South Australia’s History Festival 2025
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 for the whole family, such as talks and tours, walks and workshops, exhibitions and open days.
Events happen anywhere: urban and rural, towns, cities and suburbs; in museums and libraries; in boats, trains and buses and mysterious buildings; on the street, by the beach and in nature.
With so many family-friendly events held across South Australia, there are plenty of opportunities for children to spark their curiosity and engage with our state’s history.
2025 Theme: DECISIONS
In 2025, South Australia’s History Festival will dive deeply into the decisions that have shaped South Australia – as an ancient meeting place, and as a state. They invite you to reflect upon these decisions – the good and the bad, the challenging and the intriguing – and discover how historic decisions impact contemporary society.
Event organisers have been encouraged to consider the various places where critical decision-making occurs, be it official, personal, or community focused. From behind closed doors to across the family dinner table, the decisions made in these settings can change the course of history.
Family Friendly Program Highlights
Each year there are fascinating places to visit and many events and activities for families with children at the South Australian History Festival. You can use the search function on their website (or click the link below) to search for family friendly/childrens events. Many events are low-cost or free making them a great day out for families.
50 Years of Dreaming Big Exhibition
In 1974 the Youth Program Committee of the Adelaide Festival of the Arts hosted a program for young people so successful that it was reborn as a stand-alone festival, ‘The Come Out Children’s Festival’ (now named DreamBIG Children’s Festival). This special exhibition explores the 50 year history of South Australia’s beloved children’s festival.
Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre’s DreamBIG Children’s Festival
Coming Home to Country
Country holds deep memories and songs from ancient times. Come walk with Burka-Senior Man Karl Winda Telfer to listen to what cultural, ecological, and spiritual renewal of Country means for a Traditional Owner at Kanyanyapilla, McLaren Vale. As you walk Country, you will see and feel the ancient cultural landscape from Karl with ecological sharing by Claire Lock.
Presented by Kanyanyapilla
Adelaide Gaol History Day | Thebarton | 18 May 2025
Government House Open Day | Adelaide | 11 May 2025
Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk | Hahndorf to Beaumont | 18 May 2025
Kodomo No Hi Japan Festival | Unley | 4 May 2025
Birdwood Farm Day | National Motor Museum | 18 May 2025
Beaumont House Open Days | Feb – Dec 2025
Glenelg Air Raid Shelter Open Days
VIEW THE FULL PROGRAM HERE
Follow the SA History Festival on Facebook or Instagram
For more information and all enquiries please visit the History Festival website.
What: South Australia’s History Festival
When: 1 – 31 May 2025
Where: South Australia (various locations)
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: SA History Festival
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