South Australia is not called the festival state for nothing; there are many different events that are held throughout the city each year drawing international performers and audiences. From concerts and theatre to annual cultural festivals, there is always something happening throughout the city.
WOMAdelaide is probably the most famous of all events in the South Australian capital. The funny sounding name of the festival stands for the World of Music, Art and Dance Adelaide. This is a spectacular celebration of world music in the beautiful surrounds of the Botanic Gardens. The festival is held for four days in March with several stages set up to showcase performers from all over the globe. In addition to the music performances there is a speakers’ corner, the Global Village that has more than 100 food stalls, several bars and clothing and craft stalls, a Kids Zone and visual arts exhibitions, workshops and roaming performers. Some of the exciting past performers and groups who have graced the stage at WOMAdelaide include: Xavier Rudd, The Beautiful Girls, The Cat Empire, Peter Gabriel, Sarah Blasko, Crowded House, The Gadflys and many, many others. Every year this exciting festival gets bigger and better with more and more cultural events and workshops added to the program.
The Adelaide Fringe Festival is the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere and the second largest fringe festival in the world. Held over a period of 24 thrilling days and exciting nights it features the full spectrum of visual arts from dance to stand up comedy and anything and everything you can imagine in between. From humble beginnings in the early 1960s there are now more than 250 venues around the city that are transformed into performance spaces with more than a million people attending events. The festival includes a great range of both free and ticketed events and it is open to anyone to apply to take part in the program. Highlights of the festival include the opening night party, the Fringe Family Weekend and the Garden of Unearthly Delights.
The Bigpond Adelaide Film Festival is considered by many to be the most important film event held in Australia and it is also listed in Variety Magazine’s world top 50 Unmissable Film Festivals. Since 2002 it has been exposing audiences to film from every nook and cranny around the world and has proudly hosted uncountable premieres. The program provided each year is always exciting and features groundbreaking documentaries, short film and feature length movies for all tastes and interests.
Each February Adelaide becomes the epicentre of the short film world when it hosts Trop Fest, the world’s largest short film festival. It has been recognised internationally and on Aussie shores for the contribution that is makes to the short film industry and often attracts home grown and international artists. Past audiences have included such actors Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, Naomi Watts, Ewen McGregor, Gabriel Byrne and Salma Hayek and directors such as Baz Lurhmann and John Woo. This is a free outdoor event accompanied by live music and entertainment along with international food stall and bars. If visiting Adelaide towards the end of February, you should definitely try to coordinate your trip to coincide with Tropfest.
Since 1997, Barossa under the Stars has become one of South Australia’s premier events and its line up is feverishly anticipated by music fans around the country. Just an hour out of Adelaide, the event is held over the summer in the open air surrounded by the vineyards. This idyllic setting has already played host to such world class performers as Sting, Chris Isaak, Shirley Bassey, Rod Stewart, John Farnham and the Beach Boys. Get your fill of fine music, wine and dining out under the glorious Barossa skies with the Food and Wine Village supplying copious amounts of the finest fare for your gastronomic titillation.
The Come Out Festival is Adelaide’s children’s festival of creativity, contemporary art and fun. It is the largest event of its kind in the world and has tickled the creativity bone of millions of children since it began in 1974. Each year there is an exciting program of events for children up to age 14 and families to explore and participate in.
If you are partial to a fine drop of wine or two, then a visit to the Crush Festival in the Adelaide Hills is in order. Held at the end of January many of the state’s finest wineries have their goods on display during the festival and in one hedonistic day you can enjoy some of Australia’s best wines, take a wine appreciation course, chill out with good friends, good wine, good food and music at one idyllic location in the Adelaide Hills.
There are so many different events and festivals that are held throughout Adelaide and its outskirts during the year, that you are bound to find something that really excites you. Many of these events are unique or internationally acclaimed and celebrated.
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