Can you believe it’s December? Christmas is finally upon us, and this week is getting fully into the festive spirit with a jam-packed schedule of events, eats, and every excuse to treat yourself.
Expect everything from Christmas feasts to mini wine festivals and even Italian music sensations. Here’s where you need to be.
SUMMER SOLSTICE | DEC 22
Adelaide is officially welcoming summer this week, with the arrival of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year! The precise astronomical moment occurs at 1:33am ACDT, Monday, December 22nd, marking the point when the Southern Hemisphere is tilted most directly towards the sun, meaning it’s the greatest amount of daylight Adelaide will see all year.
For more information on the December Solstice, click here.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND SANTA VISITS AT AIRPORT | DEC 22 & 23
Head to Adelaide Airport this Monday to soak up Christmas as the Australian Girls Choir will be on-site singing carols, and santa will be offering free giveaways!
- Mon 22 Dec: Australian Girls Choir, 9-11am, opposite International Departures
- Mon 22 Dec: Santa Visits Adelaide Airport, 10am-2pm, roving the terminal
- Tues 23 Dec: Santa Visits Adelaide Airport, 10am-2pm, roving the terminal
When: December 22nd & 23rd
Where: Adelaide Airport
To shop & dine while you’re there click here.
Celebrate Christmas Eve with an evening of community, music and festive cheer at Para Hills Community Club. Community carols will run from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, followed by DJ entertainment from 8:00pm through to late, alongside festive drink specials, Christmas foods, treats and plenty of seasonal fun. Everyone is welcome, bring the family, bring your friends, and get into the Christmas spirit.
When: Wednesday December 24, 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Where: Para Hills Community Club, 360–370 Bridge Road, Para Hills
Contact: 0451 196 961 | [email protected]
FIND YOUR GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS EVE EVENTS AND PUB FUN HERE | DEC 24
FIND YOUR GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS DAY PARTIES HERE | DEC 25
ADELAIDE GALVANISING INDUSTRIES BOXING DAY RACES | DEC 26
Keep the festive spirit rolling at Morphettville with the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Boxing Day Races, launching a run of back-to-back festive race days. After the whirlwind of Christmas celebrations, this is your chance to unwind with a laid-back day at the track, bringing together live racing, summer entertainment and relaxed post-Christmas catch-ups.
Guests can settle in for a full day of racing, food and live sport, with the Ashes Test Match streaming on the big screen near Club Lago. Expect a live paella station serving hot, fresh comfort food, Dusty Lee performing live in Club Lago from 3pm to 6pm, and a dedicated Family Zone featuring the popular animal farm and kid-friendly activities. The atmosphere is easygoing and welcoming, making it ideal for families, groups and anyone looking to reset or keep the celebrations going.
When: Friday December 26, 12:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Morphettville Racecourse, 79 Morphett Road, Morphettville
For more info, click here.
SYN AT SUNSET | DEC 27
Recover from Christmas and Boxing Day in style at the 17th annual Syn at Sunset, set among Richard Hamilton’s McLaren Vale vineyards and rose gardens. Adelaide band Velvet will cover crowd favourites from the ’80s through to today, soundtracking a relaxed, family-friendly evening of live music, great food, fine wine and sunset views. Picnic rugs and spreading out on the cellar door lawns is highly encouraged.
When: Saturday December 27th,
Where: Richard Hamilton Cellar Door, 439 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
Tickets: $30pp
Early Bird 2-for-1 available with code earlysynner2for1
For the website, click here.
BOXING DAY ASHES TEST AT CLINK | DEC 26 – 28
Catch the Boxing Day Ashes Test live on the big screen at CLINK, nestled within the Tintara Precinct in the heart of McLaren Vale. From Friday through to Sunday, settle in as the action plays all weekend long, paired with playful pours of Hardys wine, seasonal bites and a relaxed, welcoming summer atmosphere. It’s an easy, all-day spot for locals and visitors to eat, drink and soak up the cricket in style.
When: Friday December 26, 12:00pm – Sunday December 28, 8:00pm
Where: Hardys Tintara Cellar Door (CLINK), 202 Main Road, McLaren Vale
For the website, click here
WILBUR’S WILDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTRE AT DISTRICT OUTLET CENTRE | DEC 19 – JAN 17
The Wilbur’s Wildlife Discovery Centre returns to District Outlet Centre for the summer school holidays! The interactive animal experience includes a show where you can pat and hold a range of snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, possums and more. Then explore the activity zone where kids can try their hand at being a zookeeper, vet or digging for dinosaurs.
Bookings are essential to secure a seat for the wildlife show. Be quick as this experience sold out last time it was offered.
When: Friday December 19, 9:00am- Saturday January 17, 2026 3:00pm
Where: District Outlet Centre, Corner of Freda Thompson Place &, Main N Rd, Parafield, SA 5106, Australia
For more information, click here.
FREE SUMMER RECYCLED TEXTILES WORKSHOPS | DEC 11 – JAN 25
Wild Woman of Willunga is hosting Free Summer Recycled Textiles Workshops at the ‘Here’s to Strength Wellness Hub’ in Aldinga, supported by the City of Onkaparinga. The series encourages sustainability by turning preloved garments into creative new items. From denim jewellery to Christmas decorations, bags, and bucket hats, these workshops are teaching you how to make it all.
When: From Friday, December 11th
Where: Here’s to Strength Community Wellness Hub, 1A Old Coach Rd, Aldinga
For more information, click here.
LIGHTS OF LOBETHAL FESTIVAL | DEC 12 – 23
Chantel Harding Photography
Adelaide’s epicentre for Christmas spirit will make a return this December, with hundreds of houses dressed in lights as the town comes alive from December 12th to the 23rd. The season kicks off with an opening festival of all things live music, street eats, markets, carols and even a living nativity.
When: December 12th to the 23rd
Where: Lobethal
For more information, click here.
CHRISTMAS DEGUSTATION AT LENZERHEIDE | UNTIL DEC 31
For $155 per person, experience Christmas like never before with Lenzerheide’s Christmas degustation that highlights the finest festive flavours, thoughtfully curated into a multi-course celebration.
When: December
Where: 146 Belair Rd, Hawthorn SA 5062
For more information, click here.
THE RIVERBANK CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY | UNTIL JAN 2
The Riverbank Christmas Lights Display is set to once again transform the banks of the River Torrens into a dazzling spectacle of colour and nostalgia, lighting up nightly from Saturday, November 22nd through to Friday, January 2nd. Stretching along Adam Street Reserve at the corner of Port Road and Adam Street, Southwark (formerly part of Thebarton), the beloved lights—once famously known as the West End Brewery Christmas Lights—remain one of South Australia’s most cherished festive traditions, attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year.
When: Saturday, 22nd November 2025 through to Friday, 2nd January 2026
Where: Corner of Adam Street & Port Road, Southwark (opposite the Entertainment Centre)
For more information, click here.
THE ART OF DR. SEUSS | UNTIL APR 26
The Art of Dr. Seuss is arriving at the iconic d’Arenberg Cube, bringing a rare look into the secret world of one of history’s most imaginative minds for a limited season of whimsy and nostalgia. Harvey Galleries, supported by Art Evolution and the d’Arenberg Cube, is bringing The Art of Dr. Seuss exhibition back to South Australia for the first time in over 15 years. Running from November 22nd to April 26th, the exhibition will take place inside the Modern Masters Marquee beside the iconic Cube, creating a fantastical setting befitting for Dr. Seuss’ creativity.
When: November 22nd, 2025 to April 26th, 2026
Where: 58 Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171
For more information, click here.
For more news and events, check out our calendar here.
For more info on this week, check out the full category here.
