by Carla Caruso

It’s that time again. The Illuminate Adelaide festival, in its third year, is lighting up the city and encouraging us off the couch on a winter evening.

While some things about the fest – encompassing “art, light, music and technology” – remain the same, there are a few notable changes.

The former Light Cycles Bar at the end of the Adelaide Botanic Garden’s Illuminate event is no longer.

This is because Frome Park / Nellie Raminyemmerin Park is now a building site for Adelaide Botanic High School. (The small park was once also well-used during the music and arts festival, WOMADelaide.)

*Last year’s Light Cycles Bar is no longer. Photo: Play & Go.*

Also, instead of the Botanic Garden (Park 11) holding the Light Cycles event again – a sell-out hit – it now has a new ticketed experience, Resonate. A refreshened night-time trail weaves through the garden’s grounds, incorporating six new installations. Entry is now via the Botanic Garden’s North Terrace gate.

Adelaide ‘winter village’ Base Camp also has a new look and location. It’s shifted this year from Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga to Rundle Park / Kadlitpina (Park 13). Firepits and food and drink options abound, though there’s no outdoor ice-skating rink this time.

*The new-look Base Camp village in Park 13. Photo: Experience Adelaide.*

Meanwhile, the ticketed event, Light Creatures, is back at the Adelaide Zoo (Park 11), with a few new installations. While there, kids can also play on the well-lit playground and catch a glimpse of the Sumatran tiger mum and her cubs as they slumber.

*New golden falcon installation at ‘Light Creatures’ at the Adelaide Zoo (Park 11). Photo: James Elsby.*

*Never wake a sleeping tiger … Sumatran tiger mum and cub on show during ‘Light Creatures’ at the zoo. Photo: James Elsby.*

As well, the Illuminate program features free events, such as the City Lights trail. This lights up cultural institutions and heritage architecture across the north, east and west precincts.

Want more on the month-long festival? Check out our July ‘what’s on’ guide – and shake off the winter blues!