This weekend, head to the Dunstan Playhouse for The Gruffalo's Child, or enjoy opera's greatest hits at the Cremorne Hotel in Unley.

Words Charlie Gilchrist

The Old Masters

The cultural flourishing of the Rennaissance is usually associated with Italy and its masters Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. This July, the Art Gallery of South Australia will bring into focus the lesser-known Northern and English Renaissance in its Reimagining the Renaissance exhibition. The free exhibition runs from July 20 until April 13, 2025, and features 140 works from the likes of Albrecht Dürer, Pieter Breughel II, Hans Holbein and Benvenuto Tissi.

The Gruffalo returns

Following the success of The Gruffalo, the fictional monster returns to the Dunstan Playhouse for The Gruffalo’s Child from July 19 to 21. This West End production recounts the story of the Gruffalo’s child, who refuses to heed his father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and ventures into the deep dark wood at night. Adapted from the much-loved 2004 book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, this family-friendly musical features physical theatre, music and puppetry.

Opera in the pub

This winter, State Opera South Australia is bringing its Opera in the Pub series to pubs around Adelaide. Head to the Cremorne Hotel in Unley this Sunday, July 21 and enjoy a schnitty and cold beer as you listen to this cabaret-style performance of opera’s “greatest hits”. The free performances will feature Adelaide-based soprano Jessica Mills and pianist Josh van Konkelenberg.

Lights down for 2024

This weekend is your last chance to experience Illuminate Adelaide as it prepares to turn the lights down for 2024. Now in its fourth iteration, Illuminate features 150 local, national and international artists in major and ticketed events, music performances and free light shows. Highlights include Fire Gardens at the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights at Adelaide Zoo, the Storytellers gin bar in the State Library’s Morlock Chamber, and the free City Lights installations across the city. Illuminate Adelaide wraps up on Sunday, July 21.

Have a sweet time

Grote Street’s Shibui dessert bar takes over Rundle Mall’s Gawler Place Canopy this weekend, bringing shoppers their signature sweet treats until August 18. Try Shibui’s iconic hot mochi doughnuts, creamy vanilla and chocolate soft serve and Insta-worthy hot chocolates topped with fluffy toasted marshmallows. Then, every Friday night, Gawler Place will be transformed with DJs and acoustic musicians and a rotating calendar of other activations including the Glitter Bar, mulled wine and toasted Charlesworth Nuts.