Stadium Anthems and Festival Fever: Your Adelaide Guide for March 5

Adelaide Comes Alive with Major Concerts and Arts

Today, Thursday, 5 March 2026, Adelaide is the epicenter of Australian entertainment as the city’s major festival season reaches a fever pitch. With the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Fringe in full swing, residents and visitors are treated to a massive lineup ranging from international stadium tours to intimate avant-garde theater. Whether you are heading to the North Adelaide parklands or the cultural precinct of North Terrace, the city is buzzing with creative energy.

Major Stage and Stadium Highlights

• Ed Sheeran: The Loop Tour at Adelaide Oval – The global superstar takes over the iconic Adelaide Oval tonight for a massive stadium performance. Gates open at 4:00 pm, with a packed schedule of support acts beginning at 5:15 pm, featuring Aaron Rowe, Mira Wray, and Vance Joy. Ed Sheeran is expected to take the stage at 8:00 pm. Fans are reminded that valid event tickets include free public transport on all regular Adelaide Metro services from 2:00 pm.
• The Tiger Lillies at Her Majesty’s Theatre – As part of the Adelaide Festival, the world-famous Olivier Award-winning trio brings their unique blend of cabaret, vaudeville, and dark humor to the stage. This macabre and theatrical performance is a must-see for those seeking something unconventional and high-energy.

Theater and Fringe Performances

• DNA at The Mill Adelaide – A highlight of the 2026 Adelaide Fringe, Dennis Kelly’s gripping thriller DNA opens today. This fast-paced play explores the darker side of peer pressure and morality through the lens of a group of teenagers caught in a shocking cover-up.
• POV at the Space Theatre – The Adelaide Festival presents POV, a compelling theatrical work that challenges perspectives. Performances are scheduled throughout the day and evening, offering an immersive experience in the heart of the Festival Centre.
• Mama Does Derby at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre – Running from 10:00 am, this comedic and theatrical production offers a lighter look at the world of roller derby, combining sport-inspired choreography with storytelling.

Public Exhibitions

• 2026 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Yield Strength – Open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, this pre-eminent survey of contemporary Australian art is spread across the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Samstag Museum of Art, and the Adelaide Botanic Garden. The 19th edition, titled Yield Strength, features new works by 24 contemporary artists exploring how materials and society transform under pressure.
• Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery – The South Australian Museum on North Terrace remains a vital stop today for those interested in the world's oldest continuous civilization, featuring over 3,000 artifacts in one of the most respected collections of its kind.