Have fun under the sun at the 5 best summer festivals in Adelaide!
In Australia, hot months are from December to February. While many other places across the globe are covered in snow, Australians get out of hibernation and play.
In Adelaide, aside from planning to visit beach walking trails, I get so hyped for the local summer festivals!
Our summer festivals capture the essence of fun under the sun. Aside from live music, there are also food and goods markets, art stalls, cultural celebrations, and more! I have been attending these festivals for years already, and I can say they’re worth the hype!
Here’s a list of summer festivals I love and enjoy coming back to whenever the sun is out.
Adelaide Fringe Festival
– Media credit: adlfringe
Office address: 136 Frome Street
Contact: (08) 8100 2000
Happening on: February 20, 2026 – March 22, 2026
The Adelaide Fringe Festival is coming to town next year, 2026. The arts and culture festival will have multiple pop-ups and events scattered across the capital.
For their recently concluded 2025 festival run, what I enjoyed the most was their circus and cabaret event called The Mirror. The shows were performed at the Sydney Opera House and the Chamäleon Theatre Berlin, featuring themes of self-discovery and human experience.
Another event I like is the annual Dom Whiting’s Drum and Bass on the Bike Weekender. This event invites visitors to bring out their bikes and pedal to the lively music of a full DJ set! Bikers trek routes that are made exclusive to the event, concluding with music performances from Dom Whiting and supporting acts.
Pro Tip: The Adelaide Fringe Festival is always welcoming donations and volunteers. It’s Australia’s largest arts festival after all! You can check for openings through their website and Instagram account.
WOMADelaide
– Media credit: womadelaide
Venue address: Botanic Park
Contact: +61 8 8271 1488
Happening on: March 6 – 9, 2026
WOMADelaide, short for World of Music, Arts, and Dance Adelaide, is an open-air festival held on the Kaurna People’s traditional lands. It was established in 1992 and has since been showcasing music, arts, and dance productions from across the globe.
While it’s still a long way to go for the next WOMADelaide, organising is already happening behind the scenes! They’re posting updates on their website and Instagram account.
The WOMADelaide 2025 run had various artists perform at the Botanic Park’s stage.
One of the performances was the Bangarra Dance Theatre, a performance group with two First Nations choreographers. There was also the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir. They sang in the Western Arrarnta and Pitjantjatjara languages of the Northern Territory and South Australia, sharing songs about their traditions!
Pro Tip: Young and emerging First Nations artists can hone their craft through the WOMADelaide partnership with NSS Academy!
Northern Sound System Academy helps talent shine through various arts workshops, like songwriting, singing, and dancing. Some students of this academy were also able to perform at WOMADelaide, providing a venue and community to showcase their creations!
Santos Tour Down Under
– Media credit: tourdownunder
Venue address: City of Adelaide Tour Village
Contact: +61 8 8463 4701
Happening on: 2026
The Santos Tour Down Under is a 10-day cycling event in which cyclists gather in Adelaide to race on its streets and other Australian regions.
If you’re not a cyclist but still interested in the event, you’re still welcome! The cycling festival has a lot of related activities, including a street party!
I was a frequent visitor to their events at the Adelaide Tour Village. The free entry events here have live music and bars. Plus, this venue is also known as the pit stop for the cyclists’ race, so a high volume of people gather here to rest, refresh, and recharge before pedalling again!
Want to join in the biking fun but don’t know where to start? The festival also has a bike expo that features the best gear for cycling. The equipment includes beginner-friendly bikes, helmets, safety gear, and more!
Pro Tip: The Santos Down Under Tour has a biking database of Adelaide and other nearby regions! This database contains paths and routes, whether established or just newly discovered, that cyclists could take. These are guaranteed safe, with peer reviews and approval from the cycling experts of the festival.
Adelaide Guitar Festival
– Media credit: adlguitarfest
Venue address: Adelaide Festival Centre
Contact: +61 8 8216 8600
Happening on: September 10, 2025 – October 12, 2025
Mark your calendars because the Adelaide Guitar Festival is happening this September to October 2025!
This was established as a celebration of the guitar, from its history to its contribution to improving the music scene. The event showcases local and international musical performances.
One performance that will take centre stage is Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti Live in Concert at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Details and concert tickets are on the festival’s website, so rock fans, catch them before they run out!
Another event to be held at the same theatre is about American-Australian singer John Butler, who will also perform at this festival, showcasing his latest album titled Prism.
Fellow singer and Aboriginal Australian songwriter Emma Donovan will also be there to serenade the crowd with guitars!
Pro Tip: Some events of the Adelaide Guitar Festival may be standing, seated, or have accessibility seating depending on the venue. To check out the available accommodations at a performance, head to their website and view their programme list!
Glenelg Sunset Markets
– Media credit: glenelgsunsetmarkets
Venue address: Glenelg
Contact: +61 414 356 375
Happening on: November 2025
The Glenelg Sunset Markets have activities held all year round for each season. For the summer season, their markets will open this November 2025! They concluded their spring opening last March and are gearing up to prepare for the heat, sun, and outdoor fun.
This coming market season will feature more than a hundred stalls selling food, beverages, and merchandise like trinkets, jewellery, decor, and more! It’s a great way to support local businesses and artisans.
Pro Tip: The Glenelg Sunset Markets are just an estimated 3 minutes from Glenelg Beach! If you plan to have a quick dip, you may check out the shops for swimming essentials, such as swimwear, sun protection, and footwear. You may also stop by the markets for refreshments after having fun at the beach.
