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2026 Adelaide Fringe Award Winners

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Award Winners!

The Adelaide Fringe awards are given to acknowledge outstanding events presented within the Adelaide Fringe program, judged by a panel of arts industry leaders and arts lovers. 
Pink background with text in the middle that says "Week 3 Award Winners"
A drag performer in an ornate pink and silver costume with white wig and makeup poses theatrically against a lilac background Adore Händel’s Cautionary Tales
Best of Cabaret, supported by The List
A burlesque-style performer stands confidently in black lingerie while four performers pose around her on a dramatic stage set Wonderfully Terrible Things
Best of Cabaret, supported by The List
Two comedic circus performers pose energetically in colourful costumes promoting the show ‘Cartooooon!!’ Cartoooon!!
Best of Circus
Two acrobats perform handstands and aerial moves beneath neon text reading ‘ELIXIR REVIVED’ on a purple background Elixir Revived
Best of Circus
A comedic character wearing glasses and a short wig plays a ukulele inside an illustrated decorative frame Granny Flaps - The Retrospective Roadshow
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A performer in a bold blue, yellow and red costume hugs themselves while posing on a white background Elf Lyons: Swan
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A comedian in a tuxedo points at the camera while an action-movie-style explosion scene unfolds behind him. Casey Filips: What a character
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A smiling comedian with short dark hair poses against a blue background wearing a patterned jacket. Nath Valvo - Homebody
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A cheerful man in a festive hat holds up a pint of beer and gives a thumbs-up through a torn-paper graphic on a red background. Singalonga Pub Quiz
Best of Community Events, supported by Health Partners
Two performers intertwine their bodies in a stylised pose against a vivid red background Embers
Best of Dance, supported by TAFE SA
A playful illustration of two smiling Japanese drink bottles with cartoon faces Japanese Liquor and Laughs: A Comedy Tasting Show
Best of Eat & Drink, supported by International College of Hotel Management
A vintage-style poster showing Buster Keaton beside a suspended piano with the text ‘Buster Keaton Films with Improvised Live Piano.’ A man, a piano, and a silent film.
Best of Film & Digital, supported by KWP+ Partners
A colourful immersive exhibition scene with cartoon characters inside a grand hall filled with oversized scientific and mechanical displays. The Great Solar System Adventure - Immersive Worlds
Best of Film & Digital, supported by KWP+ Partners
A silhouetted figure walks down a dimly lit alleyway with bright beams of light cutting through the darkness Transmission - into the dark
Best of Interactive
Two circus performers balance on chairs while one waves a patchwork flag in a playful acrobatic pose FoRT
Best of Kids & Family
Two enthusiastic presenters hold giant glitter letters ‘A’ and ‘Z’ while smiling at the camera The Alphabet of Awesome Science
Best of Kids & Family
Three performers form a human structure on stage, with one standing balanced across two others. Viviane builds a Lufthaus
Best of Kids & Family
Two magicians face each other dramatically under red and blue lighting with the title ‘Duel & Dual Duel & Dual
Best of Magic
Poster for ‘The Billy Joel Story’ featuring a baseball-style logo with song titles like ‘Uptown Girl’ and ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire.’ The Billy Joel Story
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
A performer in a dramatic black dress poses against a bright orange background with arms crossed over their chest. All These Pretty Things
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
Graphic poster showing illustrated mountains and trees with the title ‘Appalachian & Mississippi Blues. A History of Appalachian and Mississippi Blues
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
Poster for ‘Women of Rock’ showing a female singer holding a microphone beside bold pink text on a black background Women of Rock
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
A performer with pale powder covering their face and shoulders sticks out their tongue against a plain light background. Kirsty Mann: Corpse
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
Two singers perform with guitar and microphone beneath a sign reading ‘This Machine Kills Fascists. This Machine Kills Fascists
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
A group of performers pose theatrically on an orange background beneath the title ‘…Earnest?’ with papers scattered around them ...Earnest?
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
A performer under ultraviolet lighting with glowing body paint across their back and shoulders UV Songlines: Illuminating Ancestral Roots
Best of Visual Arts & Design, supported by Visualcom
A worn leather book titled ‘True Crime’ lies on a wooden table Adelaide True Crime Walking Tour
Best of Workshops & Talks
Five performers pose around a large aerial hoop on a bright yellow background, with one reading from a large book. A Paper Trail
Emerging Artist
Two smiling festival attendees wearing matching Fringe T-shirts stand together outdoors at a busy event space. Ray & Conrad Henley-Calvert
Spirit of the Fringe
A performer in white holds an orange fruit forward toward the viewer against a dark background How To Hold Up The Sky
Cultural Diversity, supported by Australian Refugee Association
A woman stands behind a seated younger girl with braided hair against a red background, suggesting a tense conversation. The Debate
Adelaide Critics Circle, supported by Adelaide Critics Circle
Two musicians perform on stage with trumpet, accordion and a unicycle in a lively circus-style show Bam Wow
Best of Street, supported by Dolphin Creative
A close-up of a geometric wooden sculpture made from stacked rectangular timber blocks Building and Construction Terrains | Alan Cook
Guildhouse, supported by Guildhouse
Pink background with text in the middle that says "Week 2 Award Winner" next to a cockatoo
A colourful drag cast dressed as fairytale characters, including a Shrek-inspired figure, pose together on a storybook-style path. Swamplesque 2
Best of Cabaret, supported by The List
A performer in a black corset holds scissors while measuring tape wraps around their waist beside the word ‘Skinny Skinny
Best of Cabaret, supported by The List
A man with long hair and a beard looks over his shoulder in a dimly lit alleyway Good Man
Best of Cabaret, supported by The List
Three acrobats balance together on stage as one performer swings outward while holding another’s hand Ten Thousand Hours
Best of Circus
A performer in red stage lighting embraces themselves with black tape covering their mouth Tape Face: 20
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A drag performer in an elaborate ruffled red costume and bonnet performs dramatically under red stage lighting, laughing as they address the audience CVNT
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A smiling comedian wearing a ‘Lucky’ sweatshirt stands against an orange background. Celia Pacquola - Gift Horse
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A comedian with curly hair and glasses laughs while holding a microphone on stage ANISA NANDAULA - NO SMALL TALK
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A cosmic-style graphic showing a glowing eclipse with the text ‘A Sound Healing Journey A SOUND HEADLING JOURNEY
Best of Community Events, supported by Health Partners
A black-and-white image of two dancers balancing together, one lifted across the other’s shoulders with arms extended KOWAW | Eagle
Best of Dance, supported by TAFE SA
A woman in a red cardigan and polka-dot dress sits at a table holding a cup of coffee and smiling Charlee Watt: Caffeine Fiend - A Coffee Cabaret
Best of Eat & Drink, supported by International College of Hotel Management
A full moon with a triangular prism projecting a rainbow beam, inspired by the ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ artwork The Dark Side of the Moon - Immersive Worlds
Best of Film & Digital, supported by KWP+ Partners
A performer sits on a chair tangled in film reels and strips of film while holding a spool toward the camera KAPUT
Best of Kids & Family
A smiling performer in a basketball-themed costume spins a basketball on one finger against a bright blue background. BasketballMan Can Fly
Best of Kids & Family
Promotional graphic reading ‘Healing in the Round’ with four musicians playing guitars beneath warm string lights Healing in the Round
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
A performer in a black outfit and tall hat leaps mid-air against radiating neon lines with the title ‘a funk odyssey A Funk Odyssey - Hits of Jamiroquai
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
Four musicians perform seated with string instruments in an elegant room with warm-toned walls and antique décor Adelaide Baroque Quartet: Enlightened Quartets, Music from the Age of Enlightenment
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
A vibrant concert poster featuring three performers in metallic outfits with the title ‘So Fresh! Hits of the 2000s. So Fresh! Hits of the 2000s
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
Two women stand close together outside a stone building beneath the title ‘CRUSH The Musical Crush: The Musical
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
A professional cyclist in a red racing kit rides intensely down a road with mountains behind him under a bright yellow sky CADEL: Lungs on Legs
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
A young woman with pink-tipped hair sits on the floor beside a torn photo showing an older woman, suggesting a reflective memory NIUSIA
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
Three performers dance on a small stage surrounded by an audience under colourful nightclub lighting. Naughty Noughties
Best of Variety
A stylised map graphic with a winding path, location markers, and a mystery character icon with a question mark Gluttony Sculpture Walk
Best of Visual Arts & Design, supported by Visualcom
A circular colourful painting filled with bright flowers and a small house surrounded by bold patterned shapes Hometown
Best of Visual Arts & Design, supported by Visualcom
A colourful street artwork of a heart made from bright dots painted on a graffitied door. Jimmy C Street Art Tour
Best of Workshops & Talks
A young woman sits in tall grass at dusk looking up toward the sky with city lights in the distance. Meteors
Emerging Artist
A performer wearing glasses and a short wig smiles while playing a ukulele inside a decorative illustrated frame Lori Bell
Spirit of the Fringe
A stylised poster of a woman in a kimono with a sculptural hairstyle, surrounded by acrobats against a bold red graphic background. GASHA
Cultural Diversity, supported by Australian Refugee Association
A woman in a yellow raincoat smiles while holding a polka-dot umbrella with colourful raindrop illustrations around her. 'The Soaking of Vera Shrimp' from Patch of Blue
Adelaide Crtics Circle, supported by Adelaide Critics Circle
A street performer breathes fire in a crowded city square with a historic cathedral behind them Siân Brigid
Best of Street, supported by Dolphin Creative
An abstract painting featuring soft, irregular shapes in muted greens, yellows, browns and cream tones. Kosh-Chenar
Guildhouse, supported by Guildhouse
Pink background with text in the middle that says "Week 1 Award Winner" next to a cockatoo
A performer in a denim vest leans on a chair wearing bright yellow boxing gloves, looking confidently at the camera Millicent Sarre is Too Tired to Smash (Patriarchy)
Best of Cabaret, supported by The List
A performer with theatrical makeup and a bald cap stares wide-eyed at the camera against a plain background My Precious! The Cabaret
Best of Cabaret, supported by The List
A performer in a faux-fur coat and large headphones holds a green bottle under red stage lighting Blues and Burlesque
Best of Cabaret, supported by The List
An aerial performer hangs suspended inside a flaming circular hoop above a seated audience in a circus-style venue La Ronde
Best of Circus
One performer balances barefoot on a wooden table while another rests their chin on the tabletop, watching from below against a dark red backdrop. You & I
Best of Circus
A smiling man with short dark hair and a trimmed beard wears a tan leather jacket against a textured green background Ivan Aristeguieta - READY TO MAMBO
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A performer in a pink cap and patterned jacket gestures playfully on stage in front of a seated audience. Charlie Mulliner: Love Hunt
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
A blonde performer poses with sheer blue fabric draped around their shoulders against a softly lit pastel backdrop Nikki Britton - Not To Be Dramatic
Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy
Text reading ‘Victoria Lane’ appears inside a rectangular frame over a pastel cloud background, with the word ‘Glimmer’ in script. VICTORIA LANE: Glimmer
Best of Community Events, supported by Health Partners
Three performers crouch closely together on a dark stage, holding expressive, sculptural poses under low lighting Fibres
Best of Dance, supported by TAFE SA
A close-up of a person’s eye framed by wet strands of hair and red lighting, creating a dramatic, intimate portrait. New Romantics
Best of Dance, supported by TAFE SA
A woman wearing oversized sunglasses and a blue headband smiles while buried up to her shoulders in sand, with wine glasses and bottles placed beside her. Sip & Spill: Katie Spain's Not Your Normal Wine Conversations
Best of Eat & Drink, supported by International College of Hotel Management
A partially submerged underwater vessel floats at the ocean surface, showing both the equipment above water and its rounded viewing pods below Ningaloo - Immersive Worlds
Best of Film & Digital, supported by KWP+ Partners
An aerial view of a tall waterfall cascading down red rock cliffs into a lush green gorge under clear blue skies. The Great Kimberley Wilderness with Luke Hemsworth - Immersive Worlds
Best of Film & Digital, supported by KWP+ Partners
A wide-eyed scientist in a white lab coat holds up a bubbling green flask against a bright yellow background Tiny Doctors: Happy Labs
Best of Kids & Family
A smiling performer stands with arms open against a colourful underwater-themed backdrop featuring cartoon sea creatures and coral Sea Star Rock, Rock the Wild
Best of Kids & Family
Three performers in work overalls and hard hats pose playfully in front of a black-and-yellow hazard-striped background Trash Test Dummies Circus
Best of Kids & Family
A stylised poster illustration of a musician playing an acoustic guitar in warm brown and cream tones A History of Bob Dylan's Blues
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
Four singers in matching orange jackets perform on stage with microphones under blue and purple concert lighting. Living in the '70s by The 60 Four
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
A musician sings and plays acoustic guitar on stage while a drummer performs behind them under coloured lights. Blak Country
Best of Music, supported by Musicorp - Powered by Studio 19
A bearded man wearing a Viking helmet stands knee-deep in water holding a flaming torch beneath a concrete bridge James Rowland: Team Viking
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
Two performers stand on a lit stage, one playing guitar while the other holds a script, with an audience seated in front of them Wright & Grainger's EURYDICE
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
A performer peeks through rich red theatre curtains, raising one finger as if about to make an announcement Eva Seymour as 'The Understudy'
Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA
A fire performer stands inside a blazing circular frame, arms outstretched with flames arching around them beneath the bold title ‘INFERNO’ INFERNO
Best of Variety
Two textured ceramic face sculptures with painted red and blue details are displayed against a white wall Gabi Cirocco - Studies of Presence
Best of Visual Arts & Design, supported by Visualcom
A pair of blue pleated circular earrings with gold hooks and small shell charms displayed in a jewellery box Khyké Earrings
Best of Workshops & Talks
A performer with small white wings grips an aerial silk, lit dramatically against a dark stage background Teasing Myths
Emerging Artist
A smiling man in a mustard-yellow shirt sits against a plain white background with a single red rose tucked into his chest pocket Adi Parmar: Sunny Boy
Emerging Artist
Four musicians sit together in a cosy pub holding pints of dark beer, with a fiddle and guitar resting nearby The Shamrocks
Pick of the Week
A woman looks off to the side against a bright pink background as illustrated banana peels float around her Britt Plummer
Spirit of the Fringe
Five performers balance and climb on a large curved metal frame, forming dynamic shapes against a soft pink backdrop Keep In Touch
Cultural Diversity, supported by Australian Refugee Association
A guitarist sings passionately into a microphone under stage lights, holding an electric guitar Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed The World
Adelaide Critics Circle, supported by Adelaide Critics Circle
Two people stand side by side in traditional Japanese clothing, one in a red patterned kimono and the other in a black robe with arms crossed Heromacro
Best of Street, supported by Dolphin Creative
A colourful painting of a smiling sponge-like sun above bright red flowers and green leaves against a blue sky Not without each other
Guildhouse, supported by Guildhouse

Thank You

Thank you to our 2026 Awards Partners: Adelaide Comedy, Adelade Critics Circle, Australian Refugee Association, Dolphin Creative Events, Guildhouse, Health Partners, International College of Hotel Management Adelaide Australia, KWP+ Partners, Musicorp - powered by Studio 19, TAFE SA, The List, and Visualcom.