Mad March is great, but it doesn’t stop there: The Festival State lives up to its title all year round – keeping South Australia energised.
Festivals that keep the adrenaline pumping
Santos Tour Down Under, January
A great opportunity to cheer on the peloton as they journey across the state! We are talking Australia’s Greatest Cycling Race – the opening event for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) WorldTour (men’s race) and UCI ProSeries event (women’s race). The races bring professional cyclists from all over the world to the streets of Adelaide and regional South Australia every year to take home the Ochre Winner’s Jersey. We call it the Aussie version of the Tour de France yellow jersey.
January also plays host to the Santos Festival of Cycling that includes track cycling, participation events for amateur cyclists, concerts, street parties, family days and more.
Tunarama, January
Famously known for the tuna throw competition, the annual Bendigo Bank Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln celebrates the tuna industry of the region. A festival packed with cultural and art displays, local market stalls and some of the freshest seafood in the world, it is the tuna toss that is in fact the absolute pride of Tunarama, whereby competitors take turns throwing a whopping 10kg rubber tuna for a chance to win the coveted Tuna Toss World Championship.
Adelaide Fringe Festival, February & March
Did you know we are home to the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere? Yes, you read that correctly. The Adelaide Fringe is a vibrant, eclectic, open-access event that includes displays of theatre, cabaret, comedy, circus, visual arts and so much more across the entire state.
The beating heart of the festival is in the city, with the Garden of Unearthly Delights and Gluttony’s spiegeltents located in the East End. They are the perfect places to catch a show or enjoy the epic food and drink offering of local vendors surrounded by a world of colour.
WOMADelaide, March
Known as ‘The World’s Festival’, WOMADelaide (affectionately called WOMAD) is a celebration of creative and cultural diversity. With displays of music, arts and dance across four days and nights, WOMAD brings together people from all walks of life, from all over the globe.
Over 950 artists and groups have performed at the festival since its inception in 1992 .
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, June
If you love yourself some cabaret, this would be the perfect sight for your eyes. The Adelaide Cabaret Festival has got to be the most awaited, largest cabaret festival in the world. Highlighting the best local, national, and international artists in contemporary and classical musical theatre, the festival kicks off on the June long weekend each year.
In 2021, the festival’s artistic director was international actor, singer, writer and filmmaker, Alan Cummings who brought together an inspiring line up in a world of uncertainty. And in 2022, the festival will be headed by iconic Australian singer-songwriter, producer, actress and performer, Tina Arena AM.
Bay to Birdwood, September
If you consider yourself a lover of cars, this is the event for you. The Bay to Birdwood is the “largest, continually held motoring event for veteran, vintage and classic vehicles anywhere in the world.” Talk about impressive! Starting in West Beach, historic vehicles travel a scenic 70km route all the way to the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills. At the end of the drive, enthusiasts gather to admire the cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles on display for judging, while enjoying an afternoon of entertainment.
The Bay to Birdwood is held on the last Sunday in September each year.