Firstival is back for its fourth year, with libraries across South Australia joining in the fun throughout July
Hosted by LibrariesSA, the month-long festival encourages South Aussies of all ages, to try a new hobby or skill with a jam-packed, month-long event program.
If you’re over 18, events include circus workshops for adults (whilst drinking ‘Juggle Juice’ cocktails), succulent planting with wine workshops, classes on how to make your own low-tox cleaning products and even workshops on how to make sauerkraut and kimchi, all while surrounded by books at the library.
Some of the more unexpected highlights include Puppy Yoga at West Torrens Library, and in Gawler, the Bookish Mocktail Workshop is bringing a literary twist to drinks-making.
Families are also sorted these July winter school holidays, with children’s activities including kids yoga, homemade book week costume workshops, cupcake and biscuit decorating workshops, silent discos and kite making workshops.
For the teens, there is intros into Dungeons and Dragons, Astrology for Beginners, Chinese dumpling folding classes and even brush pen calligraphy workshops.
State Library of SA Director, Megan Berghuis, said Firstival has been instrumental in reconnecting libraries with South Australians, driving steady year-on-year growth in both attendance and library memberships.
“Since launching in July 2023, Libraries SA has collectively had over 20,000 new members join the LibrariesSA One Card Network during the festival period.”
In 2025, LibrariesSA saw almost 9,000 people attend events across the South Australian public libraries network, with nearly 7,000 new members joining the LibrariesSA One Card Network during July 2025 alone
“Firstival is now in its fourth year, and in 2026 we are taking the sense of fun, creativity and discovery to a whole new level,” she said.
“We are inviting South Australians to explore their imaginations, try something new or unexpected, and experience their libraries in ways that may never have before.”
With so many events for all ages and interests, and lots of them free, the libraries across the state are buzzing with energy and curiosity for what’s to come.
“Firstival is about more than just activities – these are wonderful opportunities for people of all ages to reconnect with their local library and each other and try something new,” Megan said.
Set to kick off on July 1, the Firstival event-program will will run until the end of the month and there’s plenty to discover for all walks of life.
“Whether you’re discovering a new passion or simply having fun, there is something for everyone at Firstival this July.”
Firstival
When: from July 1
Where: Participating public libraries across South Australia
For more information, including where to book and your nearest participating library,click here.
