The Souk

Get ready as the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) brings its award-winning Souk back to Tonsley Innovation District.

The Souk is part of the Australian Refugee Association’s Refugee Week celebrations. We are thrilled to be bringing the bustling and exciting vibe of a Souk experience to Adelaide again.

For the first time last June, we held The Souk, a multicultural market event. It won the 2023 City of Marion Community Event of the Year Award and created the most successful event in ARA’s history! Over 75 stalls and 3500 people attended.

People are still talking about what an amazing time they had and can’t wait for The Souk 2024. We would love you to join us and create that magic again!

Souks can be found in the Middle East, Africa and even in parts of Asia. Traditionally souks were on trade routes, marketplaces for Merchants to stop, rest, sell their wares, trade and meet old friends and acquaintances. Souks are a myriad of interesting, eclectic discoveries as you meander through the maze of laneways and nooks.

The Souk is very different from a normal Australian market. Indulge your senses as you immerse yourself in the atmosphere of merchants, music and mouth-watering cuisines. Sit back and take in the textures and patterns in this exciting celebration of culture and community. You will be delighted by roving cultural entertainers, performers and buskers. Stalls will be packed full of colour, interesting products and keep a memento from our Middle Eastern inspired photo booth styled and created by local Iraqi artist, Nooralhuda Aziz.

We have curated a wide variety of “merchants” selling fresh produce, spices, oils, plants and flowers, street food, artisan produce and handicraft products such as jewelry, textiles, gifts and paintings. It will be a feast for the senses and a place of gathering with your friends and family….and a VERY multicultural experience with no passport required!

The Souk is fully undercover so a wintery day won't bother us. And for those who know the Tonsley Innovation District where the former Mitsubishi car factory used to be, The Souk is right next to the gorgeous Central Rainforest. Loads of parking and seating for a full family day out

Head over to our Facebook event for spotlights of our Merchants, entertainers and performers, and souk updates as we bring The Souk to life over the coming weeks!

See you Soon ~ Ksenija, The Souk Manager

Email: events@ausref.net