Festival of the Unexpected

Youth Inc. is a place of wonder.

On June 17, we open our doors and show the world.

Our building transforms into a living story shaped by our students.

And you are invited.

BOOK NOW

📍Where to go

Youth Inc. City Campus

200 Pulteney St, Adelaide

Entry via our Trash Talk Tunnel (it’ll make sense on the day, trust us) to the left side of the Main Entrance.

If you need accessible entry, begin your journey at the Main Entrance – we’ll meet you there.

🕒 When to arrive

Wednesday 17 June

Drop in anytime between 3:00pm and 7:00pm.

Stay for ten minutes or the whole afternoon – the Festival is designed to wander.

^{(If you’re looking for the formalities part of the afternoon, it’s at 5:30pm, but we didn’t tell you that).}

🗺️ How to find your way

Click HERE for a map of the spaces.

Click on it to zoom, explore, and think about your journey.

The dotted line shows one possible journey… but feel free to drift, loop back, and follow your curiosity. The best discoveries happen off-path.

🎧 What you’ll experience

Across two levels you’ll find:

Immersive installations
Sound, light, motion, texture
Hands-on creative spaces
Quiet corners, loud corners, and everything in between

☕ Food + drink

Our Y Coffee cafe will be open throughout the event, serving up coffee, cocktails, and more.

^{(There might even be snacks).}

💬 If you’re bringing other people

Great! Just ask them to register for a ticket and forward this email to them. We’ll handle the rest.

See you on Wednesday – leave ordinary at the door.

Photography Disclaimer:

Please note that professional photographers and videographers will be on site at Festival of the Unexpected to capture the spirit of the event for documentation and promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being included in general group and crowd capture. Any individual close-up images/footage or photographs/video that specifically highlight one person will only be used following explicit consent. If you have any concerns or wish to opt-out of individual photography/videography, kindly inform an event staff member.

So... what *is* the Festival of the Unexpected?

It’s part building launch, part immersive art experience, part live showcase of our alternative Learning Model. Think: rooms turned into worlds, projects you can walk through, and young people running the show. Not a tour. Not an open day. Something else.

Who is this for?

Young people interested in alternative education pathways, parents and caregivers, youth workers, community services, curious humans, and anyone who suspects learning could feel very different to how they remember it.

Do I have to be a current Youth Inc. student to come?

Not at all! The Festival is designed for people who want to learn more about what we’re about! Prospective students, families, partners, friends, and the “I’ve-heard-about-Youth-Inc.-and-want-to-see-it” crowd.

Is this just people just talking to me in a (admittedly very nice looking) Hall?

Absolutely not. No rows of chairs. No desks. No long speeches. You’ll move through spaces, meet young people, experience projects, and follow your curiosity. If someone starts reading off a PowerPoint, something has gone terribly wrong.

Will there be someone to talk to about enrolment/pathways/"is this right for me?"

Always! Alongside the immersive stuff, there’ll be humans you can actually talk to about how Youth Inc. works. SACE, pathways, futures, referrals, and “I don’t fit school, what now?”

Do I need to stay for the full four hours?

You can drop in for 30 minutes or stay the whole time. The experience is designed so you can arrive when you like and still feel like you’ve stepped into a complete world.

How much does it cost?

Tickets are free. The only thing we’re charging is your sense of what education is supposed to look like.

This also feels like an opportune time to mention that enrolment at Youth Inc… is also free. With no catches.

Is it accessible?

Yes. The building has lift access and accessible toilets. If you have specific access needs (sensory, mobility, support person etc.) let us know in your booking notes and we’ll do our best to make the experience work for you.

What should I expect to see?

Installations, live projects, sounds, light, making, conversation. It’s a multi-sensory snapshot of how learning at Youth Inc. feels when young people are the ones building the world.

Can I bring friends/family/my whole staff team?

Yes please. Just make sure everyone books a ticket so we don’t accidentally recreate a traditional school assembly situation.

Is this a good event for schools/agencies to bring groups to?

Definitely. If you work with young people who don’t fit the usual boxes, this is a powerful way to show them another option. If you’re planning to bring a group, drop us an email at patrick.lang@youthinc.sa.edu.au so we can help you time your visit.

What if I'm a bit nervous about coming?

That’s okay. A lot of people who come to Youth Inc. have had rough experiences with school. You can move at your own pace, step back when you need to, and there’ll be friendly staff and young people around if you want to talk – or not.

Will I need to solve any riddles to get in?

Why do the French only have one egg for breakfast?

Is anything actually unexpected, or is that just marketing?

We tried to plan the unexpected, but then the unexpected refused to follow the plan. So now it’s… both.

Look, we’re building this plane as it’s taking off in order to reflect what really happens at Youth Inc. It’s hugely exciting, even if it’s making the Marketing team kind of nervous. So please be nice to Patrick if you see him.

Will there be snacks?

Yes. Will they be normal snacks? That depends on your definition of “normal”.

Can I get lost?

Technically yes, but only in the good way – the kind where you end up exactly where you need to be.