Brisbane Festival returns with its most ambitious and city-spanning program yet — transforming the city into a stage for 23 days of boundary-pushing performance, bold public art, and deeply local storytelling. Curated by outgoing Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, this final festival is a heartfelt celebration of community, culture, and creativity.
Festival Highlights
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106 productions | 1,069 performances | 2,260 artists
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21 world premieres | 43 free productions | 475 free performances
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Major collaborations, First Nations storytelling, and participatory works take centre stage
City as Canvas
ANZ’s Walk This Way by Craig & Karl
Internationally renowned duo Craig & Karl return home with a vibrant transformation of three of Brisbane’s pedestrian bridges, creating a bold citywide art trail. Their visual storytelling continues with Craig & Karl: Double Vision at Griffith University Art Museum.
Baleen Moondjan by Stephen Page
A floating ceremony beneath the stars, blending sculpture, music, and movement to honour ancestral connections to Country.
Unmissable Performances
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Gems — A world premiere dance trilogy by Benjamin Millepied and L.A. Dance Project, featuring collaborations with Philip Glass, Barbara Kruger, and Alessandro Sartori.
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Bad Nature — A high-impact fusion of movement, design and music with Club Guy & Roni and Australasian Dance Collective.
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Preparing Ground — New First Nations dance work evoking land, resistance, and history.
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TINA – A Tropical Love Story — A joyous tribute to Tina Turner by Miss Ellaneous.
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Gatsby at the Green Light — A cabaret spectacular reawakening the Twelfth Night Theatre.
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The Lovers (Shake & Stir) and Back to Bilo — Returning works rooted in love, justice, and cultural power.
Free Public Events
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Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust — A spectacular opening weekend fireworks display
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Skylore — A 400-drone storytelling event based on local First Nations lore
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Afterglow — Fire sculptures and performances in the City Botanic Gardens
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Brisbane Serenades — Free concerts in neighbourhoods across the city
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Common People Dance Eisteddfod — Community-powered dance battles
Live Music & Nightlife
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Night at the Parkland: Amy Shark, ICEHOUSE, Grinspoon, Xavier Rudd, Lime Cordiale, and more in the City Botanic Gardens
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Tivoli in the Round: Featuring Odd Mob, C.W. Stoneking, Phantastic Ferniture and others in an intimate concert experience
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INDO Warehouse, Wunderhorse, JADE Ensemble, and more delivering global rhythms and local energy
Participatory & Community Highlights
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100 Guitars — A mass performance for musicians of all skill levels
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Community Choir: The Musical — Real people, real voices, and unforgettable song
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A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen — Live cooking and storytelling by Joshua Hinton
Final Festival for Louise Bezzina
Bezzina’s sixth and final Brisbane Festival program is bold, joyful, and deeply connected to place — an artistic love letter to the city.
“From world premieres to deeply resonant community works, this year’s program is ambitious in scale and grounded in storytelling.” — Louise Bezzina
