The Illuminate Adelaide Festival happens every July — right in the middle of winter — in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia. It’s an amazing light show that transforms some of Adelaide city’s main streets into a dazzling display of color and creativity. In this Illuminate Adelaide: City Lights Event Guide, I’ll give you the lowdown on what it’s all about.
Since launching in July 2021, Illuminate Adelaide has continued to grow and thrive, and it’s set to keep shining through 2025 and beyond. If you’re in Adelaide when Illuminate Adelaide is on, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Adelaide’s most spectacular light festival is a great experience, but there are also plenty of other reasons to visit Adelaide — from stunning beaches to world-class wine regions. You can learn more in the top 10 things to do in Adelaide, which I’m sure will give you even more inspiration to visit.
Sure, the best time to visit Adelaide is in summer, but if you’re in the city in winter for some reason, keep the Illuminate Adelaide Festival in mind. So, ready to discover what kind of Illuminate Adelaide attractions are waiting for you? Let’s take a look!
Illuminate Adelaide: Ultimate Guide to Adelaide’s Best Light Festival
Illuminate Adelaide transforms its spectacular displays each year, ensuring there’s always something fresh and captivating to discover. A diverse array of talented artists craft mesmerizing light installations, creating an ever-evolving visual feast. As you stroll along North Terrace, you’re likely to encounter enormous glowing or moon-like balls that captivate with their vibrant, shifting colors.
These inflatable orbs shift colors on the fly — going from calm blues to fiery reds — and cast this mesmerizing glow that keeps changing the scene. It’s pretty amazing to watch, with the light and colors always moving and blending, making the whole place feel super immersive and enchanting. Here’s my mum standing in front of a glowing red ball, with the Tiffany & Co building in the background.
You’ll notice many visitors at the Illuminate Adelaide Festival, eagerly capturing breathtaking photos amid the mesmerizing light displays that illuminate North Terrace into a luminous wonderland.
The Illuminate Adelaide Festival is packed with live events that really bring the city to life. One standout was a mesmerizing show featuring luminous horses. You could catch them roaming along Rundle Street and also on North Terrace. The highlight was in front of the South Australian Museum, where the glowing horses performed a peaceful, almost hypnotic dance — totally calming and beautiful to watch.
Just a heads-up: Make sure to check the Illuminate Adelaide event schedule so you don’t miss out on any of the free shows. They really make the experience unforgettable. I had to go back because the first time I only caught the tail end of the performance on Rundle Street. The second time, I got to see the entire show across both Rundle Street and North Terrace — and honestly, it was fantastic!
During the Illuminate Adelaide Festival, there’s always some seriously cool light art popping up around North Terrace and nearby spots like Festival Plaza. That’s right next to the SkyCity Adelaide and right near the historic Railway Station, with the Torrens River just a short walk away.
Here I am next to one of the coolest installations — it kind of looks like a UFO! It’s called “Emergence” by This is Loop, and it’s a large, circular, UFO-like piece with doorways you can actually walk into.
The way it lit up was incredible — the beams shot out like it was powering up to blast off into space. The mix of lights and futuristic music made it feel like we were on the edge of a sci-fi adventure.
Getting inside was a whole other level — seeing the lights up close totally upped the out-of-this-world feeling. It’s honestly one of those moments you don’t forget!
Located on the west side of the State Library of South Australia on North Terrace, there is a beautiful fountain and water feature called Bill’s Fountain. During the Illuminate Adelaide Festival, they really decked it out — lighting it up with shimmering blue hues and turning it into a real visual treat.
They also added this awesome art installation called The Legend of the Golden Koi, featuring these fake Koi fish that seemed to jump out of the water, adding an extra touch of magic to the whole scene. It’s honestly a pretty stunning spot to check out, especially when everything’s lit up like that.
One of the standout moments of Illuminate Adelaide was witnessing Government House illuminated with a captivating, one-of-a-kind display. This time, the building was draped in striking black and white lighting, giving it an abstract and artistic appearance.
On other occasions, you might be fortunate enough to see dynamic, moving visuals projected onto its walls. While it didn’t resonate with me personally this time, I look forward to experiencing what next time has in store.
During the Illuminate Adelaide Festival, there is an exciting possibility that Adelaide University’s iconic Bonython Hall might open its doors to visitors — though nothing is guaranteed. Last year, for instance, the historic State Library of South Australia’s Mortlock Wing was accessible, providing a rare glimpse into its grandeur and transforming into a gin lovers’ paradise. However, during this year’s stunning lighting installation, when these lighting tubes gracefully cascaded down from Bonython Hall’s ceiling, the library remained closed for renovations.
The festival’s ever-changing nature keeps visitors guessing, as each year unveils new surprises and hidden gems nestled within the historic walls of buildings along North Terrace.
Illuminate Adelaide Festival: Free Exhibitions and Attractions
While I was out with my mum, I noticed this really cool neon sign advertising a free exhibit called Out of This World. I honestly intended to check it out that evening, but I completely forgot. The next night, I finally stopped by and was so glad I did. The Illuminate Adelaide experience was packed with all kinds of amazing space-themed displays.
There were vintage books like Prelude to Space by Arthur C. Clarke and Mettle at Woomera by Ames MacNeil. I even learned about The Stranger, Australia’s first sci-fi TV series, and the Aussie OSCAR 5 amateur radio satellite. There was a kid’s battery-powered toy called Spacecraft Ranger that looked pretty awesome, plus loads of interesting facts about space exploration. There was even a Space documentary playing on a large screen.
You could also see a giant timeline showing major space events — like the Apollo missions, which got their name from Apollo, the god of light. All of this is displayed inside the State Library Gallery. And if you’re really into space stuff, there’s more at Lot Fourteen on North Terrace, which is usually open during every Illuminate Adelaide Festival. Basically, space buffs are totally spoiled for choice around here!
One thing that particularly caught my attention was the official luncheon document featuring the Apollo 11 astronauts, held in Sydney on November 1, 1969, to commemorate the historic lunar landing.
While I was with my mum, we actually got pretty close to some angels dressed in white, their outfits glowing with light. You never know what jaw-dropping surprises await at the Illuminate Adelaide Festival — it’s truly a spectacle of the unexpected.
Illuminate Adelaide Festival: Guide to Food and Drinks
During the Illuminate Adelaide Festival, there’s no shortage of tasty spots to grab a bite or a drink. Head over to Base Camp on North Terrace for some good food, drinks, and snacks to keep you happy. If you’re into wine, why not kick back and relax at the pop-up Lumen Bar on the front lawn of Adelaide University? And that’s just the start — Rundle Street eateries, the options in Rundle Mall, and SkyCity Adelaide are all close by, offering plenty of choices to suit any craving. Basically, during City Lights, you’ve got a whole world of food and drink options right at your fingertips.
Guide to Illuminate Adelaide: Tips, Tickets, and Highlights
Winter nights are perfect for Illuminate Adelaide! It’s one of the city’s coolest festivals of art, light, music, and tech. Think late nights, dazzling displays, and big adventures around every corner. In July, some of the world’s most talented and daring artists transform the city into a giant playground of lights and creativity, inviting you to discover something new, exciting, and truly breathtaking.
Beautiful streets, hidden spots, and famous landmarks are given a fresh makeover with both free and ticketed events — all designed to shake off those winter blues and ignite your sense of wonder. Adelaide Zoo and the Adelaide Botanic Gardens also participate by offering their own take on Illuminate Adelaide, although entry to these areas requires tickets.
The free City Lights event on North Terrace and Rundle Street is probably enough to keep most visitors happy. Honestly, I think it’s better to spend your money on food and drinks instead of ticketed events. That said, trying out a ticketed event once might be worth it for the experience.
Top Adelaide Walking & Art Guides
The Illuminate Adelaide Festival is just one of the many cool things happening in the city. You might also want to check out the Brighton Jetty Sculptures Event in summer, which is a great drawcard at Brighton Beach. Or, if you’re into mythology, there are some awesome Greek mythology attractions in Adelaide.
If you enjoy walking, you should check out the 35 Best Walks in Adelaide, which feature some really nice hikes with beautiful waterfalls. Whatever your interests, Adelaide’s got you covered — except for snow, since the city doesn’t get any.
Pin it … Share it
