3 must-see family events at Illuminate Adelaide 2025

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June 25, 2025

With school holidays just around the corner, it's the perfect time to start planning some winter fun — and this year’s Illuminate Adelaide lineup is bursting with family-friendly magic! From roaring dinosaurs to glowing city adventures and a sky full of dancing drones, here are three unmissable experiences that kids (and grown-ups!) will love.

1. Horizons

Adelaide Oval | Friday 18 July | One night only! | Tickets: $29 – $69 | Book now

One night. Hundreds of drones. Infinite wow-factor.

Horizons (pictured at top) is a brand-new, one-night-only spectacle that will transform Adelaide Oval into a multi-sensory light and sound show. Expect a sky filled with illuminated drones, powerful storytelling, and breathtaking music and visuals that celebrate connection to place, people, and community.

It’s a first-of-its-kind event in Australia and the perfect way to wrap up the school holidays with a bang.

Taking place along Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens, Horizons is a spectacular show all about human connection — from the past, through to the present, and into the future.

The 60,000-year story of South Australia will come to life through breathtaking visuals and sound, honouring the land’s deep cultural history as a Kaurna gathering place, celebrating iconic concerts and sporting moments, and imagining what’s still to come.

2. Universal Kingdom: The Next Era

Adelaide Zoo | 3–20 July | Tickets: $29-$36 | Book now

Step into a prehistoric playground at Adelaide Zoo these school holidays.

Universal Kingdom: The Next Era is back — and it’s bigger, bolder, and bursting with prehistoric fun. Designed especially for curious little explorers and dino-obsessed kids, this after-dark experience transforms the zoo into a glowing Jurassic wonderland.

From the moment you step in, you’ll be whisked back in time to a world where Triceratops stomp through the trees and Pterodactyls soar overhead. But it’s not just about spotting the big names — little ones can pat gentle baby dinosaurs, dig for ancient fossils in the dedicated kids’ zone, and even race raptors (yes, really!)

This immersive event combines incredible puppetry, interactive storytelling, and eye-popping light installations to bring the world of dinosaurs thrillingly to life — all crafted by the imaginative teams at Erth and A Blanck Canvas.

So grab your torches (and your little paleontologists) and get ready to roar into a new era of family fun. Whether it’s your toddler’s first dino encounter or your tween’s dream night out, The Next Era promises excitement for every age.

3. City Lights

Adelaide CBD | 4–20 July | FREE | More information

People stroll through a city beneath a large illuminated structure, creating a vibrant urban atmosphere at night. — Image: RobinZahler

Looking for a no-cost outing the whole family can enjoy? City Lights is one of Adelaide’s most-loved winter traditions — and it’s back to brighten up your nights!

Wander the streets of the CBD after dark and discover giant projections, interactive artworks, and jaw-dropping light displays on buildings, laneways, and unexpected corners of the city. It’s a dazzling way to explore art and technology together – and the best part? No tickets needed.

Running nightly from 5:30pm, City Lights will showcase a stellar lineup of local, national, and international artists, bringing to life the bustling CBD – from Adelaide’s vibrant East End to the glittering Festival Plaza along with some of the city’s most cherished cultural institutions and heritage buildings, including Government House, Bonython Hall and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

A path of light and time by Javier Riera (ESP)
The gates of Government House will open every night for a mesmerising projection work by acclaimed Spanish artist Javier Riera. Known for his geometric light interventions in nature, Riera’s meditative installation transforms this historic site into a contemplative garden of light.

I give you a mountain by Joan Ross (UK/AUS)
The façade of the Art Gallery of South Australia becomes the canvas for Joan Ross’ vivid commentary on colonisation, using 18th-century illustrations from the Leverian Museum to explore power, exploitation, and the Pacific’s cultural history.

VOICES by Pulsing Heart (AUS)

Let the choir sing. Voices by SA locals Pulsing Heart celebrates the power of listening to individual and collective voices. Spin the wheel to hear its voice sing louder with each turn.

SomniUs by Illumaphonium (UK)

An expansive sensory world of sound, light, and movement. Let the sky respond to your steps as you journey through a dreamlike experience in the iconic Bonython Hall.

Rundle Illuminations (Various)
Scattered throughout Adelaide’s iconic East End, Rundle Illuminations displays a collection of large-scale interactive installations, roving performances, and glowing light works. By Olivier Landreville, produced by Init, and tour produced by Creos.

Plan your family’s festival adventure

From dinosaurs to drones and city streets that sparkle after dark, Illuminate Adelaide 2025 has something for every little explorer and curious mind. Whether you’re chasing thrills, lights, or learning, this year’s program is set to make your winter break truly unforgettable.

Illuminate Adelaide is on 2 to 20 July 2025. For full program details, visit illuminateadelaide.com