Adelaide Fringe - ‘born’ in 1960 - the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, will yet again transform the city into a mecca of culture, creativity, and art.
Across the state, Fringe spreads its wings from Adelaide City through the suburbs and into the regions, spanning from the Flinders Ranges all the way down to the Limestone Coast
For 31 magic summer days and nights from 16 February to 17 March 2024, be transported into a wonderful arts utopia with the best local, national and international artists taking over the city across pubs and bars, theatres, art galleries and the parklands.
Be sure to swing by “The Virgin Australia Wonderful Hub” at Fringe Corner Box Office this season, live every Friday and Saturday evening during the festival. Get glammed up and enter the Velocity Vault to WIN wonderful prizes including Fringe tickets, Velocity points vouchers IHG Hotels and Resorts vouchers, and more!
The toughest decision will be picking which events to book, so make a week of it and enjoy all that Adelaide Fringe and this artsy destination has to offer.
What is Adelaide Fringe?
Adelaide Fringe is Australia’s biggest arts festival, known as ‘The People’s Festival’, with audiences from 1 to 100+ years old. Adelaide Fringe 2024 features a line-up of more than 1400 comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, music, and interactive events. Proudly, over half the program are South Australian talent, and twenty-three per cent international acts.
Where is Adelaide Fringe in 2024?
There are more than 500 Adelaide Fringe venues, with performances everywhere from parks, theatres, shipping containers, galleries and more.
The city is the festival’s epicentre, with performances spilling out from Rundle Mall to Rymill Park, and where you’ll find the festival’s signature venues Gluttony and the Garden of Unearthly Delights which features everything from risqué to family friendly.
The Garden of Unearthly Delights is celebrating its 22nd anniversary, based in Rundle Park. The program showcases a mix of emerging artists alongside award-winning comedians, with the centrepiece Limbo - The Return.
Head to Gluttony, the east end hub, with 173 shows programmed, including 2023 Pick of the Fringe Winners London Calling and favourites such as Matador and 27 Club . Amongst the new shows at Gluttony is The Grilling Season with Annabel Crabb and the incredible Japanese circus YOAH.
Spreading the love across the city some new hubs for 2024 include The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub at Festival Plaza and Infamous Theatre at Ellis Park. Returning hubs include Wonderland Festival Hub at Hindmarsh Square, Fool’s Paradise at Victoria Square and The Courtyard of Curiosities at the Migration Museum.
Adelaide Fringe 2024 program highlights
Fringe Ambassadors from previously years are back performing a range of shows, including Paul McDermott, Joel Creasey, Hans, Diana Nguyen, Nazeem Hussain, Reuben Kaye and Kween Kong.
Below are just a couple of highlight acts at Adelaide Fringe 2024.
Diana is back to Fringe with her new show ‘Sunny Side Up’. What happens when you go through a break up? Do you drink, Cry and walk it off? She did exactly that - walking 300kms of the Camino De Santiago in Spain. A fabulous, fun, show about blisters, Spanish wine and Italian Love/Men.
Her Majesty – The Queen Rock Sale
Prepare for an evening celebrating the musical genius of Queen. Expect the unexpected, with the line up of all-star musicians and a spectacular cast of dancers, this will be a tribute show like no other.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience
Labelled ‘Best bespoke theatre of your life’, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight inside the TV series on this immersive comedy show, alongside three-courses of food.
Pick of the Fringe 2023 award winner, London Calling Cabaret returns showcasing the talents of Cirque de Soleil stars, hilarious stunts from Sam Goodburn, hula hooping from Chelsea Angell, and aerial stunts from Shaunah Johnson.
If you love the Beatles, check out one of the many shows at Adelaide Fringe 2024. Choose from Oranges and Lennons, The Beatles Dub Club, Beatles Burlesque – and many more.
What are the Adelaide Fringe 2024 Festival dates?
The festival takes over Adelaide from 16 February to 17 March 2024.
How do I get Adelaide Fringe tickets?
It’s easy! You can book tickets online, become a Fringe Member and access 2for1 tickets to participating events and exclusive discounts, competitions and freebies year-round.
Many shows book out early and some are only one performance, so make sure to book in advance, especially if there is an Adelaide Fringe show you desperately want to see.
Is the Adelaide Fringe Festival free?
Much of the festival is free, and if you wander the streets and parks, you’ll discover performances, music, mime and more. You’ll find many of the free performances in Rundle Mall, as well as buskers, food stalls and other entertainment. Make sure to visit the many galleries across the city that are hosting free art, design, pottery, ceramics, and textile exhibitions. When you need a break, just grab some street food and drinks, sit on the grass or picnic areas at the performance hubs and watch the world go by. While you can certainly enjoy a huge amount of the festival for free, remember that if you want to see certain performances, you’ll need to book your tickets in advance through the Adelaide Fringe website.
Are there shows for families?
Fringe marries its wild and wacky adult content with an abundance of Adelaide Fringe shows for families and kids. From The Pinky Pie Party, to Children are Stinky, the Adelaide Fringe children’s program is bursting.
Where to stay in Adelaide for the Fringe Festival
Crowne Plaza Adelaide is the official Hotel Partner and IHG Hotels & is the Official Hotel Group Partner for Adelaide Fringe 2024. IHG Hotels & Resorts offer their extensive range of hotels – from Holiday Inn Express, to Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets. Or book a city stay at one of the many central Adelaide hotels through Virgin Australia Hotels.
Adelaide is bursting with boutique accommodation and luxury city apartments; however, accommodation will be in demand so book as early as you can.
Things to do while you're in Adelaide
If you want to extend your stay and explore a little further, take a look at the incredible regional events happening around South Australia as part of Adelaide Fringe.
The renowned Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale vineyards are each under an hour’s drive from Adelaide and can be explored in a day trip or with a day or two stay. If you have the time, beautiful Kangaroo Island is only two and a half hours by car and ferry and is worth at least a night or two on the island to explore its beaches, local cafes and renowned nature.
Virgin Australia has direct daily flights to Adelaide from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.