Of all the throwback events we’ve covered in our time, few throw it much further back than the Adelaide Medieval Festival. Bringing the pageantry and pastimes of the Middle Ages to 2026, the festival will take over Bonython Park this Easter, with celebrations taking place on April 4 & 5. It’s less about the chocolate egg hunts and more about the clash of steel and the taste of mead, making it a thrilling way to spend your long weekend. Here’s everything we know so far!
What to expect at the first Adelaide Medieval Festival
The organisers, vendors, and participants are serious about their love for all things Medieval, so you can expect to experience everything a tourney of old would provide for its guests. Top of my must-see list has to be the jousting; clad in steel and mail, horsed, and armed with shield and lance, a bevy of true knights will enter the lists and tilt for glory. It may look like your favourite fantasy show come to life, but this isn’t cosplay – there’s a great deal of craft, dedication, and time that’s been poured into prepping these knights for glory, from their armour to their training.
Elsewhere, you can witness a Buhurt tournament. For those not up to speed with their Medieval sports, Buhurt is a full contact fighting sport where armoured participants do battle with blunted steel weapons. It’s a thrilling, if occasionally wince-inducing, spectacle that’ll get the blood pumping even if you aren’t taking part.
Expect the noble and true of South Australia and beyond to rock up in their finest, and not just the combatants. AVCon, Adelaide’s favourite anime & gaming festival, will be hosting the costume competition on both days at 1:30pm, so if you’ve got a cosplay you’re just dying to debut, this could be the place to make your mark.
Finally, don’t miss your chance to check out the artisan market and avail yourself of everything a Medieval maverick might need; everything from hand-forged weapons (including custom-made archery bows), clothing and accessories, and ale horns are up for grabs here. Don’t miss out on Maxwell Wines either, as they’ll set up a tavern and crack open a few cases of their Medieval Mead just for the occasion. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in a welcoming world of honour, glory, and camaraderie, so let the horns ring out and declare that the Adelaide Medieval Festival isn’t to be missed!
