🍂 Adelaide Hills What's On | Dec 3 - 9

Hello everyone, first things first, a big thanks to everyone who had a laugh with me over last week’s little typo. Leaving the “r” out of “Pantry” gave my update a whole new meaning! It took a few of your emails before I realised why everyone was giggling... classic me. Queen of typos, crown and all. 👑

Now for the fun stuff. The team behind the Adelaide Hills Garden Affair have just opened early-bird tickets, and if you’ve got a green-thumbed friend or plant-loving loved one, this could be the Christmas gift that keeps on growing.

And... drumroll please! I’ve got some exciting news of my own. The hand-illustrated Roadside Stalls map I’ve been quietly working on is finally ready. You asked for a tote, a print and a tea towel, so I made all three. Pick your favourite or grab the lot.

Alright, let’s dive in.

If you’re part of the Adelaide Hills Roadside Stalls community, you already know how much we love discovering local stalls and supporting the makers, growers and flower bunchers who make the Hills so special. Google Maps is handy, sure, but I wanted something that actually feels like the stalls themselves; a little slice of the Hills you can hold, hang or gift.

South Australian illustrator Chris Edser, who grew up in Summertown, completely understood the vision. His artwork captures everything we adore about the stalls: honesty boxes, jars of jam, buckets of blooms, baskets of fruit and those quiet backroads where time seems to slow down.

Look closer and you’ll spot all kinds of Hills magic woven in. Local birds like the Adelaide Rosella, Grey Fantail and Eastern Spinebill. A gum tree inspired by one near Kids of the Glen Corner Store. Landmarks including the Big Rocking Horse at Gumeracha, Mount Lofty towers, the reservoir near Gorge Road, Greenhill Road winding up from the city, the pines and mushrooms at Kuitpo and a sweet little church from Strathalbyn. Every detail feels like home.

This hand-illustrated artwork isn’t just a map; it’s a keepsake. A love letter to the places we explore and the stalls we return to. You can grab it as a tea towel, tote bag or A3 print, all printed on beautiful stock and ready for your next Hills adventure. Perfect for gifting, displaying or keeping in the glovebox for those spontaneous roadside finds.

They’re available now, just in time for your holiday adventures. Go take a peek!

If you’re already wondering what to get that friend or relative who loves nothing more than pottering in the garden, here’s a beautiful idea that’s right here in the Hills.

The Adelaide Hills Garden Affair is back next autumn, and early-bird tickets are on sale now until the end of January. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for that green-thumbed friend or family member, and something lovely to look forward to once the tinsel is packed away and the leaves start to turn again.

You couldn’t pick a prettier spot than Stangate House in Aldgate. By May, the gardens are glowing with soft autumn colour and that calm, gentle charm that makes you want to stay all afternoon. Think stalls full of plants and garden treasures, delicious food, friendly growers to chat with and a few “I definitely don’t need this, but I’m buying it anyway” moments.

Next year’s event will be bigger than ever, with stalls spilling out onto Euston Road, more food and an expanded Inspiration Hub filled with clever ideas for gardening in a changing climate. And to top it off, beloved gardening guru Sophie Thomson will be there, sharing her trademark mix of warmth, humour and practical know-how. She has that magic way of making me believe our scruffy veggie patch is something special.

If you love giving gifts that aren’t just “things,” this one’s a winner. A day outdoors, surrounded by gardens, good food and good people, all the best bits of the Hills in one place. Early-bird tickets are available get yours here.

🛍️ Mount Pleasant market
| MARKET | Mount Pleasant
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Browse fresh local produce and handmade goods at this warm and community-driven weekly farmers market. INFO

🌽 Adelaide Hills Farmers Market
| MARKET  | 23 Mann Street, Mount Barker
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Meet local growers and makers while enjoying fresh seasonal produce and a warm community atmosphere. INFO

🛍️ Mylor Market
| MARKET | Mylor Oval, Mylor
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Wander this friendly community market and explore plants, handmade goodies, fresh produce, and unique local crafts. INFO

🎄 Mount Torrens Xmas Market
| MARKET | Mt Torrens Oval, Mount Torrens
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Enjoy festive vibes and discover handmade gifts, treats, and local stalls at this cheerful community Christmas market. INFO

🛍️ Uraidla Market
| MARKET | Uraidla Institute, Uraidla
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Discover a lively community market filled with local produce, crafts, art, plants, and handmade goods from Hills makers and growers. INFO

🧠 Quiz Nights
| COMMUNITY | Prancing Pony Brewery, Totness
📅 Wednesday, 3 December | From 7:00 PM
Join for two hours of quirky, fun, and free trivia with prizes, hosted by Quiz Meisters at the lively Prancing Pony Brewery. INFO

🍲 Lunch at The Hut: Community Lunch
| COMMUNITY | The Hut Community Centre, Aldgate
📅 Wednesday, 3 December | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Connect with your local Hills community over a delicious two-course home-cooked meal for just $5, served with warmth and good company. INFO

🍓 A Taste Of Beerenberg
| FOOD & WINE | Beerenberg Farm, Hahndorf
📅 Wednesday, 3 December | 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Enjoy a seasonal grazing platter, local wine, scones, ice cream, and a tasting of Beerenberg’s products, including sneak peeks of new creations. INFO

🍷 Pinot In Private
| FOOD & WINE | Ashton Hills, Ashton
📅 Wednesday, 3 – Thursday, 4 December | All day
Enjoy an exclusive tasting with winemaker Liam Van Pelt, exploring Ashton Hills’ pinot noirs, barrel selections, and cellar treasures paired with a sharing platter. INFONFO

🌸 SustainHer Women December Lunch
| FOOD & WINE | Grünthal Brew, Verdun
📅 Thursday, 4 December | 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Celebrate the year with a shared grazing lunch, a Pretty in Pink cocktail or mocktail, and meaningful connection with inspiring women. INFO

☕ Monthly Death Cafe at the Farm
| COMMUNITY | The Farm for Wellbeing, Flaxley
📅 Friday, 5 December | 10:00 AM –  12:00 PM
Join a welcoming group discussion over tea and cake to explore death and end-of-life topics in a safe and open space. INFO

🎨 Blanc Canvas Sip n Paint
| ART | Great Eastern Hotel, Littlehampton
📅 Friday, 5 December | 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of painting, laughter, and a welcome drink as you create your own artwork guided by artist Jessica Lynn. INFO

🎄 St Nicholas Comes To Hahndorf
| FAMILY | St Paul's Lutheran Church, Hahndorf
📅 Friday, 5 December | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Welcome St Nicholas with crafts, a parade, carols, free treats, and joyful community celebrations for all ages. INFO

🍃 Nature Based Wellbeing: The Nature of Play
| WELLBEING | Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Crafers
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Explore creativity and mindfulness through playful nature journaling, art-making, and reflection in a peaceful garden setting. INFO

🌮 Mexican Food Fiesta
| WORKSHOP | Stirling
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 10:00 AM –  2:00 PM
Learn to cook authentic Mexican dishes from scratch in this hands-on class featuring tortillas, tacos, prawns, mole, and dessert. INFO

🍷 DAOSA X CIELO – A Very Sparkling High Tea
| FOOD & WINE | Tapanappa Cellar Door, Piccadilly
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Indulge in a luxurious high tea by Cielo paired with DAOSA sparkling wines, set against the stunning backdrop of the Tiers Vineyard in Piccadilly Valley. INFO

🍵 Introduction to Kitchen Herbalism
| WORKSHOP | Norton Summit
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Learn beginner-friendly techniques for making teas and infusions from everyday herbs with Malcolm from Ligaya Garden. INFO

🎭 Play Every Day End Of Year Showcase
| ARTS & CULTURE | Cornerstone College, Mount Barker
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM
Celebrate a joyful end-of-year performance as Play Every Day’s young creators share scenes full of imagination and community spirit. INFO

🌸 Nature Based Wellbeing: Mindfulness in the Gardens
| WELLBEING | Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Crafers
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Relax and reconnect with nature through a mindful garden experience designed to calm the senses and restore wellbeing. INFO

🎄 Mount Barker Carols and Fireworks 2025
| FAMILY | Summit Sport and Recreation Park, Mount Barker
📅 Saturday, 6 December 2025 | From 5:00 PM
Enjoy a free family-friendly evening of carols, festive activities, live entertainment, and a fireworks finale at Mount Barker INFO

🎄 Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade and Street Party
| COMMUNITY | Talunga Park to Soldiers Memorial Hall, Mount Pleasant
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Enjoy a festive evening as the Mount Pleasant community comes together for a lively parade, market stalls, family activities, and a visit from Santa. INFO

🍲 Thai Feast
| FOOD & WINE | Stirling
📅 Saturday, 6 December | 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Delight in a hands-on Thai cooking class with Chef Yukiko Anschutz, creating dishes like wonton dumplings, yellow chicken curry, and crispy fish salad. INFO

🥳 7 Years of Lot.100
| FOOD & WINE | Hay Valley, Hay Valley
📅  Sunday, 7 December | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Celebrate Lot.100’s 7th birthday with live music, lawn games, and a special tasting paddle featuring local producers. INFO

🎉 Gorge Wildlife Park Celebrating 60 years
| FAMILY | Gorge Wildlife Park, Cuddle Creek
📅 Sunday, 7 December | Time Varies
Join Gorge Wildlife Park for a fun-filled day of keeper talks, animal feeds, kids’ activities, and more as they celebrate 60 amazing years. INFO

🎄A Little Australian 12 Days of Christmas Story Hour
| FAMILY | Steamroller Park, Stirling
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 10:00 AM – 11:00  AM
Join Zinia King for a joyful Australian-themed Christmas story hour and sing-along perfect for little ones and families INFO

🎁 Christmas Raffle 2025
| COMMUNITY | Stirling Oval, Stirling
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Try your luck in this community Christmas raffle with great prizes drawn at the Stirling Christmas Pageant and Fair. INFO

🎪 Stall Registration Stirling Community Christmas Pageant 2025
| COMMUNITY | Stirling Oval, Stirling
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Register now to secure your market or food stall at the Stirling Community Christmas Pageant, Fair and Market, a festive day of family fun, live music, and shopping. INFO

🎅 Stirling Community Christmas Pageant and Fair
| FAMILY | Petaluma Cellar Door, Woodside
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Enjoy a festive parade, live music, rides, crafts, and delicious food in a fun-filled family day celebrating 'Christmas on the Farm'. INFO

📚 Ukaria Constellation Workshop
| WORKSHOP | Mount Barker Summit
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Join facilitator Matthew Ritson for a Systemic Constellations Workshop exploring personal and nature constellations in a reflective, community-based setting. INFO

🎵 Sacred Sounds in the Hills – Sound Journey
| WELLNESS | Mount Barker
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Immerse yourself in a deeply restorative sound bath led by Chris from Harmonic Essence, designed to relax, heal, and rejuvenate body and mind. INFO

🥢 Vegan Japanese
| FOOD & WINE | Stirling
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Create a variety of plant-based Japanese dishes, from gyoza to matcha cream caramel, in a hands-on class with Ex-Shiki Chef Yukiko Anschutz. INFO

🎄 Carols on the Lawn
| COMMUNITY | Stirling Coventry Library, Stirling
📅 Sunday, 7 December | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Enjoy an enchanting evening of festive carols, family fun, and treats on the library lawns, and bring your friends and singing voices. INFO

🎄 Embossed Metal Christmas Decorations
|  ART | Gumeracha
📅 Tuesday, 9 December | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Create beautiful and sustainable embossed metal Christmas decorations with artist Rebecca Prince in a fun and festive community workshop. INFO

🎄 Woodside Christmas Parade and Fireworks Show
| COMMUNITY | Woodside
📅 Thursday, 11 December | 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Celebrate the season in Woodside with a festive parade, fireworks, and a call for local groups to join the fun with their own floats. INFO

🎶 Select Music Presents: FELIPE BALDOMIR
| MUSIC | Norton Summit
📅 Thursday, 11 December | 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Experience an evening of coastal indie-folk with live looping, storytelling, and groovy instrumentals as Felipe Baldomir performs at the Scenic Hotel. INFO

🎄 Hahndorf Christmas Village
| FAMILY | Hahndorf
📅 Friday, 12 – Sunday, 14 December | All Day
Immerse yourself in a transformative women’s weekend of ritual, drum-making, movement, and sisterhood designed to restore, reconnect, and empower. INFO

🥘Essential Spanish
|  FOOD & WINE | Stirling
📅 Saturday, 13 December | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Learn to cook vibrant Spanish dishes from garlic prawns to lamb skewers with chef Matias in a hands-on culinary journey. INFO

🎄 Native Botanical Christmas Wreath Workshop
| WORKSHOP | Petaluma Cellar Door, Woodside
📅 Sunday, 14 December | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Craft your own festive Christmas wreath with seasonal botanicals while enjoying a glass of Croser sparkling wine in a scenic vineyard setting. INFO

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the traditional custodians of our land. We recognise Peramangk and Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the place where the content in this newsletter is featured and where the newsletter is created. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future and

to the cultural authority of First Nations Peoples from other areas of this country.