Adelaide Jazz Festival and South Australian Wooden Boat Festival
This weekend, have a swinging time at the Adelaide Jazz Festival or head to Goolwa for the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival.
Jazz it up
As they say, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing”. Experience some of Adelaide’s top jazz musicians at the 2025 Adelaide Jazz Festival. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Adelaide’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music, this year’s festival will include an extended program across eight days. The Grace Emily will once again be the venue partner for the festival, hosting seasoned and emerging musicians playing electro-jazz, funk, groove and more. Highlights include a big band performance by senior students of the Elder Conservatorium of Music and a lunchtime concert at Adelaide Town Hall. The Adelaide Jazz Festival takes place until May 2.
All aboard
The state’s rich maritime heritage will be celebrated this weekend at the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Goolwa. Now in its 18th year, this biennial event features more than 100 new and vintage wooden boats. Watch the action-packed sailing races or hop aboard an historic paddle steamer. Throughout the weekend, there will also be informative maritime exhibits, live music, family-friendly entertainment and abundant food and beverage options. A highlight of the festival is the Rough ‘n’ Ready boat building competition, where you can have a go at building and racing your own vessel.
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Don’t miss out
It’s not too late to experience the captivating beauty of world-famous glass artist Dale Chihuly’s vibrant sculptures, which will continue to be displayed at Adelaide Botanic Garden until April 29. Since September 2024, 15 giant architectural sculptures have transformed the Botanic Garden into a panoply of colour for the free Garden Experience exhibition, while dozens of multicoloured “hybrid plant” sculptures have been dotted throughout the Bicentennial Conservatory for In Full Colour: Dale Chihuly. You can also experience Chihuly’s marvellous creations illuminated in the night sky at Chihuly Nights until Sunday evening. This is the first time Chihuly has exhibited his sculptures outside of the United States and London’s Kew Gardens.
Photo: Mikaela Frick
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Feeling salty
Head to the nature-filled southern Eyre Peninsula this weekend for SALT Festival. This multi-arts festival features a jam-packed program of workshops, music, exhibitions and more. Take part in a wearable art competition, enjoy music from award-winning singer-songwriter Jodi Martin, join an Easter egg hunt, or marvel as the waters of Boston Bay are lit up for Message in a Bottle. This festival is a perfect way to explore the southern Eyre Peninsula, known for its pristine coastline, wildlife and delicious oysters. SALT Festival takes place until April 27 at venues throughout the region.
Discover the Fleurieu
The best creative minds of the Fleurieu Peninsula will be front and centre of this year’s Festival Fleurieu. Held every two years, the celebration includes everything from art exhibitions to a four-course meal at Aqua Blue restaurant in Normanville. Also, look forward to music performances, a vintage and retro fair, a history tour of one of the region’s early colonial families, a Shakespeare performance and much more. An important element of this year’s festivities is the inaugural children’s literature festival, Imagine Your World in Stories and Art, with renowned children’s authors Mem Fox and Mandy Foot as special guests. Festiva Fleurieu will be held at Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and other towns around the Fleurieu Peninsula until April 27.
Vintage is back
The 2025 wine vintage will be marked once again with the Barossa Vintage Festival. Now nearing its 80th anniversary, this festival gives you the chance to sample the best food, wine and culture from across the Barossa Valley. Meet the makers, have a go at grape stomping, browse various markets including arts and craft stalls, and learn from the experts at workshops and demonstrations. Among the highlights of the more than 85 events at this year’s festival are the time-honoured scarecrow trail, the Club Vintage disco at Tanunda Show Hall, the 2025 Parade After Parade, and Touchdown & Taste off Barossa, which celebrates Barossa Council’s sister city relationship with Grapevine, Texas. This festival will be held from April 23 to 27 at venues throughout the region.
King William Road’s Dinner Series
Creativity will take centre stage this May as King William Road presents the KWR Dinner Series: Lines of Style. The evening will include a dinner prepared by Out in the Paddock using seasonal produce from Bottega 1995. This event will also showcase art by emerging artist Joe Whale (a.k.a The Doodle Boy, while there will also be a runway show highlighting fashion from King William Road Boutiques. Lines of Style takes place at Ex Animo Art on King William Road from 6.30-10.30pm on May 8 and 9.
