City Lights | Free Light Trail | Illuminate Adelaide | 3-19 Jul 2026
City Lights – Illuminate Adelaide’s FREE Family Friendly Event!
Illuminate Adelaide’s biggest free program of art, light and technology – returns from 3 – 19 July 2026 with an all-new series of exciting free installations featuring interactive experiences, stunning projections, and captivating roaming performances created by world-renowned artists and creative studios.
Enjoy 17 unforgettable nights as Adelaide’s iconic cultural institutions and hidden gems come alight with breathtaking displays spanning the bustling CBD from North Terrace to the East End, and all the way down to the Rymill Park lake!
City Lights has become one of Adelaide’s most cherished annual events – awakening the city with visitors all eager to shake off the winter chill together!
Here are the things to know plus Top Tips for visiting City Lights with kids. We’ve also included maps to help you plan aheadm, and while you’re on the go.
- City Lights lights up from 5.30 pm each night from 3 – 19 July 2026.
- The whole route stretches from Rymill Park to Government House. It’s a long walk for little legs – consider taking a pram, or using the tram.
- Plan ahead – check out the map beforehand and plan your route depending on how far your kids can walk and what installations you’d most like to see.
- Wear layers – keep warm and you’ll have so much more fun!
- Keep a close eye on children due to the low light and traffic. Only cross roads at designated pedestrian crossings.
- Food & Drink is available at City Lights Pitstops around the city – more info and links below
Getting to City Lights
- Consider parking near the city and catching public transport in
- UPark is offering 20% off night parking (T&C apply – visit the website for all the details) during Illuminate Adelaide if you pre-book via the UPark App – find all the details and T&C here
Whispering Mountains – South Australian Museum Lawns
Optik – Rundle Street and Lot Fourteen
Under Pressure Napier Lawns, Adelaide University
The Origin of the World Government House
River of Light Rymill Park:Murlawirrapurka
Rarrirarri The Mulka Project Radford Auditorium, Art Gallery of South Australia
Pixel Waves Inside Bonython Hall, Adelaide University
Piano Walk – Institute Building, State Library of South Australia, North Terrace
Nocturnal – Fig Tree, Adelaide University, Lot Fourteen and Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka
Neon Dog Park – Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka
Embrace – War Memorial Lawns, North Terrace
Dream Herd – Corner of North Terrace and Frome Road
CYGNUS – Rymill Park Lake
Bob the Railway Dog – State Library of South Australia Forecourt
Axon Anxiety – Lot Fourteen
…please have a seat! North Terrace
ROVING PERFORMANCES
Birdmen – Rundle Street and Art Gallery of South Australia
Roving times:
- Friday 3 July, Saturday 4 July, Sunday 5 July | Rundle Street | 6:15pm – 7:00pm, 8:30pm – 9:15pm
- Thursday 9 July | North Terrace (commencing at Art Gallery of South Australia) | 6:15pm – 7:00pm, 8:30pm – 9:15pm
- Friday 10 July, Saturday 11 July, Sunday 12 July | Rundle Street | 6:15pm – 7:00pm, 8:30pm – 9:15pm
- Thursday 16 July | North Terrace (commencing at Art Gallery of South Australia) | 6:15pm – 7:00pm, 8:30pm – 9:15pm
- Friday 17 July, Saturday 18 July, Sunday 19 July | Rundle Street | 6:15pm – 7:00pm, 8:30pm – 9:15pm
Mirror Me – Adelaide Central Market, North Terrace and Rundle Street
Roving times:
- Friday 3 July | Central Market: 5:30pm – 6:10pm, 6:30pm – 7:10pm, 7:50pm – 8:30pm
- Saturday 4 July | North Terrace (commencing at Art Gallery of South Australia): 6:30pm – 7:10pm | Rundle Street: 7:50pm – 8:30pm, 9:15pm – 9:55pm
- Friday 10 July | North Terrace: 6:30pm – 7:10pm, 7:50pm – 8:30pm | Rundle Street: 9:15pm – 9:55pm
- Saturday 11 July | North Terrace (commencing at Art Gallery of South Australia): 6:30pm – 7:10pm | Rundle Street: 7:50pm – 8:30pm, 9:15pm – 9:55pm
- Friday 17 July | Central Market: 5:30pm – 6:10pm, 6:30pm – 7:10pm | Rundle Street: 7:50pm – 8:30pm
- Saturday 18 July | North Terrace (commencing at Art Gallery of South Australia): 6:30pm – 7:10pm | Rundle Street: 7:50pm – 8:30pm, 9:15pm – 9:55pm
Rundle Illuminations – Rundle Street
CITY LIGHTS 2026 MAP
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INTERACTIVE MAP
Where to Eat & Drink at City Lights – City Lights Pitstops
- Art Gallery of South Australia
- State Library of South Australia
- LUMEN Bar
- Lot Fourteen
- Rymill Kiosk
Dates & Times:
Friday 3 – Sunday 19 July 2026
- Sunday – Thursday 5:30 – 10:30pm
- Friday – Saturday 5:30 – 11:00pm
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
READ OUR REVIEW OF CITY LIGHTS 2025
For more information and all enquiries, please visit the Illuminate Adelaide website.
What: City Lights – Illuminate Adelaide 2026
When: Friday 3 – Sunday 19 July 2026 (see times above)
Where: Adelaide CBD, along North Terrace and Rundle Street
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: Illuminate Adelaide / Play & Go Adelaide
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