Winter Weekends 

See the city in a different light this winter, with the return of Winter Weekends. With delicious food and wine from a variety of city restaurants, toasty fire pits and live entertainment, Winter Weekends blur the boundaries between inside and outside, transforming the city streets into a haven of warmth and welcome.

Winter Weekends, Various locations, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Friday 7 June—Saturday 31 August (Friday and Saturday evenings only).

Coober Pedy Opal Festival 

Fancy a road trip? Opal town Coober Pedy promises an outback festival like no other and, in a town where 60% of the population live underground in dugout mineshafts and hillsides to escape the blistering summer heat, we tend to believe them. June’s the perfect time to go: expect fireworks, music, stuff for the kids and a street parade. Book the underground hotel while you’re there.

Coober Pedy Opal Festival, Coober Pedy, Arabana Country, Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 June.

Gutsy Kangaroo Island

Bring your beanie and your boots; the good folks of Kangaroo Island have got the vintage in and the fire on and, apparently, nobody leaves hungry. There’s immersive cinema, country tunes in The Shearing Shed, and Dudley Wines celebrate 30 years of island life with tastings throughout the weekend. Feel-good fun.

Gutsy Kangaroo Island, Kangaroo Island, Karta Pintingga, Friday 7–Monday 10 June.

Hills Winter Lantern Festival

The work of this super-cute festival really starts in April, when local kids get busy making their own lanterns in a bunch of workshops. They’re then paraded through the streets, all lit up and lovely. The festival has now moved to Echunga but the same community spirit will prevail.  

Hills Winter Lantern Festival, Echunga, Peramangk Country, Saturday 15 June.

AVCon

Get ready: South Australia’s celebration of the world of anime and video games is back. This huge event takes over Adelaide Showground with highly competitive cosplay, gaming, art, special guests, comps and prizes. There’s also a separate after-dark event for the 18+ age group.

AVCon, Adelaide Showground, Wayville, Kaurna Country, Friday 28–Sunday 30 June.