By Lauren Ferrone
Published: Wednesday, May 11, 2022
South Australia is no stranger to the spotlight and is famous for its food, wine and festivals. This winter, we’re shining bright for another reason.
To celebrate the second year of the mesmerising winter lights event, Illuminate Adelaide, we’ve put together a guide of what to see and do when the switch is flicked on from 1 to 31 July.
1. BASE CAMP
When: 1–31 July
Where: Victoria Square
Every great adventure starts somewhere. Before witnessing Adelaide light up the dark, head to Victoria Square, strap on ice skates and glide into the night. With an ice-skating rink, drinks, nibbles and of course, bright lights, Illuminate Adelaide’s Base Camp is like the city’s very own Rockefeller Center (minus the giant, glowing Christmas tree).
2. LIGHT CREATURES
When: 7–31 July
Where: Adelaide Zoo
Witness animal sculptures at Adelaide Zoo change colour like chameleons. Watch pandas tumble playfully along the grass, glowing giraffes bob their heads among the constellations and dancing jellyfish swim between a kaleidoscope of colourful coral. Don’t forget to look into the distance to see a magical Dreamtime skink’s stubby legs move ever so slowly.
3. CITY LIGHTS
When: 15–31 July
Where: Adelaide CBD
Illuminate Adelaide’s free light trails takes city dwellers down hidden laneways and open spaces to discover more than 40 art installations. Both large and small projections are scattered around town for visitors to view.
4. LIGHT CYCLES
When: 7–31 July
Where: Adelaide Botanic Garden
You’d be forgiven for thinking glow worms have taken up residence at Adelaide Botanic Garden as it transforms into an enchanted, luminescent forest. Bright lights, video projections and sound effects intertwine to create a space where you feel at one with nature.
5. GORILLAZ
When: 28 July
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Rock out to the UK’s unconventional band Gorillaz as they storm the stage with a 20-strong ensemble. Illuminate Adelaide is the first appearance by the Grammy Award-winning musos in Adelaide in more than a decade.
6. CONTROL NO CONTROL
When: 15–31 July
Where: West Precinct of City Lights
This light installation is a 4m LED cube which reacts to everything that touches it, giving you full control of the patterns and sounds that transpire.
7. A MIRRORED CITY
When: 15–31 July
Where: North Precinct of City Lights
Powered by RAA Solar, A Mirrored City allows us to slow down and reflect on South Australia’s beauty. Weave your way through glowing buildings, which are shrouded in light, and feature images of our great state and discover why we call it home.
8. GOING OUT BUSH BY VINCENT NAMATJIRA
When: 15–31 July
Where: North Precinct of City Lights
Award-winning portraitist from Indulkana in South Australia’s APY Lands, Vincent Namatjira – the great-grandson of painter Albert Namatjira – brings his work to life through animations and light projections on the façade of The Art Gallery of South Australia.
9. SUBMERGENCE
When: 15–31 July
Where: North Precinct of City Lights
Submerge yourself in thousands of suspended lights which change colours and patterns as you walk through a hybrid environment that is both atmospheric and responsive.
10. THE POOL
When: 15–31 July
Where: North Precinct of City Lights
Dive into The Pool – a giant field of circular, coloured lights that flicker on and off when you step on them. Installation creator, Jen Lewin, was inspired by Australian tidal pools before taking the plunge to create the technology and code behind this interactive project.
11. IMPULSE
When: 15–31 July
Where: North Precinct of City Lights
Take your pick from 15 giant glowing seesaws set up in Adelaide Festival Centre Plaza and swing up and down. We promise letting the kids stay up past their bedtime will be worth it after seeing their faces light up with glee.
12. NEIGHBOURHOOD
When: 15–31 July
Where: East Precinct of City Lights
This charming project sees Adelaide transform into a humble European village, as illuminated laundry hangs from building to building. This installation is more than just a reminder to tackle that mountain of dirty laundry. Creator Sergey Kim says it’s about rebuilding connections and embracing communities from all walks of life.
13. CHANDELIER HARP
When: 15–31 July
Where: West Precinct of City Lights
Feel the music move through your body as low-voltage lasers shine to the ground. The lasers can be ‘plucked’, much like the string of a harp, using sensors that trigger circuitry and produce musical notes, giving you the chance to create various sounds.
14. FUTURES
When: 15–31 July
Where: West Precinct of City Lights
The future has never looked brighter as you wander down a 50m walkway of moving lights and mirrors. This thought-provoking light installation highlights how reflecting on the past is the first step to moving forward.
15. LIGHT CYCLES BAR
When: 7–31 July
Where: Adelaide Botanic Garden
End your Illuminate Adelaide experience with a drink at Light Cycles Bar where you and friends can exchange glowing reviews of your night before it’s lights out.