About the Festival

More than any other Australian festival of its kind, it offers a place for cultural and intellectual nourishment, a sense of gathering and of community, led by the inspired programming of directors Neil Armfield and Rachel Healy.

The Australian

2020 marked Adelaide Festival's 60th anniversary: for 60 years, audiences have delighted in an outstanding mix of internationally acclaimed theatre productions, an eclectic array of world-class musicians, breathtaking dance pieces, renowned writers and striking visual arts displays. Enjoyed amid warm March days and starry nights, Adelaide Festival’s celebration of creative excellence makes for an event of truly epic proportions.

2021 was the fifth Adelaide Festival presented by Joint Artistic Directors Neil Armfield AO and Rachel Healy. All of their festivals from 2017 – 2021 have been a resounding success, smashing targets and breaking box office records. Neil and Rachel will direct the 2022 and 2023 Adelaide Festival programs, making them the longest serving Artistic Directors.

Read about the 2022 Adelaide Festival

Read more: download our Strategic Plan 2020-2024

AF Annual Report 2020-21: Download (pdf) or view online.

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Save the date for the next editions: 

4 - 20 Mar 2022 | 3 - 19 Mar 2023

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Adelaide Festival commissions and champions Australia’s most innovative new work along with presenting some of the world’s great companies and artists including Lloyd Newson, Lyon Opera Ballet, Scottish Opera, Romeo Castellucci, Johan Inger, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Hofesh Shechter, Meryl Tankard, Milo Rau, Grace Jones, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Akram Khan, Sylvie Guillem, John Zorn, Marlene Dietrich, Allen Ginsberg, James Thiérrée, Philip Glass, Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal, Isabelle Huppert, Schaubühne Berlin, Yehudi Menuhin, Isabella Rossellini, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Nina Simone, Jane Birkin and Malcolm McLaren.

Around the world we are asked what makes the Adelaide Festival so special. Because its reputation precedes us. It’s known as one of those festivals that set the standard. And we say that for those 17 days in March the weather is glorious and there is a buzz and a palpable ambition that you can taste in the air around you. The whole city is alive with hope and pleasure and possibility.

Rachel Healy and Neil Armfield AO, Joint Artistic Directors

CURIOUS ABOUT PAST FESTIVALS? VISIT OUR ARCHIVE 

Adelaide Festival is a member of Festivals Adelaide: representing Adelaide's ten major arts and cultural festivals.

The Adelaide Festival Corporation Act 1998 is available here.