Every February and March, Adelaide turns into the second-biggest Fringe festival on the planet — and magic always has a big presence on the bill. The 2026 season ran from 20 February to 22 March, and it was a cracker for anyone who loves a good "how did they do that?" Here's our look back at the magic that stood out, plus how to plan for next year's festival.

The shows that made the season

A few names came up again and again in 2026:

  • Best of Fringe Magic — our own showcase, hosted by Sam King, rounding up the festival's best magicians into one fast hour with a rotating guest each night.
  • The Man with the Golden Hands — Stuart Lightbody's gorgeous, true-story show about a magician recruited into the CIA. A previous Best Magic Award winner, and a masterclass in storytelling and sleight of hand.
  • Magical Hands and Magical Feats — another from Lightbody, all close-up wonders and impossible-to-grasp sleight of hand. One of the season's quiet sell-out hits.

Beyond those, the festival was packed with mentalists, hypnotists and comedy magicians across rooms big and small — from the festival hubs at Gluttony and The Garden of Unearthly Delights to tucked-away venues you'd only find by accident.

How to find the best magic at Adelaide Fringe

Fringe can be overwhelming — hundreds of shows, all shouting at once. A few things that work:

  • Start with a showcase. A "best of" night is the lowest-risk way to sample several acts and find performers you'll want to see in full.
  • Watch the awards. The Fringe hands out a Best Magic Award each year — last year's and previous winners are almost always worth a ticket.
  • Go close-up. The intimate rooms are where magic is at its best. Small venue, small audience, no stage to hide behind.
  • Book ahead for the small rooms. The best intimate shows sell out fastest, often before opening weekend.

Can't wait for Fringe?

The lovely thing about a dedicated venue is that you don't have to. The Adelaide Magic Theatre runs close-up magic every Saturday at 7:30pm all year round — the same award-winning Fringe performers, the same 25-seat intimacy, no festival required.

Get your magic fix any week of the year — close-up shows every Saturday at The Lost Dice, Adelaide CBD. Just 25 seats.

Book Your Seat →

Adelaide Fringe 2027 will roll around before you know it, and the magic line-up will be one of the best reasons to be in town for it. When the dates land, we'll update our complete guide to magic at Adelaide Fringe — bookmark it and we'll see you in February.