May Edition: Top 10 Events in Adelaide for Families
Discover the best things to see and do this month for families in Adelaide – May Edition.
May is a beautiful month to get out explore Adelaide as well as some of our best known regions such as the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, especially with major events such as Tasting Australia and the South Australian History Festival taking place. The last month of Autumn usually features sunny weather with mild days and cool nights, ideal for exploring local parks, bush walks, wetland reserves and botanic gardens.
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 MAY 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.
South Australia’s History Festival | 1-31 May 2026
Held throughout May each year, South Australia's History Festival explores the state’s places and spaces, stories, collections and ideas that make us who we are. History Festival is one of the largest open-access community events in SA with hundreds of fascinating places to explore, and exciting events and activities suitable ...
Clare Valley Gourmet Festival | 15-18 May 2026
Head to the picturesque Clare Valley this May for an unforgettable culinary experience with Australia’s longest running traditional wine and food festival returning in 2026 with a condensed four day format. With over 45 events now unveiled, the Clare Valley Gourmet Festival 2026 is shaping up to be the most ...
Tasting Australia | Family Friendly Events | Adelaide | 8-17 May 2026
Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond returns to Adelaide in May for another 10 day celebration of eating and drinking in South Australia. The 2026 program features more than 150 events across South Australia, bringing together leading chefs, producers and makers from around the country, with South Australia’s regions and ...
Mega Toy Fair | Adelaide Showground | 30-31 May 2026
Mega Toy Fair Adelaide, Australia's largest premier old toy models collector fair, returns to Adelaide for its 32nd year in 2026. The Mega Toy Fair is held at the Adelaide Showground every year for one weekend only. It is the largest event on the toy collector calendar with over 400 ...
Sea to Shore | Glenelg Seafood Festival | 15 & 16 May 2026
Experience South Australia’s finest seafood with the return of the Sea to Shore Glenelg Seafood Festival in May. Get ready, seafood lovers! Sea to Shore, Glenelg Seafood Festival is set to return to the Glenelg Foreshore this May during Tasting Australia. And in more exciting news, MasterChef favourite Callum Hann ...
Moss Piglet by Windmill Production Company | Adelaide Festival Centre | 1-2 May 2026
Windmill Production Company’s award-winning Moss Piglet returns to Adelaide. Featuring wicked puppetry, dance battles and live green screen technology - it’s time to unveil the mysteries of the wildly weird tardigrade. Moss Piglet takes audiences on a microscopic journey of epic proportions, unveiling the mysteries of the world’s most resilient ...
The Big Giggle | Hahndorf | 3 May 2026
Alongside A Big Laugh comes The Big Giggle! A Good Laugh is a comedy festival for grown-ups - but they haven't forgotten the kids! At the center of this comedy festival sits The Big Giggle. Held on Sunday 3 May 2026, this FREE daytime event invites families of all ages ...
Copper Coast FLAME Festival | 8-10 May 2026
FLAME Festival is a three-day event showcasing local food, art, light, music and entertainment throughout the Copper Coast. A vibrant celebration igniting the Copper Coast with creativity, colour, and community spirit, the FLAME Festival is now in its third year and continues to evolve, with each program building on the ...
Bastille Festival Adelaide | 28-31 May 2026
Bastille Festival is returning to Adelaide in May, transforming Festival Plaza into a vibrant celebration of French food, wine and culture. After a standout debut, the festival is expanding to four days and nights, offering even more to explore, taste and experience. Step into France, right in the heart of ...
Battunga Weekend | Adelaide Hills | 9 & 10 May 2026
Adventure in Battunga Country on the Mother’s Day weekend in May. Enjoy a massive weekend of activities in Battunga country – Meadows, Macclesfield, Echunga, Prospect Hill and Flaxley. Take part in exciting activities, and enjoy some delicious food and great company. This event is perfect for everyone of all ages ...
FREE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN MAY:
Stagecoach Norwood & Burnside Discovery Day | 2 May 2026
Discovery Day is an opportunity for children aged 4–18 to experience Stagecoach Norwood & Burnside's classes first-hand, meet the team ...
Bastille Festival Adelaide | 28-31 May 2026
Bastille Festival is returning to Adelaide in May, transforming Festival Plaza into a vibrant celebration of French food, wine and ...
Gerard McCabe Jewellers Celebrating 40 Years Exhibition | 1-30 May 2026
Award-winning Adelaide jeweller, Gerard McCabe, will be hosting a special month-long exhibition in the Adelaide Arcade to celebrate its 40th ...
Market Mums’ Day | Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market | 10 May 2026
Get set for a morning bursting with good vibes because Market Mums' Day is returning to the Adelaide Showground Farmers’ ...
Roaring Start on Hutt Street | 3 May 2026
Fire up your engines as the street comes alive with classic cars, great food and a buzzing Hutt Street community ...
National Walk Safely to School Day | 22 May 2026
On Walk Safely to School Day, primary school aged children are encouraged to walk with their parents or caregiver to ...
Festival of Rice | Unley | 9 May 2026
A celebration of culture, community, and cuisine surrounding the world’s most loved ingredient: rice. The streets of Unley will transform ...
Copper Coast FLAME Festival | 8-10 May 2026
FLAME Festival is a three-day event showcasing local food, art, light, music and entertainment throughout the Copper Coast. A vibrant ...
The Big Giggle | Hahndorf | 3 May 2026
Alongside A Big Laugh comes The Big Giggle! A Good Laugh is a comedy festival for grown-ups - but they ...
Mini Float Competition | National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
Design a Mini Float for the 2026 National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant. Primary school children have the chance each year to ...
Town Square | Tasting Australia | Adelaide | 8-17 May 2026
Tasting Australia’s Town Square is the festival's main hub and home to deliciously diverse eating and drinking experiences. Fun, free ...
What’s on at the SA Museum | South Australian Museum | Adelaide
Looking to find out what’s on at the South Australian Museum? There’s a mix of exhibitions, school holiday activities and ...
Environment Expo | Tusmore | 2 May 2026
The Enviro Expo 2026 will be a day of sustainability, nature, hands-on learning, creativity and fun at Burnside Civic Centre ...
Autumn in Adelaide | Family Friendly Events & Activities
Family Friendly things to see and do this Autumn around Adelaide. Autumn is the ideal time to get outdoors as ...
South Australia’s History Festival | 1-31 May 2026
Held throughout May each year, South Australia's History Festival explores the state’s places and spaces, stories, collections and ideas that ...
Grange Baptist Church Monday Funday | 2026
Grange Baptist Church will be running monthly activities for primary school aged children with their Monday Funday events. Monday Funday ...
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 ...
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 ...
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden | Adelaide Hills | Review
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is a beautiful botanical adventure in the Adelaide Hills only 20 minutes from the city. It ...
50 Great Walks & Hikes for Kids & Families | South Australia
Walking and hiking with kids is a great way for families to spend quality time together outdoors. There are some ...
AT A GLANCE – VIEW ALL MAY 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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