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Australia Day in Adelaide in 2024: Fireworks, events and things to do
Take your Australia Day plans from day to night with these events in Adelaide.
We've got all the information you need to figure out how you want to spend Australia Day on 26 January. From free events and activities to everything else on offer, Adelaide has it all going on this Australia Day.
Australia Day fireworks in Adelaide
In 2024, the Australia Day fireworks event Aus Lights on the River will see fireworks fly on the river on 25 and 26 January at 9:30pm.
Elder Park (Tarntanya Wama) is the official vantage point and entertainment zone for the event.
Australia Day events in Adelaide for 2024
| Events | Details | Where | When | Cost | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aus Lights on the River | A 2-day event running from 25–26 January, ADCSA has worked closely with First Nation and multicultural groups to create a meaningful program of events in the lead-up to Australia Day. | Amphitheatre, Elder Park (Tarntanya Wama) | 5pm–11pm | Free | More info |
| Official Ceremony | A Welcome to Country and address by the Premier of South Australia and Lord Mayor kicks off the Australia Day celebrations on 26 January. The ceremony also features a performance by the Iwiri Choir. | Elder Park (Tarntanya Wama) | 8pm-9pm | Free | More info |
| Australia Day Breakfast | A great Australia Day tradition throughout the country is free breakfast – and Adelaide has quite a few locations ready to whip up a bacon and egg roll or fruit and yoghurt for you, followed by the flag-raising, Australia Day and citizenship ceremonies. If you're located near Adelaide CBD, Centenary Park is your closest location but there are many across the state. | Centenary Park, Binney Road, Willunga | 8am–11am | Free | More info |
| Australia Day Family Fair in Onkaparinga | Share your athletic side with the people of Adelaide or play lawn games, virtual reality, rock climbing. Bring your own picnic blankets and chairs to the event and stick around until the evening for the local fireworks at 9pm. | South Adelaide Football Club Oval | 5:30pm–9:30pm | Free | More info |
| Mourning in the Morning Smoking Ceremony | The Smoking Ceremony is a time for reflection, inclusion and reconciliation and involves burning native plants to produce a cleansing smoke. A speaker will deliver the address and a cultural dance will be performed by Tal-Kin Jeri, followed by uplifting performances from acclaimed First Nations musicians. | Elder Park (Tarntanya Wama) | 7am–8am | Free | More info |
| Tindo Utpurndee Sunset Ceremony | Tindo Utpurndee stands for Sunset Ceremony. On Australia Day eve as the sun sets, hear the voices and the stories of the First Nations People at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama. | Elder Park (Tarntanya Wama) | 25 January, 8pm | Free | More info |
| Respecting Country Parade | Australia's cultural diversity goes on display in this colourful parade that features over 60 South Australian communities. It begins with a South Australia migrant and refugee story as well as an Our Ancestral story. | Elder Park (Tarntanya Wama) | 7pm-8pm | Free | More info |
| Jetty to Jetty Swim | Australia Day is in the heat of summer and what better way to celebrate the occasion than by cooling off at the beach? The swim has been organised by Masters Swimming South Australia and is a 2.2-kilometre dash from point to point. | Grange Jetty | From 7:30am | Free | More info |
| Australia Day at Rundle Mall | Get swept up in all things Australian this Australia Day at one of Adelaide's favourite shopping destinations with music and storytelling. | Rundle Mall | 11am–2pm on 26 January | Free | More info |
| Aus Lights for Kids | This event features mesmerizing performances from Heap Good Performers and Peter Combe, as well as Australian wildlife encounters that are sure to entertain your kids aged 4 to 8. | Festival Centre Plaza (Karrawirra Parri) | 4pm–6pm on 26 January | Free | More info |
| Australia Day Celebration in the City of Salisbury | Water slides, a Weet-Bix eating contest and a community cricket match – could things get more Australian? Head in early and you'll score a free hot bacon-and-egg breakfast or cool fruit and yogurt dish. Official events include a flag-raising ceremony and Salisbury Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award winners. | Carisbrooke Park, Main North Road | 8am–2pm on 26 January | Free | More info |
| Australia Day at Marion Hotel | The Marion Hotel has more events than you can poke a stick at. Lucky folk can try to win an Aussie-themed prize at the Australia Day wheel, partygoers can dance the night away to Triple J's Hottest 100 and mates can catch up over discounted drinks. | 849 Marion Rd, Mitchell Park | From 4pm on 26 January | Free | More info |
| Australia Day at Campbelltown City Council Lawns | Support your local community as it celebrates Australia Day with a Council Australia Day Awards ceremony, family-friendly activities, BBQ and live entertainment. | Koshigaya Park Campbelltown | 4pm–9pm on 26 January | Free | More info |
Things to do on Australia Day in Adelaide
Head to the Barossa Valley for the day
Get among some of the country's finest wines for this year's Australia Day.
Barossa Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and Helicopter Flight
RedBalloon
Barossa Valley Wineries Tour with Tastings and Lunch
Tripadvisor
Picnic in Barossa Valley
finder.com.au
Meet the local wildlife
Get up close and personal with Australia's cutest wildlife – from feeding wallabies to swimming with dolphins.
Cleland Wildlife Park
RedBalloon
Dolphin Cruise from Adelaide with Optional Dolphin Swim
Viator
Gorge Wildlife Park General Admission
Experience Oz
Take a cruise
Enjoy the water without getting soaked with a cruise of the Torrens River, Victor Harbor or the Glenelg foreshore.
Southern Ocean Adventure from Victor Harbor
Adrenaline
Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River
Viator
Port River Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise Tour in Port Adelaide
Klook
Do the famous roof climb
It's one of the most recognisable sights in Adelaide and you can spend a day prior to or post-Australia Day seeing the city from new heights.
Adelaide Oval Roof Climb - Daytime
Adrenaline
RoofClimb Adelaide Oval Experience
Tripadvisor
Adelaide Oval RoofClimb Experience
Klook
Head out onto the water
Many Australians love a day out spent basking in the sun and splashing in the water. Take it a step further on Australia Day by booking an activity.
Adelaide Fliteboard Lesson - 60 Minutes
RedBalloon
Surf Lesson at Moana Beach
Adrenaline
Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari and Snorkeling Experience
Klook
Top free things to do on Australia Day in Adelaide
- Cycle the Linear Park Cycle Track. Get on your bike and explore the city on 2 wheels, passing the iconic Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Zoo.
- Head to the beach. Do it right this year and make this Australia Day a beach day. Bring the cricket set, volleyball set, boogie board and picnic basket.
- Explore Australia's museums and galleries. Australia is home to plenty of galleries and museums filled with Aussie history and art for you to explore and see on 26 January.
What's open on Australia Day in Adelaide?
Find out which of your favourite sights are open for business come 26 January.
| Attraction | Australia Day trading hours | Where to book |
|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide | 9am–5pm | Tripadvisor |
| Barossa Valley Wineries Tour with Tastings and Lunch from Adelaide | 9am–5pm | Tripadvisor |
| RoofClimb | 9am–9:30pm | Adrenaline |
| Adelaide Zoo | 9:30am–5pm | Tripadvisor |
| Gorge Wildlife Park | 9am–5pm | Experience Oz |
| Adelaide Botanical Garden | 7:15am–7pm | Tripadvisor |
| Central Market | 9:30am–5pm | RedBalloon |
| South Australian Museum | 10am–5pm | Free |
| Art Gallery of South Australia | 10am–5pm | Free |
| Adelaide Himeji Park | 9:30am–5pm | Free |
Are the shops open on Australia Day?
Some shops are open on 26 January 2023. Here are their business hours:
- Rundle Mall: 9am–9pm
- Harbour Town Adelaide: 11am–5pm (select stores open only)
- Castle Plaza Shopping Centre: 9am–9pm
- Burnside Village: 7am–9pm (select stores may vary)
- Westfield Marion: 9am–9pm
Times are correct as of 13 January 2023.
See the latest Adelaide activity deals
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Australia stays from $20 per night
Available on select travel dates across Sydney, Adelaide, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth and more. Sample rate is for a stay in Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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