The event, which will run over 10 days including two weekends from 04 - 13 August, aims to draw visitors to the Murray River, Lakes & Coorong, providing further support to local businesses and tourism operators recovering from the impacts of the once-in-a-century flooding event.

Spanning the riverfront at Mannum, visitors will be able to take in this celebration of art, music, technology and invention at six locations including the Pretoria Hotel, Mannum Hotel, and Mannum Club.

River Lights is an initiative supported by the State Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission, in partnership with the Mid-Murray Council and award-winning artists, with the aim to encourage locals and visitors to ‘rise up’ for the mighty Murray River this winter.

The regional activation will further bolster flood recovery efforts including the SATC’s River Revival Vouchers program, while also giving voucher holders another reason to book.

Round one of the voucher program injected an estimated $3.1 million in total economic impact into the Murray River, Lakes & Coorong and Riverland visitor economies. Round two is currently running and has so far generated more than $2 million in bookings value alone.

River Lights

  • Friday 04 August to Sunday 13 August
  • Nightly, 6 - 10pm
  • Mannum Main Street – Randell St, Mannum

For event details visit: https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2023/river-lights-mannum/  

The Honourable Zoe Bettison MP, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, said:

"Supporting our river communities following the once-in-a-century-flood event continues to be of utmost importance.

Tourism operators, houseboat operators and other local businesses missed out on the all-important summer trading this year, so it’s crucial we continue to show them our support by visiting.

We know the regional installations of Illuminate have done wonders for local economies in the past, drawing thousands of people out to the Limestone Coast and Fleurieu Peninsula during the COVID-recovery phase.

We now set our sights to River Lights to help drive river recovery efforts, and I encourage everyone to take in the breath-taking wonder of our river at night and this amazing installation by the Illuminate Adelaide team."

Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge, Co-Founders and Creative Directors of Illuminate Adelaide, said:

"We look forward to transforming and illuminating Mannum's main township and riverfront for River Lights. We're delighted by the excited anticipation from locals, businesses and the general community.

We urge everyone to rug up and wander the trail through Mannum and support the Murray River this winter."