Extreme heat has forced a major change to South Australia’s Australia Day program, with the Australia Day Council of South Australia confirming the cancellation of the evening event at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama.
Aus Lights on the River, including the fireworks finale, will no longer go ahead on Monday 26 January due to the extreme heat forecast. The decision follows several mitigation attempts over recent days, including a delayed start time and the cancellation of the parade to reduce heat exposure.
Australia Day Council of South Australia CEO Jan Chorley said the call was made following ongoing consultation with emergency services and key authorities. “Over the past 48 hours we have worked extremely hard to keep the evening event going,” she said. “However, despite our best efforts, we have not been able to safely proceed. While we are incredibly disappointed, the safety of our community must always come first.”
The cancellation impacts what is typically a crowd of around 30,000 people and a wide network of contributors, including performers, artists, choirs, volunteers, food vendors, Rotary Clubs and community groups who had prepared for the evening program.
While the evening celebrations have been cancelled, the Mourning in the Morning Ceremony will proceed as planned, taking place from 7.30am to 9.00am at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama.
Ms Chorley said conditions are expected to be more favourable in the morning, with additional heat mitigation measures in place. These include increased shaded areas, misting stations and readily accessible free drinking water to support community comfort. “We encourage everyone to come together for this important First Nations-led ceremony,” she said.
Mourning in the Morning is a respectful and inclusive ceremony shaped by South Australian Aboriginal leaders, placing truth-telling, reflection and cultural continuity at the beginning of the national day. The program includes a Welcome to Kaurna Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner and Tal-kin-jeri, a keynote address from eminent barrister Tony McAvoy SC, contemporary music and dance performances from Rob Edwards, WAYIN Collective and Uncle Eddie Peters, and an in-conversation panel featuring Debra Moyle and Leeroy Bilney.
The event acknowledges that people arrive at Australia Day with different experiences and perspectives, and calls for respectful dialogue grounded in listening, dignity and reflection.
Mourning in the Morning is free to attend and open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous South Australians. Gates open at 7.00am, with the ceremony commencing at 7.30am.
EVENT: AUSTRALIA DAY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2026
Mourning in the Morning: 7.30AM – 9.00AM
PRESENTED BY: Australia Day Council of South Australia
DATE: Monday 26 January 2026
LOCATION: Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama, Adelaide
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/AustraliaDaySA/
