Fringe Thrifty: 6 ways to snag cheap Fringe tickets in 2018

Psst. Head here for an updated 2019 guide.

1. Fringe Membership

If you’re playing the long game then Fringe Membership is definitely for you. For a sign up fee of $19.95 you’ll get 25% off selected Fringe shows, Fringe Club passes on Members’ Nights, exclusive weekly giveaways and deals, access to the Members Lounge and lots more. Fringe Membership is hands-down the best way to save cash if you’re planning on seeing multiple shows in spite of your financial position.

2. Go as a group

Group bookings of six or more people are attracting discounts for a wide variety of selected shows in 2018. The savings aren’t huge (usually around $5 per ticket) but if you can pull the numbers together it could mean an extra bottle of wine at dinner. Simply filter ‘Group 6+’ under ‘Price Types’ when searching for shows on the Fringe website to see what’s on offer.

3. Take a Friend 4 Free

If you can only find one friend to drag along to a show, then make sure you go on opening night (Friday February 16). Bank SA and Channel 9 are once again teaming up for the Take A Friend 4 Free initiative, offering up two tickets for the price of one on selected shows on the first night of the Fringe.

4. Cheap Tuesdays

In keeping with a great Australian tradition, many Fringe shows offer a ‘Cheap Tuesday’ option.  In fact, planning your entire Fringe activity (including dinners and drinks) on solely Tuesdays is probably a great way to save some serious money. Filter ‘Cheap Tuesday’ under ‘Price Types’ when searching for shows on the Fringe website for all the options.

5. Get out of the city

There are lots of free and cheap options happening all around Adelaide this year. Salisbury Secret Garden is throwing two huge free music events on Friday March 2 and Saturday March 3, featuring Jebediah, MANE and many more. The Port Fringe is a free street party happening on Commercial Rd on Saturday February 24. And on Fridays you can get into the Fleurieu Fringe for a gold coin donation.

6. Keep an eye on HalfTIX

Every day between 12:00pm and 3:00pm the Fringe throws up half-price tickets to shows taking place that night. The only obvious catches are that you need to be quick and presumably not that fussy about what you go and see. Subscribe to Fringe eNews to get the list of half-price shows in your inbox daily.