Glenelg Ice Cream Festival | 6 Feb 2026

Glenelg Ice Cream Festival returns to Jetty Rd on Friday 6 February 2026.

The Glenelg Ice Cream Festival, South Australia’s biggest celebration of ice cream, will once again transform Jetty Road, Glenelg, into a vibrant street party filled with seaside vibes, family fun and a showcase of everyone’s favourite summer treats – incredible ice cream, gelato and frozen yoghurt.

What to Expect:

Ice cream, treats and two Ice Cream Villages

Festivalgoers can expect an impressive lineup of frozen favourites, with vendors including Bottega Gelateria, Cibo, Cold Rock Ice Creamery, Gelatissimo, Mio Gelato, Royal Copenhagen, Yo-Chi, St. Louis, Cakeboy, Yo-Bar, Waffle King, Uniqorn Eats, Mamma Carmela, and new addition Gelato Messina. There’ll be options to suit everyone, including dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, egg-free and vegan treats.

Two dedicated Ice Cream Villages, featuring more than 14 vendors, will bookend the festival space – one at the eastern end of Jetty Road and the other in Moseley Square – creating an “ice cream sandwich” of sweet stops along the strip.

Street party vibes on Jetty Road

Jetty Road will be closed west of Partridge/Gordon Street, allowing local traders to spill onto the street and create a lively, walkable festival atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy food stalls, pop-up bars, live music, entertainment and extended shopping hours throughout the evening.

Family fun and free kids’ activities

More than just a food festival, the Glenelg Ice Cream Festival offers plenty for families. A dedicated kids’ zone in Nile Street will run until 8pm, featuring free activities including loose parts play by Climbing Tree, soft play, face painting, hair braiding and roving entertainment. Large-scale outdoor games will also be set up in front of St Andrew’s by the Sea Uniting Church.

For those seeking a quieter space, Glenelg Library will once again host an indoor sensory area until 8pm, providing a calm and inclusive environment.

Karaoke, music and entertainment

New to the festival in 2026 is Pitch. Karaoke, a mobile karaoke bar making its debut as both a festival feature and a business. Located in Chapel Plaza, the converted shipping container and caravan bar will offer free 20-minute karaoke sessions — earlier in the evening for teens, and later for adults aged 18+. Pitch will also return on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February with extended sessions.

Live music will be spread along Jetty Road and in Moseley Square, with performances from DJ/saxophonist Sax&Love, Sparks Trio, Eidolon, and Georgia Germein, adding to the festive summer atmosphere.

Pawfect Zone and seaside extras

The popular Pawfect Zone will return bigger than ever on Waterloo Street, complete with dog-friendly ice cream treats, water stations and a fun photo opportunity for four-legged festivalgoers.

While in Glenelg, visitors can also stop by Elysian Fields, Jetty Road’s striking new entry statement — a 21-metre-long avenue of towering, colourful flowers at the corner of Jetty Road and Brighton Road.

A bronze winner at the 2025 SA Tourism Awards, the Glenelg Ice Cream Festival continues to grow as a must-do summer event, offering something for all ages and promising another unforgettable night by the beach.

The Glenelg Ice Cream Festival will run from 4pm – 10pm on Friday 6 February 2026.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

While you’re at the Bay take a ride on the Giant Wheel

Click here to find some of Adelaide’s best Ice Cream venues 

For more information and all enquiries please visit the City of Holdfast Bay website.

What:   Glenelg Ice Cream Festival 

When:   Friday 6 February 2026 | 4pm – 10.00pm 

Where:   Jetty Road, Glenelg

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: City of Holdfast Bay/Play & Go

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