The event has achieved more than $3 million in box office sales a week ahead of its official opening – well over the previous highest takings of  $2.5 million in 2010 – it was announced today.

Several shows have sold out, including Barrie Kosky’s operatic work Saul and Canadian dance theatre work Betroffenheit.

The Secret River, being presented at the Anstey Hill Quarry, is the fastest-selling and highest-grossing show in the State Theatre Company of SA’s history.

The 2017 program of 31 theatre, music, opera, dance, film and visual arts shows is the first presented by new joint artistic directors Neil Armfield and Rachel Healy.

It officially opens on March 3 and runs until March 19, although Festival hub the floating Riverbank Palais and the surrounding Parc Palais on the Adelaide Riverbank will be open from March 2.