Feast Festival, the city’s beloved queer arts and culture celebration, is back with its biggest programme in more than a decade. And the timing couldn’t be more symbolic: 2025 marks 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in South Australia, the first state in the country to take that historic step.
For Tish Naughton, CEO of Feast, the milestone hits close to home. “It’s been such an emotional and creative ride,” she says. “We’ve got over 100 events this year — from drag, cabaret, theatre, and visual art, to our community picnic and youth programmes. The scale is incredible, but the heart of it is still the same: connection, visibility, pride.”
“This is our biggest programme since 2013,” Naughton adds, reflecting on the festival’s growth. “It’s a combination of factors — we’ve been building up community connections, developing rapport with event organisers and artists, and encouraging people to try new things. Over 30 per cent of registered organisers have never put on a Feast event before, and about 50 per cent of this year’s programme is brand-new work, either premieres or pieces created specifically for Feast.”
One stand-out example is Oily Rag Theatre, whose walking tour, 'The Dark Side Of Carrington Street West', explores Adelaide’s queer history with former spirits and local drag performers, sex workers, miscreants, and pioneers. Then there’s 'Aqua Splash', a movement class in a pool designed to be inclusive for gender-diverse participants. “It’s incredible to see traditional theatre alongside new, experimental events,” Naughton says.
Poster art by Oscar Arrais
Part of this growth comes from breaking down financial barriers. Several councils, including Charles Sturt, Campbelltown, and Port Adelaide Enfield, offered free registrations to encourage organisers to join. “Breaking that barrier allows people to say, ‘Sure, I’ll put on a show,’” Naughton says. “And the number one reason people do it is to connect with or give back to their community.”
The festival’s theme this year is 'LIBERATION', chosen in honour of the 50th anniversary of decriminalisation. “It’s about owning your truth, being proud, and standing up for what’s right,” she explains. “Coming out isn’t a one-time thing – in this role, I come out every time I tell someone what I do. It’s a different level of visibility and can be challenging. But liberation is about going through that, owning it, and genuinely believing we are all equal.”
Behind the scenes, the festival’s scale is staggering. Planning is year-round, covering publishing the printed guide, marketing, government lobbying, ticketing, volunteer recruitment, and staffing. “All that is before we even organise the artist events. It’s a full-time job that stretches across every part of the festival ecosystem,” Naughton says.
Feast’s regional reach is also expanding. Picnic In The Park events now happen in multiple regions, bringing queer visibility to towns where many people have never seen an out and proud community in person. “I didn’t grow up in the regions, but my first exposure to queerness was through film,” Naughton recalls. “Regional events give people the chance to see themselves reflected, and also allow allies to support friends who may be questioning. Everyone needs to find their people.”
'Me, My Dad And The Holy Ghost'
Local talent is another priority. “Promoting South Australian artists, especially queer artists, is vital,” Naughton says. “Feast provides a platform, but we also help artists get more work and stay in South Australia. I was inspired by WorldPride in Sydney — seeing a city engaged in celebration made me think, South Australians shouldn’t have to travel to feel pride.”
Collaborations with organisations like Vitalstatistix and the Adelaide Festival Centre’s inSPACE programme help bring new work to life. “We’re not a presenting organisation ourselves, so we collaborate with groups already developing work,” she says. One highlight is 'Me, My Dad And The Holy Ghost', a South Australian coming-of-age story developed through these partnerships. “It’s about creating opportunities for queer artists and helping their work reach audiences it otherwise might not.”
Feast is intentionally eclectic, embracing everything from erotic poetry to Dungeons & Dragons nights. “It’s not intentional — it’s natural,” Naughton says. “Feast connects with communities beyond arts circles. Sports groups, running clubs, swimming clubs — everyone intersects. That keeps the programme broad and reflective of our diverse community.”
Emerging queer artists are central to the festival’s identity. This year’s cover art by Oscar Arrais, a deconstructed Pride flag, is deeply personal. “When we commission an artist, it’s not just about the artwork. We want to platform them, give them a voice, help them grow,” Naughton explains. Collaborating with Oscar involved translating his ideas into the final piece, integrating the Feast logo and repurposed materials. “Every programme we print becomes a record of queer stories and the people behind them.”
'New New Fire Island'
Looking back over 28 years, Naughton sees Feast as a connector for queer work across South Australia. “Many queer people are isolated, and for some, they only come out once a year — at Feast. Our role is to reduce that isolation and create safe spaces throughout the year, not just during the festival.”
Leading Feast through this transformative year has also reinforced Tish's belief in queer resilience. “It’s heartwarming to see so many people step up to put on events and give back to the community,” she says. “The law reform we celebrate didn’t happen overnight, and nothing is guaranteed. Feast reminds us to gather, celebrate, and fight for what we’ve earned and what’s still ahead.”
With 2025’s programme, collaborations, and focus on local artists and community engagement, Feast Festival is more than a celebration — it’s a living testament to queer culture in South Australia. It’s about art, activism, visibility, and chosen family — and for Adelaide’s LGBTQIA+ community, it’s nothing short of liberation.
Adelaide's Feast Festival is on from 1-23 November.
