Images: Matt Turner
There’s a new event coming to Illuminate Adelaide 2026, and it’s one dog lovers won’t want to miss.
The Illuminate Paws Walk is a nighttime dog parade that will transform the city into an illuminated procession of wagging tails and glowing collars this July. As part of the festival’s popular free City Lights trail, the new event will see hundreds of dogs and their humans walk through the CBD in support of RSPCA South Australia.
“This will be a night on the town for doglovers like no other; an evening of connection, compassion and shared purpose,” shared Illuminate Adelaide Co-Founders and Creative Directors Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge. “Every registered participant gets a glowing dog collar keepsake as part of their ticket, so, as the fur babies lead their owners along North Terrace, they’ll form an illuminated pooch parade that will be a wondrous sight in itself!”
The event is supported by local favourite The Pet Butcher and arrives as part of Illuminate Adelaide’s broader 2026 program running from July 1st to 19th.
The event also shines a light on a serious issue. In the past financial year alone, RSPCA South Australia responded to more than 5,000 reports of cruelty or neglect and cared for more than 6,000 animals. Part proceeds from every ticket sold will directly support the organisation’s ongoing rescue, rehabilitation and animal welfare work.
Marcus Gehrig, Chief Executive Officer of RSPCA South Australia, said, “We’re very excited to be partnering with Illuminate Adelaide for this incredible event. All tickets purchased really will make a meaningful impact. All donations, great and small, make a big difference to the thousands of animals that come through our door in need every year.”
The walk will feature eight staggered start times between 5:30pm and 9pm, helping create a flowing stream of illuminated dogs weaving through the City Lights trail across the evening. And given Adelaide’s very enthusiastic love affair with dogs, tickets are expected to move quickly.
Illuminate Paws Walk
When: July 6th
Where: City Lights Trail–beginning in Rymill Park from the Neon Dog Park
Price: $35, with proceeds supporting RSPCA South Australia
For more information, click here.
