Adelaide Fringe, one of the most prestigious Fringe festivals in the Southern Hemisphere, has announced its programme for 2026. Featuring more than 1500 acts in comedy, cabaret, circus, theatre, music, visual art, interactive works and large-scale immersive experiences, the festival will once again transform the major Australian city into a cultural hub. 

Running from Friday 20 February–Sunday 22 March, the festival will convert a huge number of neighbourhood spaces and other places into bustling venues, as well as creating a constellation of hotspots in the form of Gluttony, The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Rhino Room, Fool’s Paradise, Goodwood Theatres, Courtyard Of Curiosities, Plant 4 Bowden, Arkaba Hotel, Holden Street Theatres and dozens more. 

First Nations-led work will sit at the heart of this year’s programme, featuring powerful storytelling, contemporary performance and collaborations that foreground Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. Highlights include Aboriginal Comedy All-stars, a well-regarded showcase of First Nations stand-ups. 

A few other highlights from the 1500-strong programme includes the Edinburgh Fringe sell-out Eat The Rich (But Maybe Not Me Mates x), which we awarded four stars, writing, ‘in what is clearly a personal story, Jade becomes a heroine of our time.’ Read the full review. Meanwhile, a stunning season of Orpheus And Eurydice will be helmed by Fringe favourites Wright and Grainger. 

Adelaide Fringe’s director and CEO Heather Croall AM said: ‘Adelaide Fringe continues to grow as a festival that celebrates creativity in all its forms, the 2026 program showcases extraordinary talent from South Australia and around the world, offering audiences experiences that surprise, connect and inspire.’

There’s plenty more to dig into in this year’s teeming programme. We’ll be detailing must-see shows and giving you hot tips as the Adelaide Fringe draws nearer.

Adelaide Fringe, various venues, Adelaide, Friday 20 February – Sunday 22 March; main picture: Carl Vester (courtesy of Adelaide Fringe).