This weekend, the Tour Down Under returns for its 23rd year, the Adelaide International tennis championship arrives at the Drive and Alice in Wonderland graces the stage of Her Majesty's Theatre.

Words Charlie Gilchrist

Riding away

The Santos Tour Down Under returns to South Australian streets this January as the opening event of the UCI World Tour. First held in 1999 and now in its 23^rd year, the Tour Down Under boasts the status of being the largest cycling event in the southern hemisphere. The 10-day race brings together the world’s best cycling teams and riders for a tour of the streets of Adelaide and regional South Australia. The TDU is also home to the Festival of Cycling, with a range of events for kids and adults, including street parties and live music. The City of Adelaide Tour Village will set up in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, where the public can mingle with their favourite riders and listen to daily panel discussions with experts. The action runs from January 12 to 21.

Tennis at the Drive

The Adelaide International tennis tournament returns to Memorial Drive from January 8 to 13. The world-class tennis action at The Drive will feature 170 top tennis players, competing for a total prize pool of $2.5 million, along with world ranking points. Homegrown hero 2022’s Adelaide International champion, Thanasi Kokkinakis, is set to return, with the 27-year-old saying he was thrilled to be back. “Playing centre court at The Drive with a home crowd cheering me on is what gives me the extra motivation and legs to keep going,” Thanasi says. Other confirmed players include three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber, Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović and 21-year-old former Junior World No. 1, Lorenzo Musetti from Italy, who broke into the Top 20 in 2023.

Off to Wonderland

Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic Alice in Wonderland will grace the stage of Her Majesty’s Theatre on January 12 and 13. Brought to life with spectacular costuming and puppetry, the performance features some 20 actors portraying the beloved children’s characters in this production. Meet the White Rabbit, the eccentric Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and the wicked Queen of Hearts … and of course, Alice. Alice in Wonderland is adapted by Penny Farrow and produced by Broadway Haus in Association with Bonnie Lythgoe Productions.

Blitz Golf Championship

The final stage of the Blitz Golf Championship will take place at North Adelaide Golf Club on Friday, 19 January in the fifth season that takes place across Australia. Dubbed the ‘T20 of Golf’, this tournament brings together golf professionals and celebrities, including Port Adelaide Footballers Zak Butters and Ryan Burton, as well as Triple M’s Andrew Jarman. In this short format competition over three hours, there are just 10 holes over three progressively shorter rounds as participants are eliminated. The tournament will include live music, food trucks and bars, while 20 lucky fans will have the chance to win $100,000 in a hole-in-one shootout. This event takes place from 4pm to 7.30pm with free general admission, as well as exclusive packages.

I scream for ice cream

The Glenelg Ice Cream Festival is returning to Jetty Road this Friday, January 12 for a one-day festival expected to attract up to 30,000 ice cream lovers. This year’s expanded ice cream village will feature some of the state’s top ice creameries, including Barossa Valley Ice Cream Company, Freeze and Roll – Thai Fried Ice Cream, Sassi, Gelato Bello, Natura Ice Cream, St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream & Desserts, and Hello Filo Halo. There will also be live music, a fashion parade and an array of kids’ entertainment, such as craft activities, a silent disco, face painting, hair braiding and a scavenger hunt competition to win a $100 Jetty Road voucher. The free festival takes place from 4pm-10pm.