Brisbane Festival 2025 unveils city-transforming program

From whale bones on the river to dance performances, Brisbane Festival 2025 returns 5–27 September with its boldest program yet.

The announcement:

Brisbane Festival has unveiled its most expansive and city-shaping program to date, in a dynamic celebration of art, culture and community. The blockbuster 2025 program invites audiences to experience the city anew — from towering whale bones on the river to a world premiere dance trilogy, and bridges reimagined as vibrant works of art. In true Brisbane Festival fashion, from 5-27 September the entire city will become a stage — and everyone’s invited.

Spanning 23 days, the expansive 2025 program brings together 2,260 artists across 106 productions and 1,069 performances, including 21 world premieres, reaffirming the festival’s place as a defining event on the national cultural calendar. Significantly, over 39% of the program will be offered free to the public, reflecting an ongoing commitment to accessibility and bringing world-class art and performance to every corner of the city.

This year’s festival marks the sixth and final festival curated by Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, whose creative vision has redefined what a contemporary arts festival can be. Bezzina’s last program is a powerful reflection of her tenure: rich in international collaborations, anchored by First Nations and culturally diverse voices, fuelled by community participation, and bursting with homegrown talent.

The most striking reflection of this spirit comes in the form of a major new commission from Brisbane’s own Craig & Karl, the globally renowned art and design visionaries who return home with their largest and most ambitious project to date. For ANZ’s Walk This Way by Craig & Karl, the duo will transform three of Brisbane’s most prominent pedestrian bridges — the Neville Bonner Bridge, the Goodwill Bridge, and the new Kangaroo Point Bridge — into vibrant, large-scale artistic interventions. A citywide public art trail will extend the experience across iconic sites, inviting audiences to cross the bridges, follow the trail, and see Brisbane through an artist’s eyes. Their homecoming continues with Craig & Karl: Double Vision, a dynamic exhibition presented in partnership with Griffith University’s Art Museum, where the duo first met three decades ago. The exhibition celebrates their local roots, global influence, and signature visual language.

“This year’s program is a love letter to Brisbane — bold, joyful, and created with and for the city,” said Artistic Director Louise Bezzina. “My final festival is a celebration of everything Brisbane Festival has become: a world-class event with a fiercely local heart. From world premieres to deeply resonant community works, this year’s program is ambitious in scale and grounded in storytelling, deeply connected to the people and places that make this city so special. As the city comes alive this September, I welcome everyone to take their place in the story.”

In a landmark Australian exclusive, internationally renowned choreographer Benjamin Millepied and L.A. Dance Project bring together a triptych of dance works for the first time in a world premiere staging at Brisbane Festival. Commissioned by French luxury house Van Cleef & Arpels, Gems unites some of the world’s foremost creative talents — including composer Philip Glass, artist Barbara Kruger, and designer Alessandro Sartori — in a striking fusion of dance, music, visual art and fashion. The result is a performance as visually arresting as it is emotionally resonant.

On the water’s edge, Baleen Moondjan unfolds as a breathtaking contemporary ceremony from visionary First Nations artist Stephen Page, founder of Bangarra Dance Theatre and one of Australia’s most influential cultural voices. Returning to his hometown, Page transforms Brisbane’s riverbank with a powerful large-scale performance staged on a floating barge beneath the night sky, where towering sculptural whale bones rise from the water. Drawing on his Ngugi, Nunukul and Moondjan ancestry, the work honours the deep, totemic connection between baleen whales and Country, blending music, movement and storytelling in a powerful expression of culture, memory and place.

Lighting up the city after dark with three extraordinary events, Brisbane Festival will transform the skyline and streets. Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust ignites the opening weekend with one of Australia’s most spectacular fireworks displays, launched from bridges, barges and rooftops. Skylore returns with 400 drones telling a traditional story from Brisbane’s First Nations people. Meanwhile, Afterglow invites audiences on a mesmerising journey through a dreamscape of fire sculptures, candlelit artworks and live performances as the City Botanic Gardens comes alive at night.

A world premiere of epic scale, Bad Nature is an unflinching and visually bold exploration of our complex relationship with the natural world and each other. This thrilling international collaboration between Australasian Dance Collective and the Netherlands’ Club Guy & Roni brings together twelve powerhouse dancers and musicians from HIIIT, acclaimed designer Boris Acket and fashion provocateurs MAISON the FAUX, to push the boundaries of perception in a bold, multisensory experience.

Preparing Ground, co-directed by leading First Nations Queensland choreographers Marilyn Miller, Jasmin Sheppard and Katina Olsen, is a powerful new dance work that moves with the weight of history and the fire of resistance. This world premiere channels movement, language, sound and projection to evoke a landscape both sacred and stolen.

A beloved Brisbane institution returns to the spotlight as the iconic Twelfth Night Theatre is reawakened for this year’s Festival. Completely reimagined for the occasion, the venue will host Gatsby at the Green Light, a luminous night of cabaret, variety and contemporary music that follows a sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House.

Showstopping performance takes centre stage across the city as choreographer and ballroom innovator Josh Taliani, Father of Australia’s legendary House of Alexander, makes his magnetic solo debut with a bold fusion of vogue, street dance and fearless storytelling. Bringing equal flair and heart, First Nations drag icon Miss Ellaneous (Ben Graetz) presents TINA – A Tropical Love Story, a joyous tribute to the one and only Tina Turner, brimming with sequins, soul and sky-high heels.

As previously announced, Laura Murphy’s The Lovers returns in an all-new production by Shake & Stir — a pop-fuelled reimagining of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Meanwhile, Back to Bilo brings to the stage for the first time the powerful true story of Sri Lankan refugees Priya and Nades Nadesalingam and their two daughters, and the extraordinary grassroots campaign that fought to return them to their home in Biloela, Queensland.

Elements of Freestyle is a high-adrenaline fusion of dance, theatre and extreme sports from the Netherlands’ trailblazing ISH Dance Collective. Featuring BMX, skateboarding, freerunning, breakdance and more, this electrifying show transforms gravity-defying tricks into breathtaking choreography, celebrating movement in all its wild, powerful and poetic forms.

Fresh from the festival circuit, William Yang returns home with Milestone, a poignant reflection on five decades of photography, social change and Australia’s bohemian art scene, accompanied by a mesmerising live score composed by Elena Kats-Chernin. Stephanie Lake’s The Chronicles brings together twelve leading dancers in a striking meditation on the cycles of life and the inevitability of change, while Francis Greenslade’s darkly comic The Platypus, fresh from a sold-out Adelaide Fringe season, delves into the absurdity and heartbreak of love undone. And a bold new cabaret, AMPLIFIED: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett, sees acclaimed performer Sheridan Harbridge channel the fearless spirit of the Divinyls frontwoman through raw storytelling and iconic songs.

Some of Brisbane Festival’s most beloved and familiar faces also return to the festival, including Leah Shelton with her award-winning BATSHIT, a wildly theatrical and darkly comic exploration of female mental health, and Kate Miller-Heidke, who joins Camerata for Your Eternal Memories, a poignant concert inspired by real-life recollections of life’s most defining moments.

With inclusivity at the heart of Brisbane Festival, the program places public participation front and centre, offering audiences not just a seat in the crowd, but a chance to be part of the experience. 100 Guitars unites players of all skill levels in a powerful mass-participation performance that celebrates collaboration, connection and the joy of making music as one. A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen invites audiences to a sensory feast, as theatre-maker and singer-songwriter Joshua Hinton cooks his grandmother’s chicken curry live on stage, blending rich aromas, personal storytelling and shared food in a warm, intimate event. Meanwhile, Common People Dance Eisteddfod — the high-energy, sequin-studded suburban dance battle sweeping the country — brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate movement, community and unfiltered expression on the dancefloor.

Tivoli in the Round presents an eclectic, genre-blurring lineup that brings audiences closer to the music than ever before at Brisbane’s foremost live venue. This year’s program features laid-back garage-pop charmers Phantastic Ferniture, the genre-bending electronic energy of Odd Mob, blues raconteur C.W. Stoneking, and high-octane sets from Wolters, Franck and Juicy Romance — all performing in an intimate, in-the-round setting that transforms The Tivoli into a space of unfiltered energy and connection.

Night at the Parkland brings some of Australia’s biggest names to the heart of the city for a stellar program of outdoor concerts beneath the stars. Set against the lush surrounds of Roma Street Parkland, the powerhouse line-up features legendary hitmakers ICEHOUSE, indie-pop favourites Lime Cordiale with Jack River, roots troubadour Xavier Rudd, chart-topping local superstar Amy Shark, rock icons Grinspoon, electro pioneers Cut Copy with KLP, and rising country star James Johnston.

The rhythm continues with standout performances from some of the most compelling voices in contemporary music. John Butler returns with his signature blend of soulful storytelling and virtuosic guitar work, while Sarah Blasko offers up her introspective soundscapes. UK breakout Wunderhorse brings a raw, melodic edge, set against the genre-blurring grooves of Winston Surfshirt. Adding a global pulse, the euphoric, South Asian–infused energy of INDO Warehouse meets the transcendent, cross-cultural resonance of JADE Ensemble — a program that moves between mood and momentum, intimacy and exhilaration.

Brisbane Serenades returns in full flourish, offering a vibrant series of free outdoor concerts that bring music to life in parks, gardens and neighbourhoods across the city. This joyful celebration of Brisbane’s rich cultural diversity weaves together traditional melodies and contemporary rhythms, spotlighting both homegrown talent and global influences. This year’s program includes Pasifika Made at Brisbane Powerhouse, Manly Serenades at George Clayton Park, Moorooka Block Party at Peggs Park, and St Lucia Serenades at the University of Queensland — each event a distinct reflection of the communities that call Brisbane home.

Adding a distinctly local note, Community Choir: The Musical transforms everyday voices into unexpected stars. Featuring original songs, heartfelt humour and a cast of non-professional performers, this uplifting production is a spirited tribute to community, courage and the unifying power of song.

Minister for Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the 2025 Brisbane Festival will platform the extraordinary talents of Queensland artists and arts companies alongside outstanding international work.

“The Crisafulli Government is proud to support Brisbane Festival to share the stories that define us and celebrate our state’s creativity, while growing our reputation as a thriving destination for arts.

“This year, we have focused on funding free community-based events to make sure all Queenslanders have access to this spectacular program of bold, colourful, and creative arts experiences.

“Congratulations to Louise Bezzina and Charlie Cush, who have played a pivotal role in growing Queensland’s cultural reputation in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane’s iconic arts festival would be a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to support local artists and experience the city’s creative spirit.

“Brisbane Festival is more than an arts event — it’s a celebration of our identity as Australia’s lifestyle capital,” Cr Schrinner said.

“It shines a spotlight on our creativity, diversity, and world-class local talent, bringing them to centre stage for all to enjoy.

“This year’s program will transform every corner of our city with unforgettable experiences — from large-scale international collaborations to vibrant, community-driven works.

“I encourage everyone to get involved, explore the city in new ways and be part of this extraordinary celebration that puts Brisbane’s culture, colour and community front and centre.”

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell said:

“Brisbane Festival is a magnet for visitors from across the country and around the world, and this year’s program plans to deliver big and bold options. With a spectacular program of world premieres, large-scale public art, unforgettable performances, and the iconic Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust lighting up the skies, the 2025 event will truly feature something for everyone.

“The Festival will deliver a major boost to Queensland’s visitor economy as every corner of Brisbane comes alive with the energy and creativity that makes our state so special. We look forward to welcoming up to 20,000 visitors from outside of Queensland travelling specifically for this event, and I hope they make the most of everything Queensland has to offer.”

Brisbane Festival 2025 is a citywide symphony of art, light, and human connection, set to spill into the streets, stages, parks, and laneways for 23 spectacular days. From large-scale public artworks and world premieres to free neighbourhood events and community-led performances, the festival will energise the city and invite all of Brisbane to take part in something truly extraordinary and utterly unmissable.

Brisbane Festival returns 5 – 27 September 2025.

Tickets to Brisbane Festival performances are on sale from 10am Wednesday 11 June. See the full program, subscribe for updates and purchase tickets at brisbanefestival.com.au.

Brisbane Festival is an initiative of the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council. The Queensland Government is proud to support Brisbane Festival through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland.

BRISBANE FESTIVAL BY NUMBERS

106 productions
1,069 performances
2,260 artists
21 world premieres
4 Australian exclusives
18 dance productions
17 First Nations productions
43 free productions
475 free performances

Source: Common State

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topics Andrew Powell Brisbane Festival Brisbane Festival 2025 John-Paul Langbroek Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner

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