🎉 Winter School Holiday Guide 2025: Family Events Across South Australia
South Australia lights up these July school holidays with a magical mix of hands-on workshops, epic festivals, and kid-approved events across Adelaide and beyond. Think LEGO, sewing, dinosaurs, art camps, and more family fun!
🧵 Make a Scrappy Doll – Sewing for Beginners
A creative, hands-on workshop where kids and teens can learn basic sewing skills and make their very own colourful scrappy doll. Guided by friendly instructors, this session is perfect for beginners—no experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm!
Location: Holden Hill Community Centre, 82 Valiant Road, Holden Hill, SA
Date & Time: July 10, 2025 - 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Ticket Information: $20
Highlights:
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- Learn sewing machine basics: threading, straight & zigzag stitching.
- Make a personalised scrappy doll to keep or gift.
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Use of templates and take-home patterns included.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Arrive early to get settled and comfy with the machine.
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Parking available onsite.
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Wheelchair-accessible venue.
Insider Tips:
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- Limited spots—book early to secure a place.
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Ideal for creative teens wanting to try sewing for the first time.
- Bring a drink bottle and wear comfy clothes.
Don’t miss this crafty holiday session—it’s all about stitching, smiles, and sewing up something special to take home.
🌟 Illuminate Adelaide
A mesmerising winter light and arts festival that transforms Adelaide into a luminous playground with a blend of art, technology, music, and community celebration. Featuring free city-wide installations, immersive experiences, ticketed shows, and spectacular drone displays, it’s a must-do family outing this July.
Location: Throughout Adelaide CBD, including North Terrace, Botanic Gardens, Festival Plaza, and laneways across the city.
Date & Time: 2–20 July 2025 - 5:30 PM–10:30 PM
Ticket Information: City Lights: Free and open-access
Highlights:
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- City Lights: 17 nights of illuminated installations by local/international artists across CBD.
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Night Visions at Adelaide Botanic Garden: immersive projections and soundscapes — $42–45 a ticket.
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Horizons drone show: world-premiere drone performance above Adelaide Oval on July 18 — $29–69.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Explore City Lights on foot or via free City Connector buses/trams to see North Terrace and laneway works.
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Book ticketed experiences (Night Visions, drone show) early—they sell out fast.
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Evening parking discounts via UPark; public transport, e-scooters, walking are great alternatives.
Insider Tips:
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- Family outings: City Lights and free workshops welcome all ages—sensory-friendly options may be available.
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Photography buffs: ideal lighting after dark; bring a tripod if allowed.
- Food & drink: visit Base Camp at Lot Fourteen, pop‑up bars, food trucks and Adelaide’s CBD hospitality hubs.
Don’t miss this breathtaking winter spectacle—it’s all about light, wonder, community, and big-hearted creativity spread across Adelaide’s iconic streets and venues!
🎮 AVCon – Anime & Gaming Festival
Adelaide’s ultimate celebration of anime, gaming, cosplay, Japanese pop culture, and community fun—all under one roof at the Showground!
Location: Jubilee & Wayville Pavilions, Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Rd, Wayville SA 5034
Date & Time: 5-6 July 2025 — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Ticket Information: Kids under 12 enter free
Highlights:
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- Anime & Manga: screenings, manga library, cosplay giveaways and competitions.
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Kids Zone: face painting, coloring, LEGO‑building, story-time, clay sculpting, and a special kids-only cosplay contest.
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AVCon Community: meet creators, streamers, fans—this is where fandom comes together.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Arrive early—venue opens at 10 AM both days.
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Sessions and tournaments fill fast—check schedules online and book tournament spots early.
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Getting there: Accessible via bus/tram to Wayville railway station or Goodwood Road; on-site parking available.
Insider Tips:
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- Don’t miss the kids cosplay contest—all entries win a prize!
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Cosplayers should attend the Cosplay Photoshoot and competitive cosplay rounds.
- Save energy—take breaks in the Manga Library or Chill Zone during busy times.
Don’t miss this spectacular weekend of fandom magic—it’s all about cosplay, gaming battles, pop culture, creativity, and connecting with the community across two epic days!
🎨 Little Picassos School Holiday & Kids Art Camp
Let your mini artist run wild with colour at Little Picassos’ holiday camps! With guided workshops in painting, drawing, clay, and mixed media, kids will leave with a masterpiece (or three) and a huge smile.
Locations:
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- Glenelg Studio, 1/686 Anzac Hwy, Glenelg
- Hyde Park Studio, Rear of 330 Unley Road, Hyde Park
Date & Time: Monday 7 – Friday 18 July 2025
Ticket Information: Prices start from $35 per session, multi-hour and full-day camp options are higher.
Highlights:
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- Extensive range of art media: painting, printmaking, clay, sculpture, textiles, mixed media.
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Flexible lengths: 1–3 hours or half/full-day camps; supervision included during breaks if booking back-to-back sessions.
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Age-appropriate groupings: classes tailored for preschool, primary, and teens, ensuring developmentally suited activities.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Arrive a few minutes early to check-in and get set up.
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Bring a water bottle, wear old clothes (smocks provided), and be ready to get messy!
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Studios include Glenelg (near beach), Hyde Park (behind Riverlea Quilts), and Magill—all with nearby parking and public transport.
Insider Tips:
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- Book early; the July holiday program fills quickly once released (programs go live ~4–6 weeks prior).
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Plan back-to-back sessions to create a full-day art experience—supervision included between sessions.
- Great for budding Picassos—ideal for both exploratory creativity and more structured art learning in a fun, supportive group.
Don’t miss this inspiring school holiday escape! Bring little Picassos to Glenelg, Hyde Park, or Magill studios—where paint, texture, shape and imagination come alive in creative camps designed to paint, sculpt, express, and delight across two magical July weeks!
🍳 Homefresh School Holiday Fun Cooking Classes
These hands-on cooking classes make healthy food fun! Kids will learn kitchen skills, shop for fresh ingredients, and whip up delicious meals they’ll actually want to eat. Bonus: you might score a new little home chef.
Location: Port Adelaide Cooking School, Shop 47, Port Plaza, 200–220 Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide
Date & Time:
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- Mini Chef (4–8 yrs) – Tues 8, Wed 9, Thurs 10, Tues 15, Wed 16 July 2025 • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
- Future Chef (8–14 yrs) – Fri 11 & Fri 18 July 2025 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Ticket Information: Mini Chef: $47 for 1.5-hour class, Future Chef: $57 for 2-hour session.
Highlights:
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- Shop, cook, and eat healthy meals with a professional chef.
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Cook alongside peers in a supportive, hands-on environment.
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Fun apron, ingredients, and food are provided—no mess at home.
- Builds confidence, kitchen skills, and healthy eating habits.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Please arrive by 2:50 pm for Mini Chef or 2:45 pm for Future Chef to check in.
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Located inside Port Plaza, easily accessible via public transport; onsite parking available.
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Classes run weekdays only; parents can wait nearby or shop while kids cook.
Insider Tips:
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- Wear washable clothes—spills can happen! aprons are provided.
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Book quickly—sessions fill fast during school holidays.
- Great opportunity for parents to enjoy a quiet coffee or shop locally.
Don’t miss this delicious winter holiday treat at Port Adelaide—where young chefs shop, cook, and taste their own creations under expert guidance, and families enjoy peace of mind (and maybe a latte) while the kids whip up healthy kitchen fun!
🚂 Family Fun Fair at National Railway Museum
With working steam trains, fun rides, kids' entertainment, and hands-on exhibits, the National Railway Museum turns into a bustling fairground of railway fun. It’s a day out that’s equal parts history and hijinks.
Location: National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide
Dates & Time: Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 July 2025, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Ticket Information: Children (5–15 yrs): $10, Under 5s: Free
Highlights:
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- Unlimited train rides on miniature steam “Bub,” “Bill,” full-size steam locomotive “Peronne,” and historic Redhen railcars.
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Live entertainment: Cool 4 Kids singing & dancing, street theatre, accordion fun, Carnival Barrel Organ, and Dig‑a‑Dino pit for fossil-hunters.
- Wildlife tent featuring Aussie reptiles and native animals.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Arrive early to secure parking and pick up a museum map.
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Museum accessible via Port Dock train station and bus (#), with free on-site car parking (3-hour limit).
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All areas are wheelchair & stroller friendly, with accessible toilets, pram storage, and first aid facilities.
Insider Tips:
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- Pre-book online to avoid gate queues and secure family rates.
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Take public transport to avoid parking limits.
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Pack a picnic to enjoy on museum lawns or grab food from onsite vendors.
Don’t miss this locomotive-powered school-holiday spectacle! With roaring steam engines, playful dino digs, lively kids’ shows, and unlimited train rides, the Family Fun Fair promises a magical mix of childhood thrills and nostalgic charm at Port Adelaide’s historic railway museum.
🧱 BRIXPO
BRIXPO is a brick-builder’s dream with epic LEGO displays, play zones, building tables, and jaw-dropping models. From mini cityscapes to giant Star Wars ships, it’s brick-tastic fun for all ages.
Location: St Clair Recreation Centre, 109 Woodville Road, Woodville South SA
Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday, 5–6 July 2025
Ticket Information: Child (3–14): $12, Adult (15+): $17
Highlights:
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- 100+ fan‑built LEGO® displays across six full basketball courts.
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Interactive build zone, remote‑control car races, Minifig photo booth & Yellow BRIXPO Road passport activity—collect stamps to earn a free event kit.
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Great Ball Contraption and cosplay appearances, incl. LEGO® Masters guests.
- LEGO® marketplace with minifigs, rare sets, vendor stalls, plus onsite café & Shine Like Gold coffee truck.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Book a specific hourly entry slot; arrive ~10 min early for a smooth check‑in.
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Free onsite parking; Woodville Station is a short walk away; council car parks nearby.
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Fully wheelchair and pram accessible—venue includes ramps and accessible toilets.
Insider Tips:
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- Bring a printed or digital Yellow BRIXPO passport kit ($5.50)—it runs out fast.
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Visit early or during sensory sessions for a calmer experience.
- Families save with the $49 pass; Companion Card gets full access for carers.
Don’t miss this towering tribute to LEGO® imagination—builds, play zones, creative challenges, and coffee await at BRIXPO 2025. Whether you're a master builder or little dreamer, Bricks await at Woodville South’s coolest school‑holiday event!
💡 Lights at Mawson 2025
This dazzling light installation transforms Mawson Lakes into a glowing wonderland with colourful displays, music, and interactive zones. Bundle up, bring the fam, and stroll through a shimmering evening under the stars.
Location: Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes SA 5095
Date & Time: Friday, 11 July – Sunday, 13 July 2025,
Ticket Information: FREE, no bookings required.
Highlights:
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- Illuminated inflatable sculptures by artist Evelyn Roth and air-filled artists' installations.
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Sculptures on the lake—a stunning new on-water installation.
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Fairy garden, light maze, light-up foam sticks, model yacht displays, family games & more.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Arrive early (5 pm) to catch the first flame show and avoid crowds.
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Take public transport: Mawson Lakes station is just a short walk; on-street parking is limited.
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Local cafés, restaurants, coffee and donut vans stay open late—ideal for dinner before or after your stroll.
Insider Tips:
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- Capture the flame shows at 7:30 pm—it’s peak spectacle lighting the lake.
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Arrive early on Friday to experience the full evening program.
- Keep an eye out for LED spinning workshops—fun for all ages.
Don’t miss Lights at Mawson—a sparkling lakeside winter wonderland where immersive lights, live music, fiery lake shows, and family delight unite over three unforgettable nights this July!
🎶 Emma Memma’s Dance Island Party
Beloved by little ones everywhere, Emma Memma brings her colourful, inclusive world to life with music, AUSLAN, and joyful dancing. Catch her live in Adelaide or Mt Gambier—it's sensory-friendly, feel-good fun for every kiddo.
Locations:
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- Norwood Concert Hall, 175 The Parade, Norwood SA 5067
- Wehl Street Theatre, 7 Wehl St, Mount Gambier SA 5290
Date & Time:
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- Wed 9 July 2025 – Norwood Concert Hall: shows at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm & 2:30 pm
- Fri 11 July 2025 – Wehl St Theatre: sessions at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm & 2:30 pm
Highlights:
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- A colourful 45–50 minute immersive performance full of dancing, signing, singing, and interaction.
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Inclusive, bilingual (Auslan + English) presentation with Elvin Melvin joining Emma on stage.
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High‑energy songs from her ‘Dance Island Party’ album—great for singing and dancing along.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Arrive 30–45 minutes early to collect tickets and grab good seats (especially near the Auslan interpreter).
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Both venues are wheelchair- and pram-accessible, with nearby public transport and parking.
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Doors open ~30 minutes before showtime; Norwood also offers concessions via venue box office.
Insider Tips:
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- Book morning or midday sessions early—these fill quickly.
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Bring socks for little ones—some audience participation moments may feel more comfortable socked.
- The show’s upbeat energy makes it perfect for 2–7 year‑olds, but older siblings love it too.
Don’t miss this vibrant, inclusive, and joy-filled winter gig—Emma Memma’s Dance Island Party turns Norwood and Mt Gambier into tropical dance havens with bubbles, beats, signing, and smiles. It’s a family concert adventure you’ll all twirl away with!
🦁 Universal Kingdom: The Next Era
Step into a futuristic safari where animals and augmented reality collide! This brand-new immersive experience at Adelaide Zoo blends wildlife with tech to create a next-level zoo journey the whole family will love.
Location: Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road, Adelaide SA 5000
Date & Time: Thursday 3 – Sunday 20 July 2025, 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm or 7:30 pm
Ticket Information: General Admission: $36, Zoos SA Members: $31,Under 4: Free (booking required).
Highlights:
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- Life-sized dinosaur puppets including Triceratops, Pterodactyls, megaraptors, and towering T-Rex beneath glowing installations.
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Hands-on kids’ zone: pat baby dinos, race raptors, dig for fossils.
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Spectacular lighting and soundscapes, immersive environment by renowned artist studios.
Plan Your Visit:
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- Arrive 15 minutes early to settle in—gates open before each session.
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Entry strictly via booking; buy in advance as sessions do sell out.
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Access via buses (routes 271, 273) stopping at Frome Road, tram to South Terrace + 10‑min walk, or park in nearby UPark carparks.
Insider Tips:
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- Relaxed sessions are perfect for sensory-sensitive families—reserve early.
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Enjoy the zoo’s winter plantings and scenery—public zoo areas remain darkened, not open for animal viewing.
- Under-4s still need a free ticket—part of capacity planning.
Don’t miss this dazzling Jurassic adventure beneath the stars—Universal Kingdom: The Next Era transforms Adelaide Zoo into a luminous prehistoric realm, where puppets roam, lights dazzle, and families journey through Earth’s ancient wonders this July!
☀️ Quick Links
- Make a Scrappy Doll – Sewing for Beginners
- Illuminate Adelaide
- AVCon – Anime & Gaming Festival
- Little Picassos School Holiday & Kids Art Camp
- Homefresh School Holiday Fun Cooking Classes
- Family Fun Fair at National Railway Museum
- BRIXPO
- Lights at Mawson 2025
- Emma Memma’s Dance Island Party
- Universal Kingdom: The Next Era
💡 Pro Parent Tip: Bookmark this page, screenshot your faves, and get in early—these events sell out fast!
Need the perfect gift for the day out or the car ride home? 🛍️ Shop Young Bondi’s top picks