Adelaide Festival Centre’s ‘iconic building’ set for temporary closure in 2025

The curtain will close on the Adelaide Festival Centre while its three theatres undergo major upgrades next year. Here’s when it goes dark.

Artist impression of the upgrade for the Adelaide Festival Centre. Picture: Supplied

The Adelaide Festival Centre will be out of action from mid next year while its three theatres close for major upgrades.

Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre will be shut from July 2025 and the Festival Theatre from August 2025 for the $51 million makeover.

They are all scheduled to reopen in early 2026.

Artist impression of the upgrade for the Adelaide Festival Centre. Picture: Supplied

Stairs and a lift would replace the old switchback ramps at the Adelaide Festival Centre. Picture: Supplied

The makeovers will include new seats for all theatres and lighting for foyers and auditoriums.

Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre will also get new stage flooring.

These are in addition to works previously announced by the Malinauskas government.

In December it was announced that there would be a $35 million upgrade to the Western Plaza – between Festival Theatre and Dunstan Playhouse – to improve access to Adelaide Festival Centre.

A further $16 million has been allocated through the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust.

The Adelaide Festival Centre at night time in 1974. Picture: Advertiser Library

Fire and safety systems will be upgraded and a new lift will be installed.

While the Adelaide Festival Centre will be closed, Her Majesty’s Theatre will remain open and become the venue for festivals and shows.

With close to 1500 capacity, it is owned by Adelaide Festival Centre and underwent a $66 million makeover in recent years.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and artistic director Douglas Gautier said other locations across Adelaide would also be used as venues “to continue to bring arts, education and entertainment to all South Australians”.

“We appreciate the continued support of all our partners, patrons and staff and believe these upgrades will ensure this iconic building will continue to be enjoyed by future generations to come,” he said.

SA architect John Morphett inside Adelaide Festival Centre building which he designed. Picture: Advertiser Library

Construction manager Derek Mills looking at scale model that ensured that all was right with the auditorium during the building of the Adelaide Festival Theatre in 1974. Picture: Advertiser Library

Arts Minister Andrea Michaels said the Adelaide Festival Centre has been “an icon in South Australia for more than 50 years”.

“The Malinauskas Government is already investing $35 million to deliver upgrades to fire and safety systems and access improvements, and now with the support of Adelaide Festival Centre Trust, we will be undertaking further improvements to the three theatres,” she said.

“We are ensuring that Adelaide Festival Centre continues to be at the heart of arts and culture in South Australia for a long time to come.”

Adelaide Festival Centre Trust chair Karlene Maywald said the upgrades would ensure that the venue “continues to contribute to South Australia’s economic, cultural and social fabric for many years to come”.