Everything You Need To Know About Brisbane Festival 2025
Welcome to Brisvegas!
By Bianca Licina | 11th June 2025Brissy, it’s almost that time again! The Brisbane Festival 2025 is back — and this year, it’s bigger, bolder, and more buzzing than ever. Running for 23 days with 1,000+ performances, plus heaps of free events, there’s zero excuse not to dig in.
This edition also marks the final curtain call for Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, who’s spent six years turning the festival into one of the country’s coolest cultural parties. So, let’s get you clued up on the can’t-miss moments.
The rundown
Craig & Karl | All festival long
Local legends Craig & Karl are back, shaking up the festival with their signature bold, colourful style. Their giant inflatable Walk This Way installation will transform Brisbane’s pedestrian bridges, while their eye-catching art takes over the city walls. What started as a Brisbane creative partnership is now a global design force, bringing the city’s vibe right back home.
Gems | 4 to 7 September
Making its world premiere, Gems from L.A. Dance Project is a fresh take on contemporary ballet, hitting QPAC’s Playhouse for four nights only. Expect powerful moves, stunning choreography, and a live soundtrack from Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Aussie audiences are in for something special.
Baleen Moondjan | 18 to 21 September
One of the festival’s standout moments, Baleen Moondjan is a moving tribute to First Nations people and stories, performed on the Brisbane River itself. Picture a 50-metre stage on a barge, framed by giant whale bones, right at The Landing by Queen’s Wharf. It’s a show that stays with you.
Riverfire | 6 September
The festival’s unmissable night returns – Riverfire lights up Brisbane’s sky with fireworks that dazzle and delight. Grab a balcony, climb a hill, or stake your claim along the riverfront for the city’s biggest sky show of the year.
Skylore – Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale | 25 to 27 September
And the sky spectacle continues. Back by popular demand, hundreds of drones will dance above Queen’s Wharf and South Bank, telling the Nieergoo creation story through light and movement. This isn’t just a show – it’s an experience unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Afterglow | 5 to 29 September
When night falls, the City Botanic Gardens glow. Afterglow lights up the space with fiery sculptures, candlelit art, and live performances – an after-dark adventure for everyone to enjoy.
Bad Nature | 3 to 7 September
World premiere alert! Bad Nature is a gutsy, raw collaboration between Australasian Dance Collective and the Netherlands’ Club Guy & Roni. Exploring the messy sides of humanity, this intense, layered production takes over Brisbane Powerhouse for five nights only.
GATSBY at the Green Light | 2 to 28 September
Step into the Roaring ’20s with GATSBY at the Green Light, a cabaret dripping in vintage glam and sparkle. Twelfth Night Theatre turns into the city’s hottest speakeasy, full of jazz, style, and old-school decadence.
The Lovers | 13 September to 5 October
Shake & Stir brings a fresh spin to Shakespeare with The Lovers. This pop-infused remix of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is high-energy, loud, and full of heart, with some of Australia’s best musical theatre talent and a killer soundtrack. Catch it at QPAC’s Playhouse before it’s gone.
And so. Much. More. For the full program, head here.
Whether you’re after artsy eye candy, epic live music, or just a killer excuse to get out and celebrate, Brisbane Festival’s got you. Free events, world premieres, and city-wide fun make it a no-brainer. Get ready to live your best Brisbane life. Follow @brisbanefestival on Insta and keep tabs on their site for the full lineup and ticket drops. This one’s gonna be huge.
What: Brisbane Festival 2025When: 5 – 27 September 2025Where: All. over. Brisbane.
