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Adelaide Festival Theatre - Modern white building with curved architecture sits among tall urban skyscrapers in a city centre.

Venue

Adelaide Festival Theatre

Adelaide, South Australia King William Road, Adelaide SA 5000 adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

Festival Theatre is the largest theatre of its kind in Adelaide, seating almost 2000 people. It has been the heart of the arts in South Australia since 1973 and hosts a variety of major performances and festivals every year, from major musicals to stunning ballets.

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Visiting Adelaide Festival Theatre

Location

Festival Theatre is located on the western side of King William Road, approximately 200 metres north of the North Terrace intersection, in the Riverbank precinct adjacent to Elder Park and Festival Plaza, in Adelaide.

Getting there

By public transport: Adelaide Railway Station is adjacent to the centre, with tram stops in front of the train station on North Terrace and in front of Festival Theatre on King William Road. The free City Connector bus (routes 98A, 98C, 99A, 99C) operates every 15 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes on weekends. Taxi services are available at nearby ranks on North Terrace and King William Street. You can walk from North Terrace via the laneway alongside SkyCity Casino or by crossing the footbridge from Adelaide Oval.

History

Festival Theatre opened in June 1973 as part of Australia's first capital city multi-purpose arts centre, designed by Hassell Architects. The building was officially opened by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on 2 June 1973. The theatres and internal spaces underwent extensive upgrading and refurbishment in late 2025, reopening in time for the Adelaide Festival at the end of February 2026.

Upcoming

Nothing scheduled here right now. New announcements land on the What's On page first — or see what's been on recently.

Recently at Adelaide Festival Theatre

Reviews from Adelaide Festival Theatre