Get ready to light up your winter, 91¹û¶³´«Ã½!
Every July, gathers the most exceptional and audacious art, music, technology, and innovation from all over Australia and the world and unleashes them across the city and the state.
Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ is back for 2026 and it’s bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever! Every July, this epic festival transforms the city into a glowing playground of art, light, music, and technology. Think late nights, bright lights, and massive adventures perfect for the whole family.
From 01–19 July, 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s streets, landmarks, and hidden corners will be bursting with free and ticketed events from some of the world’s most creative minds. It’s all about chasing away the winter blues and diving into a world of imagination, wonder, and unforgettable memories.
Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ is a celebration for everyone; locals, visitors, little adventurers, and curious grown-ups alike. So get ready for a few late nights and get ready to explore a city that shines just as bright as your kids’ faces when they see it all come to life!
Family Friendly Illuminate Highlights for 2026 include:
Night Visions
Step back into the magic at 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Botanic Garden with the return of Night Visions, Illuminate’s much-loved after-dark experience. This immersive journey invites you into a dreamlike world of light, lasers and sound, where reality blurs and imagination takes over.
Wander through a stunning fusion of nature and cutting-edge technology, brought to life by local and international creatives. It’s a spellbinding experience that transforms the garden into something truly unforgettable.
Our experience:
Night Visions is one of those experiences that really makes winter in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ feel special. We loved wandering through the glowing Botanic Garden, with incredible lights, sounds and surprises around every corner. It’s perfect for curious kids who love a little adventure, but the creativity and atmosphere will impress the grown-ups too. It really is quite stunning.Â
Our Top Tips:
A little preparation will make your Night Visions visit even better. Rug up, wear comfortable shoes and plan your parking or public transport before you go (the free tram is a great option). The trail is mostly pram friendly, with toilets available throughout, and we recommend allowing extra time for a hot cinnamon donut or dinner nearby before or after your session. Don’t forget to add a wander through the free City Lights installations in the CBD while you’re there too.
1 – 19 July
Universal Kingdom: The Ice Age
Travel back in time at 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Zoo with Universal Kingdom: Ice Age, where a frozen prehistoric world comes to life through glowing landscapes, giant creatures and immersive experiences. Expect woolly mammoths, sabre-toothed tigers and plenty for kids to explore in the interactive zone.
With incredible puppetry, light and sound from leading creative studios, this magical winter event transforms the zoo into an unforgettable Ice Age wonderland.
Our Experience:
Universal Kingdom: Ice Age is such a unique winter night out for families. We loved wandering through 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Zoo after dark, with giant prehistoric creatures, incredible puppetry and glowing installations scattered throughout the trail. The interactive areas were a big hit with the kids, making it feel more like an adventure than just a walk-through. The playground is open too, and honestly, there’s no avoiding it so allow a little extra time for a play!
Our Top Tips:
If you’re visiting with younger kids, book an earlier session to make the most of the night before bedtime. Rug up with plenty of warm layers as 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Zoo gets chilly after dark, and allow extra time to explore the interactive zones along the way. The trail is pram and wheelchair friendly, with hot food and drinks available throughout the zoo, plus relaxed sessions on selected evenings for families who prefer a quieter experience.
2 – 19 July
91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Zoo
Digital Abyss
Digital Abyss is an immersive underwater-inspired experience at Immersive Light and Art ILA by digital artist Miguel Chevalier. It takes you beneath the surface into a glowing, ever-changing seascape filled with imagined marine life, light and sound.
Visitors move through shifting projections, interactive visuals and sculptural lightworks that respond to presence and movement. It’s a poetic, sensory journey that explores the deep ocean and the connection between nature and technology.
30 June – 19 July
Immersive Light & Art | ILA
City Lights
City Lights returns from 3–19 July, transforming 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s streets and parklands into a free, city-wide winter light spectacle. From North Terrace to Rundle Street and Rymill Park Lake, the city comes alive with interactive artworks, projections and glowing installations.
This year expands into the East Parklands for the first time, showcasing bold creations from local and international artists. It’s 17 nights of light, sound and imagination, inviting everyone to explore the city in a whole new way.
Our Experience:
City Lights is one of our favourite free winter events in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½. We love that families can explore at their own pace, discovering glowing installations, interactive artworks and unexpected surprises throughout the city. It’s an easy way to get the kids out after dark without needing a big plan (and the hot chocolate stop is always a bonus!).
Our Top Tips:
Make a night of it by parking near Rymill Park and starting with a bite to eat (and a hot chocolate!) at Rymill Park Kiosk before heading out. Wander up Rundle Street and keep an eye out for roving performers like Birdmen or Mirror Me, then make your way along Vaughan Place and North Terrace towards Government House where you’ll find plenty of interactive installations the kids will love.
When you’re done exploring, hop on the free tram back to where you started. It’s a simple, magical winter night out for families.
3 – 19 July
Augmented Games
Augmented Games takes over the 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Showground with a high-energy, interactive play zone where the floor becomes the controller. Created by Moment Factory, it blends physical movement with digital-style gaming for all ages, with no screens or headsets required.
Players team up or compete across eight immersive games testing agility, memory and reflexes, while spectators enjoy food, drinks and the action from the sidelines. It’s a fast, fun, inclusive experience designed for families, friends and groups to move, laugh and compete together.
Our Experience:
Augmented Games is a brand-new addition to Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½, and it was a huge hit with our 9-year-old (and the adults too!). We loved that everyone could join in together, with parents competing against the kids, lots of laughs and plenty of friendly competition. It would be especially great with a group of friends, and the fact you can grab snacks, drinks and even a beverage from the licensed bar makes it an easy place to hang out before or after your games.
Our Top Tips:
Definitely wear comfortable clothes. Activewear is a great choice and opt for flat, enclosed shoes as you’ll be running, jumping and moving your way through the interactive games. Leave bulky bags at home, bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and get ready for a hands-on experience that’s easy for all ages to enjoy. We think this one is best suited to kids aged 6 and above.
26 June – 19 July
Ridley Centre, 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Showground
City Lights Pitstops
Take a break during your City Lights wander this winter with a pitstop along North Terrace or Rymill Park. Warm up with toasties, hot drinks, cocktails or a full café menu while exploring nearby installations.
You’ll find plenty of spots near the Art Gallery of South Australia, State Library of South Australia, LUMEN Bar, Lot Fourteen and Rymill Kiosk. For something more formal, explore our Illuminate Host restaurants and bars for pre-booked dinners and late-night dining options.
3 – 19 July
Illuminate @ 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Central Market
Illuminate returns to light up the iconic 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Central Market from 3–18 July, bringing interactive roving performers, immersive art installations and plenty of vibrant atmosphere to 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s favourite food hub.
Alongside incredible food and produce, don’t miss Illuminate After Dark with Smelly Cheese Co, a special tasting experience featuring premium cheeses, caviar, oysters, Champagne and wine.
3 – 18 July
91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Central Market
Events
Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ is back! — and it’s bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever! Every July, this epic festival transforms the city into a glowing playground of art, light, music, and technology. Think late nights, bright lights, and massive adventures perfect for the whole family.
List of events in Photo View
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Cheap Eats Rundle Mall Plaza
July 1, 2026 - August 31, 2026
Illuminate 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ will take place from 1 – 19 July 2026
With a mix of free and ticketed, indoor and outdoor experiences, you can access the full program
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