Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026 Program Revealed
This year’s festival was programmed by new Artistic Director Reuben Kaye.
Image Claudio Raschella
New Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director Reuben Kaye, a multi-award-winning Australian comedian, singer, and writer, has unveiled the acclaimed festival’s stacked 2026 program.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026 features 79 performers across 12 nights, highlighting local, national and international talent, with the event kicking off with the decadent 2026 Variety Gala on Thursday 4 June at Festival Theatre. The red carpet event is hosted by Kaye and includes a surprise line-up of local and international talent.
Speaking about the Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026, Artistic Director Reuben Kaye says, “This year’s festival is every inch the Reuben Kaye definition of cabaret. It has edge, sex, comedy, fantastic music and hilarious, nail-biting comedy. A festival that pushes your sensibilities to the limits.
“From Aussie icons and international acts of immense fame and scale that you know and love to basement-dwelling unknowns from distant shores who will change your life. This is a festival of risks, of leaps of faith, huge laughs and bigger heart. There is no other festival that could pull this off. No other festival would give me free rein!”
Headlining this year’s program are Aussie pop-rockers Lime Cordiale performing alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Casey Donovan bringing the songs of Amy Winehouse to life for one night only in This Is Me, Broadway star Alfie Boe making his Adelaide Cabaret Festival debut alongside soprano Amy Manford, stars of Jesus Christ Superstar perfomring songs from the musical and sharing behind the scenes stories in What’s The Buzz and Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox bringing the festival to a close with high-energy party The Future is Vintage.
Other highlights of this year’s program include the Adelaide premiere of Em Rusciano’s Addicted To Love, Australian TV royalty Jay Laga’aia sharing songs and stories in Unscripted, Mahalia Barnes performing Bette Midler’s award‑winning The Rose, The Superjesus’ Sarah McLeod sharing songs and wild stories from thirty years on stage and national treasure Vince Jones returning to Adelaide Cabaret Festival with A Maverick’s Tale, celebrating five decades of Australian jazz through a selection of his most beloved classics.
Check out the full program and buy tickets at adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au.
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Once again, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival has delivered a super lineup with something for everyone.
“Join us at the upgraded Adelaide Festival Centre to see cabaret icons and rising stars alike for Adelaide Cabaret Festival,” says Adelaide Festival Centre CEO Kate Gould. “Enjoy the comfort of our refurbished theatres, pre- or post-show dining at our new Angry Penguin restaurant, and the ease of QR code ordering for quick interval drinks and snacks.”
Adelaide Cabaret Festival Executive Producer Isobel Marmion adds, “This year's program is a smorgasbord of perfectly balanced chaos and craft. We're thrilled to be bringing yet another year of superb performances to Adelaide and look forward to welcoming you all back to Adelaide Cabaret Festival this winter.”
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026 runs from Thursday 4 to Sunday 21 June at Adelaide Festival Centre. Tickets on sale Wednesday 1 April from 12pm at adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au.
