Winter’s here, but the vibes are anything but chilly! SA heats up this month with rugged-up wine tastings, glowing light installations, cocktail trails and family-friendly festivities from coast to country.
Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers
1-31 July
Celebrate 21 years of Coonawarra’s finest aged wines at Cellar Dwellers. With over 40 special tastings, brunches, wine-pairing dinners, chocolate pairings – even popcorn and pasta – this month-long program invites you to explore back-vintage beauties in warm cellar doors all across the region.
Winter Choc Fest
1 July – 31 August
Barossa Valley Chocolate Company turns up the indulgence for its annual chocolate celebration. Enjoy cosy dome dining experiences, molten chocolate platters, hot drinks, chocolate workshops, and family-friendly activities – all set among the vineyards.
Illuminate Adelaide
2-20 July
Illuminate Adelaide transforms cold city nights into something magical. With more than 130 experiences across the CBD, the festival blends light, sound, art, and technology into a dazzling, immersive adventure. Watch drones perform sky-bound choreography at Adelaide Oval, explore laser-lit gardens, dance to underground electronica, or roam the West End glowing with digital art. From family-friendly dinosaur puppets at the zoo to deep listening sessions and experimental soundscapes, there’s something for every curious night owl. Cap it off at Base Camp with mulled wine, fire pits, and warming eats.
The Drop In: Red Edition
4 July
Red wine lovers, take note – this one-night tasting event at the National Wine Centre is your chance to discover bold and brilliant alternatives to the usual suspects. Featuring varietals like Mencia, Aglianico, Blaufränkisch and more, The Drop In: Red Edition celebrates the rise of reds that break tradition. Your ticket includes unlimited tastings from standout producers, a take-home Spiegelau glass, and the opportunity to chat with winemakers.
Festival of Darkness
5 July
Get ready to embrace the dark side at this beloved beer fest hosted by NOLA and The Stag. With unlimited tastings from 18 indie brewers, live music, festival eats and moody winter vibes, this is one unmissable night of roasted malts and rowdy fun.
Urban Cocktail Trail: Henley Beach
5 July
This coastal twist on a pub crawl lets you sip your way through Henley Beach’s buzzing bar scene with a self-guided trail of bespoke cocktails. You’ll start with a bite and drink at your check-in venue before choosing your own mixology adventure from bars like Mia Margarita, Seamores and Henley House.
AVCon
5-6 July
South Australia’s biggest anime, gaming and pop culture event returns to the Adelaide Showground. Whether you’re into Pokémon or PlayStation, AVCon delivers a jam-packed weekend with arcade zones, tabletop battles, anime screenings, panels, indie games, and a vibrant Artist Alley. Cosplayers bring colour and creativity to every corner, while younger fans can enjoy a safe and welcoming space.
NAIDOC Week
6-13 July
Celebrate the oldest continuing culture on earth with events across South Australia honouring this year’s theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. Find cultural tours, weaving workshops, festivals, art and music near you – or celebrate the week by organising an event of your own.
Kimberly Akimbo
8-19 July
This award-winning Broadway musical makes its Australian premiere in Adelaide, starring Casey Donovan, Marina Prior and Christie Whelan Browne. Full of heart and humour, Kimberly Akimbo is a quirky coming-of-age tale like no other.
NAIDOC SA March and Family Festival
11 July
Join thousands in the heart of Adelaide for the NAIDOC SA March, a powerful celebration of Indigenous culture, activism, and pride. Kicking off at Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square) at 11am, the march makes its way to Parliament House before returning for the free Family Festival. From 12–4pm, enjoy live music, amusement rides, food trucks, community stalls, and activities for all ages.
Cellar Door Fest: Winter Edit
11-12 July
The boutique winter edition of Adelaide’s favourite food and wine fest brings together SA’s best producers under one roof at the Convention Centre. Sample wines, spirits, and gourmet treats while local musicians bring the vibe. The event offers the cosy, curated atmosphere of a cellar door experience in the heart of the city.
AUNZ XV vs British & Irish Lions
12 July
For the first time in 36 years, an Invitational Australia-New Zealand rugby team takes on the mighty British & Irish Lions – right here at Adelaide Oval. This once-in-a-generation clash promises high-intensity action, world-class athletes, and a roaring crowd. It’s the Lions’ first return to Adelaide in 139 years, and with the South taking on the North, you can expect fireworks on and off the field. Grab your scarf, your mates and your voice – it’s going to be loud.
The Music of Hans Zimmer & Others
21 July
Lose yourself in the epic soundscapes of cinema’s greatest composer in this breathtaking tribute concert to Hans Zimmer. Performed live by orchestra, choir and soloists, the program includes iconic scores from Inception, Interstellar, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, The Lion King, Dune and more – plus music from Zimmer’s influences like Ennio Morricone. Expect goosebumps, film clips, dramatic lighting and a special guest from one of the original productions to guide you through the magic.
The Sleeping Beauty
22-29 July
The Australian Ballet returns to Adelaide with The Sleeping Beauty, a visual feast of gilded costumes, over 300 handmade props, and fairytale splendour. Set to Tchaikovsky’s luminous score and performed with live accompaniment by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, this opulent production by David McAllister revives ballet’s golden era. Prepare to be swept into a world of spells, romance, and timeless magic in a performance that’s as enchanting as it is technically dazzling.
Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival
23 July – 13 August
Escape into the rugged beauty, dry humour and dark dramas of Nordic cinema at this year’s Scandinavian Film Festival. With a diverse lineup spanning Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland, highlights include the Cannes Grand Prix-winning Sentimental Value, WWII thriller Number 24 and Iceland’s box office hit Grand Finale.
Winter Reds Festival
25-27 July
Get cosy in the Hills as over 50 wineries and venues open their doors for a long weekend of cool-climate reds, fireside food and wintery good times. This year’s ambassador, Matt Preston, will be donning his signature cravat to headline events ranging from cellar tastings and sashimi masterclasses to hearty long lunches and winery parties. Expect live music, crackling fire pits, food trucks, and community vibes. Whether you’re up for natural wines and pizza under fairy lights or seated tastings with cabernet and crepes, there’s a Winter Reds event with your name on it.
Willunga Almond Blossom Festival
26-27 July
Celebrate the arrival of the blossoms and the magic of winter on the Fleurieu with a family-friendly festival packed with rides, live music, market stalls, food trucks, and blossom walks. There’s an almond cookery competition, almond cracking contests, camel and pony rides, fireworks, kids’ shows, and even woolly hats for sale. Whether you’re wandering through artisan markets, snacking on wood-fired pizza, or catching the fireworks, this is a weekend that mixes small-town charm with big-time fun.
Garage Girls
29 July – 9 August
Part theatrical romp, part history lesson, Garage Girls brings the trailblazing story of Alice Anderson – the 1920s entrepreneur and Australia’s first female garage owner – to regional South Australia. Set against the backdrop of post-war Melbourne, the show features live sound effects, quick costume changes and a vintage soundtrack as Alice navigates society’s expectations and the engine grease of a changing world. Touring with Country Arts SA, this fast-paced 70-minute show stops in Lameroo, Keith, Ceduna, Cummins, American River and Seddon.
