SA History Festival brings the State’s past to life
With over 500 events all over the State, from museum talks to walking tours and special events, you can explore the places, stories, and collections that have shaped our incredible state.
This year’s SA History Festival explores the idea of ‘power’ in all its forms. And there’s nothing more powerful than opening up the minds of our littlest history seekers, and discovering how things used to be.
Here’s just a taste of some family-friendly events in store for Regional South Australia across the SA History Festival 2024.
Step Back in Time at Loxton Historical Village
Explore over 45 fascinating displays that bring the triumphs and challenges of South Australia’s pioneering past to life.
Kids can see vintage machinery and vehicles that shaped the land, try their hand at cursive writing at the old school house and climb aboard a real steam engine.
For some old-fashioned fun, play a game of marbles, hopscotch, or try your hand at a horseshoe toss.
The village is disability-friendly and welcomes your furry companions too.
When: Every Tuesday – Sunday in May, 10am-4pm
Where: Loxton Historical Village, Allen Hosking Drive
Cost: Adult $12, Child $6, Family $30, Concession $10
Head to Yankalilla to try some old School Yard Games
Kids can experience games like Knuckle Bones, Cat’s Cradle, and Elastics. There will even be old-fashioned running races in the afternoon.
Pack a picnic or grab some food from the vendors on site. A fun day out that the whole family will enjoy.
When: Sunday May 19, 11am-3pm
Where: Yankalilla Showgrounds
Cost: Free
Take a Trip Back in Time at Stansbury
Stansbury is set for a fun-filled day celebrating the amazing skills and crafts of early settlers from the 1800s.
Watch a blacksmith swing a hammer, a roper spin a lasso, and a lacemaker create intricate patterns. There will be tons of other artisans showing off their amazing talents too.
Plus, check out a collection of historical artifacts to get a glimpse of what life was like.
There will even be a small selection of handmade crafts available to buy and to keep your little explorers fuelled up, there’ll be delicious food vans on site serving lunch and snacks.
When: Saturday May 11, 10am-4pm
Where: Stansbury Caravan Park
Cost: Free
Chaffey Theatre Turns 40
Celebrate 40 years of bringing the arts to life at Chaffey’s Open Day as part of SA History Festival.
Take a guided tour and peek behind the curtain and the history of Chaffey Theatre. Enjoy a free community film screening and browse art and craft stalls to find your next masterpiece. Live music and roving entertainment will keep everyone entertained, while the kids get creative with face painting. And of course, what’s a birthday celebration without a free sausage sizzle?
Don’t miss this chance to celebrate Renmark’s beloved local treasure. If only those walls could talk!
When: Sunday May 19, 10am-2:30pm
Where: Chaffey Theatre, Seventeenth St, Renmark
Cost: Free
Birdwood Farm Day and Motor Museum
Get a taste of Hills living at Birdwood Primary School’s Farm Day. See animal exhibits, milking demonstrations, sheep shearing plus sheep and dog mustering.
Held at the National Motor Museum tickets include entry to the museum where you’ll get a glimpse into South Australia’s motoring history, including Holden’s finest and most important machines all under one roof!
You’ll also get a chance to see what the inside of a mechanic’s workshop looked like in the 1920’s.
Where: National Motor Museum, Birdwood
When: Sunday May 19, 10am-4pm
Cost: Adult $20
Family History Uncovered
May’s History Festival is the perfect time to dig deeper into your own family’s past and preserve history for generations to come. And the guru’s at the Port Lincoln History Group is offering one-on-one training sessions to get you started.
You’ll learn to navigate Trove, Ancestry, National Archives, and more! They’ll even show you how to find burials and lost relatives.
The best part is, that you can book as many sessions as you want!
When: May 20 – 26
Where: History Centre Settlers Cottage in Flinders Park
Cost: Free
To find out more about what’s on near you during the SA History Festival, click here.
