We’re not naturally winter people, but once you know just how much is going on in Adelaide during the cooler months, it’s hard to let the cold bother you anyway! From free events to fam-friendly, romantic rendezvous, artistic adventures and everything in between — Adelaide truly comes alive with Illuminate Adelaide.
During July, Illuminate Adelaide shines a light on our stunning city, with free and ticketed events showcasing local, national and international artists and companies. This bright initiative showcases innovation, art, light, music and technology against the backdrop of our alluring city and will spark joy in minds of all ages.
Here’s our pick of the program…
Illuminate Adelaide in Mount Gambier | Image :: Christy Radford
Let’s get family-friendly
City Lights
Friday 15 July – Sunday 31 July, 6pm – 11pm
Various locations
Free
You don’t have to spend up to be part of the fun — just rug up and get ready to be inspired with this full program of awesome city light installations! Free for all ages and running nightly from 6pm to 11pm, this series of immersive installations, artworks and large-scale activations brings some of our most iconic laneways, streets and open spaces across Adelaide to life with a kaleidoscope of colour and music from local and international artists. So cool!
For the full program, locations and to plan this artistic adventure, head here.
Illuminate Adelaide 2021 | Airship Orchestra, Artist ENESS | Image :: Jiayuan Liang
Artist :: Sky Caste by ENESS in Rundle Mall | Image :: Frankie The Creative
Light Cycles
Adelaide Botanic Garden
Thursday 7 July – Sunday 31 July 2022
Tickets from $38
This incredible experience sold out last year — so don’t miss your chance to be part of it this time round! Renowned Montreal studio, Moment Factory, transforms Adelaide Botanic Garden into an immersive night of lights and the natural wonders right in our city’s centre. Using light, lasers, projection and music, this production won’t let you look at these lush gardens in the same way ever again!
For more information and to book, head here.
Illuminate Adelaide 2021 in Adelaide Botanic Garden | Artist and image :: Moment Factory
Illuminate Adelaide 2021 – Light Cycles | Artist and image :: Moment Factory
Light Creatures
Adelaide Zoo
Thursday 7 – Sunday 31 July 2022
Tickets from $26
We can’t WAIT to take our small fries to this one! This nocturnal adventure at the zoo will have eyes popping and jaws dropping for kids and adults alike! With a combination of lanterns, lights, interactive performances (and an enormous glowing tiger that prowls the zoo’s grounds), it’s a celebration of conservation and wild fun for the entire family.
Grab your tickets from here.
Light Creatures at Adelaide Zoo | Image :: Adelaide Zoo Facebook
Let’s get romantic
Base Camp
Victoria Square
Friday 1 July – Sunday 31 July 2022
Free entry
Get ready for the ultimate throwback to your heart-fluttering teenage years as you get all early 90s and do laps of an ice-skating rink with your crush… except, this time it’s even better! From the superstars who deliver Gluttony and Lucky Dumpling each year, Base Camp is a winter village filled with delicious food, drink, entertainment and an ice-skating rink right in Victoria Square — and it’s open day or night!
For all the info, head here.
Let’s get arty
Wisdom of AI Light
Illuminate Pavilion – East End
From 16 July for a limited time only
Tickets $35 (free for under 4 years)
If you liked Van Gogh Alive, you love art, or you just want your mind blown, this one’s for you! Istanbul-based visionaries, Ouchhh Studio, collaborated with NASA and CERN to put together this awesome collaboration of art, artificial intelligence, unreal projection, all set to the music of iconic classical composer, Ludovico Einaudi. There’s a reason this production has taken European audiences by storm, so don’t miss your chance to see it right here.
Ouchhh Studio | Wisdom of AI Light Image :: Illuminate Adelaide Facebook
We will slam you with our wings
The State Library of South Australia
Friday 15 July – Sunday 31 July 2022
Free entry
Based on Henry Darger’s painting, We Will Slam Them With Our Wings, this video and sound installation runs across seven screens and showcases a 19th century colonial imperialistic portrait with a twist. Instead of being ruled by white powerful men, this production’s leaders are young girls, each representing a different continent and coming together to form a powerful female army.
For more information, head here.
New Light
Adelaide Festival Centre, Media Screens
Friday 1 July – Sunday 31 July 2022
Free
Big media screens at the entrance to the Adelaide Festival Centre come alive with commissioned artwork from four incredible First Nations artists. They’re a melody of experimental and diverse moving images, with some even having been also displayed interstate and internationally.
For all the details, head here.
‘Beeyali’ by 2021 New Light commissioned artist Lyndon Davis | Image :: Frankie The Creative
This is just a snippet of so many wonderful events across Adelaide as part of Illuminate Adelaide. For the full program and to plan some adventures you won’t soon forget, head to the website.
Em xx
