Zealander singer and songwriter Lorde, will be performing in this seasons Adelaide Festival alongside many other brilliant musicians. A special highlight this year in the festival program is the Andy Warhol and Photography exhibition, revealing an unseen side of celebrated Pop artist Andy Warhol through his career-long obsession with photography. Whether he was behind or in front of the camera, photography formed an essential part of his artistic practice while also capturing an insider’s view of his celebrity social world. Immerse yourself in venues across South Australia from Friday 3-19 March 2023.
BAROSSA VINTAGE FESTIVAL
Set against the picturesque, iconic backdrop of an autumnal Barossa and Eden Valley, Barossa Vintage Festival is a five-day biennial event that is scheduled to run from 19 – 23 April 2023. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the festival showcases so much more than just world class wines including special town days, wine auctions, harvest lunches, dinner in the vines, lawn games and the list goes on! Kaesler Wines is back again this year for their “Hey Hey It’s Saturday” free event plus it offers the perfect vantage point to watch the festival parade!
TASTING AUSTRALIA
Held in Victoria Square, running from 28 April to 7 May 2023, Tasting Australia showcases South Australia’s superb produce, inviting people to step beyond a standard food festival and discover deliciously different encounters. Tasting Australia creates lasting memories through exceptional eating and drinking experiences that only South Australia can offer. As one of the country’s longest-running food and beverage festivals, Tasting Australia has evolved with the industry and continues to offer innovative events and one-of-a-kind adventures.
CLARE VALLEY GOURMET WEEKEND
One of South Australia’s premier wine regions, the Clare Valley is home to world-famous wineries and a beautiful country backdrop to go with it. The Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend was the first food and wine event of its kind in Australia. From 19-21 May 2023 you can expect all things to do with wine tastings, regionally inspired cuisines, and gourmet feasts at more than 20 gorgeous Clare Valley wineries. Watch the Clare Valley come to life with music, food, and wine as you discover various vineyards including Sevenhill Cellars, Paullett Wines and Greg Cooley Wines.
ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL
Celebrating 23 years in Adelaide the beloved Cabaret Festival will take place from 9 – 24 June 2023. The dazzling 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.
ILLUMINATE ADELAIDE
Reignite your curiosity this winter with Australia’s newest major event, Illuminate Adelaide. Lighting up Adelaide from 28 June – 30 July 2023, Illuminate Adelaide invites you to experience a program of art, light, sound, and imagination created by the best local and international innovative artists. Shake off those winter blues this year, with the most immersive and sensory light shows that are loved by thousands of locals in South Australia!
ADELAIDE BEER & BBQ FESTIVAL
The Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival showcases both South Australian and international beers and ciders with 50 mouth-watering exhibitors pouring and cooking up a storm in the Adelaide Showground’s historic Brick Cattle Pavillion. Held during winter, 14 – 16 July 2023, you can keep warm by the barbie with a beer!
WINTER REDS WEEKEND
Have your jacket and scarf at the ready for when the Adelaide Hills plays host to the annual Winter Reds Weekend. Be tempted by this food and wine festival showcasing more than 30 beautiful Adelaide Hills wineries offering sumptuous events with tastings, fire pits, entertainment and more over the entire weekend. Swirl some of the best deep reds around July every year. Event dates for this popular festival are yet to be released but, we can’t wait to see what Winter Reds has in store for 2023!
OZASIA FESTIVAL
Held annually over 3 weeks in spring, OzAsia Festival brings an abundance of leading contemporary Asian arts. Yearly programs present the very best in contemporary theatre, dance, music, visual art, film, literature talks, food and more from across Asia. Interstate travellers and locals boast about the magical, dazzling Moon Lantern Festival and the mouth-watering Lucky Dumpling Market each year. Thousands of people gather around the Adelaide Riverbank in the Lucky Dumpling Market to try the delicious and flavoursome foods inspired by traditional Asian cuisines and bars. Get a taste of Asia this spring, with the festival running from 19 October to 5 November 2023.
Be sure to secure accommodation close by to have the ultimate festival experience this season in South Australia! You can view all our South Australian accommodation deals here. However, if you can’t find what you’re looking for feel free to call us on 1800 810 910 or email shortbreaks@holidaysofaustralia.com.au for more information.
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