The venue will close progressively in July and August next year and reopen in early 2026. The closure encompasses all spaces within the venue, including event spaces for hire outside of the three main theatres.
With state government funded upgrades to the Western Plaza between two of the centre’s theatres – Festival Theatre and Dunstan Playhouse – set to shut down Adelaide Festival Centre’s theatres, the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust has made a $16 million investment in internal upgrades of its major cultural spaces to be completed at the same time.
As part of the works, the seating in all three theatres will be replaced, lighting upgrades in the foyers and auditoriums will be completed and the stage floors will be refurbished in both the Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre.
“Following the government announcement earlier this year, we saw this as an opportunity to reinvest in Adelaide Festival Centre and make some timely improvements,” said Adelaide Festival Centre’s CEO and artistic director, Douglas Gautier AM.
“While these upgrades are taking place, we will utilise the redeveloped Her Majesty’s Theatre and activate locations across Adelaide 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.”
The South Australian Government has promised a $35 million upgrade of Western Plaza to improve accessibility to Adelaide Festival Centre, including providing new access to Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre with the addition of a lift connecting the Northern Promenade more directly to the plaza level. Fire and safety systems in the plaza will also get a substantial upgrade as part of the government works.
While Adelaide Festival Centre is closed, the venue team will continue to run their other venue in a different part of Adelaide’s CBD, Her Majesty’s Theatre, which underwent a huge redevelopment between 2018 and 2020, including the addition of a new event space, the Ian and Pamela Wall Gallery and Pickard Terrace on the rooftop level of the theatre.
