This is how Adelaide does Australia Day.
On Australia Day, Adelaide pulls out all the stops to celebrate everything green and gold.
Each year its celebration gets better with 40,000+ people flocking to the city in celebration. Planning to be one in that 40,000? There’s a full list of events waiting for you on the day.
Better get crackin’.
Australia Day fireworks, Adelaide
Heralded as the biggest fireworks display of the year for South Australians, rockets will be launched from Pinky Flat and the River Torrens in a spectacle like no other.
Adelaide shows off at 9.30pm with its exceptional display of pyrotechnics over the city skyline.
To catch them in all their glory there are two vantage points that offer the best views, both located along the River Torrens.
For more info: Australia Day in the City
Best Australia Day fireworks vantage points:
| Vantage Point | What's happening? | Food and drink |
|---|---|---|
| Elder Park | Starting from 7pm. Concert by Chris Sebastian and Ricki-Lee as well as a street parade, vintage cars, flag raising ceremony, cutting of the Australia Day cake and flyby by an F-18 Hornet. | Food and drink for sale. |
| Grass in front of Adelaide Casino, Intercontinental and Adelaide Convention Centre | No events scheduled. | None. Bars and restaurants nearby. |
Australia Day Adelaide: Other celebrations and events
Australia Day Breakfast, Adelaide (various)
I'll skip the free breakfast, thanks. Said no one – ever.
A bang-on Australia Day tradition throughout the nation is a free brekky – and Adelaide has quite a few. If you’re seeking some good grub you can find it at the following places on 26 January:
- Port Lincoln: As part of the Tunarama Festival, Port Lincoln’s annual Australia Day Breakfast on the Beach at Eyre Square is a hearty meal. It's served by the city's councillors and prepared by Dragons Abreast members. Breakfast from 7am.
- Playford: The city of Playford hosts an annual barbeque breakfast at Fremont Park on Australia Day. Playford will also host a day full of festival and amusement park activities and events. Breakfast starts at 8am.
- Victor Harbor: Celebrations at Victor Harbor include a barbeque breakfast, citizenship ceremony and live entertainment from 8am.
- Mount Gambier: The community is invited to come to Railway Lands for the annual Australia Day breakfast and acknowledge outstanding members of the local community.
- Cleve: The Council of Cleve starts Australia Day off with a BBQ brekky in Centenary Park and continues the event with a presentation of Australia Day awards. It all starts at 8am.
Australia Day Adelaide Parade
One of the the largest Australia Day parade in the country is right on your doorstep.
It's all about community spirit in Adelaide this Australia Day as over 4,000 people take to the streets in an enormous parade of pride and celebration. Their mode of transport will include vintage cars and floats and their outfits may include everything from marching band attire to giant echidna mascot costumes.
An F-18 Hornet aircraft will also be part of this year's parade which runs from 6pm–7pm from Victoria Square to Elder Park.
For more info: Australia Day in the City
Australia Day Adelaide concert
You'll have the national anthem stuck in your head for days following this true blue concert – and that's just the way it should be.
The biggest names in Australian music gather to sing their hearts out on Australia Day in Elder Park. Artists gracing this honourable stage this year are The Veronicas and The Sundance Kids.
Annually, the concert attracts over 30,000 music-loving Australians and includes a 21-gun salute, flag raising ceremony and the cutting of an Australia Day cake. The concert begins at 7pm.
For more info: Australia Day in the City
Kumangka, Mukapainga, Tampinga - Together, Remember, Recognise
A celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
One of the newest events on the Australia Day calendar, Kumangka, Mukapainga, Tampinga, which translates to "together, remember, recognise" is an installation held at Elder Park. It showcases Aboriginal and Torres Strait people from the past and present and will be available to view from 24-28 January.
For more info: Australia Day South Australia
Semaphore Summer Carnival
Fun in the sun is the name of the game at Semaphore.
From New Year's till Australia Day, holidaymakers can enjoy free children's entertainment every Sunday in the sun-kissed suburb of Semaphore. We know what you’re thinking: what about on Australia Day? True, it doesn’t land on a Sunday this year, but that doesn’t mean the fun stops.
On 26 January, Semaphore Summer Carnival goes all-out, delivering a carnival-inspired day of roving entertainment, magicians and themed shows. Things kick off at noon and conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30pm.
For more info: Semaphore South Australia
Compass Cup
Celebrate at Australia's ONLY cow race.
With Australia Day falling on a Saturday this year, it coincides perfectly with the Compass Cup.
It's a day of wacky events and a warped sense of humor and yes, there is a cow race that you can get in on, too.
This one's geared at all ages, so bring the fam along for an a-moo-zing day out.
For more info: Compass Cup
Family Fun Day at Wallis Auchendarroch House
It's all about the little ones here.
For something a little bit different, spend the day at Auchendarroch House. A citzenship ceremony will be held at 10am and lunch and entertainment will follow, including face painting, mini golf and a travelling petting farm.
For more info: Wallis Auchendarroch House
Top free things to do on Australia Day in Adelaide
- Have a pirate adventure at Carnival of the Sea: From 24-27 January, mermaids, pirates and underwater creatures will take over Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula for the little ones to wonder at.
- Cycle the Linear Park Cycle Track: Get on your bike and explore the city on two wheels, passing the iconic Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Zoo.
- Head to the beach: Do it right this year and make yours a beach day this Australia Day. Bring the cricket set / volleyball set / boogie board / picnic basket (cross out whichever is irrelevant) – oh and don’t forget to pencil in some time for a good ol’ thong toss.
- Uncover Aussie treasures at the State Library: Australia Day isn’t just a free day off work and school; it’s a day to acknowledge our history and roots. This month the State Library has an Adelaide Central Market exhibition on, which showcases collection items from Adelaide City Council, the State Library and market traders.
Are shops open on Australia Day in Adelaide?
Here are the major shopping centres that typically open on Australia Day public holiday and trading hours:
- Rundle Mall: Open from 11am–5pm
- Harbour Town Adelaide: Open from 11am–5pm (select stores open only)
- Castle Plaza Shopping Centre: Closed
- Elizabeth Shopping Centre: Closed
- Burnside Village: Closed
- Westfield Marion: Closed
