The 19 best shows to see at Adelaide Fringe in 2026

After sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe and a knockout 2025 debut in Adelaide, Thailand’s most dazzling showbiz divas are premiering an all-new 2026 production that’s as fabulous as it is flirtatious. Dripping in diamantes, feathers and sequins, the LadyBoys work the floor, dancing to the biggest pop hits you know and love. You can join the party, sing your heart out and make hundreds of friends in one exhilarating hour. Can I get a “yas, queens!?”

When: February 18 to March 22
Where: The Roundhouse at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Price: $55 to $85

If you only see one show at Adelaide Fringe, make it La Ronde. Back for another year, this cabaret-cross-comedy-cross-concert gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “you gotta risk it for the biscuit”. It’s both risky and risqué, and the biscuit part will make sense once you’ve seen it. In 2025, the Strut and Fret team (Blanc de Blanc, Limbo) assembled a sensational international cast, featuring hair-hanging icon Polina Karvovskaya (Belarus), mouth-hanging aerialist Felipe Reyes (Colombia) and viral aerial pole star Sergiy Mishchurenko (Ukraine) – and we expect the 2026 cast will be just as jaw-dropping.

When: February 13 to March 22
Where: The Spiegeltent at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Price: $59 to $139

Step into Immersive Worlds and let the reality melt away. In one of three spectacular domes, you can flop onto a beanbag and look up as 360-degree films unfold across the curved ceiling. There are 14 breathtaking documentaries to dive into – from a submarine voyage through the Ningaloo Reef to a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon set to a legendary soundtrack. You can also strap in for five vivid VR experiences or get involved with one of three interactive experiences, including Celestial Gardens: The Secret Sound of Plants, where living plants create music in real time.

When: February 7 to April 6
Where: Immersive Worlds at Middleback Arts Centre, Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre, & Olympic House
Price: $10 to $45

Bernie Dieter and her band of legendary misfits are descending upon Adelaide to deliver a whole month of debaucherous fun and frivolity. Starring the legendary queen of Weimar punk, described as an "electrifying cross between Lady Gaga, Marlene Dietrich and Frank-N-Furter in sequins", Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett will take over the Aurora Spiegeltent at The Garden of Unearthly Delights for the full fest. Audiences can expect riotous original songs, immense vocal talent and a jaw-dropping line-up of contortionists, sword swallowers, fire breathers and aerialists.

When: February 21 to March 22
Where: Aurora Spiegeltent at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Price: $65 to $139

Expect a magical night out at this neon-lit cocktail bar, returning to The Garden of Unearthly Delights. It’s not just metaphorically magical, but an actual magic-filled evening featuring a line-up of magician superstars direct from Japan. There's no stage for the performers here as the intimate show will take place right at your table, where you'll be just inches away from the bamboozling sleight-of-hand magic. While you enjoy the show, you'll sip on bespoke cocktails mixed by a Japanese master mixologist.

When: February 18 to March 22
Where: The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Price: $59 to $85

What do David Bowie, George Michael, Prince, Leonard Cohen, Sharon Jones and Leon Russell all have in common? Beyond their status as legendary musicians who could command a room with a single strum or note, they all tragically passed away in 2016. Ten years later, the creative minds behind smash-hit show 27 Club are returning to Gluttony to present the world premiere season of their follow-up production, Twenty Sixteen. This high-energy rockumentary brings their stories and music back to life, powered by an all-star seven-piece live band, including the queen of Australian soul, Kylie Auldist, alongside 27 Club favourite Dusty Lee Stephensen.

When: February 19 to March 9
Where: The Fantail at Gluttony
Price: $30 to $55

After two sell-out seasons, the Infamous cast is back and ready to break all the rules in their custom-built Spiegel big top. This high-energy show packs gravity-defying stunts, seductive burlesque and outrageous comedy into two epic hours, all set to a backdrop of dazzling lights and pulsing music. It’s R-rated for a reason – dare to find out why?

When: February 20 to March 22
Where: Main Stage at Infamous Theatre
Price: $65 to $150

Winner of Adelaide Fringe’s Best Comedy 2024, British comic Elf Lyons has been hailed as one of the “50 funniest comedians of the 21st century”. After catching her one-woman show at last year’s Fringe, we’re definitely back for round two. Her 2026 show is a punk-fuelled reimagining of Swan Lake featuring ballet, violence, wrestling, nudity, an evil owl, magic, 45 bras and a very loose grasp of the French language. Strap in!

When: February 20 to March 22
Where: The Hetzel Room at The Courtyard of Curiosities at the State Library
Price: $29.50 to $37

Cirque du Soleil meets Magic Mike in this powerful, post-apocalyptic circus comedy from Head First Acrobatics. Elixir Revived has racked up countless five-star reviews for its mash-up of outrageous comedy with the world’s most dangerous circus stunts. It’s just one of the bold and brilliant acts popping up at the circus and burlesque hub at Fool’s Paradise.

When: February 18 to March 22
Where: The Vault at Fool’s Paradise
Price: $39 to $64

This devilish display of modern queer burlesque will leave you wanting to sign up to the church of Reuben Kaye. Returning to Adelaide Fringe in 2025, the award-winning drag artist and comedian will present the hottest late-night line-up of cabaret stars performing the riskiest and most diverse acts, all backed by a live band. You’ll never want to crawl out of this Kaye Hole.

When: March 20 to 21
Where: Hindley Street Music Hall
Price: $45

Spellbinding arts meet sacred architecture in this world premiere experience at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, Adelaide’s iconic church will glow to life with cutting-edge projections, enveloping sound and intricate light design. Get lost in the movement, colour and stillness.

When: February 18 to March 22
Where: St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral
Price: $10 to $15

Fresh from a sell-out season in London’s West End, slapstick sensation Garry Starr hits Adelaide to perform every single Penguin Classic you can think of – from Frankenstein to The Grapes of Wrath – in one wildly bonkers 60-minute show. Spoiler: you won’t actually learn much about English literature.

When: March 2 to 22
Where: The Factory at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Price: $40 to $49

It’s time to fire up MSN Messenger, dig out your cargo pants and splash a little skunk dye in your hair – the ultimate 2000s throwback party is returning to Fringe. Adelaide’s own Chloe Castledine and her ten-piece crew of dancers and musicians will deliver a non-stop hour of bangers, featuring Y2K legends like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and J Lo. See you on the DF! 

When: February 24 to March 8
Where: The May Wirth at Gluttony
Price: $40 to $65

Prepare to be whisked away on a journey of wine, wit and whimsy as comedy duo Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh bring their smash-hit show, In Pour Taste, to Gluttony for yet another year. Winner of the 2024 Best Eat and Drink Award, this mischievous masterclass includes vines-worth of jovial, banter-heavy jokes and five delightful wine tastings. You’ll leave on cloud wine!

When: February 21 to March 22
Where: The Octagon at Gluttony
Price: $55 to $59

If you thought blowing bubbles was an innocent pleasure, think again. This Australian-born, adults-only show has been selling out Fringe festivals around the world since 2017 – and returns for one final season. It blends high-level bubble-based wizardry with comedy, performance art and a little bit of raunch – hence why the kids need to stay at home. But don’t worry, the same troupe has a soaptastic Bubble Show In Space for kids, running every weekend.

When: February 13 to March 22
Where: Umbrella Revolution at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Price: $30 to $38

This immersive theatrical dinner experience based on the beloved BBC has been a hit since its debut in Brisbane all the way back in 1997. Faulty Towers The Dining Experience now tours Australia year-round and is ideal for people who don’t enjoy sitting in a traditional theatre – you get to eat, drink, talk and move around throughout the show. Expect a ’70s-style three-course meal, alongside two hours of gags and shambolic service from Basil, Sybil and Manuel. 

When: February 20 to March 22
Where: Botanical Room at The Terrace Hotel Adelaide
Price: $95 to $120

Lizzy Hoo has been flat-out over the past few years – a debut comedy special, a stack of telly gigs and more all-star sets than you can poke a mic at. Now in her bob era, she’s bringing her reliably spicy jokes, fresh, guffaw-inducing hot takes and signature smirk to the Adelaide Fringe stage. From her newfound golf obsession to co-parenting her dog and channeling “big second wife energy”, Says Hoo? is bound to be a riot.

When: February 24 to March 1
Where: Monocle at The Howling Owl
Price: $29 to $39

Winner of Best In Comedy at Sydney Fringe 2025, this part-cabaret, part-comedy show is sinfully hilarious. Comedian Claire Robin delivers a delightful unholy mash-up of sketch, clowning and live keyboard as she dives into themes of religion, the body and Barnaby Joyce. Prepare for chaos.

When: February 26 to March 3
Where: Main Stage at Arthur Arthouse
Price: $26 to $29

Wanna know what's hot? Patrick Durnan Silva and Honor Wolff. The chaotic yet comedic brother and sister duo return for another season of filthy fan favourites and never-before-seen sketches. Go on a deep dive into their hilariously warped minds at Hot Department – 100 unhinged sketches and mild, tasteless nudity packed into one unhinged hour.

When: March 10 to 22
Where: The Hetzel Room at The Courtyard of Curiosities at the State Library
Price: $25 to $33