Discover the best events and activities Adelaide has to offer. If you haven’t visited this South Australian city before, throughout the month of January you will not fall short of choosing something to suit your mood or interest, whether you fancy art, cinema, live music or sport. Check out the listings below.
What’s on: Recovery Party at the Art Gallery
When: 1 January 2016
Where: Art Gallery of South Australia
How much: Free!
Had a big night on New Year’s Eve? The Art Gallery has you covered, with a nice detoxing evening planned out with live music, comfy bean-bags, and art. Featuring a screening of Bran Nue Dae (Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo), a traditional Indigenous Yidaki performance, and RnB\Soul musician BIG SEXY, you’ll feel a lot better about facing tomorrow (and the rest of the year) after this.
What’s on: Moonlight Cinema
When: Every day! Check the schedule for details.
Where: Botanic Park, Hackney rd Adelaide.
How much: $14.50 for kids, $19 for adults. ‘Gold Grass’ seats for $35.
Botanic Park is hosting its summer lineup of great movies both new and classic throughout January. Check the schedule — some days they’ll be playing great family picks such as The Good Dinosaur, but on others they’re more likely to throw a retro favorite like Top Gun out. Make sure you book early if you hold any hope of getting into the 29ths screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens!
What’s on: Semaphore Summer Carnival
When: Now until end of January 2016 (closed Christmas Day)
Where: Semaphore Foreshore Reserve, Semaphore Esplanade
How much: Free entry. Rides variable.
Carnival! Have some fun by the waterside with attractions ranging from Dodgems to Bungees. Chow down on some fairy floss and step right up, because it’s time to have a ball. Free Fireworks on display for NYE and Australia Day (9.30pm)!
What’s on: TARNANTHI Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
When: Now until 17 January 2016, between 10am-5pm
Where: Art Gallery of South Australia
How much: Free!
If you get in early, you’ll be able to catch the tail-end of this new collection of Indigenous artworks on display at the Art Gallery through the first half of the month. If you’re looking for a bit of culture, there are works on display from dozens of artists, celebrating the diversity of Aboriginal expression.
What’s on: Ghost, The Musical
When: 7-31 January 2016
Where: Adelaide Festival Centre. King William Rd, Adelaide 5000
How much: $79.90-$119.90
Did you have a small shrine dedicated to Patrick Swayze in the early 90s? If so, you’ll love seeing the new musical adaptation in its premiere Adelaide debut. Rob Mills as Sam might not be the real deal, but he does a hell of a job living up to it.
What’s on: Jamie XX
When: 7 January 2016
Where: Thebarton Theatre. 112 Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville
How much: From $57.78
Formerly half of The XX (personal recommendation to both their self-titled album THE XX and COEXIST), Jamie XX is in Australia to perform songs from his debut solo album In Colour. Love electronic music? Miss this and you’ll be kicking yourself for months.
What’s on: Dinosaurs, Fossils & Things That Go Bump in the Night
When: 12-20 January 2016
Where: North Adelaide Library – 176 Tynte St (12th), Hutt St Library – 235 Hutt St (20th)
How much: $15 per child
Don’t miss an exploration of the lost world of the Dinosaurs! Local librarians will take kids through a fascinating tour of dinosaurs and fossils. Perfect for families of budding paleontologists.
What’s on: Deadly 60 Live!
When: 11-12 January 2016
Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre, 58 Grote St
How much: $44.90-$59.90
If you’re a fan of the TV show, Deadly 60 is heading to the big stage. Host Steve Backshall will be talking through the 60 deadliest creatures on the planet, showing their vicious techniques and exploring how they survive in the big bad wild. Perfect for big kids (and big kids at heart), but have some discretion taking younger audiences.
What’s on: Guide Dogs SA Discovery Centre + Summer Fruits Central Market Tour
When: 14 January 2016
Where: Guide Dogs SA, 251 Morphett St
How much: $17.50 per head
How does a jam packed day of activities for kids for only $17.50 sound? Meet some real Guide Dogs, try walking blind with a cane, play Basketball with glasses meant to simulate visual impairment, and finally relax with a tour of the markets and some yummy foods to taste (ages 7+). Proceeds go towards Guide Dogs for the blind!
What’s on: World Tennis Challenge 2016
When: 12-14 January 2016
Where: Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, North Adelaide
How much: Basic tickets $18 children, $20 adults per night.
Running over three nights, WTC is an international tennis tournament held right here in Adelaide, where four teams duke it for the title of WTC champion. Featuring multiple former world Top 10s, it’s sure to be one to remember.
What’s on: McLaren Vale Harvest Festival
When: 16 January 2016
Where: 5171 McLaren Vale
How much: Gold Coin donation
Finally, something for the foodies. McLaren Vale Harvest Festival shows off a bevy of world class wines and gourmet foods, spectacular music, and art from the McLaren Vale region. If you’re interested in more depth, check out the Harvest Feast on the night of the 15th. It’s pricey, but worth it.
What’s on: The Tiger Who Came To Tea
When: 22-24 January 2016
Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre, 58 Grote Street, Adelaide
How much: $39.90
The Tiger Who Came To Tea is a marvellous adaptation of Judith Kerr’s hit kids book aimed at children three and up. Kids will love this singing pantomime version of the fantastic tale of a striped rapscallion who interrupts a perfectly nice afternoon tea.
What’s on: Walk The Moon
When: 23 January 2016
Where: The Governor Hindmarsh, 50 Port Road, Hindmarsh
How much: $52.34
Supported by Aussie act The Griswolds (which might be worth it on their own!), Walk The Moon are in from Ohio to perform songs from TALKING IS HARD, including smash hit ‘Shut Up and Dance with Me’. Scrub your vocal chords before checking out the art-rock quartet, you’ll need them to sing along.
What’s on: India vs. Australia T20 Cricket
When: 26 January 2016
Where: Adelaide Oval
How much: $20-80
If you’re looking for a fix of high-octane sport, the T20 India vs. Australia match is sure to get your blood pumping. Much faster than test cricket, T20 is a blazing flurry of overs and outs, and one ticket will get you access to both the men’s and women’s international match.
What’s on: Jimmy Carr, ‘Funny Business’
When: 30 January 2016
Where: Thebarton Theatre, 112 Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville
How much: $79.90
An English comic who who crosses the line so often that it’s more of a skidmark, Jimmy Carr is in town to deliver some good, wholesome fun (except for the wholesome) at Thebarton Theatre. Not for the kids.
As you can see, there is lots on in Adelaide throughout the entire month of January so why not kick off 2016 with a huge array of activities for all!

