South Australia’s flagship Australia Day evening celebrations are still going ahead along the River Torrens, with organisers confirming a later start time in response to forecast heat conditions.
The Australia Day Council of South Australia has announced that the 2026 Aus Lights on the River program at Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama will now open its gates at 7pm, instead of the originally planned 5pm start, allowing temperatures to ease before the main public festivities begin.
CEO Jan Chorley said the decision was made to ensure the community could still enjoy most of the evening safely and comfortably. “Starting at 7.00pm allows temperatures to ease before the main public program begins,” she said, adding that additional heat mitigation measures have been implemented across the site, including increased shaded areas, misting stations and readily accessible free drinking water.
Despite the later start, organisers say the atmosphere and scale of the event remains intact, with a full evening of celebration, ceremony and entertainment planned.
From 7pm, families can expect face painting, children’s craft activities and the ever-popular nylon zoo, featuring a giant swan and seagull. Kids will also be invited to create and project their own shadow puppets as part of the interactive program.
As night falls, the Rotunda will be transformed with striking native bird projections, alongside immersive light installations illuminating the northern bank of the river. Roving performers, including giant native animal puppets, will move throughout the site, while the evening will also feature the flag raising and Australian anthem.
Selected community parade groups will still take to the main stage from 7.30pm, leading into the Official Ceremony and Concert.
This year’s live concert is headlined by Diana Rouvas, with DJ Tommy Tequila keeping the energy high throughout the night with iconic Australian tracks. The celebrations will culminate in a major fireworks finale over the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri.
One element of the original program will not proceed, with the Aus Light Parade scheduled between 6pm and 7pm cancelled due to heat and safety considerations. Ms Chorley said “We are disappointed, because the Parade is such a vibrant expression of community spirit, but our responsibility is always to put people first,” she said. “That said, a handful of the 55 community groups will be performing on the main stage from 7.30pm, and we anticipate many parade participants and their families will join us on the night. We look forward to hosting the parade next year.”
Importantly, the Morning in the Morning First Nations-led smoking ceremony, held at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama from 7.30am, remains unchanged and will proceed as originally planned.
With revised timings and additional heat measures in place, organisers say they are confident the evening program can still be enjoyed safely and are looking forward to welcoming South Australians from 7pm on Australia Day.
Updated program details will be shared via the Australia Day Council of South Australia’s website and social channels across the weekend.
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