Spring is a pretty special time in South Australia. The days get longer, the weather warms up and the calendar starts filling fast. From wine country and open gardens to food, live music, classic cars and big weekends in the city, there’s plenty happening across SA this October and November.
So, if you’re ready to get out and make the most of spring, here are seven events worth adding to the calendar.
Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations | 1 to 18 October 2026
If a weekend in wine country sounds good, October is a great time to head south. Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations takes over the region across three weekends, with tastings, long lunches, winery experiences, live music and plenty happening around the cellar doors.
It’s also a good excuse to slow things down for a couple of days and explore more of the Limestone Coast while you’re there.
Riverland Rose and Garden Festival | 9 to 18 October 2026
Spring is when the Riverland really shows off.
For ten days, gardens across the region open their gates for the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival, alongside local events, displays and community experiences. Even if you’re not someone who knows their roses, it’s a lovely time of year to head up the river and make a weekend of it.
Lucky Dumpling Market | 9 October to 1 November 2026
Back in Adelaide, Lucky Dumpling Market returns to Elder Park as part of OzAsia Festival.
Expect plenty of food, live music, cultural performances and the kind of warm spring evenings that make staying in the city after work very easy. This year is also the final edition of OzAsia Festival after 20 years, although Lucky Dumpling Market itself will return, so there’s a little extra reason to get along.
RAA Bay to Birdwood | 18 October 2026
This one is a South Australian classic.
More than 1,500 historic vehicles make their way from West Beach through to Birdwood, with plenty of good viewing spots along the route before the Finish Festival at the National Motor Museum.
Cars aside, there’s something pretty special about seeing the Hills come alive for it.
National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant | 14 November 2026
You know Christmas is getting close when the Pageant rolls through Adelaide.
Floats, bands, dancers, characters and, of course, Father Christmas take over the CBD for one of those SA traditions that generations of families have grown up with. If you’ve got little ones, it’s almost a rite of passage. If you don’t, the nostalgia still gets you.
Handpicked Festival | 14 November 2026
If live music in the middle of a vineyard sounds more your speed, Handpicked Festival is back at Lake Breeze Wines in Langhorne Creek.
Think picnic rugs under the gums, local food and wine and a full day of live music in one of the Fleurieu’s best wine regions. This year’s line up includes The Teskey Brothers, Missy Higgins, Guy Sebastian, The Living End and more.
bp Adelaide Grand Final | 26 to 29 November 2026
And then spring finishes loudly.
The bp Adelaide Grand Final brings four days of Supercars action back to the Adelaide street circuit, with racing, entertainment and after race concerts taking over the parklands. Even if motorsport isn’t usually your thing, it’s hard to miss the energy around the city when race weekend arrives.
That’s the nice thing about spring in South Australia. You can be eating dumplings by the river one weekend, wandering through a garden in the Riverland the next and sitting under the gums in Langhorne Creek not long after.
There’s plenty happening, and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy where we live. See you out there.
