Over the next six months, Adelaide is set to host some of the biggest sporting events and arts festivals in the world.
From the energy of vibrant music festivals that spill into the streets, to adrenaline-fueled adventures, it’s easy to see why South Australia is known as the ‘Festival State’.
Santos Tour Down Under
6-25 January 2026
Gear up for January 2026, when the streets of Adelaide and the sweeping roads of regional South Australia set the stage for the Santos Tour Down Under, a 10-day adrenaline-charged celebration of cycling, culture, and community.
Watch the world’s best male and female professional riders battle it out across challenging terrain, including the longest women’s race and legendary climbs. With the return of the men’s race and tougher stages than ever before, this year promises edge-of-your-seat action.
But the Tour is more than a race — it’s a state-wide party. From mass-participation rides and family-friendly fun to street festivals, live music, and buzzing laneways, the Festival of Cycling transforms South Australia into a vibrant hub of energy and excitement.
LIV Golf Adelaide
13-15 February 2026
LIV Golf Adelaide 2026 returns to The Grange Golf Club, with this world-class event set to draw fans from around the globe for three days of unforgettable action. Watch the biggest names in golf compete, enjoy live concerts, and experience the vibrant LIV Golf Fan Village.
With over 100,000 fans attending last year, this landmark event is set to be even bigger in 2026. Gather your mates and start planning the ultimate sporting holiday. Early bird tickets are on sale now.
Adelaide Fringe
20 February – 22 March 2026
Adelaide Fringe is the largest arts festival in the southern hemisphere. Held over four weeks in February and March, the Fringe features a program of more than 1,400 shows and 6,000 artists. It offers a vibrant mix of genres including cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, theatre, film, music, puppetry, visual art, and more.
From the wild spectacle of Gluttony and The Garden of Unearthly Delights to late-night comedy at The Rhino Room and immersive pop-up performances in unexpected laneways, the Fringe transforms the entire city into a vibrant playground of creativity. Millions of culture seekers from around the globe flock to Adelaide to experience the Fringe, making it a must-visit event.
Adelaide Festival
27 Feb – 15 Mar 2026
In 2026, Adelaide will once again become a city alive with creativity and world-class culture as the Adelaide Festival returns for two unmissable weeks. From iconic theatres to open-air stages, the festival will showcase a bold and diverse program across opera, theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, cabaret and visual art.
A highlight of the Festival is Adelaide Writers’ Week, Australia’s largest free literary festival, which invites readers and writers to gather in the heart of the city for open-air conversations, storytelling, and thought-provoking discussion.
WOMADelaide
6 – 9 March 2026
Get ready for an unforgettable long weekend as WOMADelaide returns to Adelaide’s Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla. This world-renowned open-air festival is a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and community. Each year, performers and audiences from over 30 countries come together to share in four days of global sounds, powerful ideas, and artistic expression.
From mouth-watering food stalls and immersive art installations to lively family zones, WOMADelaide offers something for everyone in a truly unique setting.
For Kiwis keen to experience the events that South Australia has to offer, getting to there is easier than ever.
Air New Zealand offers daily direct flights from Auckland to Adelaide, and a new twice-weekly service from Christchurch launching in October. Qantas will introduce a non-stop Auckland–Adelaide route, flying four times a week from October.
