The popular East End festival hub is setting up by the coast for three weeks over winter, launching the inaugural Glenelg Winter Arts Festival this July.

Best known for the bright tents, eclectic eateries and boundary-pushing artistry it brings to Murlawirrapurka Rymill Park every Fringe, Gluttony will extend coastward this July to launch the inaugural Glenelg Winter Arts Festival.

The festival will set up camp at Colley Reserve from 6—23 July, bringing with it a mix of tents, venues and bars that will host shows, workshops, and market stalls.

Program Director, Elena Kirschbaum, says the Gluttony team is excited to invigorate the seaside locale, doing what they do best but at wintertime.

“Instead of drinking a beer by the lake under the trees you will be drinking a mulled wine or a hot buttered rum in a cosy venue by a fire,” Elena says. “You still have that fantastic atmosphere of listening to the music and seeing all the incredible artists we’re bringing together.”

The artist lineup includes a mix of newbies and Fringe favourites, such as comedians Wil Anderson, Mel Buttle, Rove McManus, Peter Helliar and Nazeem Hussain.

Rachel Vidoni, whose Beatles rock show Come Together earned a five-star review from InReview, is back with Her Majesty: The Queen Rock Show, which takes on Queen’s hits with a female-fronted band.

Chloe Castledine, known for her celebration of 80’s Ladies, will bring us spin-off Noughtie Girls, filled with your favourite retro (lol) hits from the 2000s.

This, but a bit different

There will be plenty of family entertainment and activities for kids and grown-ups, such as kids painting workshops and a paint and sip run by Arabana and Kokatha artist, Mali Isabel.

Elena tells CityMag the festival program is full of ‘come and try’ experiences as well as shows to make it an exciting place for the whole family during school holidays.

“I think sometimes if there is just one show to see it isn’t as appealing for families to go see a show, pack up and go home,” Elena says. “Whereas here, you can see a show, you can have a drink, you can participate in some free activities, you could stay and do a workshop — it is a full outing.”

The festival is supported by the City of Holdfast Bay and will showcase Jetty Road traders, so expect some local stallholders.

Gluttony will also run some special deals with Jetty Road businesses that aren’t setting up with them at Colley Reserve, allowing punters to grab a bite elsewhere along the strip before the show, if they so please.

“It will really make that whole area come alive this winter and celebrate all the incredible things in Glenelg,” Elena says.

Gluttony knows how to make fun for everyone

Gluttony is no stranger to hosting events outside of Mad March, like art exhibition Borealis, which stuck around beyond its initial 2021Fringe run, and Lucky Dumpling Market.

Elena says the Glenelg Winter Arts Festival will be a broader “feast of the senses”.

“It is that real taste of one of the events that is so special and such a wonderful thing we have in Adelaide,” she says. “To get to share that in a new space in a new time of year is really exciting.”

The festival opens to the public on 6 and 7 July from 6pm. It will be closed Mondays, but every other day it’ll open from 11am and run into the evening, with day and night entertainment options for all ages.

To browse the full program and purchase tickets, head to the website.