How to spend the ANZAC Day long weekend
There’s a range of events from speed dating to street parties to bookend the traditional ANZAC dawn services. Here’s our round-up of what’s happening around Adelaide.
110th Gallipoli Anniversary Talk with Robin Prior
To commemorate the history of ANZAC Day, a free talk will be delivered by Gallipoli historian Robin Prior and ABC Adelaide’s David Bevan. The talk will cover the historical context of the Gallipoli landing and will provide a valuable opportunity for attendees to engage with Australian wartime history.
Tea and coffee will be provided on-site.
Where: 95 Glen Osmond Rd, Eastwood SA 5063
When: 2 pm ’til 3 pm
80s ANZAC Day at The Founders
The Founders Restaurant in Oakden are keeping things upbeat this ANZAC Day by hosting an 80s-themed ANZAC Day party. The restaurant promises an afternoon of exciting performances and reliving the hits form one of history’s most iconic eras of music.
Entry tickets will go for $5, and include an entry into the events $500 ANZAC Day hamper raffle and one entry into their 10k Christmas raffle. Bookings are essential as there is limited seating.
Where: The Founders, 246 Fosters Rd, Oakden SA, 5086
When: Band starts at 3 pm
Adelaide Hills Flavour Hub
A recent Adelaide Hills development includes the Prancing Pony Brewery, Emmalene and The Still Co and will showcase their local beverages over two days on the ANZAC long weekend.
On Saturday, April 26 there will be beer, wine and spirit tastings that will teach guests to best match each product with food.
You might like
On Sunday, there will be a session to meet the makers with representatives from each brand from 2pm. Learn how to drink beer, talk about wine and mix the perfect cocktail with live music by Kaileb Rothwell. There will also be games for kids and free face painting at the family-friendly event.
Where: 42 Mt Barker Road, Totness SA 5250
When: 2pm onwards on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27.
ANZAC Day Payneham Community concert
For something family-friendly. The Payneham City Concert Band will be hosting a community concert at the Payneham Youth Centre. Promising a cheerful afternoon of music to commemorate Anzac Day, prospective attendees can also enjoy afternoon tea and take part in a raffle.
Entry is free, with a cold coin donation encouraged.
Where: Payneham Youth Centre, Lot 18, Turner St, Felixstow 5070
When: 2pm ’til 4pm
ANZAC Day Pop Up Brewery Clarendon
More interested in sampling something local this ANZAC Day? Clarendon Brewing will be hosting an exclusive ANZAC Day pop up in commemoration of the 80 years since the end of WW2.
The pop-up will function as a ‘clone’ of a 1940s West End Bitter, with an additional offering of the venues new Oatmeal Stout and Spicy Ginger Beer for patrons to give a try. Throughout the day there will be 2-Up demonstrations for those interested in learning a a skill and a classic piece of wartime history.
Entry for the event duration is free, with walk-ins welcome.
Where: Grants Gully Rd, Clarendon SA 5157
When: 11am ’til 3pm
Australian Jazz Festival – Millie Sarah’s ANZAC Day Ensemble
Part of the Adelaide Jazz Festival, artist Mille Sarah will perform a special ANZAC Day showcase featuring ballads and swing classics like ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree’.
Those looking for something to attend on the evening of ANZAC Day are encouraged to attend this nostalgic, vibrant and reverent concert of commemoration to honour the history of our ANZAC. The concert will also feature special guest jazz vocalist Marlene Richards, who will join in alongside the ensemble.
Tickets are available for purchase at the door and via Humanitix.
Where: Hal’s Hall: Madley Rehearsal Studio, University of Adelaide
When: 7 pm till 10:30 pm
Subscribe for updates
Long Weekend fun at Grand Junction Tavern
Continuing the tradition of ANZAC Day pub fair across the whole weekend, the Grand Junction Tavern will keep spirits high on Friday with $1 wings, a 4pm – 7pm happy hour, and a ‘Live and Loud’ ANZAC Day match viewing.
On Saturday, Adelaide band Reload will play from 8:30pm. Table bookings are encouraged and available via their website.
Where: The Grand Junction Tavern, 174 Grand Junction Road, Pennington SA 5013
When: 11am ’til 5am
Pirathon Cellar Door ANZAC Day Festival
Venturing a little way outside the CBD and you’ll find Pirathon wines, Rehn Bier & Seppeltsfield have joined forces to celebrate harvest completion and commemorate ANZAC spirit in the Barossa Valley. The family-friendly event will feature open space for kids to play and dance within, with live performances from Stones Throw and the Valley Cats until 8pm. Argentinian BBQ will be available onsite, as well as a selection of kid-friendly hot dogs and doughnuts to keep little tummies happy.
Entry is priced at $25 a head with tickets available via the Barossa Vintage Festival website.
Where: 15 Vine Vale Rd, Tanunda SA 5352
When: 12 pm ’til 8 pm
Pooraka Rock Tribute Bands
In the mood to keep the celebrations going into the night? Bridgeway Live is returning for another year of Australian rock tribute bands to kick off the long weekend. The band bill for this year will feature Bon Fire playing the classics of AC/DC, Beyond Salvation’s Angel’s tribute, New Sensation’s performance of INXS’ greatest hits and Devine Alls tribute to Chrissy Amplett.
Pre-sale tickets are available at Bridgeway Live’s website and priced at $42, with $50 options available at door.
Where: 18 Bridge Road, Pooraka, SA 5095
When: 7pm
Pre-ANZAC Day Speed Dating in Thebarton
If you’re looking to meet someone to spend your long weekends with long into the future, then the Pre-ANZAC Day speed dating collaboration with CitySwoon and Brightstar Brewing is one to mark in your calendar.
The event is for people aged 29 to 49, and will include six to eight rapid-fire dating experiences so you can narrow down your most compatible, with a drink on arrival included to calm the nerves. It’s a light-hearted, social experience to celebrate the incoming weekend.
Tickets are available via the CitySwoon website.
Where: Brightstar Brewing, 35-37 Stirling St, Thebarton SA 5031
When: Thursday 24 April, 7pm ’til 9:30pm
Waymouth Vintage Style Street Party
The annual Union Hotel and Waymouth Street ANZAC Day party is on again this year, but with a vintage twist to the celebrations. The big band music will be joined by attendees dressing their vintage best, with plenty of food options.
The featured acts for this year will be Salt and Pepper Swing Band from 11:30am to 2:30pm, Jasper C music from 3pm to 5pm and Cornesy’s Allstars from 5.30pm to 10pm, with the City of Elizabeth Pipe Band playing sets in between.
Vintage clothes are encouraged, but not the rule. Anyone can come along to watch, chat and mingle.
Attendees are encouraged to attend the free event as early as possible to secure a table.
Where: 70 Waymouth St, Adelaide SA 5000
When: 10am ’til 10pm