Image: Morgan Sette
The Garden of Unearthly Delights has revealed its highly anticipated 2026 Adelaide Fringe program, bringing back a whirlwind of colour, chaos and world-class entertainment to Rundle Park/Kadlitpina. As one of the country’s most beloved outdoor festival locations and the epicentre of the Adelaide Fringe, The Garden is continuing its legacy with a massive six-week season from February 13th to March 22nd. Returning with more than 115 shows, including 23 World Premieres and 39 South Australian Premieres. It promises the perfect combination of homegrown style and global talent, with the unmistakable atmosphere that makes The Garden a summer ritual for so many South Aussies.
This season brings some truly spectacular firsts, including the debut of The Sumo Show Hirakuza, performing outside Osaka for the very first time. This theatrical twist on ancient sumo tradition combines comedy, character and physical prowess in a way Adelaide audiences have never seen. Brian Nankervis steps into the spotlight with Wish You Were Mine, blending storytelling and live music alongside the RocKwiz Orkestra, while Australian musical comedy supergroup The Grats unite Gatesy, Rusty Berther, Sammy J, Andrew Hansen and Tom Gleeson for an all-star collaboration premiering at The Garden.
Newcomers also include Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, a decadent dive into circus, fire, gender-bending glamour and East Berlin-style cabaret, as well as the long-awaited Garden debut of The LadyBoys of Bangkok with their high-gloss choreography and couture-grade costumes. Comedy parody Fountain Lakes: Y2K brings a slice of suburban satire, and Tape Face: 20 arrives direct from Las Vegas with a deliciously odd mix of mime, physical comedy and silent stand-up.
Some of the festival’s iconic favourites are making a return too, with La Ronde promising a darker, wilder and even more provocative new chapter, alongside Tom Gleeson’s fresh stand-up show, Out of Touch. The multi-award-winning Garry Starr: Classic Penguins makes a comeback, while Sh!t-faced Shakespeare takes on Hamlet in a chaotic, booze-fuelled fashion. Lano & Woodley bring big laughs and bigger adventures with their new space-themed escapade.
The comedy lineup is stacked with crowd favourites like Dave Hughes, Tommy Little, Celia Pacquola, Geraldine Hickey, Rove McManus, Effie, Lawrence Mooney, The Umbilical Brothers and more, while the legendary Best of the Edinburgh Fest returns once again. Social media stars The Fairbairns and Tilly Oddy-Black will also make their live-stage debut exclusively at The Garden.
Food continues to be an exciting drawcard under the guidance of Africola’s Duncan Welgemoed, curating a mix of stalls serving everything from seafood to handmade dumplings. The Garden Feast returns with long-table dinners hosted by George Calombaris, Matt Stone, Enrico Sgarbossa and Annita Potter, each paired with performances and storytelling under the stars.
Family favourites take over the afternoons with shows like The Luck Child, Splish Splash Science and Camp Culture, while the circus program expands with Haus of Yolo, Naughties, Laser Kiwi and Taiwan’s spellbinding Keep in Touch.
With music, magic, circus, comedy, free events and late-night chaos, The Garden of Unearthly Delights prepares to deliver its biggest season since 2020. Co-Director Michelle Buxton shared, “The Garden is programmed by four industry professionals who live and breathe performing arts every single day. We take so much pride in carefully curating a dynamic and eclectic program that is guaranteed to deliver the very best collection of shows for our wonderful Garden-goers.
“This will be our most dazzling season yet, and we can’t wait to welcome people to our wonderland where world-class superstars share the stage with blossoming new talents, and where taste buds ignite and South Australia’s finest wines, beers, and ciders flow under the stars. It truly is a magical time in Adelaide, and we love being part of it every single year. Bring on the fabulous chaos of The Garden 2026!”
For more information and tickets, click here.
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