Summer’s the most popular season for tourists, and the beaches get busy this time of year. Luckily, there’s miles of them, and plenty of events for when you’re not in the water.

Cool off from the summer heat at Adelaide’s best attraction: its miles of sand-strewn beaches. Glenelg is an easy tram ride from the city center, or head to Brighton for a walk along its stunning jetty.

The place to be on New Year’s Eve is the Adelaide Oval—or, if you can’t make it, a local pub—watching the evening’s Big Bash League cricket game. Stay for the afterparty.

Pack a picnic and enjoy a warm summer evening at Moonlight Cinema, which hosts open-air cult classic and modern films. The venue may change, but in previous years it’s been hosted in the easy-to-access Botanic Park.

Oranges, reds, and yellows dot the Adelaide hillside as summer fades to fall. While it’s generally a less-crowded time to visit the city, the weeks around Easter holiday tend to be busy with families.

When we say that Fringe Festival, held between February and March, is the world’s second-largest arts festival, we’re not just talking oil paintings and sculptures. Rather, it’s a colorful hodgepodge of comedy shows, circus performers, music, and workshops meant for visitors age 0 to 100+.

Celebrate the many cultures that have influenced the country’s cuisine at Tasting Australia, a 10-day foodie heaven held every May in venues across Adelaide.

For your best chance of seeing an abundance of fall colors, head 20 minutes outside the city center to the 97-hectare Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens. Maples, ash, oaks, and liquidambar all turn vibrant shades as temperatures chill.

Winter isn’t terribly cold in Adelaide, though you’ll want to pack a sweater for the evenings or a breezy day. With pleasant weather all around, it’s a great time to put on your walking shoes and experience the city’s sights on foot.

Winter is prime time for whale watching along the South Australian coastline. Take a day trip to Kangaroo Island or spend time near Victor Harbor and keep your eyes open for mama whales and their new calves.

From July to October, wander Hutt Street, O'Connell Street and Melbourne Street on a Friday or Saturday night for fire-twirling and live music performances as part of the Winter Weekends Festival.

Speaking of weekends, head up to the area’s wine region, Adelaide Hills, to sample local shiraz, pinot noir, and experimental varietals at the Weekend Winter Reds festival in July.