Returning this July, Illuminate Adelaide’s program – again full of events dedicated to art, light, music and technology – will get everyone out of the house, no matter how cool the night.
Free for everyone to enjoy, the first stop should always be City Lights. The popular event is now synonymous with Illuminate Adelaide and will return for a third time from July 5.
Each night after sunset, dozens of light installations – from Festival Plaza to the Art Gallery of South Australia and beyond – will activate a citywide visual spectacle.
Light in its purest form will be found at Fire Gardens where visitors can wander candlelit trails at the Adelaide Botanic Garden as thousands of flames burn over 12 nights, courtesy of French masters of flame Compagnie Carabosse.
From one garden to another, festival-goers can head to EDEN and step into a lush field of LED screens that will spark the imagination.
EDEN is one for the family, as is Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights. After dark at Adelaide Zoo, kids can seek out creatures through puppetry and light, while learning lessons on extinction and conservation.
Less for the little ones and more for the energetic adults, Unsound Adelaide will also return with a mix of genres, sounds and visuals.
The experimental music and art experience has lined-up former Sonic Youth star Kim Gordon, who will perform along with musicians from around the world, including British ambient musician The Caretaker (aka Leyland Kirby) in their first-ever Australian show.
After the main stage closes on Saturday night, Unsound will kick on at Unsound Club, with sets from Lee Gamble, Manuka Honey and more.
Classical pianist Joep Beving. Photo: Rahi Rezvani
For more sound, Dutch classical pianist Joep Beving will make his way to Illuminate Adelaide to kick off his nationwide tour for his new album, Hermetism.
Presented in association with Adelaide Festival Centre, prepare to be astounded as Beving explores the relationship between sound and light, performing under a moving installation by artist Boris Acket.
Adelaide will be spoiled for choice with more exclusive events from Helen Svoboda’s expressive music, to the world premiere of Superluminal, where children aged 4 – 8 and their families can discover animals past, present and imagined, all in the heart of the South Australian Museum.
No matter one’s age or tastes, there will be plenty of fun nights to look forward to at Base Camp – the free-to-enter hangout spot at Lot Fourteen on North Terrace is open daily from 4pm.
Illuminate Adelaide cofounder and creative director Rachael Azzopardi promised “a new experience around every corner”.
“It is a diverse and inclusive program of ticketed and free events for all to enjoy,” she said.
Since 2021, Illuminate Adelaide has transformed the city into a light-filled landscape.
After 1.3 million people came out for last year’s program, which featured 150 local, national and international creators, Illuminate Adelaide only plans to grow its spell across 18 magical nights this year.
The audience numbers have been pleasing for Illuminate Adelaide cofounder and creative director Lee Cumberlidge.
“It’s so great that our city has increasingly turned out in force to attend our events each year,” he said.
“The program changes every year with a whole new array of interactive installations, immersive experience and experimental music.
“This year we even have fire!”
With Illuminate Adelaide approaching, the organisers said now is the time to choose one’s top after-dark events to counter seasonal blues.
Illuminate Adelaide is on 4 – 21 July 2024.
Find the full program and tickets at Illuminate Adelaide’s website.
