Illuminate Adelaide is set to debut its first major event for the 2025 season with an exhilarating sensory expedition titled Night Visions at Adelaide Botanic Garden. This pioneering initiative will utilise an innovative amalgamation of light, lasers, projections, and sound to re-imagine the garden as a series of parallel dimensions, running from the 2nd to the 20th of July.
A collective of distinguished audio and visual experts will spearhead this venture. Noteworthy participants include Amelia Kosminsky, a renowned light sculpture artist from the UK, Melbourne’s audio-visual specialist Robin Fox, and projection artist Craig Walsh from Sydney. They are joined by local talents Jayden Sutherland of The Bakery Design Co, and Chris Petridis, who will also serve as the Associate Creative Director for Night Visions.
These artists will transform well-known locations within the garden, such as Ficus Avenue and the Bicentennial Conservatory, into captivating alternative realities. An intricate soundscape by Jethro Woodward, a respected Melbourne-based composer and sound designer, accompanies the visual spectacle, weaving a multi-layered auditory experience that complements the stunning visual transformations.
According to Illuminate Adelaide Co-founders and Creative Directors Lee Cumberlidge and Rachael Azzopardi, the 2025 programme aims to captivate audiences with both emotional and sensory richness. “For our milestone fifth year, we wanted to headline the programme with an after-dark adventure that not only takes visitors on an emotional and sensory journey but transports them into parallel realms,” they said.
The event will see the garden’s tree canopies morph into evocative living monuments, while pathways become colourful, pulsating atmospheric gateways. Kosminsky will transform the Bamboo Walk into a psychedelic, prism-like world, and Walsh, along with Cultural Consultant Jack Buckskin, will create significant First Nations projections that bring the natural world to life. Fox is set to redefine the Bicentennial Conservatory into a dazzling multi-faceted jewel using lasers and sounds.
Chris Petridis will convert lighting into an enchanting spectacle, creating fluid, vibrant atmospheres. Sutherland is tasked with infusing the visual presentations with movement and emotional depth, ensuring a cohesive and enthralling viewer experience.
Zoe Bettison, South Australian Minister for Tourism, praises Illuminate Adelaide as a pivotal attraction in Adelaide’s winter events calendar. “Illuminate Adelaide has become the irresistible jewel in the crown of Adelaide’s winter events calendar, drawing record numbers of locals and interstate visitors into all corners of the city with a program that never fails to surprise and inspire people of every age and interest,” she remarked.
Additionally, Night Visions offers a dining experience at The Botanic Lodge, available only through a package that includes entry and dinner at this exclusive venue. This option will be available from Friday to Sunday during the event, allowing guests to dine amid the botanical splendour.
Illuminate Adelaide has consistently attracted significant audience participation, with over a million attendances annually. As an added incentive, an Early Bird offer for Night Visions is available, starting today, offering discounted tickets at $37 until midnight, 20th April, while supplies last.
The full itinerary for Illuminate Adelaide 2025 is set for release on the 29th of April, promising a wide range of both free and ticketed events.
Night Visions
Location: Adelaide Botanic Garden Date: 2 – 20 July 2025
Times: Wed-Thu 5.30pm – 9.00pm; Fri-Sun 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Sessions available every 15 minutes
Duration: This is a self-guided event on a curated immersive one-way linear 2km path – please allow at least 60 minutes to enjoy the full Night Visions experience.
Tickets: $42 – $45
$37 Early Bird tickets available for a limited time only until midnight Sunday 20th April while allocation lasts.
Book: www.illuminateadelaide.com
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