Illuminate’s best offerings lighting up Adelaide this wintertime
Immersive and fun events don’t have to break the bank this wintertime, so we’ve compiled the best list of activities under $50 to experience during Illuminate Adelaide.
For co-founders and creative directors Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge, Illuminate Adelaide was an idea that the two came up with during a long overdue catch up.
“We have so many incredible events that happen all the way through the year but noticed there wasn’t a lot happening in the wintertime,” Azzopardi said.
“So, for us, we noticed a real opportunity to bring something brand new to Adelaide – to light up the city in a way people hadn’t experienced before.”
This year marks Illuminate Adelaide’s sixth year edition but, for the winter event, it just keeps getting better.
In November last year, it was labelled as one of Australia’s fastest growing events.
“The success of 2025, which saw $74.7 million in economic activity generated for the state, really instilled this idea that Illuminate has become embedded in the events calendar,” Cumberlidge said.
“It was one the Adelaide public was calling for, and it has changed the culture of winter in our city.
“The 2025 program resonated with both new and returning audiences, with attendances soaring to 1.5 million – 98,368 of these were from interstate and abroad.
“After the success of 2025, we are hopeful that this year will be even better.”
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This year, Illuminate Adelaide returns with more than 100 experiences and performances which will light up Adelaide in a way that audiences have never seen before.
But for the co-founders and creative directors, the pair understand a need for accessibility when it comes to events – particularly when living in a cost-of-living crisis – and kept this at the forefront when deciding on programs to feature this year while also offering Supersaver Tuesdays for all major programs where patrons can experience more for less.
Winter events for under $50
Augmented Games
Augmented Games is the most anticipated event on the winter calendar. The Adelaide-exclusive, large-scale interactive immersive game will bring new life to the Ridley Centre at the Adelaide Showground, as the floor lights up in a range of interactive games controlled by the player. Eight games are designed to test people’s skills, memory and agility, all with state-of-the-art technology that responds when the player interacts with the game. Augmented Games is set to bring out the fun, competitive side in everyone, with tickets priced at $15 to $30.
“Accessibility is always at the forefront of what we do – we understand that times are tough at the moment,” Azzopardi said.
“All of our big-ticket items at the festival are affordably priced – we’ve done this on purpose to cater to every type of eventgoer.”
Night Visions
The highlight of the winter light, art, music and technology event, Illuminate Adelaide will again light up the Adelaide Botanic Garden with the return season of the adored Night Visions. Expect immersive soundscapes, cutting edge light, lasers, projections and more.
Night Visions also brings a range of local and international visionaries – including Craig Walsh, PAYDAE, Robin Fox, Amelia Kosminsky and more – to the forefront.
Returning after popular demand and with ticket prices ranging from $30 to $48, Night Visions will continue to shine new light to wintertime in Adelaide.
Digital Abyss
Illuminate Adelaide’s luminary artist in residence, Miguel Chevalier – whose career spans more than 45 years and is an expert in the field of digital immersive experiences – brings an exclusive event, Digital Abyss, to Immersive Light & Art | ILA.
The work is inspired by the deep ocean and unfolds, moves and expands like a living seascape. These illuminating designs include AI plankton projections, robotic drawings, glowing lightworks, and 3D sculptures, all reflecting the curious micro wonders of the marine floor, with tickets priced between $15 and $25.
“With Miguel Chevalier’s anticipated show Digital Abyss, the underwater world will respond to your presence where shadows ripple, and deep-sea life forms emerge, regenerate and change before your eyes,” Cumberlidge said.
Free events during wintertime
City Lights
The backbone of Illuminate Adelaide, City Lights, is back better than ever and completely free – extending into Rymill Park for the first time in its history.
“One of the most important parts of the program every year is City Lights – a large-scale free program during Illuminate Adelaide, taking place every night of the school holidays – and 2026 is no different,” Azzopardi said.
Some of the free City Lights installations include Piano Walk by Amigo & Amigo, a musical adventure where you become the piano player as the large scale, light up, interactive piano makes music as you step on each key; The Origin of the World, with swirling cells and animated organisms in vibrant colour illustrated by Miguel Chevalier to light up Government House; life-sized swans in CYGNUS lit up on the Rymill Park Lake performing synchronised ballet; and much more.
Roving performers will return – this year including the hilarious and fun Mirror Me dancers along with the 7m-high Birdmen – walking and making their way from North Terrace all the way to Rundle Street.
“We are so excited to welcome the incredible works of international, interstate and local artists and have them come to life on famous Adelaide buildings and a whole new precinct in Rymill Park,” Cumberlidge said.
“The free and accessible City Lights program is proven to be fun for everyone, and a way for every person to be able to enjoy the program in all its glory.”
Illuminate Adelaide will take place from July 1-19 in various locations. Head to the website for the full program and more information.
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