As the 2024 Adelaide Fringe Festival has drawn to a close, it's evident that Adelaide's vibrant spirit was in full display, attracting crowds in thousands and invigorating various areas of the city. The Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) has compiled data to show the vibrancy and visitor dynamics across the city's precincts.
What Drew People to the City of Adelaide During The Final Weekend
Overall city activity was higher during the last weekend of the Fringe (15 – 17 March) than the same weekend in 2023, with a noticeable increase in city usage during the evenings.
Last year, 75% of Adelaide Fringe attendees indicated they engaged in some form of other city-based activity before or after the event, highlighting the impact the event has on city businesses as the State’s economy.
Other events attracting people into the city during the final weekend included:
- Little Amal's Walk: A mesmerising spectacle through Rundle Mall, captivating 15,000 attendees as part of the Adelaide Festival.
- Adelaide Motorsport Festival Party: The opening bash on Gouger Street pulled in 9,000 motor enthusiasts eager to celebrate.
- Victoria Park's roaring engines: Home to the sounds of Formula 1 Grand Prix cars, supercars, and classic Aussie rides throughout the weekend.
- AFL at Adelaide Oval: The thrilling return of AFL was cheered on by 34,000 fans.
Overall City Snapshot
The festival's impact was felt across Adelaide throughout the 2024 Adelaide Fringe period, with notable benefits to various areas:
- The East End led the gains with a 10% rise in total visitation from the average weekend and a 31% increase in unique visits from the previous year.
- The West End, particularly Hindley Street, also benefited with a 5% increase in total visitation from the average weekend, with unique visits also up by 16% to 2023.
- Rundle Mall and Gouger Street both saw uplifts in activity when compared to the average weekend, reinforcing the festival's citywide appeal.
- O’Connell Street experienced 12% more foot-traffic when compared to the same Sunday last year and was 26% higher than the 12-month average.
- Hutt Street had spikes in activity during Fringe Vibes and when an AFL match took place at Adelaide Oval on the Sunday of the final Fringe weekend.
Overall, O’Connell Street and Hutt Street experienced less activity than last year and did not experience higher activity compared to the 12-month average.
Most notably, the increase in foot-traffic during the evenings was higher than last year. This combined with a 10% increase in expenditure during evening and early morning hours in February, signals a positive trend for the night time economy.*
Hotel Occupancy Reflects Positive Trends
Hotel occupancy levels during the overall Adelaide Fringe period were notably higher than the previous year, even with a 5% increase in accommodation supply. This upward trend in bookings underscores the festival's significant draw for visitors and its positive impact on the local hospitality industry.
It's clear that the Adelaide Fringe remains a pivotal moment in the city's annual calendar, bringing together communities, supporting businesses, and celebrating the arts in all its forms. The varied increases in foot-traffic and expenditure across different precincts highlight the festival's broad appeal and its crucial role in supporting the city’s night time economy.
Stay informed and connected
Interested in staying updated with more insightful information? AEDA regularly publishes industry updates and economic reports. These resources are invaluable for understanding the city's economy, population, tourism, and property markets.