The sky is the stage at Illuminate Adelaide's one-night-only show

Illuminate Adelaide 2025 is the winter festival lighting up Australia – and this is the one show you can’t miss.

If you see just one thing at Illuminate Adelaide 2025 (one of the best events happening this July), make it Horizons . For one night only on Friday 18 July, Adelaide Oval will be transformed into a living, breathing canvas of light, sound and sky. Hundreds of synchronised drones will take flight, choreographed to a powerful soundtrack, dazzling laser effects and cinematic visuals.

Horizons at Illuminate Adelaide 2025 — Horizons is coming for one night only. (Image: Supplied)

It’s an epic retelling of 60,000 years of South Australian history, from the Kaurna people’s deep connection to Karrawirra Parri (River Torrens) to the oval’s evolution as a place for community, concerts and culture. It’s a bold, ambitious collision of tech and tradition created by some phenomenal visual storytellers: AGB Creative, KOJO and Illuminate’s own creative team.

This is Illuminate Adelaide’s most ambitious show yet, and the buzz is real – a second session was added due to overwhelming demand. Think Vivid-style spectacle meets Welcome to Country meets skybound art installation. If you’ve ever wanted to see storytelling light up the night sky, this is your moment.

But Horizons is just the beginning.

Universal Kingdom: The Next Era

Adelaide Zoo, 3–20 July

From the creators of Mirror Mirror and Light Cycles comes Universal Kingdom: The Next Era , an otherworldly light-and-sound experience that takes over The Light Room at ILA until 20 July. Expect immersive rooms, epic digital landscapes and a sensory adventure that blurs the lines between nature, humanity and technology.

Night Visions

Adelaide Botanic Garden, 2–20 July

After dark, the garden is reimagined into a glowing wonderland in Night Visions . Follow a two-kilometre path through laser tunnels, projection art and soundscapes designed by a team of world-class artists, including Robin Fox, Amelia Kosminsky and more.

This self-guided experience is perfect for families, date nights or solo wanderers. And for the ultimate treat, book the Botanic Lodge dinner package for a feast among the lights.

City Lights

Adelaide CBD, 4–20 July

The city becomes a glowing gallery with 40+ installations and performances lighting up the streets, buildings and laneways of Adelaide. Think giant luminous horses parading through Rundle Mall, interactive mirror tunnels, fibre-optic fungi and floating angels blessing you with light. It’s completely free and totally magical.

Base Camp + 10-Minute Dance Party

Lot Fourteen, 3–20 July

Base Camp at Illuminate Adelaide 2025 — Get cosy at Base Camp. (Image: Tyr Liang Xplorer Studio)

Back for another year, Base Camp is the cosy heart of the festival – a free-entry winter village filled with fire pits, live music, glowing art installations and top-tier food and drink from South Australian favourites.

But the real fun? Step into a shipping container for 10 minutes of full-blast dance floor energy at the 10-Minute Dance Party . It’s a music-fuelled hit of joy, created by Melbourne artist Jof O’Farrell and rotating DJs nightly.

Supersonic + Unsound + Kiasmos

Kiasmos Live at Illuminate Adelaide 2025 — Icelandic duo Kiasmos are performing. (Image: Maximilian König)

If music’s more your thing, Illuminate’s late-night scene is off the charts this year.

Unsound (11–12 July): A mind-bending festival of boundary-pushing international artists, including Velvet Underground legend John Cale.

Kiasmos (18 July): The Icelandic techno duo returns for a one-night-only “emotional rave" .

Supersonic (19 July): A 12-hour music takeover of the West End with 17 artists and DJ sets across seven venues.

Illuminate Adelaide 2025

Now in its fifth year, Illuminate Adelaide has cemented itself as Australia’s most underrated winter festival.

Whether you’re chasing drone magic in the sky, prehistoric giants at the zoo or a pop-up dance party inside a container, Illuminate delivers. But if you want the biggest wow-moment of them all? Look up. Horizons is calling.

Illuminate Adelaide runs until 20 July. Explore the full program and grab your tickets before they sell out.

This new, family-friendly Hamilton Island resort embraces life in the slow lane.

White sand beaches, gentle waves and getting on ‘island time’ have always made Hamilton Island the first spot that comes to mind when thinking of Queensland’s Whitsundays. Always a place to recharge and relax, modern wellness travel here means so much more than a spa treatment or green juice. And a new kind of tropical island stay has now arrived on Hamilton Island.

pool at The Sundays Hamilton Island — Learn to slow down and rejuvinate. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

The Sundays reimagines laid-back luxury, combining boutique, beachfront accommodation with an encouragement to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures so every day feels like Sunday.

Laid-back luxury

The Sundays is nestled into the picturesque gardens on the northern end of Catseye Beach. Despite a feeling of being away from it all, the resort is a conveniently short walk from Hamilton Island’s main resort centre and restaurants, so guests can have the best of both worlds.

This new boutique stay is all about savouring the now. From complimentary sunrise yoga to moonlight movies for kids and a daily sundae ritual by the beachside pool, it makes a compelling case for doing less, better.

Even the architecture is designed to harmonise with the surrounding tropical landscape, pairing soft curves with a grounded coastal style that shows off the panoramic Coral Sea views and adds to the hotel’s calm aesthetic.

Plus, with direct flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in under two and a half hours, as well as complimentary hotel transfers from the airport or marina, getting here is as easy as the vacation itself.

balcony view from room at The Sundays — Enjoy fantastic views from your balcony or terrace. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Perfectly designed rooms with amazing views

Every small detail has been considered in the creation of the 59 guest rooms and suites, from in-room amenities by LEIF to walls adorned with custom artworks by First Nations andHungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. There’s even a signature in-room scent by The Raconteur.

Designed by Hamilton Island’s own designer, Carrie Williams, the result is relaxed Australian style using natural textures and soft hues to lull guests into a mellow state. This soothing palette runs throughout the resort, from its sun lounges to the shaded cabanas.

Every room and suite has been built with a balcony or terrace, perfectly framing postcard-perfect views of the surrounding reef and lush greenery.

inside a room at The Sundays — Stylish rooms feature natural, soothing tones. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Excellent activities and amenities

Each day has been planned with a relaxed structure, so guests can get involved in as much or as little as they wish.

Greet each day with morning yoga, pilates and island walks. Recharge with daily (and deliciously complimentary) sundaes by the pool. Wind down with moonlight movies twice a week and take advantage of family-focused features.

Guests have complimentary access to a range of water sports – from stand-up paddle boards to catamarans – so they can get their blood pumping before relaxing by the resort pool.

Or take a few extra steps to set up for a day on the sand without any crowds at the exclusive, guest-only beach. Settle in with a poolside aperitif for a front-row view of the stunning Catseye Bay.

aerial shot of The Sundays pool and catseye beach — Find picturesque Catseye Beach on your doorstep. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Delectable dining

What is rejuvenation if not a hearty choice of fresh, delectable dishes? That’s what guests will discover at The Sundays’s onsite restaurant, Catseye Pool Club .

Open all day for hotel guests and lunch and dinner for island diners, this relaxed yet elevated menu was created by acclaimed culinary duo, Josh and Julie Niland. It celebrates that community feeling of mealtimes while championing seasonal Australian produce.

“The vision behind [Catseye Pool Club] reflects so much of what I value – bringing people together to create memories in beautiful surroundings,” explains Josh.

table spread including a lobster dish from Catseye Pool Club, The Sundays — Enjoy classic Aussie meals with a twist at Catseye Pool Club. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Based on elevated versions of classic Aussie family dinners, expect refined simplicity. Think roasted Sun Farms Sommerlad chicken with sides like chicken fat roast potatoes, gravy and tomato and grilled bread salad, or barbecued line-caught Bowen coral trout with garlic saltbush and Warrigal greens.

A day spent by the pool can be complemented by a dedicated poolside menu, featuring wood-fired souvas. Don’t want to leave the room? Kick back and soak in the views with tasty treats delivered straight to your door, whether you’re after a full breakfast or late night snack.

view from catseye pool club at The Sundays hamilton island — Enjoy dinner and a view. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Exploring the island

While daily life at The Sundays is very much about the art of staying still, guests who seek more can explore the island with ease.

Take a day trip to the striking Whitehaven Beach, or see the iconic Heart Reef from above on a helicopter tour. Pop over to Hamilton Island’s championship golf course for a hit, or explore over 12 kilometres of the island’s stunning nature and wildlife. Later, slow the pace back down with a visit to Spa wumurdaylin .

Looking for more tasty treats? Visit one of the island’s restaurants – there are more than 20 to choose from.

Hikers on passage peak hike on hamilton island — Take on the beautiful hikes of Hamilton Island. (Image: Nick Leary)

Book your stay at The Sundays through hamiltonisland.com.au.

The sky is the stage at Adelaide‘s epic one-night-only show