The 2025 Adelaide LGBTQIA+ Feast Festival will feature 117 events across 67 venues, in a celebration of 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in South Australia.
The 28th Feast Festival, with the theme ‘LIBERATION’, spans four weekends, and will bring together more than 1,500 artists, producers, volunteers and community members.
There are more than 60 per cent more venues than last year, and a 42 per cent increase in programming (including more than double the number of regional shows). The 2025 event will be the biggest since 2013, reflecting Feast’s ongoing evolution.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have created in delivering a program that marks a real turning point for the growth of our organisation,” Feast CEO Tish Naughton says. “Not only have we grown the number of events by over 40 per cent, but we have more free events, more regional reach and more venues than we’ve seen in years.
“At a time where society appears increasingly fractured and intolerant, Feast’s role in bringing together in a safe and joyful celebration of diversity and individuality is more important than ever.”
Feast cover artist Oscar Arrais
Around half of this year’s programme is made up of South Australian premieres, creative developments, and works created specifically for Feast. Including collaborations with leading local arts organisations such as new works developed by Vitalstatix, and ‘Me, My Dad And The Holy Ghost’, developed between Feast and Adelaide Festival Centre’s inSPACE programme.
There’s goings-on beyond the stage too – everything from writing workshops, to erotic poetry, queer pétanque, Dungeons & Dragons, trivia nights, slam poetry, and more.
The 50 year milestone is explored through exhibitions, forums, and Don’s Table, a reimagining of the legendary 1997 Feast Festival dinner party Erotic Feast, hosted at Don Dunstan’s Don’s Table restaurant.
The ‘LIBERATION’ theme is also reflected in Feast’s cover art for 2025, by emerging local artist Oscar Arrais.
“For me, this piece is the megaphone I never had growing up, a declaration that I’m no longer hiding. It’s my voice, my love, and my joy stitched into form,” Oscar says.
This year’s event highlights include the returning Picnic In The Park, with Ukulele Death Squad taking centre stage and Whitmore Square filled with music, market stalls, food, games, and the Feast Dog Show. . . Plus Adelaide Queer Film Festival, and The Feast Hub (stacked with talents including Adore Händel, Christopher James and Libby Trainor Parker) headlined by Milo Hartill in ‘Black, Fat And F**gy’ and the Feast Festival Gayla.
Milo Hartill
Audiences can also enjoy immersive visual art installations at The Hub, including a life-sized, rideable pink pony, sensual movement and erotic pottery workshops.
“Bringing the Hub to Payinthi in Prospect lets us activate a true community meeting place,” Naughton says. “It’s a space where creativity, connection and culture can spill into the street – and it sets us up for future growth, including laneway activations.”
‘The Voice’ 2023 winner Tarryn Stokes is joined by ’03 ‘Australian Idol’ winner Kate DeAraugo and ’13 ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ runner-up Greg Gould, bringing a powerhouse tribute show covering the music of Celine Dion and the Bee Gees. . . And Queer Club will take over The Ed Castle, for a post-Picnic In The Park celebration.
Check out the full programme.
Adelaide’s 2025 Feast Festival is on from 1-23 November.
This story originally appeared on our queer sister site, FROOTY.
