Adelaide Fringe unveils its 2026 program with more than 1500 shows across South Australia

Adelaide is gearing up for a blockbuster Adelaide Fringe in 2026, with more than 1500 shows ready to light up the city and regions from 20 February to 22 March. Comedy, cabaret, circus, theatre, music, visual art, interactive works and ambitious large-scale experiences will spill into hundreds of venues and pop-up sites across the CBD, suburbs and regional South Australia, turning the state into a month-long playground of creativity.

Festival hotspots across the city and suburbs

Festival favourites will return in force, with hubs including Gluttony and The Garden of Unearthly Delights anchoring the East End energy, while Rhino Room, Fool’s Paradise, Goodwood Theatres, Courtyard of Curiosities, Plant 4 Bowden, Arkaba Hotel and Holden Street Theatres keep stages humming across town. The West End is stacking its lineup too: Arthur Art House is back, Infamous Circus returns to the Western Parklands, and a Big Top lands in Light Square for the new Lassu Cosmic Cabaret Circus.

Inside the program: premieres, powerhouses and playful experiments

• First Nations-led works take a prominent place at Tandanya within Gluttony’s programming, amplifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices through stand-up, storytelling and contemporary performance, including the ever-popular Aboriginal Comedy Allstars.
• At Star Theatres, the Smartphone Orchestra links up with Adelaide Youth Orchestra for The Score, a participatory piece where the audience’s devices become instruments.
• Holden Street Theatres packs its schedule with Australian and international theatre, including the Edinburgh Fringe hit “Eat the Rich.”
• Goodwood Theatre hosts the Australian premiere season of “Cadel: Lungs on Legs,” running across the full festival after sell-out UK dates.
• The newly refurbished Mortlock Library sets the scene for a luminous staging of Orpheus and Eurydice by Fringe regulars Wright and Grainger.

Immersive Worlds and VR take center stage

For fans of VR and boundary-pushing media art, the festival’s new Immersive Worlds initiative—presented with support from NRMA Insurance and Novatech Creative Technologies—maps out a digital wonderland. Expect next-gen VR experiences like Monsieur Vincent, a tactile encounter with Van Gogh’s work, alongside Surround Sync sessions at Mercury Cinema and a slate of experimental immersive films.

At Olympic House, full-dome screenings return with a suite of 360-degree shows, including the cult favourite Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon, enveloping audiences with sound and light. Meanwhile, St Francis Xavier Cathedral becomes a canvas for Cathedral Chiaroscuro, bathing the landmark in a blend of projection, illumination and music. It’s a strong signal that Adelaide Fringe’s tech-forward art scene is not just expanding—it’s thriving.

Backing artists and new voices

Through the Adelaide Fringe Fund, more than 200 grants and over $1 million in support have been allocated to the 2026 program. In total, 228 projects have received funding, with emphasis on first-time Fringe works, world premieres, First Nations creators and emerging South Australian artists. The aim is simple: reduce financial barriers and bring more diverse stories to more stages.

Regional rollout and suburban surge

The festival’s reach extends far beyond the city limits. A preseason of The Dome lands in Mount Gambier from 7–13 February, supported by Adelaide University as Dome Touring Partner. After the core program wraps in Adelaide, Whyalla keeps the festival glow alive with an extended season from 27 March to 6 April, backed by the Drought Relief Regional Event Fund.

Across regional South Australia, more than 100 shows are planned in 86 venues, including a substantial music program at the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna and over 25 shows within the Loxton Waikerie Council area.

In the metro area, councils are embracing Fringe at scale. Expect big lineups in Charles Sturt, Unley, Port Adelaide Enfield, Norwood Payneham & St Peters, West Torrens, Onkaparinga, Prospect, Burnside and Marion, with programs spanning family-friendly afternoons to late-night variety.

Partners, access and ticket deals

Long-time principal partner BankSA continues its support with discounted ticket offers for cardholders, making it easier to sample more shows across the month. New partnerships with Adelaide University, Health Partners and AirAsia expand the festival’s capacity to reach fresh audiences and extend accessibility.

To keep the festival affordable, a spread of discounts returns for 2026: Early Bird savings of 30% run from 5–11 December on participating shows, alongside Family Discounts, Group (6+) pricing and the Midweek Treat for Wednesday sessions. Fringe Members also retain access to 2-for-1 deals on select performances.

Mark your calendar

Adelaide Fringe runs from 20 February to 22 March 2026, with the city and regions primed for another vibrant season. With more than 1500 shows, a growing slate of VR and immersive experiences, and support flowing to first-time and emerging artists, this edition is poised to be one of the festival’s most inventive yet. Book early—there’s a lot to discover, and it won’t stay secret for long.