Looking for something to do with the family this week? Here’s our free event guide!
The school holidays may be over, but there’s no shortage of things to do around Adelaide this week, with free festivals, creative workshops, giant kites, classic cars and country fairs giving families plenty of reasons to head out.
From the city to the Adelaide Hills, southern suburbs and Yorke Peninsula, we’ve found some of the best free and low-cost family-friendly events happening from Monday, October 12th to Sunday, October 18th.
Enjoy!
OzAsia Moon Lanterns and Lucky Dumpling Market | October 13th to 18th
Adelaide’s Riverbank has been transformed into a colourful celebration of Asian culture, with OzAsia Festival bringing its giant illuminated lanterns to Elder Park for its 20th and final year.
More than a dozen enormous lanterns are scattered throughout the Lucky Dumpling Market, while a spectacular 40-metre-long Hong Kong Dragon stretches along the Riverbank Footbridge.
Families can explore the lanterns, enjoy free cultural performances and live entertainment, and wander between market stalls serving dumplings, bao and street food from across Asia.
The lanterns are particularly impressive after dark, and there’s no charge to explore them or enter the market. Food and drinks are available to purchase separately.
When: Tuesday, October 13th to Thursday, October 15th, from 4:30pm; Friday, October 16th to Sunday, October 18th, from 12pm. The market is closed Mondays.
Where: Lucky Dumpling Market, Elder Park, King William Road, Adelaide; Hong Kong Dragon at Riverbank Footbridge
Cost: Free entry and lantern displays; food and drinks extra
For more information, click here.
Art Lab: Rock Animals | October 15th
Little artists can turn ordinary stones into colourful animal friends at this free after-school workshop at Aldinga Library.
Children will use paint and their imaginations to transform rocks into everything from ladybirds and koalas to lions and other creatures.
The session is part of the library’s Art Lab program, which encourages children to explore different materials and creative techniques in a relaxed environment.
It’s suitable for children aged seven and over, with all materials provided. Bookings are required for participating children, and parents or caregivers must remain in the library.
When: Thursday, October 15th, 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Where: Aldinga Library, 11 Central Way, Aldinga Beach
Cost: Free
Bookings are required. For more information, click here.
Anlaby Spring Festival | October 17th and 18th
Families can explore one of South Australia’s historic rural properties when Anlaby Station opens its gates for its final Spring Festival.
The two-day celebration includes ten acres of gardens, market stalls, live entertainment, face painting and activities for children.
A highlight this year is Baa to Beanie, which gives visitors the chance to follow the journey of wool from sheep to finished beanie.
Children can watch a live Merino sheep-shearing demonstration at approximately 11:15am, then see how the fleece is transformed through traditional weaving and knitting techniques.
Children under 16 enter free, while adult tickets are cheaper when purchased online.
When: Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th, 10am to 4pm
Where: Anlaby Station, 829 Anlaby Road, Hamilton
Cost: Children under 16 free; adults $20 online or $25 at the gate. Gold coin donation for parking.
For more information and tickets, click here.
Wallaroo Kite Festival | October 17th
The skies above Wallaroo will be filled with colour when the free Wallaroo Kite Festival returns to North Beach.
Families can watch spectacular kite displays by the Adelaide Kite Flying Association, with colourful creations taking to the skies along the Yorke Peninsula coastline.
Children can also get creative at a kite-decorating station, designing their very own kite to take home.
Entry is free, although families wanting to secure a free kite for the decorating activity should reserve a ticket in advance. Food stalls and additional kites will also be available to purchase.
For families on the Yorke Peninsula, or those planning a coastal day trip, it’s a great excuse to spend an afternoon outdoors.
When: Saturday, October 17th, 1pm to 4pm
Where: North Beach, near 1 Pamir Court, Wallaroo
Cost: Free; reserve a free ticket to guarantee a kite for decorating
For more information and bookings, click here.
Shannons Adelaide Rally Street Party | October 17th
Car-loving kids are in for a treat when more than 400 rally cars take over King William Road for a free street party.
The popular Adelaide Rally celebration is moving to Unley for the first time this year, bringing an impressive display of classic cars, exotic supercars and rally vehicles to the shopping precinct.
Families can wander along the closed-off street, take a closer look at the cars and enjoy music from a DJ, with restaurants and cafés offering plenty of options for dinner.
It’s a chance for young motoring enthusiasts to see some extraordinary vehicles up close without having to buy a ticket.
When: Saturday, October 17th, 4pm to 8pm
Where: King William Road, between Arthur Street and Jasper Street, Unley
Cost: Free
For more information, click here.
Meadows Country Fair | October 18th
The Adelaide Hills will be buzzing with country fair fun when the Meadows Country Fair returns for another huge family day out.
Children can take part in races, explore animal displays, watch working dogs in action and discover what life on the land is all about.
There will also be live entertainment, market stalls, Farmers Alley, demonstrations and an impressive selection of rides and amusements.
One of this year’s highlights is a live cow-milking demonstration, giving children the chance to see a little of what happens on a working farm.
Children aged 12 and under enter free, while admission is $10 for everyone aged 13 and over. Amusement rides and purchases may cost extra.
When: Sunday, October 18th, 9am to 4pm
Where: Meadows Oval, Mawson Road, Meadows
Cost: Children 12 and under free; ages 13 and over $10
For more information, click here.
Golden Grove Lutheran Community Fete | October 18th
Families in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs can enjoy a huge day of free entertainment when the Golden Grove Lutheran Community Fete returns to Wynn Vale.
With more than 100 stalls and activities, the community celebration has plenty planned for children, including a rock-climbing wall, jumping castles and a petting zoo.
There will also be face painting, pony rides, sideshow games, live music and food stalls, making it an easy outing for families with children of different ages.
Entry is completely free, with several activities also free to enjoy. Some rides, games and food purchases may cost extra.
When: Sunday, October 18th, 10:30am to 3pm
Where: Golden Grove Lutheran Church and Primary School precinct, corner Richardson Drive and Sunnybrook Drive, Wynn Vale. Enter via Richardson Drive.
Cost: Free entry; many free activities, with some paid extras
For more information, click here.
Pull Pop Play! | October 12th to 18th
Children can step into a world where books come to life at the State Library of South Australia’s free Pull Pop Play! experience.
Inspired by the library’s Pull Pop Push exhibition, the hands-on activities invite children to make butterfly pop-up bookmarks, create animal-themed greeting cards and explore a collection of colourful pop-up books.
Families can also discover oversized book installations and learn how clever folds and paper mechanisms can turn an ordinary page into something unexpected.
The activities are free, with no bookings needed, making this an easy option for a weekday outing or a visit to the city over the weekend.
When: Monday, October 12th to Sunday, October 18th, during State Library opening hours
Where: State Library Gallery, Spence Wing, North Terrace, Adelaide
Cost: Free
For more information, click here.
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