Although the final week of April really turned up the sunshine remnants of autumn, the rains and chill factor are right around the corner. But nonetheless, there’s plenty of different things to do in Adelaide this May so get out there and make the most of the decent weather while it lasts. From food festivals and markets to sporting events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this May in Adelaide.
1. Ballet Revolucion
From funky hip-hop to exhilarating Cuban dances, Ballet Revolución has delighted audiences from London to Paris over the last ten years. Featuring a memorable evening of dance performances to hits from artists like Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, Adele, Daft Punk and Justin Timberlake, the show will now return to Australian shores with a brand new production on the cards. Find out more about Ballet Revolucion here.
2. Cinco De Mayo
From Friday 5 to Sunday 7 May, the Morphettville Racecourse will come alive with the Cinco De Mayo fiesta showcasing Mexican culture and commemorating the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Brough to us by the same team behind Adelaide Day of the Dead Festival, expect: Lucha Libre wrestling, mariachi music and performances, traditional dancing, and plenty of sensational Mexican cuisine with vegan options aplenty.
3. Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week
From Friday 19 to Sunday 28 May, the northern Clare Valley region will be host to the annual SCA Gourmet Week. Boasting over 80 events across the 10-day span, the festival is one of the states most celebrated food and wine soirees, as well as featuring a diverse entertainment line-up. The SCA Gourmet Week festival can be enjoyed in three parts; Festival Weekend from 19 to 21 May, Breathe It In between 22 and 26 May, and Land of the Long Lunch on 27 and 28 May. Callum Hann, Duncan Welgemoed, and Jake Kellie are few of the stellar chef names pairing up with Clare Valley wineries and venues to create bespoke food theatre experiences.
4. Bowerbird Market
On Friday 5 between 4pm and 9pm, as well as Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May between 10am and 5pm, the Adelaide Showgrounds will enliven with the Bowerbird markets. The weekend will showcase Australian and local designers and makers, along with hosting a number of creative workshops, delicious artisan-made food and drink, and live entertainment too. With everything from skincare and homeware, there might just be something that will catch your eye.
5. AMPOL State Of Origin
This year, the NRL Ampol State of Origin is tackling its way into town with Game One held in Adelaide for the first time. Adelaide Oval will host the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons on Wednesday 31 May for a killer start to the Ampol State of Origin season.
6. Durian Fest Tour
On Saturday 6 May from 11am to 5pm, head to Bonython Park for the Taste of Malaysia Durian Fest Tour. Amongst the gumtrees, sample the controversial fruit, namely the Malaysian musang king durian as well as other authentic Malaysian cuisine. Mosey around market stalls including: Durians by Durasia, Sarawak Delights, Dapur Kitchen, Hello Indo, Natural Ice Cream Food Truck, along with the Agriculture Counsellor Office Sydney – Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security Malaysia. There’ll be entertainment to accompany the fruit fest too.
7. Gilles At The Grounds
On Sunday 21 May from a crisp 9am until 3pm, Gilles At The Grounds is returning to the historic Brick Dairy at the Wayville Showgrounds. There’s going to be over 100 market stalls for all your browsing needs from vintage clothes to retro homewares and eco products, delicious foods like plant-based lamb yiros and delicate cupcakes, and live music by local musicians. It’s free entry for both you and your dog too.
8. Tasting Australia
Back again for yet another fabulous year, Tasting Australia is putting on their annual show from Friday 28 April until Sunday 7 May for a celebration of eating and drinking with a focus on South Australia and its produce, producers and people.
Enjoy incredible lunches, boutique beverages by the firepit in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, and spreads created by world-class chefs in a variety of spectacular venues in and around Adelaide; you can even board a Tasting Australia fight to take you out yonder for more than just a taste bud adventure. Entertainment and live music are on the cards once again for Tasting Australia’s autumn foodie festival. Check out the highlights and find out more details here!
9. Winetime at Summertown Studio
On Friday 5 May from 5pm through to 10pm get down to Somerton Park’s Summertown Studio in Adelaide’s south for Winetime. Take a seat underneath the retro-esque pergola whilst sipping fine local wine, nibbling on tasty food, and listening to live jazz, funk, and soul. It’s the place to be for relaxed, youthful vibes.
10. Turnover at Jive
On Sunday 21 May from 7pm, American rock band Turnover will take to the stage at intimate live music venue, Jive on Hindley Street. Formed in 2009, the band produce hits that get you right in the heart strings, namely: Dizzy On The Comedown, I Would Hate You If I Could, Cutting My Fingers Off, and Humming. They don’t usually make appearances in Adelaide, so see them while you can!
11. Celtic Sounds at The Wheatsheaf
On Sunday 7 May get on over to The Wheatsheaf Hotel in Thebarton for an arvo and evening on Celtic music. The no frills, yesteryear pub is a fab spot to pull up and enjoy tunes by Celtic Sounds at 4:30pm, followed by The Shambolics at 6pm. The Wheatsheaf Hotel is a South Australian treasure, as featured in our women-led and owned businesses in Adelaide guide.
12. Stirling Market
On Sunday 28 May from 10am until 4pm, head into the Adelaide Hills for the monthly Stirling Market. Mosey around the local artisan’s stalls where you can find everything from dried fruit, fashion, plants, ceramics, olive oil, jewelry, and crafts, while listening to live music and breathing in that fresh hill’s air. There’ll be heaps of tasty food to enjoy too, not to mention the beautiful autumn colours.
13. Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows at The Gov
On Saturday 6 May from 4:30pm at The Gov, join Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, as well as the Wanderers for a musical concoction. Joe Camilleri is an ARIA Hall of Famer and has been leading the Australian blues-rock music scene for decades, at the forefront of The Black Sorrows. You may recognise tunes like: Hit & Run, Shape I’m In, Chained To The Wheel, Harley & Rose, and Never Let Me Go. The band are celebrating The Black Sorrows’ Live from The Shangri-La which is bound to be full of energy.
14. Ghost Mushroom Lane
During the cooler months of the year, usually May and June, Ghost Mushroom Lane in Mount Gambier becomes illuminated with hundreds of Omphalotus Nidiformis, its resident glowing mushroom. Find our more details about the experience here.
15. Chin Chin X Yalumba
Famed South-East Asian Melbourne restaurant, Chin Chin is coming to Adelaide in May after the success of their inaugural visit in 2022. They’re teaming up with South Australia’s very own Yalumba wines for Tasting Australia – so this is your chance to get your food and wine fix in the northern Barossa Valley region. Find out more and book in to Chin Chin X Yalumba here.
16. Brighton Sunday Market
On Sunday 28 May from 7:30am until 12pm, get on over to Brighton Secondary School for the Brighton Sunday Market. This particular market is said to be one of South Australia’s biggest open-air markets where you can find fresh produce, food stalls, snack bars, local arts and crafts, antiques, collectables, and secondhand gems in all forms of the word. All funds raised by the non-for-profit market go towards supporting students during their musical studies.
17. Dantes Deli
With a passion for simple food and quality ingredients inspired by Italian culture, Glenelg’s latest joint, Dante’s Deli is creating sangas that are not only fast and affordable, but highly enjoyable in all the ways that everyone can relish. Read more about Dante’s Deli and our chat with co-owner, Taylor Ferrante here.
18. Autumn Colours
There’s nothing like taking a stroll and snapping photos of the reds, yellows, and more. Here in Adelaide, there are a few spots that really put on a show when it comes to the season change. Check out our favourite spots and trails, as well as events that are happening in the Adelaide Hills this autumn here.
19. South Australian Road Trips
Mitsubishi Motors Australia’s recently carried out a mammoth study, Secret Road Trip Hotspots that analysed over 38,000 Trip Advisor attractions to reveal a final list of 141 nature-based spots in Australia. And they’ve revealed the best places to visit to avoid the crowds and inspire different road trip and destination planning. Find out which 10 South Australian road trip hotspots are on the list here.
20. Bedford Gala
On Saturday 6 May, South Australia’s largest employer of people with disability, Bedford Group is throwing its first Gala Night fundraiser. Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre and hosted by entertainer Hans, the Future is Bright Gala Evening will feature great food and wine and a spectacular light show to tie in with the gala’s ‘bright’ theme. All proceeds will go towards Bedford’s five-year plan to create more jobs, opportunities, and build a beaming future for people with a disability in South Australia.
21. Vegan Festival’s Vegustation
On Sunday 14 May from 1pm until 4pm, Francesco’s Osteria in Torrensville will be host to the annual Vegustation. Organised by the beloved Vegan Festival Adelaide, the afternoon will see the likes of fine, plant-based Venetian soul food served in the homey Northern Italian restaurant on Henley Beach Road. Might just be a splendid way to spend Mother’s Day this year!
22. Gathered Market In The Mall
On Sunday 14 May between 9am and 5pm underneath the Gawler Place Canopy in Rundle Mall, the monthly Gathered Market be popping up. The brand new market destination will be the first of many in Rundle Mall, and is set to boast a carefully selected range of local makers and designers. Think: clothing, homewares, art, jewellery, bags, candles, ceramics, skincare, cosmetics, to name a few. Brunch and lunch will be up for grabs too with gozleme, stuffed arepas, and donuts on the cards, as well as wine, gin and juices.
23. Soonta’s 15th Anniversary
On Tuesday 2 May between 10:30am and 2:00pm, help celebrate 15 years of Vietnamese eatery, Soonta by heading to their flagship Waymouth Street store for a free banh mi. 150 of the delightful rolls will be given out, so get in quick and do your lunch right. “We couldn’t have come this far without the love and support of our amazing customers,” said Max Xie, The Chairman of Soonta.
24. Paper Tiger
Paper Tiger is Rundle Street’s latest venture, having opened their doors to the East End crowd on Friday 14 April. Diners can expect cuisine which draws on inspiration from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, in a sophisticated, modern fit-out. Take a look and read all about Paper Tiger here.
25. Seeing The Invisible
Open every day from now until Saturday 30 September 2023, Seeing The Invisible brings a free augmented reality (AR) contemporary art exhibition to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Once you’ve downloaded the Seeing The Invisible app, roam around the gardens, scan the QR codes and immerse yourself in the interactive exhibition with works addressing themes around nature, the environment and sustainability. Find out more information here.
26. Salsa Sundays
On Sunday 7 May the warehouse-style venue, Plant 4 Bowden will clear the ground floor of its tables and chairs and make way for a big old dance floor. Salsa Sundays are designed to entertain people from all walks of life and of all ages – whether you’re an experienced dancer or a beginner who is willing to learn the ropes and feel the contagious energy of salsa, bachata and kizomba. Find out more about Salsa Sundays here.
27. Cabaret Fringe Festival
For the past 20 years, the Cabaret Fringe has made the winter months a little steamier, and from Friday 26 May through to Sunday 4 June, over 30 shows will be held across both city and metropolitan venues. This year, a brand new piano bar and central hub will give you a glance behind the cheeky happenings of the cabaret scene. Read more and check out the Cabaret Fringe Festival highlights here.
28. New Eateries
While May is the month for all things Tasting Australia, you might not be too enthusiastic about crowds, or simply can’t decide on one of the 150 experiences on offer. Taking it back a notch, we’ve put together a list of five new cafes and restaurants in and around Adelaide to make your dining decision a little easier this month – check out our full list here.
29. Relics: A New World Rises
From now until July 2023, the South Australian Museum is host to 11 large-scale LEGO models which creates a journey through an imagined future. Relics: A New World Rises exhibition is set in the year 2530, long after the world has been abandoned by humans, and takes you to a world where LEGO minifigures have risen from the debris to build intricate civilisations in discarded and forgotten objects once inhabited or used by humans. Find out more about Relics: A New World Rises here.
30. Adelaide Farmers’ Market
The Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market is held every Sunday from 8:30am until 12pm. Here, you can find the best seasonal produce and market goodies from local stallholders. It’s a foodies’ heaven and a mighty fine way to start the day.