January Edition: Top 10 Events in Adelaide for Families
Discover the best things to see and do this month for families in Adelaide – January Edition.
Here are some of the best things to do in Adelaide in January, with a mix of family-friendly fun, summer highlights and classic local experiences. Our major events this month see our city come to life with international cyclists and tennis stars with the Tour Down Under and Adelaide International. It’s the perfect weather for mini golf, tree climbs and adventure parks, or if water fun is on the cards head to a beach perfect for swimming, fish and chips and sunset strolls (hello Glenelg, Henley Beach, Semaphore and Brighton) or spend a few hours at an outdoor pool or splash park to cool off. If a quiet day indoors is needed, visit one of our many libraries, museums or galleries, then head to the movies or perhaps watch a film under the starts at Moonlight cinema in Botanic Park.
Play & Go is your FREE family friendly guide to Adelaide and your favourite resource for finding events and activities the kids will love.
We’ve highlighted our TOP 10 January events below. Plus, scroll down for a list of all the FREE events and activities happening this month!
You can also use the Play & Go Event Calendar to find out what’s on.
Aus Lights on the River | Free Family Friendly Event | 26 Jan 2026
Aus Lights on the River is back again for 2026, with a free program of events that reminds us we are all part of the story. Aus Lights on the River will deliver a vibrant, inclusive and free program of events that celebrates our shared story and reminds us that ...
SummerVines | McLaren Vale | 16-26 Jan 2026
The McLaren Vale Wine Region will once again celebrate the very best of Summer in the Vale during January. Embrace the local lifestyle at SummerVines where McLaren Vale’s easy-going spirit takes centre stage through these laid-back, flavour-filled gatherings. Highlights: SummerVines Sunsets at Gemtree Wines - Summer nights, live music, creamy ...
Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival | 16-18 Jan 2026
The City of Port Lincoln will host the much-loved Tunarama Festival once again when it makes a long-awaited return in January 2026, promising a revitalised festival that captures the heart and soul of Port Lincoln. With its rich history and iconic traditions, Tunarama has been a cornerstone of community spirit ...
Adelaide International | Memorial Drive | 12-17 Jan 2026
The Adelaide International will serve up world class tennis at The Drive during the summer school holidays in January. Tennis hits home as the Adelaide International returns to The Drive this summer, giving you the chance to witness world-class players compete for the title in a thrilling showcase of skill ...
Brighton Jetty Sculptures | Brighton Beach | 21 Jan – 1 Feb 2026
Brighton Jetty Sculptures is one of South Australia's largest annual art events and biggest sculpture exhibition. Each year's event features around 200 sculptures lining the esplanade at Brighton, all for sale. Take a walk along the Esplanade in Brighton to view the incredible works of art along the coastline and ...
Semaphore Greek Festival | 17 & 18 Jan 2026
The much-loved Semaphore Greek Festival is back in full swing for its 45th year, bringing a wave of joy and cultural splendour to the Semaphore Foreshore. Join in as they embrace their theme, "Όλοι Μαζί" ("It Takes a Village") and immerse yourself in a vibrant festival that’s a jubilant expression ...
Adelaide Strikers BBL15 | Adelaide Oval Home Games | Dec 2025 & Jan 2026
Get ready for non stop action this Summer at Adelaide Oval with the Adelaide Strikers! Adelaide Oval is back in the spotlight for KFC BBL|15, set to host both Adelaide Strikers’ marquee home games, the fan-favourite pre-Christmas clash against the Melbourne Stars, and the iconic New Year’s Eve blockbuster. The ...
Semaphore Summer Carnival | 13 Dec 2025 – 26 Jan 2026
Semaphore Summer Carnival is returning for another season of beachside fun on the foreshore during the Summer holidays. Held each year during the summer school holidays, the Semaphore Summer Carnival is an outdoor, open air, fun-filled outing for the whole family. Show Amusements, based in Adelaide, have been in the ...
Summer Festival 2026 | City of West Torrens
Welcome to Summer Festival 2026! The 2026 City of West Torrens Summer Festival program kicks off on Saturday 10 January, with five FREE community events running every Saturday from 10 January to 7 February. Enjoy live music, an outdoor cinema, giant water inflatables, finger-licking food and some very big trucks ...
Adelaide School Holiday Guide | Top Things to do with Kids During the Holidays
Summer School Holiday Guide for Kids in South Australia Find the best activities, events and experiences for kids and families during the December & January school holidays in our Adelaide School Holiday Guide. Go on an exciting family adventure, get creative at a school holiday program or try a new ...
FREE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN JANUARY:
Encounter Bikeway | Scenic Coastal Family Bike Ride | Fleurieu Peninsula
Cycle the family friendly scenic coastline between Goolwa and Encounter Bay on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The Encounter Bikeway is a ...
Wallis Family Fun Day | Mount Barker | 26 Jan 2026
The annual Wallis Entertainment Family Fun Day at Auchendarroch House is back on Australia Day. This much-loved event on the ...
Adelaide Airport Sensory Room
Adelaide Airport Sensory Room - A Quiet Space for Calm and Comfort. The Sensory Room at Adelaide Airport is a ...
Beginnings Exhibition | MOD. Museum | Review
Adelaide's MOD. Museum has a new exhibition for 2026, and we think it's their most interactive, kid-friendly exhibition yet. Kids ...
Corpse Flower on Show | Adelaide Botanic Garden | Jan 2026
Smellanie the Corpse Flower is flowering at Adelaide Botanic Garden. Adelaide Botanic Garden is home to one of nature’s most ...
FREE Face Painting | Unley Shopping Centre | 14-16 Jan 2026
Looking for an easy, no-cost school holiday activity? Unley Shopping Centre has you covered with FREE face painting and temporary ...
SPLASH! Free Giant Water Inflatables | City of West Torrens Summer Festival | 17 Jan 2026
SPLASH! Free Giant Water Inflatables - Summer Festival 2026 Kids and their families can enjoy free fun in the sun ...
CANCELLED – All Together Now | City of West Torrens Summer Festival | 24 Jan 2026
All Together Now - Summer Festival 2026 Update 22 Jan 2026: Sadly this event has been cancelled due to the ...
Touch-a-Truck | City of West Torrens Summer Festival | 31 Jan 2026
The Touch-a-Truck Summer Festival 2026 event will be held at Apex Park in West Beach on Saturday 31 January. Climb ...
Mourning in the Morning | Adelaide | 26 Jan 2026
South Australians are warmly invited to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, histories, cultures and perspectives at the Australia ...
Aus Lights on the River | Free Family Friendly Event | 26 Jan 2026
Aus Lights on the River is back again for 2026, with a free program of events that reminds us we ...
Australia Day Breakfast | City of Salisbury | 26 Jan 2026
Join the City of Salisbury for a fun-filled family outing at Carisbrooke Park on Australia Day. The Day will be ...
City of Playford Free Aus Day Breakfast | 26 Jan 2026
The City of Playford’s biggest and FREE barbecue breakfast is back in full swing for Australia Day 2026. Start your ...
Open Air Cinema | City of West Torrens Summer Festival | 28 Mar 2026
Open Air Cinema - Summer Festival 2026 Enjoy live music and free children’s entertainment before settling in to watch The ...
Australia Day Family Fair | Noarlunga
City of Onkaparinga's Australia Day Family Fair & Fireworks. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the extreme heat forecast with temperatures expected ...
The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection | McLaren Vale | 22 Nov 2025 – 26 Apr 2026
Harvey Galleries presents The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection featuring known and unknown works from the life of Theodor Seuss ...
The Sand Pirates of St Kilda Exhibition | Salisbury | 13 Jan – 15 Feb 2026
Watch ordinary sand transform into an extraordinary spectacle as Australia’s leading sand sculpting specialists, Sandstorm Events, build a giant live ...
Santos Tour Down Under | Team Presentations & Free Concert | 16 Jan 2026
Make a night of it and kick off the Santos Tour Down Under celebrations in Adelaide. Meet the Men’s and ...
START at the Gallery | Art Gallery of SA | Dates for 2026
Free START Program for Children at the Art Gallery of South Australia An exciting introduction to art for children and ...
Inflatable Obstacle Course | Victor Harbor | 22 Jan 2026
FREE Inflatable Obstacle Course for Kids at Victor Harbor. Muwerang/Kent Reserve in Victor Harbor will play host to an inflatable ...
Concert at the Cove | Hallett Cove | 31 Jan 2026
Pack up your picnic rug and settle in for an afternoon full of great music, fun, and community spirit as ...
Gratitude Jar – Thoughtful Mindfulness for Kids
Start your family's gratitude jar on January 1st and at the end of the year you can look back on ...
Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival | 16-18 Jan 2026
The City of Port Lincoln will host the much-loved Tunarama Festival once again when it makes a long-awaited return in ...
Brighton Jetty Sculptures | Brighton Beach | 21 Jan – 1 Feb 2026
Brighton Jetty Sculptures is one of South Australia's largest annual art events and biggest sculpture exhibition. Each year's event features ...
Semaphore Greek Festival | 17 & 18 Jan 2026
The much-loved Semaphore Greek Festival is back in full swing for its 45th year, bringing a wave of joy and ...
Play at the Bay | City of Holdfast Bay | Summer School Holidays
City of Holdfast Bay’s Play at the Bay program is now live and full of free and low cost activities ...
Semaphore Summer Carnival | 13 Dec 2025 – 26 Jan 2026
Semaphore Summer Carnival is returning for another season of beachside fun on the foreshore during the Summer holidays. Held each ...
Australian Space Discovery Centre | FREE School Holiday Program | 13 Dec 2025 -25 Jan 2026
Discover FREE activities for kids during the Summer school holidays at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide. Launch into ...
Melbourne Street Gnome Trail | North Adelaide | 28 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
Melbourne Street Christmas Gnome Trail & Christmas Competition. Discover and count all the Christmas gnomes hiding along Melbourne Street from ...
Giant Christmas Tree at the Mortlock | State Library of South Australia
Christmas at the Mortlock - Visit the Giant Christmas Tree at the State Library on North Terrace, Adelaide. Each year ...
Christies Beach Twilight Markets | Nov 2025 – Mar 2026
Enjoy market stalls, kids amusements, live music and food trucks at the Christies Beach Twilight Markets. Watch the sunset over ...
Tarnanthi | Adelaide | 17 Oct 2025 – 18 Jan 2026
Tarnanthi Art Fair 2025 - Too Deadly: Ten Years of Tarnanthi at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Tarnanthi is ...
Copper Coast Splash Town | Moonta Bay | 2025/26 Season Dates
Moonta Bay's Splash Town is a FREE Community Water Park. Splash Town is a popular FREE community water park open ...
Lunch on the Lawns at Government House | Adelaide | Sep 2025 – May 2026
Her Excellency the Governor is opening the family-friendly grounds of Government House for the public to enjoy their lunch picnic-style ...
Santos Tour Down Under | South Australia | 16-25 Jan 2026
The world’s most elite cyclists will return to South Australia in January 2026 to race in the 26th edition of ...
Quiet Times at the Campbelltown Toy Library | Until Mar 2026
The Campbelltown Library will now be part of Toy Library Australia's Disability, Access, Inclusion and Support (DAIS) program. They have ...
AT A GLANCE – VIEW ALL JANUARY 2026 EVENTS HERE
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details
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