Images by Sam Roberts. Pictured: Central Studios
South Australia will become Australia’s biggest open-air gallery once again, with the full program for the 2026 South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival officially unveiled.
Returning from August 1st to 31st, the 29th annual festival will see more than 11,000 artists showcase their work across over 700 exhibitions and events, transforming galleries, cafes, wineries, libraries, schools, community halls and public spaces into creative destinations across the state.
As Australia’s largest open-access visual arts festival, SALA continues to celebrate artists at every stage of their creative journey, inviting South Australians to discover local talent in both familiar and unexpected places.
This year’s program is filled with immersive exhibitions, guided tours, regional adventures and hands-on workshops designed to make art more accessible than ever.
SALA Contemporary Art Tour
Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts Kyam Maher said, “SALA is a real highlight on the South Australian calendar. Each year cafes, workplaces and streets across the state come alive for SALA, to celebrate local arts and artists. With such a big program this year there’s never been a better chance to get involved.”
SALA CEO Bridget Alfred added, “This year’s Festival is a celebration of creativity, community and connection with exceptional South Australian artists at its heart. Work will be showcased that will inspire, delight and challenge and will be found in unexpected corners right across the state, with over 700 events and just over 11,000 artists of all ages and stages. Use the SALA program and app to explore the state through art in August and jump onto our tours and events for guided navigation!”
Among this year’s highlights is the inaugural exhibition of Hahndorf Hill’s featured artist, Troy-Anthony Baylis, whose ambitious new exhibition, Pile-up, will premiere at Adelaide Central Gallery while additional works will be displayed at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Baylis has also been honoured as the festival’s 2026 featured artist, with a new monograph exploring his practice to be released during the festival.
Immersive Light and Art will once again become a festival hub, hosting Matthew Quick’s new exhibition Deaf in One Eye, alongside SALA Date Night, where creative duos can take part in playful collaborative art challenges.
Beyond the gallery walls, visitors can join guided walking tours exploring Adelaide’s street art, artist-run initiatives and culturally diverse exhibitions, or travel further afield with curated bus tours through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula and beyond. Open Studios Weekend will also return, offering a rare opportunity to step inside artists’ workspaces across South Australia.
The festival’s growing regional focus continues this year with self-guided tours spanning the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Encounter Bay, the Limestone Coast and the Riverland, encouraging visitors to combine road trips with local art discoveries.
SALA Contemporary Art Tour
Printed festival guides will be available from July 18th at Foodland supermarkets, SALA venues, civic centres and visitor information centres, while the complete program is now available online.
For more information, click here.
