August is refusing to let you hibernate, with fashion markets, a dog film festival, glowing parks, outback adventures and plenty of cheese worth leaving the couch for. Discover what’s happening this month in South Australia.
Fleurieu Food Festival
1–31 August
Eat your way around the Fleurieu this August as this month-long festival takes over wineries, farms, distilleries and restaurants across the peninsula. Stretch your own mozzarella before a gin tasting, work through a six-course dessert degustation, tuck into whole lamb cooked over coals or draw across paper tablecloths over a dumpling lunch. With more than 120 events on offer, coming hungry is the only real requirement.
SALA Festival
1–31 August
SALA paints the state with more than 700 exhibitions and events popping up in cafés, pubs, libraries, studios and anywhere with a spare wall. Peek inside artists’ studios, watch Robin Eley paint a portrait live or catch artworks projected across Karoonda’s towering grain silos. Most events are free, so a quick browse could easily become an all-day art crawl.
Buy SA Week
1-9 August
Support local and score a few perks while you’re at it when Buy SA Week returns this year. Expect free tastings, pop-up events, giveaways, discounts and competitions across shopping centres, retail precincts and community hubs statewide. Highlights include an SA seafood showcase in Rundle Mall, a pizza masterclass at the Adelaide Central Market and a Sprout Cooking School demo at Hollywood Plaza.
Anastasia the Musical
2–30 August
Cue childhood nostalgia. The beloved story of Anastasia sweeps into Adelaide in a dazzling production filled with princess drama, a dashing conman and a mystery stretching from imperial Russia to 1920s Paris. Test your memory and sing along as much-loved songs Once Upon a December and Journey to the Past fill the Festival Theatre.
The Nutcracker Act II and Other Works
5–8 August
Skip straight to the Land of Sweets as The Nutcracker’s magical second act is brought to life by The Australian Ballet. The new touring program pairs the classic with Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and two world premieres, moving from much-loved ballet to brand-new choreography in one performance. On show at the Dunstan Playhouse for only four nights – get in quickly.
Walk a Mile in My Boots
7 August
In Australia, a person sleeping rough is estimated to walk around 28km each week just to reach essential services and find somewhere safe to sleep. Walk a Mile in My Boots invites South Australians to walk 1.6km through Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi in support of the 7000 people experiencing homelessness across the state, followed by a barbecue breakfast. Keen to go further? Register to walk two, seven or 10 miles a day during National Homelessness Week (3–9 August).
Top Dog Film Festival
8 August
Sit, stay and settle in for more than two hours of short films celebrating very good dogs from around the world. Expect daring adventures, heartwarming rescues, clever canines and learn about the humans devoted to sharing their stories. There will be laughs, happy tears and plenty of proof that dogs really do deserve top billing. You’d be barking mad to miss it.
Australian Pool Rescue Championships
7–9 August
Forget about pool noodles. Australia’s top lifesavers are diving into three days of fast-paced competition, putting the rescue skills that keep them patrol-ready to the test. Watch elite swimmers race against the clock at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, with national team qualifications also on the line.
SA Variety Bash: Pivot to Pirie
8–15 August
Road trips do not get much more colourful than this. The SA Variety Bash sends a convoy of wildly-themed cars through regional and remote communities, raising funds and delivering grants to schools along the way. Behind the costumes, creative paint jobs and outback detours is a serious mission – changing the lives of South Australian children facing sickness, disadvantage or disability.
Fire and Froth
15 August
Dust off thy cloaks. Little Bang Brewing is going medieval for a day of fire-fuelled feasting, frothy ales and general ye olde carry-on. Catch live sword fights, folk music and fire spinners, then toast the release of Little Bang’s 2026 Doom Bound Baltic Porter. Best-dressed prizes are up for grabs, so come as your finest knight, rogue, mage or goblin.
Round She Goes
16 August
Give your wardrobe a spin at Round She Goes – an indoor market packed with more than 50 stalls of preloved and vintage women’s fashion. Browse through designer pieces, retro clothing, bags and jewellery, with change rooms on hand for proper try-ons. With items dating from the 1950s onwards, there’s something for every kind of vintage lover.
Parachilna Outback Beer Fest
21–23 August
Set on the edge of the Flinders Ranges, Parachilna Outback Beer Fest brings together regional South Australian brews, country music and hearty food over three days. Friday warms up with a long-table dinner under the stars and an acoustic set from Axle Whitehead. Saturday is the main event, with regional breweries, food, markets and live music headlined by Shannon Noll, before Sunday winds things down with a recovery breakfast and acoustic verandah sessions.
Kangaroo Island Marathon
23 August
This is no ordinary running route. The Kangaroo Island Marathon takes runners through the heart of Flinders Chase National Park, past regenerating bushland, undulating roads and trails, dramatic Southern Ocean views and a boardwalk leading to Remarkable Rocks. Choose from a 10km, half marathon, marathon or 50km ultra, and prepare to run wild.
Mould X Pinot Palooza
28–30 August
Elevate your charcuterie board game. Australia’s biggest cheese and wine party makes its Adelaide stop at The Queen’s Theatre, bringing more than 100 artisan cheeses and wines from Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Tastings are unlimited, and your ticket includes a cooler bag perfect for carrying home your cheese haul.
Big Gay Night Markets
29 August
Adelaide Gaol’s cells will be taken over by stalls as Pride Adelaide launches its first queer winter night market. Support small businesses as you browse local makers, warm up with hot food and catch live performances after dark. Round up your friends or family for an all-ages night of community, creativity and plenty of queer joy.
Murray Bridge Glows
29 August
Diamond Park is lighting up for one magical night as Murray Bridge bids farewell to winter. Warm up beside the fires, watch dazzling fire and light performers, catch live music and wander through glowing installations beneath the stars. Food and drink vendors have dinner sorted, and entry is free. Rug up and follow the glow.
