Illuminate Adelaide 2025 is set to transform the city this July with a spectacular program of free City Light installations, including some enchanting works from France and the Francophonie. From whimsical roving performances to glowing dreamscapes and interactive surprises, these international creations promise to spark wonder and curiosity in audiences of all ages. Three companies from France and Francophonie are coming to Adelaide for this year’s event. Read on to discover them.
All of the French and Francophone acts coming to Illuminate Adelaide 2025 are within the free City Lights program which sees Adelaide’s CBD transformed into a glowing wonderland.
FierS à Cheval by Compagnie des Quidams
Step into the magical world of FierS à Cheval for these special roaming performances by France’s Compagnie des Quidams! Quirky characters transform into majestic, luminous horses, leading us through a sparkling cavalcade of waltzes, tangos, storms, and jousts. A truly delightful and dream-like journey evoking wonder, emotion, and freedom before it all fades away.
moonGARDEN by Lucion, Canada
South Australian Museum Lawns
Featuring 19 giant spheres with glowing surprises to discover, moonGARDEN by Montreal’s Lucion is an invitation to dream. With a presentation of the installation focused on the Guardian of currents, a branch of maths that illustrates notions of sets and belonging, wander through this delightful interplay of light, shadow play, video and delight that creates a joyous fantasy world to get lost in.
Rundle Illuminations
Various Artists x Illuminate Adelaide
Rundle Street
Scattered throughout Adelaide’s iconic East End, Rundle Illuminations displays a collection of large-scale interactive installations, roving performances, and glowing light works.
Among them is LAPS by Quebec’s Olivier Landreville, where you control time by spinning the giant 7.8-feet hourglass wheel to watch the seconds tick by.
There will also be performances from roving giant inflatable horses FierS à Cheval by France’s Compagnie des Quidams (that we mentioned above) .
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Whether you’re drawn to surreal roaming performances, enchanted by glowing spheres, or intrigued by a hands-on time machine, the French and Francophone contributions to Illuminate Adelaide 2025 promise unforgettable moments, and all without costing a cent. Don’t miss your chance to wander, watch, and wonder under the winter night sky.
KEY INFO FOR ILLUMINATE ADEALAIDE 2025
WHAT: Illuminate Adelaide 2025
WHERE: Various locations across the Adelaide CBD
WHEN: Illuminate Adelaide 2025 is on from 2- 20 July. The City Lights program (which all of these installations are part of) is on nightly from 5:30pm from 4-20 July
HOW: The installations above are free so there are no tickets needed, just go
HOW MUCH: The installations above are free.
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For events with links to France and the Francophonie happening in May, check out our What’s on in May
If you’re interested in winter festivals and events, check out these articles too:
Dark Mofo 2025 showcases French and Francophone artists with ghost notes and glowing sand
Fondue Chalet follows in the delicious footsteps of the Raclette Igloo in Melbourne
