FAQs

What is WOMADelaide?
WOMADelaide is a music, arts and dance festival featuring artists from all around the world. It is held every March long weekend in Adelaide’s stunning Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla and has been enjoyed by generations for over three decades. ‘WOMAD’ is an acronym for ‘World of Music, Arts & Dance’. It is a charitable foundation and group of international arts festivals originating in the UK, now held throughout the world.

Who’s on the lineup?
Please see our lineup page for details on the festival lineup. Artist playing days are announced in December, with the full timetable announced in February ahead of the festival in March.

How can I get involved?
Please see our apply page for volunteer, stallholder, artist, media and employment information. If you’d like to support us in achieving our ambitious cultural, community and sustainability initiatives, see our Support page.

Purchasing tickets
1, 2, 3 or full 4 Day Tickets to WOMADelaide can be purchased online and are released in stages whereby the earlier you buy, the cheaper the ticket. Visit our tickets page to purchase tickets and find all information on ticket types, gift vouchers, group bookings, companion cards, payment plans, refunds, exchanges and more.

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Wristbands
Ticket purchasers will be allocated a unique barcoded wristband; this wristband is your entry and exit to the festival and cannot be removed. For all information on wristbands and postage, visit our tickets page or see your postage status in your account.

Box Office
WOMADelaide Box Offices are located at the Hackney Road and Frome Road entrances during the festival dates and are open at the following times. Please have a valid ID and your order number ready when arriving at the Box Office.

• Friday: 3pm–10pm
• Saturday–Monday: 12pm–10pm

Where is WOMADelaide?
WOMADelaide is held in the stunning Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla, Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide, South Australia. Entry to the festival is through the gates on either Frome Road or Hackney Road.

When is WOMADelaide?
WOMADelaide 2027 is held from Friday 5 to Monday 8 March, with gates open at the following times:

• Friday: 4pm – midnight
• Saturday: 12pm – midnight
• Sunday: 12pm – midnight
• Monday: 12pm – midnight

Bike parking
Bike parking is made available for patrons adjacent to each entrance. Please ensure that you bring your own bike lock to secure your ride in the allocated parking area. Bike parking will be monitored by security during the following times, please note there is no overnight monitoring: 

• Friday: 3.30pm – 1am
• Saturday: 11.30am – 12:30am
• Sunday: 11.30am – 12:30am
• Monday: 11.30am – 12:30am

Public transport
The Adelaide Metro Loop Bus service timetable and map can be found here. All other Adelaide Metro tram and train timetables can be found here. 

Car parking
There is no on-site car parking available at the festival. We urge patrons to consider reducing their carbon footprint where possible and use public transport.

If driving, you can secure parking with UPark. Pre-book for night and weekend parking at UPark Rundle and UPark Frome, convenient and affordable parking that’s open 24 hours and only a short walk to Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla.

Can I come in and out?
Yes, pass-outs are available. If you plan to return to the festival on the same day, please make sure you scan OUT when leaving the site, and scan IN at the gates when returning.

Conditions of entry
All conditions of entry can be found here.

What to bring
Here’s what to bring on your trip to WOMADelaide:

• Your wristband (or your booking reference number/confirmation email to show at the Box Office)
• Valid photo ID
• Sun protection — hat, sunnies, sunscreen, sun scarf
• Medication (especially for allergies and asthma, the park can get dusty at times)
• Clothes that suit the weather
• Sturdy shoes for walking around the park
• A reusable empty water bottle
• Your phone with the WOMADelaide app downloaded and a portable charger
• An open mind, WOMADelaide is full of surprises!

Prohibited items
The following items are not allowed in the festival. Please see our Conditions of Entry for more information.

• Alcohol, liquids, glass bottles and containers
• High-back chairs
• Illegal substances
• Knives and weapons
• Oversized umbrellas
• Professional cameras (anything with a detachable lens)
• Tents (only pop-up sunshades can be used and must not block pathways or views of performances)
• Your furry family member (except registered assistance and companion animals)

Structures and seating
Tents and high chairs are not permitted in the park and will be confiscated at the gates, unless a pre-approved exemption has been authorised.

Small pop-up shades and low beach-style chairs are permitted at the back and sides of audiences only, unless it’s a ‘seated’ performance. Blocking walkways, obstructing views, and saving spots with chairs, shades, rugs and blankets at a performance that is not ‘seated’ is prohibited. These items can create safety hazards for large crowds and a Crowd Control volunteer may ask you to move.

Is there camping?
There is strictly no camping on site at WOMADelaide as the venue is part of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide.

Please take your belongings
Your belongings must travel home with you each night. Anything left unattended in the park will be disposed of.

Can I bring my children?
Yes! In fact we have an entire zone dedicated to them — KidZone. It’s full of nature-play activities and art for all ages, be sure to check out the program.

Find out more about children and youth tickets on our tickets page.

Is there a parenting room?
Parents with babies and toddlers can enjoy a shaded, comfortable parenting room next to the Info Booth near the Foundation Stage. Chairs and baby changing facilities are provided. See our map here.

Children’s safety
All children aged 3 and over must be wristbanded prior to entering the festival. We advise that you write the responsible adult's mobile number clearly on the wristband and arrange with children to meet at the Info Booth if they get separated.

All lost children/persons are taken to the Info Booth. Parents/guardians, please report a missing child/person at the Info Booth — see our map here.

Map & App
Explore the WOMADelaide Map here or download the official WOMADelaide App here to plan your trip to The World’s Festival.

Cashless
WOMADelaide is a cashless event. Accepted cards are Visa, MasterCard, or pre-paid debit cards, processing EFTPOS and PayWave/PayPass.

Bag check-in
Bag check-ins are located at both the Frome Road and Hackney Road entrances. A $3 donation is required to use the bag check-in, with all proceeds donated to the WOMADelaide Foundation. All items are left at your own risk, WOMADelaide takes no responsibility for items left behind.

What you can check in:

• Handbags
• Small bags
• Day-packs

What you can’t check in:

• Valuables (e.g. wallets, purses, phones, cameras, signed Peter Gabriel vinyl)
• Coats, jumpers and loose items of clothing
• Prams and strollers
• Open bags (e.g. shopping bags)
• Sun shades, chairs and blankets

The bag check-in will close at midnight each day.

First aid
First Aid tents are located between the Foundation Stage and Stage 2, and indoors next to The Studio. There is also a pharmacy located next to the First Aid tent between the Foundation Stage and Stage 2. See the map here.

Water
BYOB bottle and stay hydrated! Check the map for free water stations located around the park, thanks to SA Water.

Smoking and vaping
In keeping with the South Australian Government health regulations, WOMADelaide is a smoke-free event. Festival-goers wishing to smoke or vape will be able to do so in designated smoking/vaping areas marked on the map.

Info booth
Visit the Info Booth for all general enquiries, directions and lost property, located between Foundation Stage and Stage 2 — see the map here.

Missing persons
Please report any lost children/missing persons to the Info Booth. Any lost children/missing persons will be escorted there. We advise parents/guardians to write their mobile number on their child’s wristband and arrange to meet at the Info Booth if separated.

Flying foxes
The grey-headed flying foxes found in the park are a vulnerable species protected by law. Hot weather may cause stress to the flying foxes, so there are sprinklers in the trees in Speakers Corner to help keep them cool. If you see a flying-fox on the ground or in distress, do not approach it. Please tell a WOMADelaide staff member who will assist.

Care for the park and each other
Do not climb, hang on to, or damage the trees or plants in Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla. 

Please be mindful of other people’s enjoyment during performances. If you need a moment to catch up and have a yarn, there are many open spaces and bars nearby.

Any person behaving in an inappropriate manner towards other patrons or staff will not be tolerated. If someone is behaving inappropriately, please talk to the closest security guard, staff member or volunteer.

Please return your cups
Place used cups in the blue cup return bins around the park, or at the bars and exits. All cups are washed on-site and re-used at the festival.

Accessibility entrances
An accessible parking and drop-off zone is located next to the Hackney Road entrance. Both entrances have a dedicated accessible entrance to assist in a smooth entry for those with mobility issues. The site is very large, and it can take some time and energy to get from one part to another. We recommend you plan your day with this in mind.

Access platforms
Access platforms are provided near the three main stages — Foundation Stage, Stage 2 and Stage 3. These are raised platforms for people with disabilities who may need to sit down while watching a show, or use mobility aids. Please note they can fill up quickly for popular shows, so plan to arrive ahead of time for performances.

More access information
Please visit our access page for our full Access Guide. The guide provides access information about step-free paths, sensory access and facilities, as well as a detailed overview of the event. It is created by Access2Arts in collaboration with WOMADelaide.

Asthma
Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla can become dusty. We advise anyone who suffers from asthma to bring your medication and make note of the nearest first aid tent in case you need assistance. For more information on asthma first aid, please visit Asthma Australia's website.

Lost property at the festival
Lost property will be taken to the Info Booth on site. If you have lost anything please check there first.

Lost property after the festival
After the festival, all credit cards will be destroyed and valuable items will be kept for no longer than two weeks.

If you have lost a valuable item, please contact info@womadelaide.com.au with your full name, phone number and a clear description of your item. We will get in touch if we have the item.