The excitement is building for the October long weekend with kids on school holidays and plenty of events around the city.
Not sure what you want to do yet?
We’ve got you sorted with an inclusive guide whether you want spend the weekend with the kids, have a boozy break or attend one of the kicking parties, concerts or events – check out our top picks!
With the Kids
Festival of Halloween
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the inaugural Festival of Halloween in Adelaide!
This spooktacular event will feature an exciting Halloween market with over 24 stallholders, a mini-haunt experience, and expert-led DIY workshops. Kids will love the craft activities and the thrilling trick or treat trail, while everyone can enjoy spooky show bags supporting The GO Foundation and join in on a fun costume competition.
At the Waterside Workers Hall in Port Adelaide on Saturday, October 5, sessions will run from 11 AM to 3 PM and 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. With scare actors to heighten the thrills and plenty of photo opportunities, there’s something for everyone. Plus, a special sensory-friendly session at 3 PM ensures that all can join in on the fun.
Festival of Halloween
Where: Waterside Workers Hall, 11 Nile St, Port Adelaide SA 5015
When: Saturday 5th October
Cost: $15
For more information, click here.
Bespoke Delights Cafe and Keepsakes Official Opening
Bespoke Delights in the lakeside town of Milang will have their official opening over the October long weekend, in time for the upcoming school holidays.
Open for breaky and lunch Friday to Sunday – be sure to pop in for a coffee or a bite to eat as Amy Longbottom throws open the doors to her unique cafe that promises to be hub of creativity, good coffee and home handmade gifts, locally sourced products and delicious eats.
Bespoke Delights Cafe and Keepsakes
Where: Shop 2 Daranda Tce, Milang, SA
Open: Friday to Monday for Breakfast and Lunch
Read more here
Nature Festival
Celebrating its 5th year, Nature Festival will take of South Australia with over 400 nature-inspired events. This vibrant festival offers a fantastic array of activities, including art, adventure, music, food, wine, wellbeing, and Aboriginal culture, with plenty of free and family-friendly options to enjoy.
A few events on the long weekend include Piano in the Park with Pianist and composer Gerd Winter, Chihuly Nights – night tours of the Chihuly exhibit and a star tour of Ikara/Flinders Ranges National Park.
This year’s theme, “Awe,” invites participants to experience moments – big and small – that captivate and inspire, encouraging everyone to step away from their screens and connect with the beauty of nature and the world around them.
Nature Festival
Where: Throughout SA
When: 28 September to 13 October
For more information, click here.
Halal Food Fest
Get ready for a mouthwatering adventure at Adelaide’s annual Halal Food Festival, returning to Victoria Square on October 4-5, 2024. This vibrant celebration showcases multicultural cuisines from over 30 countries, offering a delicious journey through flavours and aromas.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, food lovers can look forward to a feast featuring dishes from Korean, Greek, Italian and a variety of global flavours. Best of all, entry is FREE!
Halal Food Festival
Where: Victoria Square
When: Friday, 4th October & Saturday, 5th October
Cost: FREE
For more information, click here.
A Boozy Break
Grenache & Gourmet
The final weekend of the annual Grenache & Gourmet Festival will feature a range of events at iconic wineries and venues throughout McLaren Vale, including cozy long lunches, exclusive tastings of rare back-vintage wines, and behind-the-scenes winery tours.
On Sunday, spend the afternoon at Shingleback Wines for Grenache in the Deep South to enjoy the delicious delights of the deep south, glass of Grenache in hand. The unique smoker of Howard’s Fire will provide a BBQ feast, perfectly paired with ‘Best in Show’ flavours of the Shingleback Grenache family. Chill out to the musical vibe of blues, roots, and New Orleans jazz, presented by DJ Es’Ay.
Grenache & Gourmet – Grenache in the deep south
Where: Shingleback Wine Cellar Door, 3 Stump Hill Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171
When: Sunday 6th October
Cost: $65
For more information, click here.
Oktoberfest in the Gardens
Australia’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration is back, this year with even more festivities, fun, and frothies. Break out your best Lederhosen or Dirnd and kick back for a day of entertainment like no other. Not only is this a beer and bratwurst-filled event, but they’ve also got multiple stages of live entertainment & DJs, roving performers, competitions, sideshow alley, silent disco and more.
Oktoberfest in the Gardens
Where: Pinky Flat, War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide SA 5006
When: Saturday 5th October
Cost: $39.90 to $69.90, available here.
For more information, click here.
After-dark Paint and Sip – Nature Festival
Join the Studio Vino team for an exciting after-dark paint and sip event at Adelaide Zoo, celebrating Nature Festival 2024. Exclusively for adults (18+), this unique experience, guided by experienced instructors, will give visitors a chance to unplug, unwind, and tap into their creativity. Guests will leave with a stunning piece of art and unforgettable memories, embracing the journey of creation.
Don’t forget to pre-purchase your alcoholic beverages, and grab your tickets through the Nature Festival website!
After-dark Paint and Sip
Where: Adelaide Zoo, Frome Rd, Adelaide SA 5000
When: Friday 4th & Saturday 5th October
Cost: $60
For more information, click here.
Urban Cocktail Trail
The national tour – arriving in Adelaide’s west end on the 5th of October – celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship behind beautifully made cocktails.
The Urban Cocktail Trail in Adelaide will kick off the afternoon with one of two routes – The Trailblazer – or the extended tour – The Connoisseur.
At the first bar, which is selected when buying the ticket, you’ll be greeted with a delicious bite and a cocktail. From there, explore the trail and all Adelaide’s bar scene has to offer, redeeming cocktail vouchers and selecting favourites from a curated signature cocktail list along the way.
This self-guided experience allows guests the freedom to choose where to stop and sip, making it a personalised and enjoyable journey through the city’s vibrant cocktail scene.
Urban Cocktail Trail
Where: Adelaide’s West End – select beginning location
When: Saturday 5th October
Cost: $75 – $95
For more information, click here.
Trevarrick Wines Spring Release Party
The Trevarrick estate’s inaugural Spring release event for the 2024 Riesling promises a memorable day filled with wine, gourmet food, and springtime joy.
Set in the picturesque Clare Valley, guests will begin their experience with all-terrain vehicle rides to a secluded location on the property, where they can be among the first to taste the new Riesling, while enjoying a feast of sustainably sourced South Australian seafood.
Trevarrick Wines Spring Release Party
Where: Skillogalee Estate, Clare Valley, South Australia
When: Saturday 5th October
Cost: $250 per person (includes all wine, food, drinks, and entertainment, with special offers on available exclusively on the day)
For more information, click here.
Never Never’s 90s Silent Disco & Ginache Bash
Never Never Distilling has a packed long weekend of events with the return Ginache Bash and a 90s silent disco.
Back for a second year, Ginache Bash has a lineup of gin-fuelled events to celebrate their award-winning ‘Ginache’ Grenache Gin, crowned Australia’s Best Flavoured Gin at the World Gin Awards in both 2022 and 2023.
For a new and exciting addition, on Friday, Never Never and Chalk Hill Wines are teaming up to host their first Silent Disco event at the Chalk Hill Collective from 6:30pm. Called ‘Sips of the 90s’, this event invites guests to dance the night away to DJ Tommy Tequila’s throwback 90s beats. It’s a chance to party like its 1993 with a full 90s theme, complete with drink specials and prizes for the best-dressed.
Sips of The 90s
When: Friday 4th October 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Where: 56 Field St, McLaren Vale SA 5171
Tickets: $60 pp
To purchase tickets, click here.
Ginache Bash
When: Sunday 6th October | Two session times 12pm and 2:30pm
Where: 56 Field St, McLaren Vale SA 5171
Tickets: $50 pp
To purchase tickets, click here.
23rd Street Distillery’s October Long Weekend Bash
Join the fun at 23rd Street Distillery this October Long Weekend – Saturday will be buzzing with live entertainment from expectational local talent and delicious selections of cocktails. On Sunday, bring the kids for a family-fun day with face painting and child-friendly games on the front lawn.
And don’t miss the bottomless brunch on Monday to recover from the weekend’s excitement!
October Long Weekend Bash
When: All weekend long!
Where: 347 Renmark Avenue, Renmark
Cost: Bookings recommended
For more info, click here.
Frosty Frothy
Pick up a frosty one to support the many vineyards in the Riverland region are currently facing challenges due to frost damage. Ricca Terra is collabrating with Bowden Cellars to raise funds to start up an event series to bring growers together to share their experiences and support one another.
On the event day, attendees can enter a raffle for a chance to win a mixed six-pack of Ricca Terra wines with each glass or bottle purchase. Guests can also enjoy a 10% discount on bottle shop purchases when buying any two bottles.
Frosty Frothy
When: Sunday 6th October
For more information, click here.
Parties, Concerts and Events
Lime Cordial
Lime Cordiale will land in Adelaide this October long weekend for their Enough Of The Sweet Talk Tour, with special guests Ball Park Music.
Known for their infectious performances, Lime Cordiale has captivated audiences worldwide, with sold-out shows from Vancouver to Vienna, they’ve proven themselves as one of Australia’s most in-demand acts.
Reviewers on No Taste.com call the brother band a seriously impressive unit.
“A wholly captivating band that sit just as nicely on stage as they do on your car sound system on a long sunny drive”.
Lime Cordial
When: Saturday, 5th October
Cost: Tickets available here
For more information, click here.
Cat Empire with the ASO
Get ready for an unforgettable musical experience as the legendary Australian band The Cat Empire takes the stage at Festival Theatre for a high-energy orchestral collaboration with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Audiences will be treated to a vibrant fusion of musical styles, drawing inspiration from Afro-Cuban, Seychellois Kreol, Brazilian, and flamenco traditions, infused with The Cat Empire’s signature sound. With world-class flamenco artists joining the performance, attendees can expect a dynamic show that pushes the boundaries of live music.
Cat Empire with the ASO
When: Friday, 4th October & Saturday, 5th October
Cost: From $79
For more information, click here.
Semaphore Music Festival 20th Anniversary
In 2024 the Semaphore Music Festival is celebrating its 20th year, the 4-day festival takes place in various locations throughout the seaside Semaphore.
As Adelaide’s premier Alt-Country, Roots, and Blues Festival, the lineup includes the likes of The Audreys, Bunna Lawrie & Coloured Stone, Lachy Doley Group and plenty more.
Semaphore Music Festival
When: Friday 4th – Monday 7th October
Cost: Tickets are available here.
For more information, click here.
Day Dance
McLaren Vale’s June long weekend winery tour is having an identity crisis and throwing a one off party this October long weekend. Day Dance will break free from the chilly confines of winter and celebrate in the sunshine at a stunning new venue at McLaren Vale Distillery, promising an unforgettable day filled with warmth, great vibes, and fantastic music.
Attendees can look forward to cool wines, a lively atmosphere, and a rotating music theme from Yellowstone Ranch-esque earlier in the day to Y2K-esque at night, with a quick interlude of Nickelback-esque tunes.
McLaren Vale Distillery is decked out for the occasion – supported by Vale Ale Brewing and Atlas Hire.
Day Dance
When: Sunday 6th October
Cost: Tickets are available here.
For more information, click here.
To find out everything that’s happening in Adelaide, check out our What’s On section.
If you know of any fun long weekend activities, let us know at [email protected].
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