Dear lord, it has crept up on us again! ‘Tis the season folks. Listen to the cheesy carols floating through the air at every possible outlet. And if you’re feeling a little Grinch-y, proceed to bang your head on the nearest wall. We’re kidding! We’re kidding!
Look, Christmas can be a time that you absolutely LOVE or absolutely loathe. If you’re a festive season lover head over here to our Ultimate Christmas Guide, for every tinsel covered event, and all of the carols, pageants, shopping locations, gift ideas and more!
If you’d like to experience the month of December without the mention of fat jolly old men, elves and reindeer, then look no further than our December guide! After all, there’s plenty more to this month than just the 25th.
Hennessy Lounge Launch – Dec 3 We heard a whisper of this one many moons ago, and it’s actually in our Rooftop Bars Guide! Not named after the infamous cognac, but instead the beautiful heritage building’s original architects. With stunning views of the city and a glamorous bar menu promised, we’re pretty excited for this one. If the rest of the stunning Mayfair Hotel is anything to go by this is going to be one incredible spot. Launching with a big VIP shebang on December 3, the bar will open to the public on December 4.
The Mayfair Hotel’s new rooftop bar is the perfect setting for those Summer drinks.
Ebenezer Night Market – Dec 4 & 18 This great little annual event will probably have some Christmas sprinkles around the place, but is more focussed on market goodness, than festive cheer. It’s on twice this month and has an awesome selection of food, jewellery, fashion, artwork and crafts. We’ll be snapping up some Happy Maple sweet treats and possibly a candle (or seven) from Candela Artisan.
The Pearl – Open from Dec 4 The newest club and cocktail bar, The Pearl is set to bring us New York glam with the elegance of Europe. Expect the VIP experience, complete with your own private waitress and bottle service. Indulge in the finer things in life, we’re talking Dom Perignon, Louis Roederer Cristal, salmon bruschetta, caviar and cheeses aged in local champagne. Welcome to the high life, darling. Check out our full story here.
Uncorked with G H Mumm – Dec 4 Starting off with our favoruite word: FREE and then our second favourite: WINE. Yes the event itself is free to attend with plenty of champagne flowing to purchase. You’ll also have the chance to try your hand at champagne sabering, while enjoying tunes from award-winning jazz singer Kate Fuller. As if that wasn’t enough there will be complimentary cheese platter and oysters. Don’t mind if we do.
Diner En Blanc – Dec 5 You may be a touch too late to attend this but if you can somehow snag yourself a seat do NOT hesitate. This international and oh so sophisticated event is the talk of the town, worldwide. The very hush hush evening sees the most sophisticated cats in Adelaide don all white and experience a night that can only be described as magical. The location is secret but private buses are sent across the ‘burbs to pick up guests and drop them off for a night they’ll never forget. Read our full story here.
Diner En Blanc.
Gilles Street Grand Bazaar – Dec 6 The perfect way to squeeze in your Xmas shopping, or ignore the whole thing and just browse for yourself! It’s not all about shopping either (bare with us) you can also enjoy local musicians, and DJs plus some mighty fine SA foodies serving up treats. Nom nom nom. Read our full story here.
One Electric Day – Dec 6 Elder Park get ready to absolutely rock out. This event boasts performances from the legends that are John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite, The Black Sorrows, Russel Morris, Ross Wilson and Swanee. Get practicing your best rendition of ‘You’re The Voice’ because you know you’ll have to sing it at the top of your damned lungs.
The Inaugural Kick.Start.Sundays at The Lion – Dec 6 Hello Sunday sesh! The Lion Hotel are launching ‘Kick. Start. Sundays’ which will see the popular venue collaborate with a local Adelaide artist, designer, craftsman or entrepreneur to help kick start their career. Plus there will be live entertainment and all the usual goodies like tasty food and delicious drinks.
couture + love + madness Parade – Dec 6 There is no denying that we love ourselves a little couture. So we are super excited to be attending the launch of the latest collection by couture + love + madness. We can’t wait to meet Lady Camellia. Keep your eye out on Glam Adelaide’s Instagram account as we bring you all the action.
There is nothing like a little couture, love AND madness.
McLaren Vale on Ebenezer – Dec 11 Fancy a wine tour sipping delicious samples from some of the McLaren Vale’s best? Too lazy and time poor to make the trip. Don’t you worry your delicate wine loving head, this is the event for you. Right in the heart of the city too! Featuring some spectacular choices from Penny’s Hill, Coriole Vineyards, Gemtree Wines, d’Arenberg, Rusty Mutt, Maxwell Wines and plenty more. It’s just $5 for a commemorative wine glass and vino will be available for sale by the glass at each ‘cellar door’ Plus you can grab whole bottles to take home or out to dinner!
Land Rover Polo In The City – Dec 11 This year celebrates the event’s 10 year anniversary and we’re sure it will bring even more glamour and fabulousness than all those before it. This is the largest national polo series in the WORLD. Oh yeah, that’s right. You’ll find us pampering ourselves at the Stella Artois Lounge. Find out more here.
La Navidad Fiesta – Dec 11 Topham Mall brings us another awesome event, this time with a Spanish twist! The Spanish street fair, La Navidad Fiesta will see the street transformed with stalls, delicious Spanish and Portuguese food and wine. The Lady Burra Brewhouse will be bringing the goods with their famous Portuguese tarts and that is all we need to hear!
Arriba! Topham Mall will be transformed into a Spanish fiesta when the La Navidad Fiesta dances into town on Friday 11 December.
Adelaide’s only CBD microbrewery, Lady Burra Brewhouse, will be co-hosting the Spanish street fair event with the Adelaide West End Association,
gathered. Market – Dec 12 & 13 Don’t think of it as just a market. Think of it as a whole event experience. Along with over 60 handpicked South Australian vendors and stalls, there will also be gift wrapping, live acoustic entertainment, beautifully styled spaces to relax and enjoy some delicious food and drink plus workshops to keep you creatively entertained. Wowza. Again, use this to get some unique christmas gifts, or just fill your own stocking. We don’t judge. Find out more here.
gathered. will be held at the uber cool Queen’s Theatre.
That Dapper Market 12 & 13 If you’re into cute vintage buys then this gorgeous market is for you. Held in the Life More Interesting Warehouse in up and coming Bowden, this will be the market’s first two day event. Which is just as well, as there will be plenty keeping you busy in Adelaide this weekend. There will be vintage vendors, food, music and wait for it… a BAR! Just incase you need something to ease the difficulty of shopping.
Square Fire – Dec 12 Victoria Square This should be a brilliant day out for all, inclduing the little ones. Enjoy the FREE fire show, with day workshops and activities, food vans, vendors of spinning equipment both fire and non-fire. If you have the skills and the know how you’re welcome to showcase after 9.30pm for the rest of us who aren’t quite so talented, sit back, relax and enjoy the mesmerising beauty.
Woolworths Carols by Candlelight – Dec 13 Elder Park This iconic Adelaide event has been going for 71 years, with the proceeds raising much-needed funds for Novita Children’s Services. Check out the amazing performer line up via the link! (Note: We haven’t included Christmas events as we have a Christmas guide here, but have added this event in due to a reader request).
Walk the Yorke Launch – Dec 13 Experience one of the most breathtaking regions in SA… Seriously, how did we get so lucky! This family friendly event will include plenty of fun activities (and delicious food) and will kick off the fabulous initiative (check out more here). Basically it involves walking/riding/indulging in the spectacular Yorke Peninsula…
The Big Wedgie Dec 13 – Jan 28 Now this is insanely awesome! the Big Wedgie is basically the coolest thing to come to Glenelg this Summer. Picture the tallest inflatable waterslide in the world… Yep that is the Big Wedgie. Standing at a whopping 18.2m tall and 72m long, this isn’t for the faint hearted.
Fork On The Road Christmas Fork – Dec 18 “Food glorious fooooooood. What more could you wish for?” We could go on, but our singing voices aren’t the best. We’ve been to many a Fork On The Road before, and we intend to attend many more in the future. Christmas is, after all, a time for indulgence. So we’ll be making a solid effort to taste something from EVERY food truck at this fab event, feel free to bring your stretchy pants and join us in eating, drinking and being merry.
Fork On The Road always pulls a crowd.
Big Bash League – Dec 18 Watch the Adelaide Strikers take on the Melbourne Stars (and obviously smash them!) in one of sports most fun filled events. Think fast paced cricket on-field, great music, phenomenal fireworks and unique boundary performances. Plus lots of KFC. It’s a fun one for the whole fam.
Ship Shape at Port Adelaide – Until Dec 19 How often do you get to do something fun for absolutely nada? Rarely, we’d say. Well running until mid December there’s this brilliant fun program in Port Adelaide. You can try your hand at kayaking, yoga, roller skating and much more all for FREE.
Street Food Festival (Flinders St Markets) – Dec 19 & 20 More food events? Don’t mind if we do. Run by the brilliant folks at Flinders Street Markets this street food extravaganza had people spilling onto the road last time. We recommend getting in early so you don’t miss out on any of your favourite treats. There are healthy options for those whose bodies are their temples, and indulgent delights for those less conscious of our waistlines (that’s us). Experience a whole world of food in one little spot.
Lucky’s Beach Club Catalina Wine Mixer – Dec 20 *Insert Stepbrothers quote here* We’re not going to say it, we know you’re all thinking it. We’re assuming this will be overall more classy than the one in the film, but still with lots of party fun. This is the second installation of the Catalina Wine Mixer at new spot Lucky’s Beach Club, and the first was faaaaabulous. You can scoop up VIP booths for 10 that include bottles of gin, vodka and tonic all while imagining you’re in the Hamptons, honey.
Anytime in December
Calibre – This hot to trot mens wear store is opening its flagship Adelaide store this month with a seriously smooth soiree. If you didn’t snag an invite to the cocktails and canapés event, never fear… You can swing by and pick up your man (or yourself) some serious premium Summer threads. We’re talking playful nautical prints, leather loafers and cotton blazers that would have Lord Disick envious.
Tour Down Under – The Tour Village and Bike Expo will start being constructed at the end of this month in anticipation for opening on January 16 (oh lord, January)! Keep your eyes peeled for it and start getting excited. This is one hell of an SA event.
Fringe Program Launch – The Adelaide Fringe has seriously put us on the World map and for damned good reason! It’s easily one of our favourites! Well, why wait until the New Year and have a mad scramble to try and organise yourselves? Pick up the Fringe Program from December 2 and start booking those precious tickets!
Electra House – Feeling peckish? The cool kids at Electra House have just launched their new bar menu and it has got us seriously drooling. The Tuna Tostada is divine but when we’ve got a sweet tooth this is a first class cheeky dessert menu. They’re kickin’ it old school and taking it back to your childhood faves with fancy chocolate freckles and fairy bread. We’ll take six of each, please and thank you.
Electra House’s new menu will have you wanting more…
Square Mile Tours – One of the newest emerging tour companies for food and coffee lovers across SA (and those just visiting!) Launching later this month, it’s one to watch. They’ll take you to unique and emerging spots, on foot or on bikes. So far we’ve fallen in love with the coffee tour, but we’re seriously excited for the launch of the Degustation Tour! SA is so prominent in the food and wine world so why not go on a gastronomic journey and experience as much of it as possible all at once with friendly and down to earth local guides?
Enjoy a stay in the Adelaide CBD – With so much happening in and around the city of Adelaide, it is the perfect excuse to splurge a little and enjoy a mini escape. Why not spend a night (or 4) at the stunning InterContinental Hotel? Looking for a relaxing break, to do some Christmas shopping, or maybe even attend Carols by Candlelight? With their Summer Holiday Package you can save up to 30% on your next stay. Sounds like the perfect way to have some chill time!
Moonlight Cinemas – What a beautiful way to experience the Summer season in Adelaide. Get a group of friends together, pack a picnic (with wine!) or pick up a delicious wood fire pizza on arrival. Snuggle up on beanbags and wait for the sun to set before the flick starts rolling. It’s a brilliant Adelaide evening out, no matter what movie is playing. Read our full story here.
The Moonlight Cinema – the perfect Summer activity.
Book yourself in for Crush Festival – Yes we know, it’s not until January but this month will go so fast you will be thanking your lucky stars that you read this… Say it with us: ‘preparation is key’. With 34 wineries hosting 45 events over three days you’re gonna need to prep. South Australia’s first major wine and food event for 2016 has quickly become one of Adelaide’s biggest and best Summer parties. Find out more here.
Head to The Grace – Whether it be for their delicious French inspired weekend Brunch menu or for their new Saving Grace Sunday sessions, this is the place to be. We might just have to go every weekend and let the brunch full of croisants and mussels roll into a fab Sunday sesh full of Pimm’s and live music. Heaven!
MegaAdventure Aerial Park – If those kids of yours (or your own inner child) need entertaining and Santa just ain’t cutting it, THIS is where you should head. Burn some serious energy playing tennis in the sky, rowing a boat 20m off the ground or perhaps you feel like climbing over some South Australian wine barrels to get to a sky-high picnic table? There’s also the ParaJump for those of you who aren’t faint of heart. And considering it is the first in Australia, you won’t want to miss out! Check out our experience here.
Get excited for a MegaAdventure…
Festivus (it’s a word…..) Drinks – Organise your chosen festive season oriented drinks somewhere a little different. Santa hats are clearly optional. Check out our guide to Adelaide’s hidden venues here, and grab yourself a table and a tipple that’s a little different.
Nespresso – Don’t be pretending that you won’t be LIVING off caffeine this month. Hey, we’re in no place to judge. That’s us all year round. Our dearly beloved friends at Nespresso are releasing new flavours this month that you should lock your lips around. Vanilla Amaretti is our pick but Vanilla Cardamom and Ciocco Ginger are pretty on point too. If you’d prefer to have someone else whip up your morning brew follow our Instagram to discover plenty of brilliant Adelaide coffee haunts.
Low & Slow American BBQ – Let someone else feed you once in a while. This sticky traditional American BBQ style joint is mouthwateringly wonderful. They started off as a little food truck and now thanks to Renew Adelaide have found permanent residence in Port Adelaide. Which is just as well for us because our legs were getting pretty tired chasing them all over the city. Read our full story on the meaty marvellousness here.
It is always important to end on food. Deliciousness from Low & Slow.
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