Adelaide Fringe 2025 Set to Kick Off with Spectacular Opening Weekend Festivities
Fri, Feb 21 2025
Adelaide Fringe, the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, launches its 2025 season on Friday 21 February, following the success of Sneak Peek Week, which gave audiences early access to over 160 shows.

Running until Sunday 23 March, this year’s festival features more than 1,400 shows across 500 venues, offering an unparalleled celebration of creativity and connection.
The opening weekend marks the beginning of four extraordinary weeks, transforming Adelaide and the regions into a melting pot of artistic expression.
Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO, Heather Croall AM said, “The opening weekend is always an electric time to be in Adelaide; the city comes to life with new energy and people. It’s a time when our streets, parks, and venues transform into vibrant stages, and the sense of possibility is palpable. To all of our guests to South Australia and our locals, I say, get out there, see some shows and support the artists, and don’t forget about the smaller venues in pubs, bars and cafes that extend from the east right through to the west end of the city.”
Fringe favourites The Garden of Unearthly Delights, Gluttony, The Courtyard of Curiosities and Fool’s Paradise return with dynamic programs, while the suburbs and regions also boast an exciting bounty of shows including returning sell-out, Sleeps Hill Tunnel located in Panorama–an immersive experience for the whole family.
The opening weekend will feature standout highlights, including ‘Still Alive (and Kicking)’ by Gill Hicks, ‘Thunderstruck: A Night of Classic Rock’ at AC Arts, and ‘Elsewhere in India’ at ILA.
The opening weekend will feature standout highlights, including ‘Still Alive (and Kicking)’ by Gill Hicks, ‘Thunderstruck: A Night of Classic Rock’ at AC Arts, and ‘Elsewhere in India’ at ILA.
2025 marks 20 years of BankSA as Principal Partner of Adelaide Fringe, celebrating two decades of making the festival more accessible and rewarding for audiences. To help festival goers get the most out of their Fringe experience, BankSA continues to offer the BankSA MyFringe Planner, an easy way to discover and organise shows, along with exclusive benefits for BankSA Cardholders.
State General Manager for BankSA, Enza Ferraro said, "Celebrating 20 years as Principal Partner of Adelaide Fringe is an incredible milestone for BankSA. Over two decades, we’ve watched the festival grow into a global cultural phenomenon that transforms Adelaide every year. Fringe is more than just a festival—it’s an economic driver, a launchpad for artists, and a time when creativity takes over the city. We’re thrilled to continue our support in 2025 and encourage everyone to get out, see a show, and be part of this extraordinary event."
South Australian Minister for Arts, Andrea Michaels MP said, “Adelaide Fringe is a cornerstone of our cultural identity and an extraordinary contributor to the state’s economy. With $149 million in economic activity generated last year, this festival demonstrates its ability to transform lives—whether through the joy it brings to audiences, the opportunities it creates for artists, or the connectivity it adds to our communities. The Malinauskas Government is proud to support this iconic event, and I encourage everyone to buy tickets and support the artists that commit to performing in our state each year.”
South Australian Minister for Arts, Andrea Michaels MP said, “Adelaide Fringe is a cornerstone of our cultural identity and an extraordinary contributor to the state’s economy. With $149 million in economic activity generated last year, this festival demonstrates its ability to transform lives—whether through the joy it brings to audiences, the opportunities it creates for artists, or the connectivity it adds to our communities. The Malinauskas Government is proud to support this iconic event, and I encourage everyone to buy tickets and support the artists that commit to performing in our state each year.”
This year, Adelaide Fringe is proud to highlight its commitment to artist wellbeing through a partnership with the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing. $100,000 in funding has been allocated to support artists, with a portion of these funds designated to provide counselling services to artists throughout Fringe. Another portion of the funding has been distributed to shows with mental health themes.
Audiences are encouraged to secure their tickets early, with opening weekend events expected to sell out quickly. The full program is available now - check it out here.