Adelaide Festival Centre is the place to be these April school holidays with an array of fantastically fun workshops and entertainment for children of all ages.
Adelaide Festival Centre welcomes the award-winning Dead Puppet Society to Space Theatre from April 16 to 18 with The Riddle of Washpool Gully. Combining enchanting storytelling with contemporary puppetry and miniature sets, aimed at children 6 and over, The Riddle of Washpool Gully is a reimagined tale of Australian mythology centring on the incredible creatures that might still live in the uncharted corners of our vast country.
Join in the fun at Adelaide Festival Centre’s Artspace with Re:PLAY a series of vibrant, hands-on workshops designed for families to explore creativity through recycled and repurposed materials from April 15 to 18 with relaxed sessions on April 15 specifically designed for participants with sensory sensitivities.
Led by prominent South Australian artists, these school holiday sessions invite children and their caregivers to dive into the world of sustainable artmaking and transforming everyday items into imaginative masterpieces aimed at children aged 5 to 14. Whether layering textures, building sculptures, or painting with unconventional tools, each workshop offers a new way to see beauty in the discarded and create with purpose .
Adelaide Festival Centre’s ever popular On Stage program returns with a special workshop on April 18 with Visual Theatre Making and Storytelling in association with Dead Puppet Society. Curious and creative kids can jump behind the magical world of puppetry, visual theatre, and world building in this unique school holiday workshop.
Participants aged 10 to 12 years, can let their imagination soar as they explore transforming props, puppet design elements, and the building blocks of location and character. Facilitated by Dead Puppet Society’s Helen Stephen, this hands-on workshop offers an entrance into the world of visual theatre.
Tickets on sale now.
For further details and tickets go to adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
The Riddle of Washpool Gully
Far beyond the outskirts of the big city, near a tiny town that nearly everyone forgot, lay a dry creek bed of no special significance. Once upon a time it had been called Washpool Gully. But the world had moved on from insignificant things, and no one had time for dry creek beds. Except in Washpool Gully something was stirring. Shaken by the rumble of engines and darkening of the sky, something long asleep had decided to wake up.
“A stunning piece of theatre which will appeal to young and old.” – Stage Whispers
“Vividly imagined and meticulously realised with beauty, wit and immense heart.” – The Mercury
Dates: April 16 – 18 (six performances)
Location: Space Theatre: at Adelaide Festival Centre
Age recommendation: From ages 6+
Running time: 55 minutes (no interval)
Tickets on sale now via Ticketek and adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
Workshop: Re:PLAY – Eco-conscious, Family Friendly Workshops
Join in the fun at Adelaide Festival Centre’s Artspace for a series of vibrant, hands-on workshops designed for families to explore creativity through recycled and repurposed materials. Led by prominent South Australian artists, these school holiday sessions invite children and their caregivers to dive into the world of sustainable art-making—transforming everyday items into imaginative masterpieces.
Location: Artspace, Adelaide Festival Centre
Dates: Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat ,15–18 April 2026
Please note: Workshops on 15 April are designed to support children with sensory sensitivities with relaxed crafting sessions and smaller group sizes.
Age recommendation: 5 to 14 (adult supervision required)
Tickets and details via: On sale now via Ticketek and adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
Workshop: Adelaide Festival Centre’s On Stage Program – Visual Theatre Making and Storytelling
Adelaide Festival Centre in association with Dead Puppet Society presents a special theatre making and storytelling workshop.
Facilitated by Dead Puppet Society’s Helen Stephen, this hands-on workshop offers an entrance into the world of visual theatre. Participants will learn fundamental skills they’ll see on stage in The Riddle of Washpool Gully. They will be mentored through the making and staging of scenes using ensemble performance techniques, hand-operated lighting, and exquisite worldbuilding tools.
Location: John Bishop Room, Adelaide Festival Centre
Date: Saturday 18 April
Age recommendation: 10 to 12 years
Runtime: 2 hours
Tickets and details via: On sale now via Ticketek and adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
