OzAsia Festival, Australia’s leading contemporary arts festival highlighting Asian influences, is happening in Adelaide from 24 October to 10 November 2024. This celebration over three weeks in spring each year, captures the best in theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, cuisine and cultural events.

Part of the festival includes a free, colourful four day event, the Moon Lantern Trail and the tasty hub of the festival, which is the Lucky Dumpling Market. Both of these events can be found either side of the River Torrens in the city.

The Moon Lantern Trail celebrates harvest festival traditions across Asia and transforms to a wonder of light and sound at night. Set on the riverbank of Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens, more than a dozen giant lanterns light up the river and you can wander through Tarntanya Wama / Pinky Flat with lanterns lighting the way to enjoy this spectacle.

Many of the lanterns feature parts of Asian culture with pandas, a white tiger, cat, rabbit and dragons as well as lotus flowers and other symbols.

On the Elder Park side of the Torrens, you’ll find the Lucky Dumpling Market which resembles a bustling Asian open air food market. Here you have the choices of cuisine from Korea, Vietnam, India, the Phillipines, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Taiwan and more. There are also drink outlets and bars to take a break and enjoy the city river and lights.

The Moon Lantern Festival is suitable for all ages, is wheelchair accessible and free but bring a card only, for all the delectable food you’re going to want to try at the Lucky Dumpling Market. The aromas are incredible and the food tastes as good as it looks. Don’t leave without trying a serve of dumplings and I can highly recommend the bao buns.

The Moon Lantern Trail is only on from Thursday 24 October to Sunday 27 October, and opening times are on the Thursday and Friday from 5pm until late and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon until late. The Lucky Dumpling Market is open from 4.30pm until late, Tuesdays to Fridays and from 12 noon until late Saturdays and Sundays (it’s closed on Mondays).

 We visited on the Thursday opening night and stayed at the Adelaide Showground Caravan Park, which costs $69 per night and is conveniently located with public transport practically on the doorstep. It’s just a three stop tram ride into the city.

If you plan on visiting the festival, take a water bottle as there are refill stations around the parks, take a jacket as it cools down at night, and make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes. We walked 10 kilometres over the evening without even realising it!

Enjoy

Glenys