Summer's sneakily approaching once again *thank goodness* and with it, bringing a slew of stunner events to showcase this sparkling city.

From festivals to rooftop fine diners, plus a stack of NYE events to keep you partying well past midnight, here are Urban List's picks for the best things to do this week, month and beyond in Adelaide.

What's On In Adelaide December 2025

The Concrete Connection Concert(s)

Near Rundle Mall | Friday December 12

Image credit: Benjamin Roberts | Facebook

Musician Benjamin Roberts’ set out to create or perform on every street in the Adelaide CBD (all 577 of them) to raise awareness about mental health. He’s walked, he’s talked, and he’s learnt the importance of listening to support others. Lend him your ears (and legs) as he performs on the laneways surrounding Rundle Mall, meanders to James Place for a mini-set, and roams his way to Stephens Place for the final concert on December 12. Give The Concrete Connection Project a follow for specifics or to make a donation.

Adelady Christmas Village

Victoria Square, Adelaide | Friday 12 December - Saturday 13 December 2025

Image credit: Adelady Christmas Village | Facebook

We're firm on the Chrissy celebrations kicking off strictly as of December 1, so the 2025 installment of the Adelady Chrissy village markets are a safe zone. Loaded with sweet stalls for ticking off that gift list, delicious food and bevvies (including a stacked bar from our faves at 23rd Street Distillery) plus djs, family-friendly fun and *apparently* an appearance from the big man himself, this is a dreamy way to dive into that festive cheer for another year. Find out more here. 

Christmas With Out In The Paddock

The Queens Theatre | Saturday 13 December 2025

Image credit: Out In The Paddock | Supplied

Adelaide's most coveted festive celebration delivers an unforgettable night of theatre, glamour and indulgence. Guests will be treated to a lavish four-course dining experience with all drinks included, paired with signature OIPT entertainment inside one of the city's most iconic venues, The Queens Theatre. The evening calls for a glamourous black-tie dress code, and promises an elevated, atmospheric and completely delightful Christmas affair. Grab your tickets here.

St John Carols by Candlelight

Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama | Saturday 13 December 2025

  Image credit: Adelaide Carols By Candlelight

Santa Claus is heading to town, and so are the St John Carols by Candlelight. Set in the beautiful Elder Park, this free event has delivered the Christmas spirit to South Australians since 1944. There’ll be food, drinks and giveaways. Most importantly, there’ll be Christmas carols and songs for you to sing your heart out to, with the main event kicking off at 8pm. Gather friends and family, grab your picnic rug, and get amongst the festive cheer. Find out more info here.

Friday KnockOffs

Station Road | Every Friday ‘til 19 December 2025

  

Image credit: Station Road | Facebook

Every weekend is worth celebrating, and Station Road has created a series of Friday Knockoffs to help you do just that. Head to Festival Plaza from 4pm and enjoy extended alfresco dining, an outdoor bar, a frozé machine, local DJs, and plenty of good vibes. It’s the perfect set-up for warmer weather and taking a moment to stop and breathe during the silly season. Happy Hour runs from 5-6pm. Make a reservation here.

Vardon Avenue Street Parties

Vardon Avenue | Every Friday and Saturday ‘til 20 December 2025

Image Credit: East End Cellars / Website

They’re baaaaack! The Vardon Avenue Street Parties, that is. Enjoy the extended alfresco dining and fine fare of Vardon Avenue traders, East End Cellars, Mother Vine, NOLA, Enoteca and El Cheeky Flamingo. Starting from 4pm each Friday and Saturday. Bring on the warm nights, DJs under lights, and lingering until it's late.

Christmas Movie Night

Lot.100 Hay Valley | Friday 19 December 2025

 

Image credit: Lot.100 | Facebook

Not that anyone should need another reason to watch Elf this festive season, but we have one! Lot.100 in Hay Valley (Adelaide Hills) is getting festive and hosting a Christmas Movie Night under the stars. Home to some of South Australia’s best, forward-thinking food and craft beverage producers, you can expect plenty of delicious eats and sips served from the Lawn Bar. BYO rugs, bean bags or chairs. Book your spot here.

David Byrne

Adelaide Entertainment Centre | Saturday 24 January 2025

 

Image credit: Ticketek | Website

A night with David Byrne brings colour and worldly consideration, with a healthy dose of accessible pop. The American musician, writer, visual artist and filmmaker continues his lifelong exploration of human connection and returns to Adelaide in January as part of his Who Is The Sky? tour. Think “cinematic, humorous and joyful, but often with a lesson baked in”. Tickets available here.

Cellar Door Fest

Adelaide Convention Centre | Friday 30 January to Sunday 1 February 2026

 Image credit: Ticketek | Website

Try before you drive and know before you go! Head to Adelaide’s favourite food and drink festival, Cellar Door Fest, which brings together more than 100 wineries, distilleries and food producers from across the state under one roof at Adelaide Convention Centre. Meet, taste and discover the very best from South Australia’s wine regions, buzzing distillery scene and incredible produce and plot your next day trip. Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2026, the event brings three days of gourmet fun to the city centre. Buy tickets here.

Art Deco in Adelaide

David Roche Gallery | Until January 31, 2025

 Image credit: David Roche Gallery | Website

This exhibition is for lovers of geometric precision with a luxurious feel and bold colour palette. We’re talking Art Deco, bébé. Following its extraordinary debut in Paris back in the 1920s, its influence reached all the way to Australia. Art Deco: A Modern Vision celebrates 100 years of glamour, innovation, and design. Discover how this distinctive and timeless style became a part of everyday Australian life. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can book your tickets here.

The Last Dinner Party Adelaide

Adelaide Entertainment Centre | Tuesday 13 January 2026

Image credit: Live Nation | Website

If you haven’t got back into Kate Bush via Stranger Things, The Last Dinner Party may well be the thing to convert you. The London five-piece has been described as a modern take on Bush through a cottage-core filter. Confused? Give Nothing Matters a spin (mind the sweary bits) for an introduction, then get along to their show and see how life on the road has helped them hone their craft. They’ve already got two BRIT Awards to their name, and many predict this is just the beginning. Grab your tickets here.

Pick Your Own Fruit

Adelaide Hills | December 2025 into the New Year

 Image credit: Visit Adelaide Hills | Website

Summer brings many good things, including an abundance of delicious fruit. The cherry on top? You can enjoy the outdoors and pick much of it yourself – cherries, included. Most Pick Your Own opportunities start in December and continue through the New Year. Make sure you lob somewhere that’s open by checking details before you get in the car and go. Socials are a good starting point, and the Fresh Fruit App provides up-to-date information on cherries, apples and pears. You can download the app here.

The Midnight Club (NYE)

2KW | Wednesday December 31 2025

Image credit: 2KW
Indulge in some rooftop revelry this New Year’s Eve. Head to 2KW for terrific tunes, flowing champagne and a decadent menu thanks to Sam Christopher, the venue’s Head Chef. The package includes a glass of Pol Roger on arrival, concierge-style services and roaming surprises. All accompanied by a spectacular skyline. Book a ticket here.

Kingford New Years Eve Gala

Kingsford The Barossa | Wednesday 31 December 2025

Image credit: Kingsford The Barossa | Supplied

Keen to kick off 2026 out of the city in style? Kingsford's chic New Year's Eve Gala should be topping your list. Begin with champagne and canapés, then saunter into a three-course menu with perfect wine pairings from the Wine Vault, before heading to the dancefloor to say ciao to the year (all while snacking at the late-night chef's cheese bar, hello). They're also offering some sneaky rates if you want to stay around for a night or two, so check 'em out here.

What's On In Adelaide January 2026

Sidebyside Festival

Helen Mayo Park  | Saturday 31 January 2026

Image credit: Sidebyside.festival | Instagram

Big energy, hypnotic visuals and one massive weekend of dancefloor bliss, Sidebyside Festival returns to Adelaide's city parklands in January 2026 celebrating the intersection of electronic music, art and cutting-edge design. Expect huge global heavyweights like DJ Seinfeld, Harrison BDP and Alex Kassian bringing the vibes, along with local legends like Pretty Girl, Roa Terenzi and RONA ready to pump up the crowds. In the first of its kind for Aussie festivals, Sidebyside's introducing a time-based ticketing system designed to encourage festival-goers to head there early and support those fresher artists playing first off the rank (you'll also get a more affordable entrance price, hello). Grab your tickets here.

What's On In Adelaide February 2026

Adelaide Festival

Various Locations | Friday 27 February - 15 March 2026

Image credit: Adelaide Festival | Instagram

With the full program on sale right this second, you'd wanna do yourself a favour and jump into the 2025 Adelaide Festival program. A few of our picks? Mama Does Roller Derby's riot of theatre and roller derby, ILA's Manifest Destiny world premiere or perhaps Pulp's free glam-rock opening night gig. A thoughtful pressie for those culture-loving pals too, check out the full program here. 

A Day On The Gully Festival

Civic Park, Adelaide | Saturday 28 February 2026

Image credit: Ball Park Music | Supplied

The likes of Chet Faker, Ball Park Music, Malrat and Teenage Joans are heading South for one epic, jam-packed day at A Day On The Gully Festival. This one-day all ages fest kicking off at Civic Park on Saturday 28 February 2026 is a celebration of some of the country's most celebrated music artists with appearances from a ton of our greatest Aussie stars as well as generational icons, The Living End and Pete Murray too. Grab all the info here. 

Coming Soon

The Cliffs

Kangaroo Island | Opening This Summer

Image credit: The Cliffs | Instagram

Get ready to swing into something spectacular. The Cliffs is a brand-spankin' destination golf course opening for preview play in January 2026. Designed by Darius Oliver (the mastermind behind Australia’s top-rated Cape Wickham), this 18-hole links course is set along Kangaroo Island’s wild southern coastline, where elevated tees, dune terrain and ocean views steal the show. Beyond the fairways, it’s big on sustainability too, with thousands of native trees planted and invasive species removed to restore the landscape. You'll have to wait a few more months, but this one’s destined to be a hole-in-one for South Australia.