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07 - 17 May 2025

DreamBIG Children’s Festival

DreamBIG Children’s Festival is South Australia’s iconic biennial arts festival for schools and families that places its audience at the centre of inventive, imaginative, and inspiring arts experiences.

Details

When

07 - 17 May 2025

Event type

Circus, Industry Events, Interactive, Magic, Music, Physical Theatre, Theatre, Visual Arts, Workshops

Location

Adelaide Festival Centre

Season

Autumn

Contact

Adelaide Festival Centre
King William St, Adelaide SA 5000
+61 8 8216 8600
feedback@adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

Since its inception as Come Out Festival in 1974, millions of school children have participated in this biennial celebration, making it the longest running curated children's festival in the world and the only one in Australia. Programs for both schools and families include shows, exhibitions and workshops designed to spread joy and inspire curiosity in the next generation of festival attendees.

More than 2.5 million South Australian children have participated in the festival since its inception in 1974 (as Come Out Festival), and it remains an intrinsic part of growing up in South Australia.

Adelaide Festival Centre has produced DreamBIG since 2015 and has embraced the responsibility that comes with putting on an event that holds such an important place in the hearts and souls of South Australians of every age.

DreamBIG Children’s Festival is divided into two program streams – the schools’ program where children participate in events and performances through their school, and the general public program for families.

The festival includes performances specifically designed for audiences under two, from gentle lullabies to interactive performances that encourage them to explore the possibilities of movement. Everyone can enjoy DreamBIG’s thought-provoking and educational performances thanks to a range of facilities and services including wheelchair loan service, assistive hearing system, accessible seat allocations and access-friendly drop-off/ pick up points. With equity pricing and transport subsidies for disadvantaged schools, DreamBIG is for every South Australian student.

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  • The biennial DreamBIG Children’s Festival continues to be an integral part of Adelaide’s festival scene. Those who are old enough will remember its origins as the Come Out Festival, and today DreamBIG Festival is still an important part of South Australian school life.

    Weekend Notes

The local guide

Found some downtime between the all the events and excitement? Here are some family - friendly tips on what to see and do in Adelaide and South Australia.

In the Morning

Through groves of fruit trees, parkland, and quaint ponds, this creative walk through Carrick Hill’s property uses classic children’s tales to spark the child’s imagination, as the natural world is explored. Also discover the Art Gallery, Museum of Gardening, exhibitions, and schools holiday program.

In the Afternoon

Specialising in carefully and lovingly selected ‘Beautiful Books’ the Matilda Bookshop has welcomed literature lovers to the charming town of Stirling since 1982. The store is community-driven, often hosting author events, book launches and book clubs whilst also supplying books for many local schools, kindergartens and a number of community libraries.

In the Evening

The eight-metre domed ceiling of The Planetarium is perfect if you want to really lie back while you enjoy a movie. Discover the secrets of the universe through projections that depict 5000 celestial bodies and learn about how different cultures have interpreted the night skies, or choose from a range of spectacular space-themed films.