Illuminate Adelaide lights up the city

A bigger and brighter Illuminate Adelaide is returning to the CBD from today.

Alongside event co-founders and creative directors Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge, the Government today launches the month-long event – a celebration of technology, light, art, and music.

More than 500,000 people are expected to venture into the city to experience 150 installations, performances, and events.

Taking place from 1 – 31 July, the second iteration of Illuminate Adelaide promises to entice locals, interstate and international visitors to the city as it brings the streets of Adelaide to a bright and intriguing light this winter.

The program includes a range of artists, standalone events and installations – including many Australian premieres and an Adelaide exclusive.

We welcome artists from all over the world to our city for the 2022 program, which will see the city come alive again in winter.

While there are numerous Australian premieres and Adelaide exclusives, we are equally proud to feature more than 20 local artists in the event.

The centrepieces of this year’s many immersive experiences include Istanbul-based visionaries Ouchhh Studio’s major exhibition, Wisdom of AI Light, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s ground-breaking band Gorillaz, the return of celebrated Montreal studio Moment Factory’s Light Cycles at the Botanic Gardens, the free city-wide centrepiece City Lights plus genre-defying music and visual series KLASSIK underground, and electronic music event Unsound.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said not only does Illuminate Adelaide celebrate the wonderful, cultural experiences the city is renowned for, it also showcases Adelaide’s appetite for innovation in the presentation of some of the world’s best immersive and technology-led events.

"We have a reputation for putting on world-class arts and cultural events, and this year’s Illuminate Adelaide is ticking all the boxes," he said.

"This is coming at a time when we have record CBD occupancy, and our city is outperforming the nation, so I’m excited to see this winter event continue to boost our hotels, cafes, pubs and restaurants."

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the return of Illuminate Adelaide – as with all events – is a shot in the arm for our tourism sector.

"It will be terrific to see our streets light up and for the city to take centre stage for all of July," she said.

"We’ll be seeing people get off their couches, grab a jacket and head into the city to explore this must-see event, and embrace outstanding entertainment."

Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels said Illuminate Adelaide is one of the most recent and exciting additions to South Australia’s festivals and events calendar.

"I love the fact that it brings together several different art forms and it’s an event that appeals to all ages," she said.

"Illuminate brings art and music out of venues and galleries into the streets making it so accessible and keeping the city energised after hours."

Co-founders and creative directors Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge said they are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of South Australians and visitors into the state, and into the city, to embrace a massive program of free and ticketed events across the month of July.

For program details, see illuminateadelaide.com.