As the weather heats up, it’s time to get out of the house and join a month of parties suitable for all ages. Join the joyous celebrations of Adelaide’s queer community at Feast; enjoy live music, culture, food and wine at festivals happening right around the state; and usher in the festive spirit at the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.
Good Music Month
1-30 November
This new annual festival provides 114 live music events at 69 venues right across the state for everyone to enjoy. Birds of Tokyo join the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for two special shows, there’s an Elvis Festival and a Northern Sound System x WOMADelaide showcase. Local talent includes Molly Rocket and Druid Fluids, The Mark of Cain, The Audreys, Aleksiah, Caroline & Claude and Newgate Crowd. From further afield there’s Bloc Party, Ezra Collective, Short Stack, Jebediah, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Great Gable Dune Rats, Augie March and Beddy Rays. Get yourself to a gig!
Feast Festival
1-19 November
Large, loud, curvy and kind – everybody’s invited to Feast, where Adelaide’s LGBTQIA+ community share their talent through a huge program of events. There’s cabaret, drag, live music, literature, art exhibitions and stand-up comedy. Plus, Feast’s iconic family-friendly Picnic in the Park is back on 5 November for thousands of people to enjoy live entertainment, food, an art market and dog show (don’t forget to bring your pet!).
National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
4 November
It’s that time of year when all the nice (and naughty) children line the streets of Adelaide to wave hello to Father Christmas in his iconic sleigh. The largest single-day parade in the southern hemisphere hits town with enough fairytale characters, colourful clowns, marching bands and magical floats to make everyone in the family feel the Christmas spirit.
Supanova
4-5 November
Unleash your inner geek for the “comic-con Down Under”! This celebration of pop culture fandoms is where all the stans of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime and gaming can celebrate, cosplay and meet their fave celebrities in the flesh. This year’s line-up includes sci-fi legend Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), Mark Dacascos (John Wick 3), Temuera Morrison (The Book of Boba Fett), Frazer Hines (Doctor Who) and Laz Alonso (The Boys).
South African Festival for Australia
4 November
The spirit of South Africa takes over Brighton Rugby Club for a day of family fun that includes music, dancing and South African treats including biltong, dry wors and beer. Adults can take part in the rugby, tug of war and the Boerewors (it’s a sausage) King competitions. For the kids there’s boeresports, a petting zoo, face painting, bouncy castles and VR rides.
Adelaide Italian Festival
10-19 November
Enjoy the very best of the Italian way in SA at a festival with something for everyone. Adelaide’s East End will turn into little Italy for the opening party; “La Grande Gita” is a family-friendly weekend bike ride through the Barossa; and State Opera SA will perform a modern version of Mozart’s original musical rom-com, The Marriage of Figaro. All that plus free guided tours of the Art Gallery of SA’s Italian treasures, the Autoclassica Italian car show, a closing gala dinner for the gourmands and much more.
Handpicked Festival
11 November
Chill out among the vineyards and gum trees of Langhorne Creek’s Lake Breeze Wines with world-class wine, gourmet picnics, an art market and the “Cocktail Forest”. Then kick off your shoes and dance barefoot to a lineup that includes Ball Park Music, Budjerah, Lime Cordiale, Melanie C, The Temper Trap, The Waifs and Ziggy Alberts.
Multicultural Festival
12 November
There’s something for people of every age to enjoy as the state’s flagship multicultural event takes over Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga for a day of fabulous free fun, food and entertainment. Up to 80 organisations will showcase some of the diverse cultures that make up SA’s vibrant community with live music, dance, tasty treats, art and plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained. It’s the perfect family day out where you can enjoy yourself while also learning something new about our State’s rich cultural mix.
Night Lab: Tropic Like It’s Hot
17 November
The final tropi-cool adults only Night Lab event for the year is here! Grab your Hawaiian shirt, slap on some sunscreen and head to the South Australian Museum after hours for a tropical-themed night of talks, music, performances, science and drinks hosted by Mary’s Poppin Diva Kane Enable. Heads up: This is an R18+ event, so expect adult themes and occasional fruity language.
VAILO Adelaide 500
23-26 November
Start your engines and get ready for the roar as Australia’s largest domestic motor sport event takes over Adelaide’s famous street circuit. It’s a weekend packed with supercar action, plus FMX and BMX freestyle motocross. The off-track entertainment revs up as the sun goes down, with ultimate showman Robbie Williams headlining a host of big music acts playing live each night at the after-race concerts.
