Events and festivals play an essential role in the South Australian visitor economy. They are a great way to showcase the personality of a region, build community pride and social connections, and are important drivers of visitation and economic development.
Events and festivals are an area of strength for South Australia. They showcase our passion for arts and culture, live music, sport, and food and wine - and come in all shapes and sizes.
The South Australian Tourism Commission provides sponsorship to leisure events throughout the year through its funding programs, such as the Regional Event Fund and the Major Events Fund.
Fleurieu Food Festival
Funding Streams
Event organisers and businesses are invited to start planning to apply for the $400,000 Drought Relief Regional Event Fund to host events in South Australia’s drought-affected regions.
The Fund aims to provide financial support to events which will engage community, foster connection, drive visitation, and support resilience in regions hardest impacted by drought.
The Fund will allocate sponsorship from $25,000 to $75,000 per event provided as a single year agreement.
HOW TO APPLY
Refer to the Drought Relief Regional Event Fund Guidelines for eligibility criteria and application requirements.
Applications for the Drought Relief Regional Event Fund will open from 12pm, Tuesday, 1 July 2025 until 5pm, Thursday 24 July 2025.
Expressions of Interest, and all supporting documentation must be submitted via the online submission portal. The form will be accessible here once the portal is live from 12pm, Tuesday 1 July.
KEY DATES*:
- Open: 12pm, Tuesday, 1 July 2025
- Close: 5pm, Thursday 24 July 2025
- Eligible Event dates: events that occur in the next 12 months (before 30 June 2026) will be prioritised
- Funding decision: August 2025
*Dates and timings are subject to change at the discretion of the South Australian Tourism Commission
To keep up to date with Drought Relief Regional Event Fund announcements, please subscribe to our regular e-newsletter here.
For enquiries, please email [email protected].
The South Australian Tourism Commission's Regional Events Fund aims to strengthen the regional events calendar by encouraging the development of new and innovative regional events, grow existing events, and drive increased visitation and economic stimulus to the regional economy.
There are two categories in the Regional Event Fund:
Established Event Funding
Up to three years’ funding will be provided to events that can demonstrate a strong track record of growth and a strategy for event innovation. Successful applications to the Established Event category will receive from $20,000 up to $50,000 per year in financial support.
Development Event Funding
Up to three years’ funding will be provided to new and emerging events that can demonstrate potential for growth and development to become an annual addition to the event calendar. Successful applications to the Development Event funding will provide $5,000 up to $20,000 per year in financial support.
REGIONAL EVENT FUND 2025-26
How to apply
Applications for the Regional Event Fund 2025-26 are now closed.
The 2025-26 round of funding is applicable for events held between 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.
Key dates*:
- Opened: 12pm, Thursday 23 January 2025
- Closed: 5pm, Tuesday 18 March 2025
- Eligible Event dates: 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026
- Funding decision: mid 2025
*Dates and timings are subject to change at the discretion of the South Australian Tourism Commission
Previous recipients of the Regional Event Fund:
To keep up to date with Regional Event Fund announcements, please subscribe to our regular e-newsletter here.
For enquiries, please email [email protected].
The Major Events Fund has been set up by the South Australian Government to secure, support or develop new major events for the state.
Events South Australia takes a strategic approach to the development of the state’s event calendar by securing major one-off leisure events that generate tourism and promote South Australia as a destination of choice. This approach ensures there is a balance of activity across the year and that key venues, facilities and services are used.
South Australia has proudly supported a diverse range of events such as:
- AFL Gather Round: A Festival of Footy
- Ampol State of Origin
- Chihuly in the Botanic Garden
- Adelaide International
- British & Irish Lions Series
- LIV Golf Adelaide
- Rugby World Cup 2027
- WOMADelaide
- Adelaide Equestrian Festival
Please read our guidelines for detailed information about the application and sponsorship process.
The Major Events Fund supports events on a case-by-case basis. There is no open or close date for applications.
For more information contact the Acquisition and Development Team via [email protected].
Major Events
Major events are large-scale signature events that generate significant economic benefits for the state and align with wider government and strategic priorities. They are typically world class triggering interstate and international visitation to South Australia. Major events provide a strong media profile for the state often including a national and international broadcast. They will also provide a sustainable legacy for the state, offering additional opportunities to leverage or host other major events.
Examples of major events include: Harvest Rock, Adelaide International Tennis Tournament, LIV Gold Adelaide and AFL Gather Round: A Festival of Footy.
If your event is classified as 'major', please refer to the Major Events Fund guidelines for sponsorship opportunities.
Regional Events
Regional events are significant to their location and community providing a good economic return and boosting the profile of the region. They will attract local, intrastate and interstate visitors to the region. Regional events will generate good local and state-based media coverage and have the ability to attract national media attention.
Examples of regional events include: South Australian Living Artists Festival (SALA), Handpicked Festival, and Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend.
If your event is classified as 'regional', please refer to the Regional Event Fund.
Ineligible events
- Business events including industry and trade events
- Charity or fundraising activities
- Sporting, social or cultural club events, including for example team sponsorship, rallies, reunions, tours, open days, pageants, concerts, markets, anniversaries
- Special event celebrations such as Christmas, Australia Day or New Year’s Eve celebrations
- Cultural festivals that do not present a unique experience
- Familiarisations, individual projects, programs, or presentations
- Events that do not have relevant approvals or certification from key stakeholders such as national or international federations.
- Events that have previously failed to acquit a South Australian Tourism Commission grant.
Before applying for sponsorship, it’s important to consider the application criteria and whether the funding stream is appropriate for your event. A range of local, state and federal government bodies provide funding opportunities that may be more suitable for your needs. We’ve collated some key sources below:
- Business Events Adelaide – Support for bidding and hosting conventions in South Australia.
- GRANTassist - Grants and assistance for business and industry, communities, clubs or individuals.
- GrantsSA - For charitable, social welfare, multicultural, volunteer grants.
- Live Music Events Fund – For live music events and festivals.
- Local Council Grants – Search for your local council details and community grants available for a range of purposes.
Event Funding Support
Find out more about applying for funding under the Major Events Fund and the Regional Event Fund.