Big month. Big acts. Big energy. Whether you’re sipping wine, strutting through ADL Fashion Week, two-stepping in Streaky Bay or front row at Harvest Rock, October goes hard. Here’s your guide to the action.
Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations
1-31 October
Degustation dinners, vertical tastings, chocolate pairings, live music and even sparkling Cabernet breakfasts – welcome to Coonawarra’s month-long love letter to its signature red. With over 50 events across the region, you can blend your own wine, hit a golf day with local winemakers, take a tour through the vines, or just park yourself at a long table and graze the day away. Some events are free, others ticketed – all are delicious.
Sip your way through the program
Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo
2-5 October
What happens when a clown dreams his own funeral? In Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo, the result is magic. This global hit blends acrobatics, theatre, comedy and soaring music in a story that floats somewhere between heaven and earth – with a rotating stage, audience on both sides, and performances that feel as close as they are breathtaking. Whether you’re a Cirque diehard or seeing it for the first time, this arena show at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is like no other.
Semaphore Music Festival
3-6 October
Alt-country, roots and blues by the beach? Say no more. The Semaphore Music Festival is back for its 21st year, taking over pubs, foreshore parks and local venues across this seaside spot with over 25 artists across 13 stages. Highlights include fiery guitar slinger Kathleen Halloran, critically-acclaimed Lazy Eye and local icon Dusty Lee’s Blues Jam – but really, this is a long weekend of cold beers, warm sunshine, and banging live music on every corner. Bring the crew, grab a pub feed, and get amongst it.
The Skilly Valley Way
4 October
It’s wine-tasting meets bus-hopping in this choose-your-own-adventure day out through Clare’s lush Skilly Valley. Grab a ride-all-day bus pass and jump between seven of the region’s cosiest cellar doors, including Skillogalee, Kilikanoon, Jeanneret and more. There’s live music, food trucks and tastings along the loop – and you can start, stop and sip wherever you like. Whether you’re plotting every pour or playing it spontaneously, this is your kind of wine tour.
Garden Party @ Taylors Wines
4 October
Spring florals. DJ tunes. Wines on the lawn. Taylors is bringing pastel-core energy to the Clare Valley with its first-ever alfresco celebration. Expect handcrafted cocktails, bites to graze on, and plenty of space to sprawl under the gums – or hit the lawn games if you’re feeling competitive. It’s free to attend, and frocking up is encouraged (pastels, florals, linen, you know the vibe). Basically: it’s rosé weather, and you’re going to look great in it.
Oktoberfest in the Gardens
4 October
Lederhosen, live music and litres of beer – celebrate Oktoberfest at Pinky Flat with a massive open-air party celebrating all things Bavarian. Expect bratwurst, pretzels, pork hocks and pomme frites, plus imported German beer, wine and cider flowing all day. There’s also a silent disco, roving performers, carnival games and a wood-chopping show (because, why not?). Whether you’re there for the oompah or the rave cave, this day out is sure to be wunderbar.
Savvy Beats @ Simon Tolley
5 October
Wine. Brandy. Beats. Repeat. This is Simon Tolley’s take on a vintage party – where you’ll sip back-vintage wines, sample their famous Smoked Brandy with distiller Hugh Holds, and dig into paella cooked up by the Oakbank Hotel legends. All while DJ Driller Jet Armstrong (yes, that Driller) spins party tracks from Club Sugar days gone by. Tickets include food, wine on arrival, and access to a very fun, very local day in the Hills. Dancing encouraged.
Ceduna Oysterfest
4-5 October
Oyster lovers, it’s time for your annual pilgrimage. Now in its 35th year, Oysterfest is once again taking over the shores of Murat Bay with live music, local seafood, food trucks and shucking competitions galore. Think prawn peeling races, sandcastle comps, DJs, cocktails, kids’ rides and more. Entry is free, the vibes are salty and sun-soaked, and there’s no better excuse for a coastal road trip with your mates. Bonus: camping, Airbnbs and epic sunsets all sorted.
ADL Fashion Week
8-12 October
Runways in Rundle Mall. Workshops in boutique basements. Window displays in full bloom. ADL Fashion Week returns with five days of pop-ups, parties and public showcases celebrating South Australia’s brightest design talent. Whether you’re into handcrafted couture, emerging streetwear or just love an excuse to dress up, this citywide festival has a fit for you. From The Loft runways to East End shopping perks, it’s all about local style – stitched with a little main character energy.
Woof & Wine Walk
11 October
Wine tasting with your dog? Yes please. This new self-paced trail through six of Coonawarra’s top cellar doors features live music, gourmet snacks, dog treat stalls, and a Yappy Hour thrown in for good measure. Expect puppuccinos, paw-dicures, dog-and-owner lookalike contests and a take-home tasting glass for the humans. A portion of ticket sales supports RSPCA SA and the South East Animal Welfare League. Paws up – this one sells fast.
Off the Rails by Nitro Circus
11 October
Prepare for ring-of-fire flips, 15m ramps, FMX stunts and total chaos: The new 360-degree arena show from Nitro Circus is coming to Hindmarsh – and it’s not holding back. Expect wild contraptions, BMX tricks, scooter legends, fireworks, and literal explosions. Athletes like Ryan Williams and Jacko Strong will be pushing physics to the edge. If “thrill-seeking spectacle with a side of pyro” is your vibe, this is your night.
Origin Diamonds vs South Africa
12 October
Netball fans, this one’s huge! The Origin Diamonds are back on home soil, taking on South Africa’s Spar Proteas in a fierce international series clash. Game 3 lands at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, and it’s the team’s first time playing in SA since 2017 – so expect big energy and bigger plays. Whether you’re backing local legends or just love a high-stakes match, this is your chance to watch the world’s #1 ranked team in action. Pack the green and gold.
Adelaide Film Festival
15-26 October
World premieres. Local legends. Zombies, superheroes, and Jeff Buckley documentaries. All this, plus this beloved film fest’s most SA-packed program ever – including Jimpa (starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow), The Fox, Mockbuster, Penny Lane is Dead, and so much more. With 123 films from 27 countries (and a tonne from right here at home), it’s a bold, bloody, beautiful celebration of screen. Expect parties, panels, big names, indie gems and a whole lot of popcorn.
OzAsia Festival
17 October – 9 November
Anime. Dumplings. Electro-classical club nights. Literary deep dives. OzAsia isn’t just about watching — it’s about making, sharing and showing up. With over 200 artists from 14 countries, this year’s program is the biggest ever: four weekends of theatre, dance, music, comedy, food, zine-making, open mics and cosplay parades. Wander the Moon Lantern Trail, hit a workshop, or lose hours at the Lucky Dumpling Market with a bao in one hand and bubble tea in the other. Come for the spectacle – stay for the stories you haven’t heard yet.
Grab dumplings and get planning
Tarnanthi Festival
17 October – 18 January
Celebrating 10 years of brilliance, Tarnanthi returns with a statewide program of more than 30 exhibitions, performances, and installations showcasing the depth and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The Art Gallery of SA exhibition Too Deadly brings together 200 works from past Tarnanthi festivals, while the beloved Tarnanthi Art Fair pops up at Union House. There’s also film, dance, talks and even a First Nations hip hop performance in the AGSA forecourt. Don’t miss this one.
Rodeo by the Sea
18 October
Bulls, broncos and beach views? Only in Streaky Bay. Country thrills come to the coast with a full day of classic rodeo action – from barrel racing to bull riding – plus food trucks, live music and kids’ amusements. Tent-and-swag camping is free for ticketholders, or go deluxe with bell tents and communal camp vibes. Whether you’re into line dancing or just lining up for a dagwood dog, this is a seriously fun weekend in boots.
Renmark Sun & Sounds Festival
18 October
Live music, lawn lounging and premium spirits under the Riverland sun – this celebration of spring is back and better than ever. Held at Renmark’s 23rd Street Distillery, this one-day boutique festival features sets by Day Drive and Homegrown: Ultimate 80s 90s 00s, alongside cocktails, local food and a max capacity of just 300. It sold out last year, and with that riverside lawn and chilled-out atmosphere, it’s easy to see why. Bring your mates, wear sunscreen, stay late.
CheeseFest
18–19 October
Australia’s biggest outdoor cheese festival is turning 20 – and it’s throwing a birthday bash for the ages. The ultimate day of dairy decadence returns to Rundle Park / Kadlitpina with more than 100 stalls, raclette rivers, Indigenous wine tastings, and its newest addition: the Brie.I.P Lounge (cabana-style luxury for cheese comas). All that, plus cooking demos hosted by Matt Preston, live music, artisan producers, and all the melty, stinky, squeaky goodness you can handle. Come hungry – and maybe wear stretchy pants.
Men’s ODI Series: Australia vs India (2nd ODI)
23 October
Australia vs India. One-day international. Adelaide Oval. Enough said. This ODI showdown is part of the 2025 Men’s Series – and with two white ball heavyweights going head-to-head under lights, expect a sold-out crowd and serious energy. Whether you’re in the grandstand, on the hill, or going premium in a box, this match is a must for any cricket fan. Hot tip: book early – tickets won’t last long.
The Bend Classic
24-26 October
Classic cars, country music and camping at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend. It’s the weekend with the lot: three jam-packed days of racing, BBQ battles, line dancing, nostalgia drags, karting comps and a country music lineup featuring Kasey Chambers, Casey Barnes, Kingswood and more. From wood-chopping to whip-cracking, it’s a full-tilt celebration of engines, elbows and outback fun. And with free entry for kids under 15 and tent village options on site, it’s a ripper family weekend away.
Harvest Rock
25-26 October
It’s Adelaide’s most electric weekend: Harvest Rock is back at Murlawirrapurka & Ityamai-Itpina/Rymill & King Rodney Parks with sets from from The Strokes, Jelly Roll, The War on Drugs, M.I.A., Vance Joy, PNAU, Ministry of Sound Classical, Groove Armada and stacks more. This is two days of back-to-back bangers live across two stages – with an additional third stage devoted entirely to comedy, chefs and cocktail pairings. There’s wine from the likes of Ochota Barrels and Henschke, food from Africola and Anchovy Bandit, and late October weather doing its thing. Just perfect.
Emoween 2025
25 October
Halloween, but make it emo: This is your excuse to wear black eyeliner, scream along to My Chemical Romance, and maybe win a spooky plushie for your costume efforts. Held at the Rhino Room, this annual club night blends emo nostalgia with deathly décor, horror visuals, creepy cocktails and a free Halloween makeover station. The event features a costume contest, giveaways, and enough angst to haunt you well into 2026. Bonus points if your outfit’s spookier, sexier and sadder than last year’s.
Snag a ticket (or cry about it later)
Australian Burlesque Festival: The Big Tease Soirée
29-30 October
The tassels are out and the spotlight’s on. Australian Burlesque Festival returns to Adelaide with two glitter-drenched days of tease, talent and unapologetic glamour. On 29 October, join headline star Zyra Lee Vanity for a series of burlesque workshops – from sultry Bump n’ Grind to high-energy Traplesque – open to all levels. Then the next night, it’s The Big Tease Soirée, a dazzling mainstage showcase with international icons and local legends lighting up the Star Theatres with feathers, sequins, and fearless self-expression.
Supanova Comic Con & Gaming
31 October – 2 November
It’s where fandoms collide and “Supa-Star” guests abound – Supanova at the Adelaide Showground is three days of comics, gaming, cosplay, collectibles and serious star power. Meet John Boyega (Star Wars), Billie Piper (Doctor Who), Cameron Monaghan (Gotham) and more. Then browse the delights of artist alley, and get your hands on all things pop culture. Whether you’re cosplaying or just there to nerd out, this is your end-of-month escape into imagination. There will be capes. There will be queues. There will be joy for the stans.
Boo at the Zoo
31 October
Got little ones to entertain? Then head to Adelaide Zoo for a frightfully fun family Halloween with added animals. Come dressed to impress and follow the trick-or-treat trail, fill your treat bag with goodies, snap a spooky photo, and boogie to live performances on the lawn. There’s even a low-sensory “Relaxed Boo” session at 3pm for those needing a calmer vibe. It’s adorable, accessible, and full of feel-good Halloween energy – minus the jump scares.
