Capital city arts festivals are usually evening affairs, but in a city of early risers, this one kicks off at dawn. Brisbane Festival artistic director Ebony Bott’s inaugural program features 160 productions across three weeks in September, of which almost 120 events will be free to attend. “The beautiful thing about different festivals in each city across Australia is that they need to respond to the rhythm of the city they’re in,” Bott said. The program begins each day as the sun rises, with attractions
such as yoga and early morning DJ sets from New York’s DAYBREAKER movement. The festival is also re-establishing its former hub at South Bank with a temporary village in the riverside forecourt, designed as a nod to the 2032 Olympic Village. The zone will feature ticketed shows as well as participatory circus and dance, and a Giant Sing Along from Montreal studio Daily tous les jours. A sound system and microphone array will be installed for a series of mass choir events – which will
no doubt sound very different first thing in the morning, and late at night. The RAAF flyover and Riverfire fireworks display are back on the opening weekend, with fireworks launched from bridges and rooftops. The 2026 program also features a nightly show of lasers, floating fountains and water jets that reach 80 metres into the sky, set to original music by Brisbane outfits The Veronicas and The Jungle Giants. Ticketed fare includes the world premiere of playwright Suzie Miller’s Strong is The New Pretty, the
story of the creation of AFLW. Fresh from its New York premiere run, Luke Murphy’s Attic Projects returns to Brisbane with Scorched Earth, a dance and theatre performance that’s also a cold case murder investigation and interrogation of land rights. From renowned Gold Coast company The Farm, there’s the premiere of No One Gets Out of Here Alive – billed as a dance performance for all those who will die. “There is a moment where the Grim Reaper is dancing with everybody to a Stevie
Wonder track . for me that means have fun while you’re here, life is a party,” Bott said. The festival runs from September 4 to 26, with tickets on sale from Tuesday.
Brisbane Festival, Ebony Bott, South Bank, DAYBREAKER, RAAF flyover, Riverfire, 2032 Olympic Village, The Veronicas, The Jungle Giants, Suzie Miller, Strong is The New Pretty, Attic Projects, Scorched Earth, The Farm, No One Gets Out of Here Alive
So it’s like Riverfire but at 5am??
160 productions and almost 120 free?? I don’t even know where to start. Also the Olympics village nod thing sounds kinda random but I guess that’s the point.
RAAF flyover and fireworks opening weekend… okay but why are we doing arts festivals with fighter jets lol. I thought the “Olympic city” part meant like new sports stadiums opening, not yoga and DJ sets. Still might go if it’s really free most stuff.
“Strong is The New Pretty” about AFLW creation? That just sounds like they’re rewriting sports history or something. And the whole Grim Reaper dancing with a Stevie Wonder track, like… is that even church appropriate (or is church even a thing in Australia)? I guess late morning choirs will be wild though, because morning choir always sounds creepy to me.