Get a fun dose of history, feast with culinary stars, sip your way through wine country, cheer on sporting heroes and explore South Australia’s creative side with May’s delightful calendar of events!
South Australia’s History Festival
1-31 May
Discover the wild, surprising and quirky stories that have shaped where we live today. This May, you can explore Australia’s most haunted town, learn about our state’s queer history and even take selfies from the past with the Adelaide Time machine app. With more than 500 events statewide, there’s bound to be something happening near you during the festival.
South African Film Festival
2-30 May
Catch up with the best in contemporary South African cinema on the big screen at The Piccadilly, or at home with an online pass. This year marks 30 years since South Africa’s first democratic elections, when all citizens could finally vote for their future. To mark this milestone, this year’s festival features iconic films from the past 30 years, including must-see classics like 1994: The Bloody Miracle, The 16th Man and Mapantsula.
2024 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship
3-5 May
The ultimate clash of wheels roars into Adelaide for the first time! Expect intense rivalries and explosive action from this full-contact, co-ed sport originally dubbed “Murderball” for its on-court aggression. The Australian Steelers are the reigning World Cup champions and the most successful Paralympic sport team in Aussie history, so expect plenty of thrilling collisions and lightning-fast moves as every player goes their hardest.
Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel
3-12 May
Foodies, get those tastebuds ready! Tasting Australia takes over the state for 150 events held over 10 delicious days. The new-look Town Square festival hub in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga is the place to be, but the gourmet fun extends way beyond the CBD. Explore regional events, unique dinners and masterclasses taught by some of the best in the business.
Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival
16-19 May
This renowned arts fest brings four days of creativity to the stunning Coonawarra wine region. Expect art exhibitions, live performances, workshops, walking tours, and family-friendly fun. From opera lovers to curious kids, there’s something for everyone. Alongside the art, loads of delicious food and fine wine will be on offer in the charming town of Penola.
Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Weekend
17-26 May
For its 40th year, the weekend has expanded to include 150 events over 10 days! Expect feasting, wine events and live music during the main festival weekend. Then extend your stay with the “Breathe It In” calendar of intimate masterclasses, cooking schools, behind-the-scenes tours and art. The finale is the “Land of the Long Lunch”, with unique lunches hosted by famous names in hidden spots throughout the region.
2024 Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk
19 May
Grab your friends, lace up your sneakers and get set to honour the strength of South Australia’s female settlers. Retrace their 26km journey carrying produce from Hahndorf to Adelaide’s markets through stunning Adelaide Hills scenery on this much-loved annual walk. Choose your starting point, join thousands of walkers, then celebrate your finish with live music, food and views at historic Beaumont House.
Candide
23-25 May
SA’s flagship theatre and opera companies come together for the first time in more than a decade to present a spectacular concert version of Leonard Bernstein’s beloved comic operetta and existential vaudeville, Candide. This witty, globe-spanning tale comes to life with a thrilling cast, in a rare collaboration between the State Theatre Company South Australia and State Opera South Australia, featuring the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival
24 May – 2 June
With over 100 performances across 10 nights, this year’s Cab Fringe will be the biggest ever. Featuring everything from free pop-up street performances to open mic nights, its impressive lineup of performers includes international, award-winning and local cabaret talent. Catch musical, comedy and burlesque acts at venues across Adelaide – and, for the first time this year, regional SA.
Vino and Vibes
25-26 May
Think of this as a bougie pub crawl (without the price tag!). Explore wine, beer and spirit tastings at eight super cool food, drink and entertainment spots in the southern CBD – all with free entry. There will be live music and DJs across the venues and Vitisculpture is even running pottery classes! Each venue’s got delicious food to fuel the fun. Best of all, free hop-on, hop-off transport makes it easy to get from one place to the next.
Commbank Matildas v China PR – The ‘Til It’s Done Farewell Series
31 May
Cheer on our Aussie soccer heroes, the Matildas, in their epic pre-Olympics farewell clash against China. Tickets to see them live at Adelaide Oval might be gone, but the party’s still on! Grab your mates and head to your fave local showing the game – it’s going be electric! Or throw your own watch party at home – the Matildas deserve the ultimate send-off.
