Aus Lights on the River is back again for 2025, with a free program of events that reminds us we are all part of the story.
The Aus Lights event will showcase Our SA Story through immersive, visually engaging light, vision, and sound installations supported with complimentary children’s activations.
Under the theme of Respect, Reflect, Celebrate, the 2025 Aus Lights on the River Program will be inspired by creative visions of Belonging to Country and Connecting to Nature.
The event will feature vibrant cultural procession full of colour, music and dance where South Australian communities come together to celebrate the diversity and richness of our state in a spirit of inclusion and respect, family-friendly activities and performances by singer-songwriter John Schumann, the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, and contemporary a cappella singers the Festival Statesmen Chorus.
The Elder Park Rotunda will feature Peter Drew’s iconic AUSSIE series, celebrating Australia’s migrant history and fostering reflection and unity. The eventing will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.
This is a FREE, family-friendly event in Adelaide’s Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama.
2025 PROGRAM SUMMARY
Sunday 26 January 2025
- 7am-8am | Mourning in the Morning Smoking Ceremony
- 5pm–11pm | Aus Lights on the River, including food hub
- 7pm-8pm | Respecting Country Parade (ROUTE MAP)
- 8pm-9pm | Official Ceremony
- 9.30pm | Cinematic Firework Display
Mourning in the Morning
Smoking Ceremony | 7.30am to 8.45am | Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama
South Australians are warmly invited to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, histories, cultures and perspectives at the Australia Day Council of SA’s Mourning in the Morning event early on 26 January 2025.
Gather at 7.30am for a welcome to Kaurna country, followed by First Nations speakers, musicians, dancers, and interactive activities grounded in respect. The event will conclude at 8.45am with a smoking ceremony conducted by respected Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner.
Rotunda illumination – A welcome lantern of unity and inclusion
Peter Drew’s AUSSIE artworks illuminate Elder Park Rotunda, transforming it into a glowing symbol of inclusion and unity. These powerful images, inspired by Australia’s migrant history, reflect individuals impacted by the White Australia Policy and celebrate diversity, connection, and identity. This stunning display invites us to reflect on our shared histories, fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a multicultural Australia.
Aus Lights 4 Kids – A Magical Affair for Ages 4 to 8
Step into a world of wonder with Aus Lights 4 Kids, a magical event bursting with fun and discovery for children aged 4 to 8. Let their imaginations soar with vibrant performers, creative crafts, and dazzling face painting. They’ll love exploring eco-inspired storytelling sessions that bring nature’s wonders to life.
For a truly unique experience, visit the inflatable theatre where kids can transform into their favourite animals and enjoy captivating stories about Australia’s wildlife. Or venture into the world of larger-than-life marine and bushland animals such as echidna, shark, bilby and ruby roo. With activities for every young adventurer, it’s a day filled with unforgettable memories.
Story Space with Bushland and Marine Creatures
Step into a world of imagination and nature with Evelyn Roth’s Story Space with Bushland and Marine Creatures!
In Story Space, join an inflatable storytelling theatre celebrating Australia’s unique biodiversity. Choose a costume and become an animal, exploring movement and stories guided by storytellers.
Nearby, encounter Creatures of Land and Sea, a vibrant display of supersized bushland and underwater marine animals. Wander among the echidna, bilby, shark, platypus, and Ruby Roo. This engaging experience celebrates the rich biodiversity of our country and highlights the importance of conserving these unique ecosystems.
Both experiences combine art, storytelling, and nature to inspire a love for biodiversity and habitat conservation. Limited capacity for Story Space – guided entry applies.
Creative Team: Evelyn Roth – Nylon Zoo, with support from illuminart stories in light and AH.
Dive into Creativity | A Hands-On Creative Making Experience for Families and Children
The hands-on creative space for young children invites them to explore the themes of heritage and diversity through engaging and imaginative activities. Drawing inspiration from Peter Drew’s iconic paste-up artwork, children can create their own vibrant, message-filled posters that celebrate cultural identity and togetherness.
Alongside this, a Harmony Day-inspired activity fosters a sense of belonging, encouraging kids to decorate paper cut-outs symbolizing their unique cultural stories, which will form a collaborative mural. This interactive space promotes creative expression, cultural awareness, and working together to honour the richness of our diverse communities.
Creative team: Monica Prichard and Michelle Jahn – exclusive illuminations.
Culinary Adventure at the Food Hub
Discover a world of diverse flavours at the Food Hub. Savor international delights in a vibrant, welcoming setting, featuring dishes from local vendors that celebrate global cuisine. Enjoy your meal in a communal atmosphere that brings people together to share and connect through food.
The Food Hub will be open on 26 January from 7.30am for coffee, from 10am to 4pm for visitors of Tour Down Under, and again from 5pm until 11pm during the Aus Lights on the River afternoon program.
Respecting Country Parade
Starting at 7pm, the Parade will begin at Adelaide Oval on War Memorial Drive before travelling over the Torrens River Footbridge into Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama. You can view the parade in designated areas or from Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama.
The Respecting Country Parade is a vibrant celebration of more than 60 South Australian communities, highlighting the diversity and richness of our state. It is a coming together in a spirit of inclusion and respect.
Illuminated Country
We reflect on the meaning of Country, creating new reflections on the river. Light spills upwards from tree trunks into foliage, casting reflections into the water where light and time intertwine to share stories. The illumination spells out Country, inviting us to reflect on our place. Connected through land, sea, and sky, the river’s freshwater song reminds us: everything in nature is one.
Cinematic Firework Display
End your evening on a high note with an extraordinary fireworks display! As the day transitions to night, be awed by a captivating show of light and colour that will illuminate the sky and delight guests of all ages.
Creative team: – Howard and Sons.
VIEW THE FULL 2025 PROGRAM HERE
ABOUT AUS LIGHTS ON THE RIVER
The Aus Lights program enables us to reflect on this great land and its peoples, starting with the oldest living cultures, our First Nations, to our most recent arrivals, the refugees fleeing from Ukraine and Afghanistan who now call Australia home.
This Australia Day is an opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to deepen our connection to nature and belonging to Country. Our increasingly fragile world reminds us all of the extraordinary beauty, richness, and expansiveness of our great country and the incredible diversity of its peoples. We can look back at our history, acknowledge the times we are now living through, and manifest our future on the foundations of respect, inclusivity and shared values.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Australia Day SA website.
What: Aus Lights on the River
When: Sunday 26 January 2025 | 5pm – 11pm
Where: Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama | King William St, Adelaide
Who: Everyone
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 may be subject to change.
Image Source: supplied
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