The faces of Aboriginal leaders past and present will light up the Adelaide parklands over the weekend, as part of an Australia Day art installation.
Kumangka, Mukapainga, Tampinga, held in Elder Park until Monday, will honour and thank individuals who have committed to bettering the lives and identities of Aboriginal people in South Australia.
Australia Day Council of SA chief executive Jan Chorley said the nightly project aims to bridge understanding and views of Australia Day.
"This is a first for our state, a significant installation that infuses our understanding of Elder Park, its history and its people" she said.
Australia Day in the city will begin with a morning smoking ceremony at Elder Park to acknowledge Aboriginal people.
The park will later in the day host one of the country's largest Australia Day parades, when more than 3500 people from 100 community groups join together to showcase their communities.
Following the parade, 40,000 people are expected to watch the Australia Day concert, which will include a flag-raising ceremony, 21-gun salute, flyover and performances by Australian artists.
Later, a fireworks display will light up the sky from the banks of the River Torrens to round out celebrations.
Ms Chorley said the event line-up will promote unity and belonging for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australia.
"This is when the city shines, when it reflects on its history, celebrates who were are as nation and joins together in a unifying and reconciled spirit," she said.
Away from the city, hundreds are expected to attend the annual Tandanya Survival Day concert and event at Semaphore, with this year's theme "still surviving, still thriving".
A forecast high of 29C is also expected to draw crowds to the coastline, prompting police to issue a safety warning to the public.
SA Police assistant commissioner Paul Dickson said officers will be working in communities and monitoring celebrations across the state.
"That will include officers from the licensing enforcement branch ... foot, bicycle and mobile patrols, and teams from the dog, mounted and water units," he said.
Police will also run a four-day traffic operation to focus on road safety and preventing fatalities across the long weekend.
