WOMADelaide 2026
Four unforgettable days and nights of stunning festival weather and an atmosphere of togetherness – WOMADelaide 2026 was truly a celebration of connection and stories of possibility.
Saturday saw the highest attendance in several years and iconic performances from Yothu Yindi and Grace Jones.
Throughout the March long weekend on Foundation Stage, Baker Boy was a favourite for all ages with sky-high energy, while Oumou Sangaré’s divine vocals transported the audience with the sublime serenity of Malian rhythm and song. The stunning choreography of Rosas Danst Rosas mesmerised – as relevant today as it was 43 years ago – while electrifying performances from Orange Blossom, Arrested Development, and Obongjayar had everyone on their feet.
Despite the challenges during a tumultuous time for travel, we found a way to come together and celebrate music and community. The energy was high, with eager festivalgoers arriving ready to discover and immerse themselves in the world as we hope it to be – with a collective sense of gratitude for the artists who came from afar, and for the music and art that brings us together.
"When we all buy into the spirit of the event, the openness and the joy, we're creating a space where every person, every story, every emotion is not just welcome but nurtured." - Double J
| Music & Dance |
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| Planet Talks |
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| Around the Park |
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| KidZone |
*Artist unable to travel |
Artists
The Planet Talks
Water is alive; with memory, voice, and rights. In this powerful session, Dan Hikuroa, Leah Barclay, and Grant Rigney explore how we can and must transform our relationship with rivers. From Indigenous law to ecological soundscapes to frontline water justice, they share stories, sounds and strategies for protecting waterways through more-than-human perspectives and First Nations leadership. Moderator Jo Shulman – CEO of the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO).
Proudly supported by the Environmental Defenders Office and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre.
The Southern Ocean is calling, and its voice carries stories of change, resilience, and reckoning. In this evocative session, we explore the cultural memory, ecological shifts, and climate urgency shaping one of Earth’s most powerful oceans. From historical narratives to devastating modern algal blooms, and from polar expeditions to the futures of our coasts, this conversation invites us to reckon with and act to protect our deep blue seas.
Proudly supported by the Environment Institute, Adelaide University and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre.
At a time when global crises demand collective action, public trust in traditional media and public institutions is eroding. In this timely panel, journalist Marian Wilkinson, author Don Watson and political scientist Christian Downie explore how disinformation, corporate influence, and identity politics are deepening polarisation. What does it take to rebuild trust, reclaim facts, and foster unity in an age of division? Join three of the sharpest minds working at the intersection of media, politics and language for a conversation about truth, power, and the fight for a livable future.
In a world tilting toward ecological collapse and digital saturation, how do we hold fast to hope, justice, and our connection to the living world? Brave New Futures brings together Grace Vegesana, Richard King, and Claire Marshall for a dynamic conversation led by Lee Constable on envisioning positive futures and imagining them into being. From radical storytelling to ecological activism and speculative design, this session explores how we reconnect with the natural world while navigating the digital one and build a better tomorrow.
Pacific communities have long led the global climate fight with courage, wisdom and moral clarity through advocacy, innovation and deep cultural knowledge. Although Australia’s hopes in hosting COP31 have been dashed, what opportunities remain to stand alongside the Pacific in genuine partnership? In what is bound to be a powerful and energetic conversation Moemoana Schwenke, Salā Dr. George Carter and ’Alopi Latukefu, guided by facilitator Tukini Tavui, share the myriad ways Pacific peoples have shaped and continue to shape the global response to climate change and what Australia must do to move beyond words to meaningful action.
How can Australia navigate its way to a low-carbon future in a way that builds a more inclusive economy and just society? The challenge is ensuring fairness so that workers, communities and everyday lives are supported through change, not sacrificed to it. Sharan Burrow, Karrina Nolan and Rebecca Huntley join Tory Shepherd to explore what a just transition really means and how we can seize the chance to make it fair for all.
KidZone
