Adelaide Fringe delivers culture, creativity and joy on a grand scale. This year, thanks to community donations matched by Presenting Partner NRMA Insurance, even more people can participate in Australia’s biggest arts festival.
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Adelaide Fringe is full of surprises. This inclusive and accessible festival transforms Adelaide and surrounds for 31 days and nights during February and March each year.
Since it began in 1960, when a small group of independent artists created an open-access festival on the ‘fringe’ of the Adelaide Festival, it has grown into the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Today, it sells over a million tickets and attracts artists and festivalgoers from around the world1.
With more than 1,400 shows across 500 venues, there’s something for everyone. Festivalgoers can use the Adelaide Fringe Guide, check out audience favourites or use filters on the Fringe website or the Fringe app to choose shows and buy tickets.
In 2026, Adelaide Fringe will run from 20 February to 23 March.
Show reel from the opening weekend of Adelaide Fringe 2026 (Credit: Adelaide Fringe)
Unfortunately, experiences like Fringe can be out of reach for people experiencing financial hardship. Arts Unlimited, the Adelaide Fringe Foundation, is determined to change this by providing support and initiatives that remove the barriers to participation2.
As Presenting Partner this year, NRMA Insurance will match community donations to Arts Unlimited by doubling donations made at checkout as well as through its Pay it Forward initiative*. These donations will provide free tickets to children and families from community groups experiencing disadvantage who might otherwise miss out.
Heather Croall, Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO, added:
"We’re thrilled to have NRMA Insurance join us as a partner this year, supporting our community and helping us achieve our mission of becoming the most inclusive festival in the world”.
Adelaide teachers describe the positive impact of the Pay if Forward initiative
*NRMA Insurance is matching donations made at checkout dollar-for-dollar, contributing up to an additional $100,000, and matching ticket donations made through Adelaide Fringe’s Pay It Forward initiative, contributing up to an additional $50,000.
All content on the NRMA Insurance Blog is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be professional advice.