Although snow is extremely rare in Adelaide (yes, it’s been a few years since we’ve seen a fluffy dusting up at Mount Lofty or a blanket of white in the Flinders Ranges), this year’s Illuminate Adelaide is guaranteeing snow on Rundle Street.
That’s right, we’re talking the real deal, flakes in the air, fire pits, and all the winter wonderland vibes.
We’ve been told to give the snow bunnies a heads-up. Time to pull out those wacky knitted jumpers, ear muffs, and your favourite puffer jacket, Adelaide… it’s winter festival time.
Illuminate Adelaide 2025 is set to turn Rundle Street and the East End into a glowing, bustling playground from July 4 to 20.
“We’re lighting up all the buildings in the Rundle Street precinct, bringing everything to life. On Friday and Saturday nights, we’ll close the streets and bring in snow machines to create a winter wonderland. Fire pits, stunning installations, and outdoor dining will make it feel like something truly special,” says Rachael Azzopardi, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Illuminate Adelaide.
This year’s event will light up the night with a series of immersive installations, interactive artworks, and breathtaking activations.
If you’ve ever wished Adelaide’s winter was a little more magical (and less grey), this is the festival to snap you out of the cold-weather blues.
As part of the free City Lights program, the East End precinct, including Rundle Street, will host an array of captivating installations and performances.
You won’t be able to miss the majestic illuminated horses of FierS à Cheval by Compagnie des Quidams, who will parade through the streets, offering a surreal, fairytale-like experience.
As the team behind the festival says, “One of the most exciting performances this year will feature six illuminated horses dancing through the city, adding an enchanting touch to the night’s proceedings.”
These horses will roam through Rundle Street, Festival Plaza, and North Terrace, lighting up the city in the most magical way.
The Illuminated Angels will float gracefully through the streets, adding an ethereal touch to the festival’s winter nights. These performances will light up select evenings throughout the festival, giving everyone a chance to experience the magic firsthand.
Beyond the performances, Rundle Street’s laneways and storefronts will be adorned with stunning light installations and projections, turning the familiar streets into extraordinary visual experiences.
Picture this: strolling down Rundle Street, where the art is all around you in unexpected and delightful ways.
If you’re looking for a deeper, more immersive experience, Night Visions at the Adelaide Botanic Garden will call your name. From July 2 to 20, this ticketed event will take you on a journey through parallel dimensions using lasers, projections, and sound to create an otherworldly experience.
“Night Visions will transport the public into parallel dimensions,” says Lee Cumberlidge, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Illuminate Adelaide.
Kick It, an interactive lighting installation, will set up shop on the lawn in front of Napier Plaza, University of Adelaide (East End). This is where you and your mates (or random strangers, either way, it’s fun) stand at opposite ends, trying to beat the other to make the lights change colour.
“It’s a fun, playful experience for everyone,” says Lee.
Rundle Street is also getting a whole lot of love with I.Laps, a stunning series of hourglass sculptures. You’ll have the chance to fill these hourglasses with light, adding your own little piece of the magic to the art.
So, whether you’re strolling through Rundle Street, watching horses dance under the stars, or enjoying the light installations that will turn Adelaide’s CBD into an artist’s canvas, Illuminate Adelaide 2025 is a must-see.
This festival is a full celebration of winter—chilly, yes, but dazzling, fun, and full of heart. Embrace the snow, the lights, and the art, and let Adelaide’s winter sparkle like never before.
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