From morning ceremony to concert and fireworks: Choose how to mark Australia Day in SA
Australia’s interconnected stories will be reflected in this year’s celebrations at Elder Park.
Australia Day in South Australia will be marked with morning and evening events on Monday, January 26, curated to reflect the different ways the national day is experienced across the community.
Organisers say the program is shaped around the interconnected stories that continue to define Australia, acknowledging that the day is one of mourning for some, and celebration and hope for others.
“Australia Day reflects three interconnected stories,” said Jan Chorley, chief executive of the Australia Day Council of South Australia. “Our Indigenous peoples, those who came through settlement, and the multicultural and refugee communities who have since made Australia home, sharing customs, food and values that now form part of our national identity.”
The day begins with Mourning in the Morning, a First Nations-led ceremony held from 7.30am at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama on the banks of the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri. Led by South Australian First Nations community leaders, the gathering provides space for reflection, truth-telling and acknowledgement of the enduring strength, survival and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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The ceremony will open with a Welcome to Kaurna Country and smoking ceremony conducted by Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner, followed by First Nations speakers including a keynote address from Anthony McEvoy SC, an eminent barrister specialising in native title, land rights and environmental law, as well as contemporary music and dance performances by South Australian First Nations artists.
From 5pm, Elder Park will host Aus Lights on the River, the state’s flagship Australia Day evening event, offering free, family-friendly entertainment along the River Torrens.
The program includes immersive light and sound installations, large-scale Australian bird displays, roving performers, shadow-puppet storytelling and creative workshops for children. International food vendors will operate throughout the evening, offering festival-style dining options suited to casual picnicking on the grass.
At 6pm, the Aus Lights Parade will start on War Memorial Drive near Adelaide Oval, featuring more than 1300 participants from more than 55 community and multicultural organisations from across South Australia. The large-scale street procession will travel along King William Street before finishing at Elder Park, bringing colour, music and movement into the city as spectators are encouraged to line the route and follow the parade straight into Elder Park.
The one-hour parade showcases a fast-moving mix of music, dance and performance, celebrating the diversity of South Australia’s communities and offering something to enjoy at every turn.
Chief executive officer Jan Chorley said South Australians are warmly invited to watch the parade, with great viewing areas along the entire route.
“The Aus Lights Parade celebrates diversity, showcasing community contributors and many nationalities that shape our shared cultural fabric,” she said. “We encourage South Australians to line the route and show their support before attending the main event in Elder Park.”
Parade highlights include big band drums and bagpipes from the Adelaide Pipe Band, high-energy rock’n’roll dancing by the Adelaide Rock & Roll Club, athletic performances choreographed by Calisthenics SA, and the driving drums and dance of the Suns of Africa. Audiences will also see folkloric dance and traditional costumes from Peru, Sri Lanka and Latin America, alongside performances by the Chinatown Adelaide Dragon Dance Team and the Scottish Association.
The evening’s official ceremony begins at 8.30pm with a flag raising and the Australian anthem, followed by a headline performance from Diana Rouvas, whose powerful vocals and live presence have earned national and international acclaim since her 2019 win on The Voice Australia. Rouvas will take the stage alongside the Festival Statesmen Choir, Young Adelaide Voices and musicians from the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, delivering a large-scale collaborative performance ahead of the fireworks finale over the River Torrens at 9.30pm, followed by DJ sets along the riverbank until 11pm.
Australia Day in South Australia takes place on Monday, January 26, 2026. Full program details, event timings and accessibility information are available at australiadaysa.com.au/aus-lights-2026
Australia Day in South Australia is supported by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council and the City of Adelaide and is supported by the Government of South Australia. Mourning in the Morning Smoking Ceremony key event partner SA Power Networks community support partners Adelaide PHN, Adelaide University, Credit Union SA, Sarah Constructions, SDA , and Sofitel Adelaide. Aus Lights Parade community support partners South Australian Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Galipo Foods and Altus Traffic.
