The Adelaide Festival Centre is Adelaide's first multi-purpose art centre. The Festival Centre is located approximately 50 metres north of the corner of North Terrace and King William Street, lying near the banks of the River Torrens and adjacent to Elder Park. It is distinguished by its three silvery-white geometric dome roofs and its plaza consisting of lego block-like structures to the south and lies on a 45 degree angle to the city's grid. It is the home of South Australia's performing arts.

Sir Robert Helpmann, a well known dancer and actor, discussed the matter of developing an arts centre with the Premier Don Dunstan in 1967/1968 because of the expansion of the Adelaide Festival of Arts and Adelaide's inability to house it in a decent venue. Succeeding Premier Steele Hall made the decision for a waterfront location adjacent to the River Torrens despite initial opposition, and construction began in earnest. When the Dunstan Government was returned to office it warmed to the location and the Festival Theatre was completed during Dunstan's tenure as Premier.