Adelaide Festival 2025 was one of the most successful runs of the multi-event festival yet. A recently released report revealed that the festival injected an estimated total of $62.6 million into the South Australian economy through gross expenditure.
That’s largely due to the impressive 40% uptick in interstate visitors from 2024, with 27,471 ticketholders travelling to South Australia and joining the total attendance of 365,402. Each interstate visitor spent an average of $4,621 over several days.
In terms of returns, these figures contributed to a 16% increase in South Australia’s GSP, generating $47.1 million in income and supporting the equivalent of 338 full-time positions.
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Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels MP said: “Adelaide Festival not only has a significant economic impact in South Australia — contributing $62.6 million to our economy in 2025 — it also inspires us and exposes us to new ideas and experiences.
“This new money brings together public and private investment and will support the festival to continue to grow and captivate audiences with stellar performances, artists and authors for years to come.”
In the wake of these results, the festival has gained an additional $650,000 in funding from the South Australian State Government’s Arts Investment Fund — a boost that’s been matched by philanthropic supporters of the festival, taking the investment to over $1.3 million.
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That’s thanks to a new initiative under Create SA’s Cultural Policy, which encourages philanthropic giving by matching private donations dollar-for-dollar to unite public and private investment.
Tracey Whiting AM, Chair of the Adelaide Festival Corporation, said: “This matching initiative presents us with a rare and powerful opportunity made possible through the generous support of the State Government to double the impact of every new major contribution through a $1-for-$1 match.”
“In 2025, the Adelaide Festival once again demonstrated its extraordinary cultural and economic value, attracting audiences, delivering a dynamic and diverse program, and reaffirming our position as Australia’s international arts festival.”