Adelaide Bids Farewell to OzAsia Festival After 20 Years

OzAsia Festival has rolled out its vibrant iconography for another year, with lanterns lighting up Elder Park's lawns, bustling market stalls, and audiences enjoying Asian art on a grand scale. However, this year's celebrations have taken on a melancholic tone with the announcement that 2026 will mark the final year of its full-scale artistic programming.

The Adelaide Festival Centre revealed that from 2027, OzAsia Festival will transition to a 'year-round programming' format, featuring The Lucky Dumpling Market annually. This change has left some attendees reeling, as the festival has been a staple of Asian and Asian Australian arts, music, and food for two decades, drawing over 200,000 attendees in recent years.

Jessica Zeng, former OzAsia Festival community engagement coordinator, expressed her shock and disappointment at the decision.