Alpine Winter Festival set to attract crowds to the Bay over the colder months

There’s no need to stay home these colder months with the Bay set to heat up through the new Alpine Winter Festival, with food, ice skating, music and more on offer.

Gracie Centenera, 8, and George Archontidis, 7, get into the festival spirit with ice and skates on the Glenelg Jetty. Pic: Mike Burton

A new festival will bring a hit of warmth to the Bay this winter.

The Alpine Winter Festival runs from June 25 to July 18, making Glenelg a winter hub of art, food, markets, music, fire pits, ice skating and a light and soundscape installation on the jetty.

Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson said it was a great way to draw visitors to the area.

“It’s always a slower time of year for our traders on Jetty Rd,” she said.

Event organiser Stuart Duckworth hopes the event will cement South Australia’s reputation as the festival state, not the sleepy state, during winter.

“Coming to Glenelg is a brilliant opportunity to activate Adelaide’s west. We are working in partnership with City of Holdfast Bay and Jetty Rd, Glenelg to create memories and opportunities for the entire precinct,” Mr Duckworth said.

Mr Duckworth said the festival took reference from the Alpine Winter Village that ran at the Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide in 2016.

“It’s essentially a family-friendly winter arts festival,” Mr Duckworth said.

Gracie Centenera, 8, and George Archontidis, 7, get into the festival spirit with ice and skates on the Glenelg Jetty. Picture: Mike Burton

“A big drawcard is the ice-skating rink that will be protected from the elements so people can skate, rain, hail or shine.

“We want Glenelg to be the coastal destination this winter.”

Jetty Road Mainstreet Committee chairman Con Maios said the festival will add to the vibrancy of the Glenelg precinct.

“The Jetty Rd precinct will be buzzing when the Alpine Winter Festival arrives in Glenelg,” he said.

The focal point of the 2021 festival is STORM, a light and soundscape installation along the Glenelg Jetty, inspired by the sounds, movement and impact of a storm at sea.

Decorative Christmas lights will feature throughout Moseley Square, while fire pits

will bring much needed warmth.

Local legends Gillies at the Grounds will present the Alpine Winter Markets, an Australian take on European inspired Christmas markets.

A live music program will be announced in the coming weeks.

Visitors will have plenty of food options with Chow Town, Roberta’s Italian Winter Diner and a Scandinavian Alpine Ski Lodge, which will be the main food destination at the festival.

Alpine Winter Festival will be lighting up Glenelg Foreshore 10am until late every day of the event.