This weekend celebrate Australia's diverse cultures with the Australia Day Council's Aus Lights on the River or head to the Adelaide Festival Theatre for the final run of the hit musical Miss Saigon, sing along to ABBA's greatest hits, or enjoy a sip of riesling at the 2KW Bar and Restaurant.

Words Charlie Gilchrist

Australia Day celebrations

Vibrant celebrations of South Australia’s diversity will be held on Friday, as part of the Australia Day Council of SA’s Australia Day commemorations in Elder Park/Tantanya Wama. The Respecting Country Parade starts at 7pm at Adelaide Oval and will travel over the Torrens River Footbridge into Tarntanya Wama. The parade will involve more than 50 South Australian communities, highlighting the state’s wonderful diversity. The Australian Defence Force will also conduct a ceremony at the Torrens Parade Ground at 7pm, with a 21-gun salute and an Airforce flypast. If it’s afternoon entertainment you’re after, then from 4pm, kids are encouraged to learn about South Australia’s diverse aquatic environments at the marine-themed Aus Lights on the River, which will see the Elder Park rotunda transformed into an aquarium. This free event is suitable for all ages.

Capturing a wildlife

Explore the marvels of nature in the Bicentennial Conservatory as the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition as it takes over the Adelaide Botanic Garden. This exhibition shares stories and showcases species from around the world to encourage care and conservation of the planet. The photographs featured are taken by the world’s best wildlife photographers and capture animal behaviour across species to showcase the natural world’s diversity. On tour from the National History Museum in London, the exhibition is open daily from 10am to 4pm until Wednesday, January 31.

Hit musical has its final run

Get in quick and buy your tickets before hit West End/Broadway musical Miss Saigon has its final run at the Adelaide Festival Theatre on Saturday, February 3. Set in the backdrop of Saigon during the Vietnam War, Miss Saigon recounts the tragic love story of an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl. You can read more about Miss Saigon – including an interview with the creative duo behind the musical – in the latest January edition of SALIFE.

Dancing Queens

ABBA tribute act Björn Again will be bringing ABBA’s greatest hits to The Gov this January in their Thank ABBA for the Music 2024 tour. Singing everything from Dancing Queen to Mamma Mia, Super Trouper and Take a Chance on Me, this show is sure to delight ABBA fans. Björn Again have performed more than 7000 shows across the globe. In fact, they are regarded as one of the best ABBA tribute bands in the world, having been endorsed by actual members of ABBA. Björn Again will perform at The Gov on Friday, January 26.

Summer of Riesling at 2KW Bar

Popular Adelaide rooftop bar 2KW Bar and Restaurant will kick off its ‘Summer of Riesling’ event on Sunday, January 28 with ‘Rizza Revolution’, a ticketed event showcasing six South Australian wineries with wine tasting accompanied by canapés. Guests can also try a sip of the unique “Friesling” (Frozen Riesling) with DJs spinning all day. A final few tickets remain to join the fun – snap them up at 2kwbar.com.au.

For more ideas of what’s on around South Australia, pick up the January issue of SALIFE magazine.