Adelaide’s Illuminate Festival has, in its fourth year, succeeded in creating a genuine buzz around its North Terrace epicentre.

The organisers of the 17-night winter festival of light, technology and art, which runs until July 21, are aiming for about 1.5 million visits to Illuminate’s attractions. On the opening Friday, as my family walked the free City Lights trail from Flinders University up to East Terrace, it felt like they were on target.