By Lauren Ferrone
Published: Tuesday, February 22, 2022
With the end-of-year festivities behind us, South Australia is gearing up for the maddest few months on the state’s calendar.
We’ve got you covered with some must-see Mad March events for every festivalgoer. By the time you reach the end of the list, there will be no doubt why South Australia is known as ‘The Festival State’.
FESTIVAL FAVOURITES
The Garden of Unearthly Delights
When: 17 February–20 March
Where: Rundle Park, East Tce
From carnival rides and comedy to street food and market stalls, a customary stroll through The Garden of Unearthly Delights is a given during the Adelaide Fringe – especially as the iconic festival precinct celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Adelaide Festival
When: 4–20 March
Where: Various venues across SA
The 2022 Adelaide Festival program is an unparalleled mix of internationally acclaimed theatre productions, musical concerts, dance pieces, recitals and visual arts displays. The festival’s free opening night show held at Adelaide Oval is a must-see. Showcasing homegrown circus favourites Gravity & Other Myths, you’ll hold your breath as the 30 strong troupe team up with a huge choir as they fly into the air and defy gravity. To celebrate Adelaide Festival’s stellar program this year, RAA members can save 10% on selected shows.
FAMILIES
Bubba-Licious
When: 18 February–20 March
Where: Gluttony, Rymill Park
This year, Adelaide Fringe’s audience got a little harder to impress. However, we think this show will be a winner with little festivalgoers. Bubba-Licious – a 30-minute sensory performance – will delight audiences aged six months to three years old and features puppetry, clowns, bubbles, shadow play and much more. The bonus? Mum and Dad get to leave home and enjoy the festivities too.
The Greatest Magic Show!
When: 19 February–20 March
Where: Gluttony, Rymill Park
There are too many awesome family-friendly Adelaide Fringe performances to name them all, but The Greatest Magic Show! truly is the greatest; so much so, even a global pandemic couldn’t stop the stars from performing. The magicians will hit the stage with new jaw-dropping illusions direct from a Las Vegas stage. The kids will also get a magic wand and learn a trick or two.
FREEBIES
Adelaide Writers’ Week
When: 5–10 March
Where: Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, King William Rd
Included as part of Adelaide Festival’s program, this free literary festival deserves a mention of its own. Find a shady spot under a tree and hear from celebrated and emerging writers during free panel sessions at Adelaide Writers’ Week. Get the full program at Adelaide Festival.
Cupid’s Koi Garden/
When: 9–14 March
Where: Adelaide Rd, Mount Barker
Valentine’s Day will be well and truly over, but it seems cupid has fallen in love in SA. Catch a glimpse of Cupid’s Koi Garden – the quirky, gigantic cupid surrounded by 10 oversized goldfish in mock terrazzo ponds in Mount Barker. As part of an Adelaide Festival art installation, the inflatable fountain is free for the public to admire. We can’t guarantee the fish will remember it, but the spectacle will be memorable for the rest of us. Tip: wear your raincoat.
MUSOS
State Opera
When: 2022 season starts 2 March
Where: Various venues across SA
A night at the opera is the perfect way to slow the pace of this festival season. Take your pick from a couple of upcoming State Opera shows, such as Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan (2–8 March) and Boheme on the Beach (26 March) – a love story set on Glenelg beach. RAA members can save 10% on full-priced tickets.
WOMADelaide
When: 11–14 March
Where: Adelaide Botanic Garden
After a venue change last year due to COVID-19, WOMADelaide returns to its spiritual home in Adelaide’s Botanic Park for its 30th anniversary. Dance among the towering trees to tunes from The Cat Empire, Baker Boy, Paul Kelly and many more musicians. Due to travel restrictions, this year’s line-up will mainly showcase artists based in Australia; however, a small but awesome international contingent will still grace the stage. RAA members can save up to 13% on final release WOMADelaide 2022 adult tickets.
Under the Southern Stars
When: 18 March
Where: Bonython Park
We’d say this outdoor rock show will be as phenomenal as a meteorite falling from outer space. American rock stars Cheap Trick will headline Under the Southern Stars at Bonython Park, which forms part of Adelaide Fringe’s program this year. Adelaide’s own trio of sisters Germein will also jam with the best of them.
In the regions
Fringe On Tour
When: 25 February–26 March
Where: Across regional SA
Packed with Adelaide Fringe artists and popping up at various regional destinations across the state, the Fringe Caravan will be hitting the road so nobody misses out on the fun. From a street party in Murray Bridge to comedy shows in the Riverland, locals and visitors to some of SA’s most picturesque regions will get a dose of festival fever.
*Note: Event details are correct at time of publication. Please consult each event’s website for latest information and attendance advice.