Adelaide in December: Markets, Live Music & Summer Events
Adelady Christmas Village – Victoria Square
Dates: 12th + 13th December
Location: Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, Adelaide CBD
What it is: A big, sparkly Christmas village with 100+ stalls of local gifts, homewares, fashion and festive food, a bar pouring SA favourites, live music and Chrissy carols, plus a kids’ zone with Father Christmas and free activities.
Cost: Gold coin donation
Best for: People who want to do their Christmas shopping in one hit while supporting SA makers; families; girls’ nights with a festive drink.
Accessibility: Flat city-square site with public toilets and disabled access; contact the event page for detailed accessibility info.
More info: www.adelady.com.au/adelady-christmas-village-2025/
Taste of Melbourne Street at Meander Market
Date: Saturday 6 December 2025
Location: Melbourne Street, North Adelaide
What it is: An artisan Christmas market where Meander Market stallholders and Melbourne Street traders spill out onto the street – think handcrafted gifts, local food, live music, free face painting and even caricatures and Santa photos (10:30am-1pm).
Cost: Free entry
Best for: Slow Saturday browsing, families with kids who’ll love the face painting/Santa photos.
Accessibility: Street-based, generally wheelchair and pram friendly with nearby parking; disabled access noted on the event listing.
More info: southaustralia.com/products/adelaide/event/taste-of-melbourne-street-at-meander-market
Wauwi Nights: Cinema & Sounds – Light Square/Wauwi
Date: Friday 5 December, 5:30pm - sunset
Location: Light Square/Wauwi, Adelaide CBD
What it is: An open-air cinema night in the West End – live DJ with 90s throwbacks from 5:30pm, food trucks, ice-cream, drinks from a kombi bar and a free screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas under the stars.
Cost: Free entry, register online for priority seating.
Best for: Date night, groups of friends, people who want a festive movie without the shopping-centre chaos.
Accessibility: Disabled access and toilets on site; event notes it is accessible, with beanbags and lawn space (BYO rugs).
More info: southaustralia.com/products/adelaide/event/wauwi-nights-cinema-sounds
Hutt Street Markets – Christmas Edition
Date: Saturday 6 December 2025, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Location: Hutt Street, Adelaide
What it is: An evening Christmas market with local craftspeople, makers and creatives, Christmas music, and plenty of options for dinner and drinks along Hutt Street once you’re done shopping.
Cost: Free entry
Best for: Gifting, after-work drinks rolled into a bit of Christmas browsing, people who like a neighbourhood feel rather than a big festival.
Accessibility: Street is flat and well-lit; accessible parking in surrounding side streets. Check the Hutt Street site for specific accessibility details.
More info: https://huttst.com.au/monthlymarkets/
New Year’s Eve in the City – Elder Park Riverbank
Date: Wednesday 31 December 2025, 5:30pm - midnight
Location: Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama, Riverbank precinct
What it is: Adelaide’s flagship NYE event with live local music, food and drink stalls and two big fireworks displays over the River Torrens – classic riverbank NYE energy without needing a booking at a venue.
Cost: Free entry
Best for: Families, visitors, anyone who wants “big night” vibes without a ticketed party; also good if you’re staying in the CBD and want to walk home.
Accessibility: Disabled access, family-friendly facilities and public toilets; run by the City of Adelaide so accessibility info is usually clear on the website. Note this event does get quite crowded.
More info: southaustralia.com/products/adelaide/event/new-years-eve-in-the-city
OzHarvest Tree of Goodness – Adelaide Central Market
Dates: Saturday 20 – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Location: Eastern Roadway, Adelaide Central Market (across from Angelakis Bros Seafood)
What it is: A big yellow Christmas tree where every $1 donated helps OzHarvest provide 2 meals to people doing it tough. You donate, add a yellow bauble, and help “turn the tree yellow”.
Cost: Donation-based (you choose the amount)
Best for: People who want to give back while doing their Christmas food shop, families with kids who can see the visual impact of their donation, office groups looking for something meaningful and easy.
Accessibility: Central Market is undercover, flat and accessible with ramps, lifts and accessible toilets.
More info: southaustralia.com/products/adelaide/event/ozharvest-tree-of-goodness
Lights of Lobethal Festival
Dates: 12 December - 22 December 2025, sunset - late daily
Location: Main streets and homes of Lobethal, Adelaide Hills
What it is: SA’s classic Christmas lights town – houses, businesses and churches lit up, with markets and occasional performances depending on the year’s program. Great excuse for a night drive into the Hills. Map your route on the official website.
Cost: Driving/walking the lights is free; some paid experiences/markets and food stalls.
Best for: Families with kids, nostalgic Christmas-lights people, anyone who wants a Hills night drive with a bakery stop.
Accessibility: Street viewing from car is an option if mobility is limited; footpaths vary so it’s worth checking the current accessibility notes on the official site.
More info: https://lightsoflobethal.com.au/
Salty Sips – Sunrise Ocean Dip & Yoga
Dates: Weekly dawn sessions (Wednesdays – dates and pop-ups are announced via Instagram)
Location: Beachside (often Glenelg/metro coast – exact spot posted to Instagram)
What it is: A free community meet-up: 30 minutes of yoga at dawn, an ocean swim no matter the temperature, then coffee and chats. Started by locals, now run by Human.Kind as a community wellbeing event.
Cost: Free; bring money for coffee/breakfast afterwards
Best for: Early-riser types, yogis, people new to Adelaide who want an easy, low-pressure way to meet others.
Accessibility: On sand and in the water, so not suitable for all mobility needs; yoga is gentle and all levels are welcome.
More info: humankindstudios.com.au/move/salty-sips and @saltysips on Instagram
Cheese After Dark: White Christmas – Smelly Cheese Co.
Date: Wednesday 10 December 2025, 6:30pm–8:30pm
Location: Smelly Cheese Co., Adelaide Central Market
What it is: An after-hours cheese masterclass with the Smelly Cheese team, themed “White Christmas” – think guided tastings, matched accompaniments and a very festive market-after-dark feel.
Cost: $89 per person (ticketed)
Best for: Cheese nerds, date night, small groups who want something a bit special but still relaxed.
Accessibility: Held within the market precinct which is wheelchair accessible; check booking page for any specific notes.
More info: https://adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/whats-on/
Pop-Up French Champagne Bar – Adelaide Central Market
Date: Friday 12 December 2025, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Location: Gouger Dining, Adelaide Central Market
What it is: Smelly Cheese Co.’s one-night-only champagne bar – French bubbles by the glass, matched with their cheeses, set up right by the market’s Gouger Street dining strip.
Cost: Free entry; pay per glass/cheese plate
Best for: After-work drinks, pre-dinner stop before heading out on Gouger, people who like a bit of champagne theatre without a full sit-down event.
Accessibility: Central Market is flat and accessible with nearby parking and public transport but the venue does get busy and the ground can be uneven; Gouger Dining area has good space to move around.
More info: https://adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/whats-on/