There’s more to Gather Round than just football.

AFL Gather Round 2024 is upon us. For the second year in a row, footy fever hits South Australia as thousands of fans flock across the border to catch their team play in our incredible state. A massive success in 2023, Gather Round is set to be even bigger this year as SA becomes the home of football from April 4 to April 7. And while football is the focus, there are a ton of events and fan experiences happening all over the city and beyond that everyone can get involved with.

To celebrate all things South Australia and Gather Round, we’ve rounded up some of the best activities happening in the City of Churches over the four-day event for you to enjoy.

Macca’s Footy Festival

Macca’s Footy Festival is a free event for all ages at Elder Park where punters can enjoy a range of activities and live music. Along with food trucks, licensed bars and a 150m long zip line over the River Torrens, kids can improve their footy skills at the NAB AFL Auskick Fun Zone and participate in the Footy Festival Scavenger Hunt.

Local acts Motez and George Alice will provide the entertainment, with Jet and Baker Boy playing a massive free concert after the final siren on Sunday eve. This is also the best place to score an autograph from your favourite player, with open training sessions and player meet and greets taking place over the four days. For more details on what teams are appearing and on which days, click here.

Where: Elder Park

When: Thursday April 4 to Sunday April 7

Norwood Food and Wine Festival

After a 12-year hiatus, the Norwood Food and Wine Festival is back for Gather Round. Taking over the Parade on the final day of Gather Round, the event will see local bars, cafes and restaurants joined by some of the best wine, beer and spirit producers from across South Australia peddling their wares. Along with all the fantastic local food and drink on offer, Melbourne rockers The Temper Trap are playing a free gig for fans after the Saints v Tigers match at Norwood Oval.

Where: The Parade

When: Sunday April 7

Home Base

If you’ve missed out on tickets to catch your team live, Home Base at Gilbert Place is where you need to go. The laneways outside of Hains & Co, Shotguns Willie’s, Memphis Slims, and High Spirits will be turned into a footy fiesta, with a massive screen erected showing all the games. There’ll also be live music on Saturday and Sunday night, laneway bars serving cans of Pirate Life and Jim Beam mixes and bar food available from several venues.

Where: Gilbert Place

When: Thursday April 4 to Sunday April 7

The Pepsi Collective

This new exclusive event from the AFL is held in the Adelaide Oval’s Magarey Room where patrons can indulge in premium food, beverage, and entertainment, including a headline DJ set from The Presets. Mixologists will be on hand to create signature cocktails for ticket holders who will have access to bars and lounges overlooking the River Torrens and seats for the footy on Level 3. For more information about The Pepsi Collective, click here.

Where: Magarey Room, Adelaide Oval

When: Thursday April 4 to Sunday April 7

Ruck & Roll

This initiative from MusicSa and the City of Adelaide features 60 live performances in and outside multiple venues across South Australia. Local acts taking part include singer-songwriter Jessie Davidson, acoustic act Banjo Jackson, house producer My Chérie and folk/blues rocker Kim Petra. For a full list of artists and venues included, click here.

Where: Various venues across Adelaide

When: Thursday April 4 to Sunday April 7

Station Lane

Whether you’re looking for a froth before or after a game, Station Lane is the place to be. This new outdoor bar from SkyCity Adelaide is opening just in time for Gather Round. It’s a pop-up bar in collaboration with Pirate Life which will show all nine games with live DJs and drink specials across the weekend. And if you like a flutter, you can head inside, hit the tables and kick on into the night.

Where: North Terrace

When: Thursday April 4 to Sunday April 7

Gather in the Hills

It’s not just Adelaide caught up in footy fever, with beloved country town Hahndorf putting on its own footy festival. Taking place in the heart of Hahndorf’s cultural precinct, this family-friendly event will include free arts and crafts activities, live music performances, lawn games and interactive installations. For more information, click here.

Where: Hahndorf

When: Saturday April 6 to Sunday April 7

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