Things to do in the Murraylands: March 6-12, 2026

March madness is well an truly upon us with so much happening across the long weekend and into next week.

The intrepid Ski For Life relay teams head off from Sturt Reserve on Friday morning from around 8.30am, hoping to end up unscathed in Renmark on Sunday afternoon – pop down to wish them good luck.

The Meningie Food Fair will offer up a host of delectable goodies from 4pm on Friday at the Lions Jubilee Park, Meningie – definitely get to this if you can.

If you prefer the sights and smells of car racing and burning tyres, Drifting SA have round one of their state series at the Bend across the weekend.

Let's kick Saturday off at the Mannum Show from 11am.

Packed with traditional favourites including riders in action, shearing, live music and baking comps you can also buy a ticket for unlimited access to all the carnival rides.

The Murraylands will be filled with cranking tunes over the weekend too.

The Cabaret Collective's American Road Trip is at the Bridgeport on Friday – nearly sold out – and Saturday night; and local legends Midnight Radio hammer out all your faves at the Swanport from 8.30pm.

For art lovers and those after a more contemplative experience, visit the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery for Skopos or drop by the Arnold Gallery in Mannum for Tag's Old School Handwritten Novelty Signs.

After last weekend's deluge, the weather will be gorgeous, so get out of the house and enjoy our beautiful region.

This weekly feature is brought to you by Itsandbits Australia - everything from crafting to cuddles, memorials to massages, we do it all.

Friday 6th 🌤️ 27°

Ski For Life: 7am at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Join the intrepid Ski For Life relay teams at their breakfast and watch them depart from around 8.30am. The three-day ski-relay journey covers 456 kilometres up the Murray, ending in Renmark on Sunday. The aim of the event is to raise $300,000 for mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. Donate: chuffed.org.

Biblio Banter: 2pm at Murray Bridge Library. Love books and talking about them? Join a relaxed group of readers to discuss current reads, uncover hidden gems and swap recommendations. Settle in with coffee or tea and enjoy lively conversation, fresh perspectives, and a shared love of literature. First Friday of the month. More information: 8539 1175.

Meningie Food Fair: 4-8pm at Lions Jubilee Park, Meningie. Grab your crew, bring your appetite and get set for an afternoon packed with rides, food, music and family fun. Features delicious food, tasty treats, live music plus a special appearance by Bluey. Unlimited rides. Admission: $10 for ages six and over, $5 for under-fives.

Drifting SA State Series: 4-8pm at the Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend. Kick off the weekend with Friday night practice on the Drift Collective layout. Watch drivers dial in their cars and push them to their limits for two days of competition. Tickets: From $15, online only at trybooking.com.

Knot Your Grandma's Cross Stitch craft workshop: 4-5pm at Murray Bridge Library. Think cross stitch is old-fashioned? Knot anymore. Join us for a modern twist on a classic craft. Learn the basics, follow fun patterns and even design your own. Make a mini hoop, keychain or bookmark — your stitch, your style. For ages 15 plus. Materials provided. Bookings essential - 8539 1175

American Road Trip: 7pm at the Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge. For cheaper than a schnitty you can tour America's greatest locations in one night of iconic songs. No jet lag required! From New York, New York to Viva Las Vegas to the Hotel California, this is one not to miss. Join the Cabaret Collective on this ultimate road trip. Tickets: $27 plus booking fee at adelaidefringe.com.au.

Midnight Radio: 8.30pm-late at the Swanport Hotel, Murray Bridge South. Get along for a great night of all the hits you know and love to belt out. More information: 8532 3666.

Saturday 7th 🌤️ 25°

Drifting SA State Series: 9am-7pm at the Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend. Drift Collective's Saturday showcase is focused on high driving standards and elite competition. Featuring the 265 radial tyre class, this event bridges the gap between grassroots and higher-end classes. It delivers technical driving, tight battles and serious skill. Expect a full day of non-stop drift action from start to finish. Tickets: only available on-line, no sales at gate. Tickets: $45 at trybooking.com.

Kids DIY: 10-10.45am, 11-11.45am and 12.30-1.15pm at Bunnings Murray Bridge. Join us for fun with paper and pipe cleaners. Use your imagination to craft something special to take home. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. Bookings essential: bunnings.com.au.

Mannum Show: 11am-4pm at Mannum Showgrounds. The best “little” country show offers a full day of family fun with lots of kid's activities as well as great country show favourites including cattle judging, sheep shearing, ute muster, photography, miniature goats, horses in action plus sideshows and carnival rides. Tickets: $10.

Magic Millions race day: From 11am at Murray Bridge Racing Club. Get ready for a thrilling day of fashion, food, and fast-paced horse racing at South Australia's premier country track. A local bus is available with several pick-up and drop-off spots around Murray Bridge for $20 plus booking fees. Admission: $20/15 plus booking fee at moshtix.com.au.

Beer, Cider and Spirit Fest: 12-4pm at the Pretoria Hotel, Mannum. Free tastings, live music and all day dining. Tickets: $40 plus booking fee, call 8569 1109; or $50 on the day.

American Road Trip: 7pm at the Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge. For cheaper than a schnitty you can tour America's greatest locations in one night of iconic songs. No jet lag required! From New York, New York to Viva Las Vegas to the Hotel California, this is one not to miss. Join The Cabaret Collective on this ultimate road trip. Tickets: $27 plus booking fee at adelaidefringe.com.au.

Bingo: 7.30pm at Mannum Hotel. $10 per person with loads of prizes to be won. Bring your friends and make a night of it, we can’t wait to see you. More information: 8569 1008.

Track Championship Grand Final: Gates 9.30am, racing 10am-9pm at the Dragway at the Bend, Tailem Bend. Witness local and interstate sportsman racers battle it out in 14 categories down the quarter mile. Who will take home the points and the trophy? A full day of tyre-smoking, wheels-up drag racing action for the whole family. Tickets: $30 from www.outix.co.

Sunday 8th 🌤️ 25°

Drifting SA State Series: 9am-5.30pm at the Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend. Carry the momentum into Sunday as the SA State Series launches round one of the championship. Watch South Australia’s top drift drivers battle it out early in the season with fast-paced judging and door-to-door action. Expect a full day of non-stop drift action from start to finish. Tickets: $35, online only at trybooking.com.

Kids DIY: 11-11.45am and 12.30-1.15pm at Bunnings Murray Bridge. Join us for fun with paper and pipe cleaners. Use your imagination to craft something special to take home. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. Bookings essential: bunnings.com.au.

Emory: 2-3pm at Murray Bridge Library. Swing by the library and get ready to jam with Murray Bridge's hottest up and coming stars. Groove to some fantastic tunes while you browse the library or kick back in the cafe and enjoy a live gig. More information: 8539 1175.

Open mic: 2-6pm at Mannum Hotel. Shine a light on those hidden talents for all the world to see. It's lots of fun and there's loads of support in the room, so don't be shy. More information: 8569 1008.

B*tch Boxer: 4pm at Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre. Chloe is a boxer training for the Olympics while grieving the sudden loss of her dad. Fast-paced and physical, this one-woman show is about rage, love, grief and fighting to take up space in a world that keeps knocking you back. Sweat, storytelling and guts collide in a battle with ambition and expectation. Rated M. Tickets: $27 plus booking fee at adelaidefringe.com.au.

Unmothered: 7.30pm at Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre. A debut song cycle tracing three generations of women through love, silence and inherited trauma. Live music and unflinching truth explore memory, motherhood and the struggle to break harmful cycles. Rated M. Tickets: $30 plus booking fee at adelaidefringe.com.au.

Monday 9th 🌤️ 26°

Know of anything happening today? Email jane@murraybridge.news.

Tuesday 10th 🌤️ 31°

Come and try off-centred wood turning: 10am at Tailem Bend Community Centre. Whether you're a beginner or already love wood turning, this hands‑on session is a great chance to learn new techniques, meet fellow makers and create something truly unique. All tools and materials are provided – just bring your enthusiasm. More information: 8572 3513.

Funeral service for Roger Leonard Kilpatrick: 10.30am at the Minge Chapel, Murray Bridge.

Social craft group: 12.30-3.30pm at Murray Bridge Library. Work on your project or learn something new and enjoy a few laughs with fellow crafters. Join us for craft, chats and a cuppa. More information: 8539 1175.

Chess Club: 4-5pm at Murray Bridge Library. No experience necessary. Ages 8-15 years. Fortnightly on Tuesdays. Bookings are essential, limited spaces: 8539 1175.

Coorong draft community vision plan 2026-30 community workshop: 5-6.30pm at Tailem Bend council chambers. The Coorong council's draft community vision plan 2026-30 has been shaped by thousands of ideas from across our region and now it’s time to tell us if we’ve got it right. Review the draft plan and its priorities, check whether it reflects what you told us in stage one and share any final adjustments before the plan is adopted. More information: 1300 785 277.

Rural City of Murray Bridge council meeting: 7pm at the Local Government Centre, Murray Bridge. All welcome. Live stream available at youtube.com.

Wednesday 11th 🌤️ 31°

Funeral service for Daniel 'Happy' Gilmour: 2pm at Jervois Football Club.

Creative Kids Craft – bracelets: 4-5pm at Murray Bridge Library. From seasonal decorations to personalised gifts and unique art projects, Creative Kids Craft sessions offer fresh kids the opportunity to use their imagination to create exciting crafts. For children aged 5-12 yrs. Bookings essential: 8539 1175.

Thursday 12th 🌦️ 26°

Parent Child Mother Goose – CAFHS nurse: 9.30am at Tailem Bend Primary School Community Library. Looking for something to do with your little people/person, or interested in meeting other mums and bubs in your area? Come join us in our free session. This week includes a visit from the CAFHS nurse for measurements, answer any questions you may have about your child's health and development or general support. More information: 8572 3513.

Stronger, Safer, Committed Dads: 11am-1pm at Alchemy Services, Murray Bridge. This is a free, six-week men's group held in a relaxed, supportive space for dads who want to handle stress better, communicate safely, manage conflict and look after their own wellbeing. There’s time built in for a cuppa and connection and transport support is available if you need a lift. Book or further information: 0438 571 554 or dimitri.pinney@accare.org.au.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale: 5.30-7.30pm at Murray Bridge Library. In the summer of 1930, the Crawleys grapple with the threat of social disgrace when Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble. Rated PG. Registration essential: events.humanitix.com or 8539 1175.

Let Murray Bridge News know about an upcoming event or express an interest in sponsoring this feature by emailing jane@murraybridge.news. Events may be listed at Murray Bridge News’ discretion.