Party’s over as Murray Bridge council cancels Fringe event
Councillors have voted to end their support for an annual Sixth Street party and focus on other major events instead.
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There will be no Fringe festival street party in Murray Bridge in 2026.
The city’s councillors voted on Monday night to withdraw their support for the award-winning event, named among the best street parties in South Australia just four years ago.
Attendance had declined in the past couple of years, councillors were told.
Only about 300 people attended this year, and there were fewer than that at a riverside version which was held in 2023.
The council would get more bang for its buck by reallocating most of the Fringe party's $40,000 budget to other events, its economic development manager advised.
For the rest of 2025-26, those events will include:
- New Year’s Eve: $90,000
- Murray Bridge Glows: $65,000
- Markets: $20,000
- A new event in one of the district’s smaller townships: $18,000
The council has also set aside $10,000 in its budget to support Fringe performances at local venues.
Councillors were united in their support for canning the street party on Monday night.
Cr Andrew Baltensperger described the decision as “very astute”, saying things had changed since the event had first been held in 2019.
Cr Tom Haig praised council staff for making an effort to establish an event in one of the district’s smaller communities, whatever and wherever it might be.
Mayor Wayne Thorley seconded that, noting that there was more to the Murray Bridge district than just the rural city.
“We’re all proud of being a rural and regional centre, and if we’re going to be serious about it, we have to look after the smaller places,” he said.
Aside from the street party, other Adelaide Fringe events will go ahead as normal at council-owned venues including Murray Bridge Regional Gallery and the performing arts and function centre.
So will other major annual events not run by the council, such as Murray Bridge’s Christmas parade and festival and the pedal prix.
The council usually provides such events with grant funding or in-kind support.
In total, the council will spend about $550,000 hosting or supporting local events this financial year.
The next Adelaide Fringe is scheduled for February 20 to March 22, 2026.
- More information: adelaidefringe.com.au.
