Celebrate diversity with over 70 community groups showcasing over 50 cultures in a day of cultural music, dance and food. It’s a COVID safe event with something for everyone.
Free and affordable events are a staple for many of Adelaide’s festivals. Writers’ Week and WOMADelaide both offer equity pricing and transport subsidies, Adelaide Fringe has a dedicated accessibility guide and DreamBIG features family friendly activities.
A Creative Community
The Adelaide festival scene is vibrant and cosmopolitan. Whether you enjoy theatre, music, or art, there is something for everyone. The Adelaide Fringe Festival is a must for any arts lover. Located in the heart of the city, this international festival transforms the streets into a hub for creativity. The Fringe is dedicated to fostering the development of emerging artists and providing an alternative platform for contemporary artistic expression.
The Multicultural Festival is back in Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square this November to celebrate the cultures of South Australia. It is a free community event that brings more than 70 cultural communities to one place, showcasing their songs, dance, food and traditions. Attendees can try their hand at making a traditional Chinese lantern or fan with the Adelaide Chinese Dance Academy or experience how to tie a saree with the Zimbabwe Community of SA.
This year’s festival will also feature a performance by Haitian artist Nancy Denis, who explores her ancestor’s revolt against colonizers in her riveting show Map Boule. In June, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival will feature world-famous French cabaret act Paris Combo, who pay tribute to legendary chanteuse Belle Du Berry in their A Celebration of Song of Belle du Berry. The Feast Queer Arts and Cultural Festival is an opportunity for attendees to celebrate LGBTIQ culture and its rich history. This festival includes drag fashion runways, workshops and seminars, parties and more.
A Sporting Culture
Whether you’re an arts and culture lover, a foodie or a sports fanatic, there is something for everyone to love about Adelaide. The cosmopolitan capital is home to world-class wineries and delicious restaurants, as well as iconic festivals and breathtaking natural scenery.
The city’s rich cultural scene is highlighted by a variety of events throughout the year, including theatre performances and art galleries. You can also enjoy a lively street art scene and visit Kangaroo Island or Flinders Ranges for scenic landscapes and wildlife encounters. The city is also home to a number of famous sporting clubs, such as the Adelaide Football Club and the Adelaide Oval.
Adelaide’s multicultural community is vibrant, with many events offering a range of experiences for all ages. Kids can be entertained and educated during DreamBIG, WOMADelaide or Writers Week, while families can explore heritage sites and try out cuisines from around the world at the Multicultural Festival.
The 2023 Multicultural Festival will take place in Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square on November 14. The free event celebrates the state’s cultural diversity with music, dance, food and art from more than 50 cultures. You can learn to make a lantern, fan or bracelet with the Adelaide Chinese Community Association and take part in traditional dancing workshops or practice saree-tying with the Zimbabwe Community of SA Dance group. The festival will also feature a series of thought-provoking discussions and unique acts that celebrate LGBTIQ culture and community.
Accessibility
As the host of a city with one of the most diverse communities in the world, many Adelaide festival events are well aware of their responsibility to promote diversity and inclusivity. Douglas Gautier, CEO of Adelaide Festival Centre notes that when arts and culture flourish generally so do harmony and tolerance of other cultures.
Bringing together the community is an important element of any event and festivals like WOMADelaide and DreamBIG offer equity pricing and transport subsidies for disadvantaged schools while Writers’ Week has a KidZone and free entry for children.
Multicultural Festivals are an important way for SA to celebrate its diverse communities and showcase the many talents they bring to the state. The 2021 Multicultural Festival, set to be held again in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga this November, will bring over 70 community groups showcasing more than 50 different cultures to the heart of Adelaide for one day. The immersive experience allows SA residents to sample cultural music and dance performances, attend intercultural activities and visit stalls with food, art and craft from around the globe.
The festival is a COVID safe event and tickets can be purchased online here. You can also stay up to date on all things Multicultural Festival through their Facebook page.
Family Friendly
From hip hop to classical guitar, cabaret to staged drama, Australia’s Festival Capital caters for all tastes. Many festivals also offer family friendly activities and events. For example, DreamBIG has a kids’ day, WOMADelaide has a dedicated KidZone and Writers Week offers family-focused workshops and programs.
In 2023, the Multicultural Festival in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga celebrates more than 70 multicultural community groups showcasing over 50 cultures at this free one-day event. There are performances and demonstrations to watch, stalls with cultural crafts and international art as well as culinary delights.
The festival celebrates the rich culture of people in South Australia and encourages the public to learn more about their diverse heritage and traditions. It is a COVID safe event and community groups can apply for grants to attend through the state government.
Research shows that Indigenous festivals matter deeply to Aboriginal communities and are an important way of growing and renewing Indigenous culture. They allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reclaim their identity and strengthen connections to country, as well as helping younger generations to learn more about the history of their ancestors. The Putalina Festival, held at Oyster Cove (‘putalina’ in the local language) since 1984, celebrates local Aboriginal dance and music. The Lockhart River Festival was established in 1996, and the Laura Dance Festival has dancers from eight tribal groups from across the Cape York region of far north Queensland fly into town by light plane to perform.