The Riverbank Christmas Lights Display is set to once again transform the banks of the River Torrens into a dazzling spectacle of colour and nostalgia, lighting up nightly from Saturday 22 November 2025 through to Friday 2 January 2026. Stretching along Adam Street Reserve at the corner of Port Road and Adam Street, Southwark (formerly part of Thebarton), the beloved lights—once famously known as the West End Brewery Christmas Lights—remain one of South Australia’s most cherished festive traditions, attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year.
For over six decades, this enchanting display has been synonymous with Christmas in Adelaide. What began in 1959 as a simple Father Christmas and tree installation by the former South Australian Brewing Company has evolved into a luminous celebration of community and creativity. Over the years, countless displays have come and gone, but familiar favourites like Santa and his reindeer, Jack in the Box, Vulcan’s volcano, the ferris wheel, the cow that jumped over the moon, the Wizard of Oz, and the Nativity Inn continue to shine on—each one a nostalgic reminder of summers spent wandering the riverbank with family and friends.
When the West End Brewery closed in 2021 after 135 years of operation, many wondered what would become of the iconic display that had lit up generations of South Australians. In a fitting act of goodwill, the brewery donated the lights to the City of West Torrens, who proudly continued the tradition.
Today, the Riverbank Christmas Lights remain free to visit, offering an inclusive, family-friendly celebration that has outlasted the brewery itself. Visitors can enjoy the vibrant displays each evening, with food trucks, carnival games and rides adding to the festive atmosphere. Depending on the night, the site buzzes with activity as families enjoy snacks and music beneath the glow of twinkling lights reflecting off the Torrens. For many, it’s a Christmas ritual—an outing that marks the beginning of the season and rekindles memories of childhood wonder.
The display runs from 3 pm to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, making it easy for families to fit in a visit before or after dinner. Parking is available along nearby streets, while both the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Coopers Stadium typically offer two hours of free parking on non-event nights. Public transport is another easy option, with the Entertainment Centre tram stop (free from the city) and Bowden train station both just a short walk away.
Now celebrating over 65 years of magic, the Riverbank Christmas Lights Display remains a testament to Adelaide’s community spirit and enduring festive traditions. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, the moment the lights flicker to life and the river sparkles beneath them, it’s clear why generations still affectionately call it the “Brewery Lights.” Because really—can it even be Christmas in Adelaide without them?
WHAT: The Riverbank Christmas Lights Display
WHEN: Saturday 22 November 2025 through to Friday 2 January 2026
WHERE: Corner of Adam Street & Port Road, Southwark (opposite the Entertainment Centre)
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