What's On in the Adelaide Hills This Weekend: 5-6 September 2026

Two things are happening at once this weekend. Sunday is Father's Day, so half the Hills has put on a roast. And the Royal Adelaide Show opens Saturday, which means every family in Adelaide is choosing between a paddock and sideshow alley.

Every Father's Day event below is on Sunday 6 September. Here's what we'd actually go to.

Music under the gums at Norton Summit

Sinclair's Gully, 288 Colonial Drive, Norton Summit. Sunday, doors 12.30pm, music 1-3pm. $15.

This one is five minutes from our front gate, so we're biased. Hannah Margaret plays an acoustic set under the candlebark gums: Fleetwood Mac, The Cranberries, Paul Kelly, The Church, Coldplay, plus a few originals.

Fifteen dollars is remarkable value for a two-hour live set. Bring a picnic and your own glasses; there's no food at the venue and wine glasses are $5 if you forget. Strictly no BYO alcohol, but wine, beer and soft drink are for sale. Every online booking gets an allocated table and chairs, and there's a marquee if the weather turns.

Bookings through TryBooking, or email sinclairsgully@gmail.com. Phone 0409 691 995.

Father's Day lunches

The Great Hills Roast, Ambleside Distillers, 1 Ambleside Road, Hahndorf. From 11am. Four courses around slow-roasted lamb shoulder with proper gravy, double-cooked crispy potatoes, maple-glazed carrots, buttered parsnips, minted peas and housemade Yorkshire pudding. Sticky date pudding with vanilla ice cream and butterscotch to finish. It sold out last year, so book early. distillery@amblesidedistillers.com, 0408 834 010.

Glen Ewin Estate, 43 Lower Hermitage Road, Houghton. $81 adult, $30 child (4-12). Shared entree and main, individually served dessert. Slow-roasted SA lamb leg or deboned whole chicken with chimichurri, roast local vegetables, and a fig tiramisu that makes sense once you know Glen Ewin's history with figs. Live acoustic music, and a beer for Dad on arrival. Book through Tickettailor, or call 8380 5657.

Simon Tolley Cellar Door, 278 Bird in Hand Road, Woodside. Two sittings: 11am-1.30pm and 2-5pm. Vineyard views, Prancing Pony beer, and cornhole on the lawn. Baltic Food Truck are doing German-inspired food: hot dogs, cheesy toasties, and chips with their German sausages. Dogs welcome. Pre-book a wine tasting and a platter for arrival. Bookings essential: info@simontolley.com.au, 8389 9407.

Classic Motor Studio, 5 Follett Close, Totness. From 12pm. $85 adult, $35 child. Mediterranean three-course shared platter lunch cooked over charcoal, live music, surrounded by a collection of classic cars and bikes. If your dad's idea of a good time involves an engine, this is the one. kerrie@cmstudio.com.au, 0407 788 296.

Cobb's Hill Estate, 382 Swamp Rd, Oakbank. From 11am. Two formats. The Terrace Restaurant does a shared set menu at $95 adult, $40 child (4-12), across two sittings. Or the Garden Pinsa and Platter at $60 adult, $30 child (12 and under): shared meze, wood-fired pinsas and garden salad outdoors, moving to the Pavilion Marquee if it rains.

bookings@cobbshillestate.com.au.

The Royal Adelaide Show opens Saturday

Nine days from Saturday 5 September, gates 9am, out at Wayville. New rides this year include Warrior at 55 metres, Lunarix and VOID, with the Human Cannonball and Hot Wheels in the Main Arena.

If the budget's tight: there are over 100 free activities once you're inside the gates. The showbag pavilion is the expensive part, and it's technically optional, though good luck explaining that to a nine-year-old.

Markets

Adelaide Hills Farmers Market, Mann Street, Mount Barker, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm. First Saturday of the month, so the artisan stalls are on alongside the usual growers.

Uraidla Market, Sunday 10am-3pm. Note the temporary move: it's in the church next to the Institute while the Institute gets a facelift.

No Stirling Market this weekend. That's the fourth Sunday.

Making a weekend of it

The Hills are a much better proposition when you don't have to drive home afterwards. Funday Farm sleeps 14 at Norton Summit, exclusive use, with a heated pool, a games shed and a bouncy castle that has never once needed explaining to a child.

Sinclair's Gully is five minutes away. Hahndorf and Woodside are twenty. The Show is a straight run down the freeway.

Book direct at fundayfarm.com.au

Details confirmed Friday 4 September. Times and bookings change, so check with the venue before you drive.

www.fundayfarm.com.au