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What’s On in Adelaide: May 2026
This is your ultimate guide to what's on in Adelaide this month and beyond.
This month in Adelaide (May 2026), South Australia is serving up a packed calendar of flavour, culture and city-wide energy, bringing everything from long-table feasts and wine country takeovers to immersive art, theatre and fashion moments across Adelaide and beyond. The month unfolds as a choose-your-own-adventure — fire-cooked regional dining, French-inspired festivals, Chardonnay poured every which way across the Hills, and late-night experiences that make Autumn feel anything but still. This is your editor-approved guide to the month’s standout events — with tickets, dates and timings all ready for you below.
In This Guide
Editors Picks
Tasting Australia, Various Locations
Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond turns South Australia into the ultimate foodie playground from May 8th – 17th. From fire‑pit eats and local wines to chef masterclasses and immersive experiences, the extensive program stretches across the regions and Adelaide, with Victoria Square’s Town Square hub buzzing with flavours, beats and free fun at every turn.
Where: Adelaide & wider South Australia
When: May 8 – 27, 2026
Cost: Free – $3,000
Best for: Food & Drink Lovers, Festivals & Major Events, Wine Experiences, Workshops & Masterclasses, Cultural Experiences
Bastille Festival, Adelaide
Australia’s biggest French festival is back in Adelaide, taking over Festival Plaza from May 28- 31, with four days of food, wine and Parisian-style energy. This year’s Bastille Festival goes beyond the bites and baguettes, with four immersive experiences to level up your French fix: the Food Passport (eat your way through five regions), Wine Passport (sip your way across France), Champagne High Tea (all elegance, no rush), and Open Air Cinema under the stars with French films, deckchairs and cosy extras. Add in crepes, cheeses, macarons, chef collabs, live music, cabaret and can-can — it’s basically a full French takeover in the heart of the city.
Where: Festival Plaza | King William Street, Adelaide
When: May 28-31, 2026
Cost: Free entry, with ticketed experiences
Best for: Free events; Festivals; Food & drink lovers; Wine lovers; Cultural experiences
Festivals & Major Events
Clare Valley Gourmet Festival, Clare Valley
The Clare Valley Gourmet Festival returns from May 15–18, 2026, taking over the region for four days of wine, food and full-on Clare Valley energy. Think cellar doors turned party hubs, long lunches, fire-cooked feasts, degustations, live music and plenty of “just one more stop” energy across iconic wineries. From Shiraz-soaked long tables and twilight tastings to gin-and-wine collabs, 90s throwback parties and French-style picnics in the barrels — it’s the Clare Valley doing what it does best, just turned all the way up. The real game-changer? Gourmet Bus Trails — curated day itineraries where transport is sorted, tastings are locked in, and all you need to do is show up. Plus hop-on/hop-off shuttles to stitch together your own winery crawl.
Where: Clare Valley, South Australia
When: May 15-18, 2026
Cost: Ticket pricing varies by event
Best for: Food & drink lovers; Wine lovers; Festivals; Regional travel; Group catch-ups
Need to Know: Day-trippers can add an Adelaide return bus transfer to a Gourmet Bus Trail or Hop-on/Hop-off Shuttle ticket
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Sea to Shore Festival, Glenelg
Sea to Shore Glenelg Seafood Festival is taking over Jimmy Melrose Park on May 15–16, bringing two days of fresh coastal flavour to the Glenelg foreshore. Adelaide’s only dedicated seafood festival turns the beachfront into a buzzing seaside feast, with local seafood vendors, dessert stalls, coffee, DJ sets and a licensed bar right by the water. Expect live cooking demos, producer stories and appearances from MasterChef favourite Callum Hann and dietitian Themis Chryssidis, serving up flavour and insights across the weekend. Curated by chef Jamie Steele and seafood advocate Amanda Prance, it’s a celebration of SA seafood at its freshest — ocean to plate, no fuss, just good food and salty air.
Where: Jimmy Melrose Park, South Esplanade, Glenelg
When: May 15-16, 2026
Cost: Free entry
Best for: Food & drink lovers; Families; Festivals; Locals; Visitors
Festival of Rice, Unley
Festival of Rice is taking over Unley on May 9, transforming Oxford Terrace into a hawker-style street feast dedicated to the world’s most universally loved ingredient. Think sizzling woks, steaming pots and spice-filled stalls as Adelaide’s chefs and food makers serve up everything from traditional rice dishes to bold fusion plates inspired by cultures across the globe. It’s a full-on celebration of culture, community and connection, where one simple ingredient becomes the star of the show.
Where: Oxford Terrace, Unley
When: May 9, 2026 | 12pm–10pm
Cost: Free entry
Best for: Food & drink lovers, Festivals, Community events, Cultural experiences, Free events
Eat & Drink
Chardonnay May, Adelaide Hills
Chardonnay May takes over the Adelaide Hills across May 2026, turning the region into a month-long celebration of cool-climate Chardonnay in all its crisp, zesty, textured glory. From cellar doors to restaurants, the Hills lean right in — pouring everything from fresh, mineral-driven styles to richer, nutty, barrel-aged expressions. Think guided tasting flights, museum pours, verticals, cheese pairings, long lunches and all-day cellar door sessions designed to show just how much range this one varietal has.
Across the month, wineries like Shaw + Smith, Bird in Hand, Murdoch Hill, Petaluma, Tapanappa, and more roll out special experiences — from Chardonnay & croissants mornings to deep-dive masterclasses and food-paired feasts. It’s a full-on Hills takeover, with Chardonnay front and centre all May long.
Where: Adelaide Hills
When: May, 2026
Cost: Ticketed and non ticketed events
Best for: Wine lovers; Food & drink lovers; Couples; Regional travel; Weekend plans
French at Five, 2KW Rooftop
Golden hour gets a French twist with French at Five on the rooftop at 2KW Bar & Restaurant. Hosted by Jono Hersey, this monthly wine hour pours Loire Sauvignon Blanc, Beaujolais Gamay, Petit Chablis and a mystery premium drop in a laid-back setting made for easy sipping.
Where: 2KW Rooftop, 2 King William Street, Adelaide
When: Last Thursday of every month, 5 – 6pm
Cost: Free tastings
Best for: Wine Lovers, Sunset Seekers, Festivals & Major Events, Casual Meetups
Need to know: Drop in only, no bookings
Art, Culture & Performance
South Australia’s History Festival
South Australia’s History Festival branches across the state this May, with a month-long program uncovering the stories, places and people that shape who we are. Across tours, talks, exhibitions, walks and workshops, it’s all about finding the extraordinary in the everyday — from family histories and local landmarks to the movements and moments that changed the course of the state. Expect archives brought to life, hidden stories surfaced, and a fresh look at how everything is connected — past to present, and South Australia to the world.
Where: South Australia
When: May, 2026
Cost: Free and ticketed events
Best for: Families; Cultural experiences; Exhibitions; Walking tours; Community events
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest plays at Dunstan Playhouse from May 8–30 in a fast, sharp and wickedly funny new production of Oscar Wilde’s classic. At its core, it’s a world built on performance — of identity, class and desire — as Jack and Algernon invent alter egos named “Ernest” to escape responsibility and chase romance. With an all South Australian cast bringing sparkle, bite and precision, this is high-energy theatre that leans into the absurd, the stylish and the very funny.
Where: Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre | Festival Drive, Adelaide
When: May 8-30, 2026
Cost: $89-99
Best for: Theatre lovers; Cultural experiences; Couples; Girls’ nights; Weekend plans
Markets & Shopping
XCHANGE Market, Adelaide
XCHANGE Market is rolling into Adelaide on May 31, taking over The Market Shed on Holland with a full-on vintage and pre-loved fashion takeover. Expect 50 curated stalls all under one roof, showcasing vintage, streetwear, designer pieces, jewellery, small business finds and all the extras — from tooth gems to press-on nails and everything in between. It’s a one-stop shop for unique style, with Adelaide’s most-loved vintage sellers and emerging creators all in the mix.
Where: The Market Shed on Holland | 1 Holland Street, Adelaide
When: May 31, 2026 | 10am-3pm
Cost: From $5 entry
Best for: Markets; Weekend plans; Budget-friendly; Community events; Locals
Outdoor & Active
Pick Your Own Apples, Lenswood
This autumn, grab a basket and head to Pick Your Own at Lenswood. Stroll through sun-dappled orchards, pick your own crisp apples, taste farm treats, and enjoy a full day of fresh air and seasonal charm in the Adelaide Hills.
Where: Lenswood Pick Your Own, 122 Harris Road, Lenswood
When: From February 28, 2026, 9am – 4pm
Cost: Free – $8 entry; pay for what you pick
Best for: Family-Friendly Events, Outdoor Events, Day Trips, Couples, Seasonal Experiences
Coming Soon
Home of Plenty Winter Solstice, Currency Creek
Home of Plenty’s Winter Solstice returns June 21, with Strange Strains: Currency Creek — a full-day winter ritual of fire, fermentation and beautifully weird wine country energy. Set in Currency Creek, it leans into the odd, natural and experimental, bringing together local producers, food makers and artists for a day of dark winter energy, live music and collective revelry. Expect South American-style live fire asado, seasonal feasting, and tastings from the region’s best — including Charlotte Dalton, Shaw Family Vintners and Ottilie Wines — soundtracked by Maajela, Silk the Band, selectors and Inside Out Audio’s immersive sound system.
Where: Home of Plenty | 261 Myrtlegrove Road, Currency Creek
When: June 21, 2026 | 11am–8pm
Cost: $30-$65
Best for: Wine lovers; Food & drink lovers; Live music fans; Festivals; Regional travel
Illuminate Adelaide, Adelaide
Illuminate Adelaide is back from July 1- 19, turning the city into a glowing after-dark playground of light, sound and immersive art. Across the program, the CBD transforms into a free City Lights trail packed with large-scale installations and interactive works, while ticketed experiences dial things up even further — from Augmented Games, a full-body arcade takeover, to Night Visions, where the Botanic Garden becomes a luminous winter dreamscape. Expect experimental music, cinematic dining, AI-driven installations and family-friendly adventures all layered across the season. It’s winter in Adelaide, but it’s electric, unexpected and anything but cold.
Where: Adelaide CBD and surrounds
When: July 1-19, 2026
Cost: Free and ticketed events
Best for: Free events; Festivals; Art lovers; Live music fans; Families
FAQs
May in Adelaide is stacked, with Tasting Australia (May 8–17) turning the city and regions into a foodie playground, the Clare Valley Gourmet Festival (May 15–18) delivering four days of wine-soaked long lunches and cellar door parties, and the Bastille Festival (May 28–31) bringing a full French takeover to Festival Plaza. Whether you’re after culture, flavour or a bit of both, there’s something seriously worth clearing your calendar for.
May is one of the best months of the year for food and drink lovers in Adelaide and beyond. Tasting Australia runs until May 17 with chef masterclasses, fire-pit feasts and free fun at Victoria Square’s Town Square hub, while the Festival of Rice transforms Oxford Terrace in Unley into a hawker-style street feast on May 9. The Sea to Shore Seafood Festival brings fresh coastal flavour to Glenelg on May 15–16, and Chardonnay May runs all month across the Adelaide Hills with cellar door tastings, long lunches and guided flights.
South Australia’s History Festival runs all May, with a statewide program of tours, talks, exhibitions and walks uncovering the stories and places that shaped the state. For something on stage, The Importance of Being Earnest plays at Dunstan Playhouse from May 8–30, with an all South Australian cast delivering a sharp, wickedly funny take on Oscar Wilde’s classic.
The Bastille Festival (May 28–31) brings live music, cabaret and can-can to Festival Plaza alongside its food and wine program, while the Clare Valley Gourmet Festival features live music threading through its four days of cellar door celebrations. The Sea to Shore Festival also has DJ sets across the weekend at Glenelg’s Jimmy Melrose Park.
Tasting Australia’s Town Square hub at Victoria Square includes free fun for all, making it a solid family outing during the festival’s May 8–17 run. Heading into the Adelaide Hills for Pick Your Own Apples at Lenswood is another great option — strolling through orchards, picking crisp autumn apples and enjoying farm treats makes for a full day of seasonal fun.
Tasting Australia’s Town Square hub at Victoria Square is buzzing with free flavours, beats and experiences throughout the festival (May 8–17). South Australia’s History Festival also runs all month with a wide range of free and low-cost community events, walks and talks across the state.
Two big ones are on the horizon. Home of Plenty’s Winter Solstice heads to Currency Creek on June 21, with a full-day celebration of fire, fermentation, live music and experimental wine country energy. Then Illuminate Adelaide returns July 1–19, transforming the CBD into a free City Lights trail of large-scale light installations and immersive art, with ticketed experiences including the luminous Night Visions in the Botanic Garden and the Augmented Games arcade takeover.
All event dates, times, and costs are accurate at the time of publication. Please check official event websites for any updates or changes.
Looking for more things to do in Adelaide? Check out 21 Fun Date Ideas in Adelaide. Or if you have little ones to entertain, try the Best Things to Do in Adelaide with Kids.
