While many cities spread their cultural festivals throughout the year, Adelaide decided to say ‘screw it’ and host multiple events in the same month. Why the hell not?? The result is a month-long cultural playground affectionately known as “Mad March,” when festivals, sport, food, and late-night fun all collide.
The autumn events bring the (affectionately) sleepy city to life and create a buzz that’s palpable amongst tourists and locals alike. Restaurants and bars are packed, some spilling out onto the streets that are soaking up the last of the summer sun. Theatres and parks have a rotating lineup of comedians, musicians, and shows, and throughout it all, it never feels overwhelming or crowded. Really, it’s the place to be.
If you were considering a cultural getaway, here’s what you should see and do during Adelaide’s Mad March.
What to Do
Adelaide Fringe
Adelaide Fringe is Australia’s biggest arts festival. While it technically kicks off in late February, Adelaide Fringe is a mainstay of Mad March. This year, the festival is running from February 20 to March 22 and has over 1500 shows scheduled. There’s something for everyone as audiences can expect a mixture of comedy, theatre, cabaret, music, arts, and workshops.
Events are dotted across the city, with a large portion being held in Rundle Park. It’s inside the city’s park where you’ll find The Garden of Unearthly Delights, one of Mad March’s festival precincts. Catch a show at the famous Spiegeltent, Maho Magic Bar (a neon-lit cocktail bar), The Roundhouse, and The Factory.
The Garden of Unearthly Delight feels like a music festival and carnival combined. If you’re unsure of what to book tickets to, head to the box office and choose from a list of world-class performers. There are bars to duck in and out of, like the Hesketh Wine & Piano Bar, where you can enjoy some live music before your show begins.
Wondering what to book tickets to at Fringe 2026? Consider a late-night comedy variety show with The Kaye Hole, hosted by singer and comedian Rueben Kaye. Award-winning UK performer, Jade Franks, is performing an autobiographical one-woman show titled Eat The Rich (but maybe not me mates x), which we are sat for.
La Ronde is a circus performance and the winner of the Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award: Best Circus 2026. Award-winning, wine-loving cabaret queen Tash York is Drop Red Gorgeous with her cabaret drag show, and (fresh off a sell-out international tour), “comedy wine duo Sweeney Preston (a PEDESTRIAN alum!) and Ethan Cavanagh are back with their award-winning show In Pour Taste, serving pinot grigio and giggles.
There’s something for everyone, so be sure to browse the stacked program and book your tickets before they sell out.
Adelaide Festival
Oh, you thought we were done? Nope. There’s another major festival taking place during Mad March, and that’s Adelaide Festival.
Adelaide Festival runs from February 27 until March 15 and is recognised as Australia’s pre-eminent arts festival. Fancy. The program includes a cross-section of theatre, opera, music, dance, and visual art. Basically, if you’re a culture lover, Adelaide Festival is the place to be.
Wondering what to watch? One of the most in-demand choreographers in the world, Hofesh Shechter, is returning to Adelaide for Theatre of Dreams, a dance performance that moves through portals of darkness and imagination. Intriguing.
There’s also an eight-hour theatre show (don’t worry, there are breaks), in Gatz. The Australian exclusive of the US production is an electric retelling of The Great Gatsby that’s described as a theatrical and literary marathon. Perfect for those who want to extend their cultural tastes.
Written by acclaimed Palawa playwright Dylan Van Den Berg, Whitehella Yella Tree is set in the early 19th century and tells the story of two teenage boys, Ty of the River Mob and Neddy of the Mountain Mob, sparking a friendship that blossoms into a heady romance that’s been described as a new great Australian love story. Consider us locked in. There are over 45 events to attend, so browse the 2026 program to see what’s on.
Where to Dine
After all that culture, you’re probably hungry. As well as being a cultural hub, Adelaide is also a contender for Australia’s favourite foodie spot.
Take a wander around Adelaide Central Market for fresh fruits, vegetables, and stalls by local artisans (don’t miss the cheese from Smelly Cheese Co.). Osteria Oggi in the centre of the city is an Italian piazza that serves delicious pasta and a spritz that’s perfect for afternoons between shows. For an elevated (yet intimate) dining experience, head to Shobosho for traditional Japanese yakitori dishes.
Looking for an after-show tipple? Leigh Street Wine Room is located in the heart of the chic West End of the CBD and is a perfect option for dissecting your last comedy or theatre show over a light snack and a bottle of wine.
There are tons of dining options in Adelaide that suit group bookings, quick market stalls and vendors in between Fringe sets and cosy wine bars for date nights.
Where to Stay
If you’re not a local, staying in the heart of the CBD is your best bet. Between the Garden of Unearthly Delights and Space Theatre for Adelaide Festival, you’ll be smashing your 10K step count with ease.
Right in the thick of Adelaide’s buzzing CBD, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets puts you within arm’s reach of the city’s best food, culture and nightlife. Step out of your doorstep and you’re in the heart of Chinatown and a couple of minutes from Adelaide Markets. It also features a rooftop bar named Merrymaker that has views of the whole city and serves a mean margarita.
Downstairs, you’ll find Market & Meander, a modern Italian café, restaurant and bar (yes, the one with the iconic pink booths). Swing by in the morning for a seriously good hotel breakfast before heading out to explore everything Mad March has to offer.
The author of this article travelled to Adelaide as a guest of South Australian Tourism.
Lead images: Adelaide Fringe
The post All The Unmissable Events For Adelaide’s Mad March, From Fringe Festival To Foodie Hotspots appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
