After attracting 1.3 million attendees in 2023, , a quintessential tradition in Adelaide’s cultural calendar returns for another year. Spanning three weekends from July 4 to 21, the festival sprawls the CBD, taking over heritage buildings and institutions with a blend of art, light music and technology.
Featuring 40 installations and projections, the free program is centred around Adelaide's city-wide centrepiece— initiative. From interactive experiences to captivating visual displays, this year’s line-up supports almost 150 local, national and international artists.
With French fire alchemists, , presenting mesmerising flaming sculptures including 7,000 giant handcrafted fire pots, candlelit archways and kinetic sculptures, it's no surprise Fire Gardens at the Adelaide Botanic Garden emerges as the festival’s main centrepiece alongside City Lights.
Hosted by Adelaide Zoo, Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights stands out on the immersive front with a myriad of ancient creatures from baby dinosaurs and marine life to some of the greatest carnivores and herbivores that ever existed roaming the grounds.
Base Camp, the festival’s after-dark eatery and bar village, has found a new home at Lot Fourteen. It’s situated among the festival’s centrepieces making for a perfect launching pad to grab a bite inbetween activities.
The music program boasts an impressive lineup, featuring renowned artists such as , a Dutch pianist known for his minimalist style performing his latest album, Hermetism at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
In a highly anticipated and Australian-exclusive performance, Belfast-born, electronic musician and artist will be making a pit stop at the festival, merging visuals, breathtaking sound design and experimental electronica as part of his 3D/AV tour.
, one of the world’s most exciting and progressive experimental music festivals, is turning up the volume with former Sonic Youth member , British ambient musician, and Norwegian saxophonist and performance artist, among the lineup.
Talent has been drawn in from across the globe with a live show from Detroit outfit (USA), slippery techno and rap from Manuka Honey (AUS), (AUS)—a Gamilaraay women and Gadigal-based DJ who flirts with hard drum and UK bass—and (UK) playing an Unsound Club DJ set.
There’s plenty more on the immersive front and the music program, check out the complete lineup .
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Image credit: supplied