Each winter, Willunga comes alive with soft pink blooms and a festive buzz that rolls through the Fleurieu Peninsula.
It’s all about the blossoms, local produce, and laid-back fun. In 2025, Willunga Almond Blossom Festival is back for the last weekend of July, packed with family-friendly activities, live music, and market stalls.
With local eats, classic show rides, and that small-town warmth, here’s the lowdown to help plan your visit.
Official Dates and Schedule of Events
The Willunga Almond Blossom Festival is set for the weekend of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July 2025 – always lining up with the last weekend of the month.
Everything happens at Willunga Recreation Park on Main Road, right in the heart of town.
Saturday runs from 11 am to 9 pm, with a big fireworks show planned for 7 pm, weather permitting.
Sunday’s a slower pace, open from 10 am to 4 pm, with the much-loved Almond Cracking Competition locked in for 1 pm.
Both days are full of local entertainment, food, and hands-on fun – classic Willunga style.
Tickets and Admission
Tickets are available at the gate or online; both credit and debit cards, as well as cash, are accepted. Prices remain low, as it’s a community fundraiser, making it easy for families to participate.
A Family Pass is $25 for one day or $40 for the whole weekend, covering everyone in the crew. Adults can get in for $10 per day or $15 for both days.
Students and concession holders pay only $5 per day, and children under 5 are admitted free of charge without a ticket.
You don’t have to book ahead, but it helps. Pre-purchasing tickets online means less time in line when the crowds roll in – and they do roll in.
Festival Program Highlights and Activities
The Willunga Almond Blossom Festival packs a full weekend with things to see, do, and snack on – all wrapped in that cosy small-town atmosphere.
There’s a bit of something for everyone, and it’s the kind of place where kids, teens, parents and even grandparents find something they’re into.
The oval transforms into a proper country show, complete with carnival rides and classic sideshow games.
There are gentle rides for the little ones and a few thrill rides if someone’s feeling brave. It’s loud, bright, and exactly what you want from a winter fair.
Live music sets the tone all weekend, with local bands playing on stage and roving performers bringing energy across the park. Inside the big white marquee, you’ll find kids’ entertainers, circus acts, and dance sessions that keep young ones giggling and moving.
There’s always someone in costume wandering around, too – it adds a bit of magic to the day.
The animal nursery’s a big hit with families – all the usual favourites like lambs, goats and even alpacas to pat.
Camel and pony rides add something different, and if you’ve got kids who love crafts or science, there are hands-on activities scattered throughout the park.
You’ll spot giant lawn games tucked around the corners, too, which are just as fun for adults as they are for kids. The markets are worth taking the time to explore.
Festival Hall and the surrounding stalls are packed with handmade woolly scarves, earrings, candles, home-baked sweets, preserves, and of course, plenty of almond-themed treats.
Great spot to pick up a gift or something a bit different from the usual shops.
It wouldn’t be an almond festival without a few nutty competitions. The Almond Cookery Competition runs across the weekend – locals show off their best almond cakes, biscuits and slices. It all smells amazing.
On Sunday, the Almond Cracking Competition gets loud and competitive, held around 1 pm near the “Almond Hub”.
It’s a delight to watch and celebrates what Willunga has been growing for decades.
Saturday night wraps up with fireworks lighting up the oval – easily one of the most anticipated shows in the region.
Families start claiming their picnic spots early, rugs out, snacks in hand. By 7 pm, the sky’s lit up, and the atmosphere is pretty special. It’s cold but worth it.
This festival’s got over 50 years of history, and it shows. Locals return year after year, many with children of their own now.
It’s volunteer-run and built on tradition, which gives it a real warmth you can feel the moment you step through the gates.
Food and Drink Offerings
There’s no chance of going hungry at the Almond Blossom Festival.
The food scene here is a proper mix – warm, hearty, and full of flavour.
You’ll smell the burgers and hot chips before you see them. Add in wood-fired pizzas, hot dogs, nachos, and a few cheeky deep-fried options, and you’ve got the winter comfort food sorted.
But it’s not all greasy – there are healthier bites too, with Asian-style dishes, snack bowls, and options for vegans and gluten-free eaters.
As an almond festival, the sweets certainly deserve special mention. Local stalls bring their A-game with almond cakes, buttery slices, and the famous Willunga almond biscuits.
There’s always someone selling sugared almonds – a bit of a tradition – and they’re hard to walk past once you’ve had one.
Drinks are sorted too. You’ll find local wine and beer from nearby McLaren Vale, poured fresh from the stalls.
There’s something nice about sipping a glass of red while the sun sets behind the trees.
If you’re not drinking, there’s still plenty on offer – soft drinks, warm drinks, and free water stations to keep you going. Just a heads-up, it’s a licensed event, so BYO alcohol isn’t allowed.
The best plan? Grab lunch from one of the trucks, follow it up with something almondy and sweet, and wrap up the day with a hot cinnamon donut in one hand and a paper cone of roasted almonds in the other. Perfect festival fuel.
Travel and Transport Advice
Willunga’s tucked into the rolling hills of the Fleurieu Peninsula, about a 45-minute drive south of Adelaide.
It’s an easy day trip, and getting there is pretty straightforward with a few good options.
If you’re driving, head down Main South Road towards McLaren Vale and follow the signs into Willunga.
The festival’s held at Willunga Recreation Park, just off Main Road in town. There’s free street parking around the area, but no massive car park, so aim to arrive early to snag a close spot.
Local volunteers usually help direct traffic, and sometimes overflow areas pop up nearby.
Public transport is doable too. Catch the Seaford train from Adelaide, then hop on the 751 bus from Seaford Station to Willunga.
It takes around half an hour, and the bus drops you right at Stop 97 on Main Road – almost at the festival gate. On weekends, the 751 or 751W usually runs the route.
Coming from Aldinga or Port Willunga? Buses 755 and 756 can also get you into town. Best to check Adelaide Metro’s site before you go, especially for weekend timetables.
Traffic picks up around festival time, so add a bit of buffer if you’re hitting the road.
Once you’re in Willunga, though, it’s easy to get around on foot – everything’s close, and the streets are made for wandering.
If you’re in town early, the Willunga Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings and is worth a visit.
Local cellar doors aren’t far either if you’re keen to make a full day of it – keep in mind parking fills up fast.
July’s chilly in South Australia, so dress warm and be ready for a bit of winter weather.
The event runs rain or shine, and a lot of it’s outdoors. Bring a coat, scarf, and boots or shoes you don’t mind getting a bit muddy – you’ll be walking on grass most of the time.
There are marquees and indoor spots too, but it’s mostly fresh air and festival buzz. Rug up and you’re good to go.
The Wrap-Up
The Willunga Almond Blossom Festival brings together everything that makes country events so good – local food, handmade goodies, winter cosiness, and that laid-back community feel you only get in a small town.
Whether you’re chasing almond sweets, letting the kids run wild on the rides, or just soaking up the live music and fireworks, it’s an easy weekend out that ticks all the boxes.
It’s the kind of event that’s low-fuss, full of heart, and worth pencilling in every July.
Rug up, hit the road, and make a day (or two) of it – you’ll head home with a full belly, a few local finds, and probably sugared almonds tucked in your bag.
