Ticketed highlights also include Scorched Earth, a hybrid dance-theatre piece that doubles as a cold-case murder investigation and land-rights inquiry.

Brisbane Festival 2026 kicks off a three-week city-wide arts celebration from September 4 to 26, featuring 160 productions with nearly 120 events free to attend, under a newly curated program by Ebony Bott.

A mass choir series will run with a dedicated sound system, and signature events will include a RAAF flyover and Riverfire fireworks over opening weekend.

Music dominates the lineup, including Night at the Parkland at Roma Street Parkland, where a host of artists will perform, culminating in Jeff Buckley’s Grace performed in full.

The South Bank hub reopens with a temporary riverside village inspired by the 2032 Olympic Village, hosting ticketed shows and participatory works such as a Giant Sing Along by Daily tous les jours.

The program features high-profile world premieres and international productions, including Suzie Miller’s Strong is the New Pretty about AFLW’s creation and Luke Murphy’s Scorched Earth.

Queensland’s arts minister emphasizes showcasing local creative talent alongside national and international artists.

Artistic director Ebony Bott aims to tailor the festival to Brisbane’s rhythms, including early-morning activities like yoga and DAYBREAKER DJ sets from New York.

Interactive and community-focused experiences are central, with Brisbane Serenades, the Common People Dance Eisteddfod, Community Choir: The Musical, and the Quandamooka Festival.

Evening spectacles feature laser shows, floating fountains, and water jets up to 80 metres, choreographed to music from The Veronicas and The Jungle Giants.

Riverfire returns on September 5 as a major skyline-lit highlight.

Tickets are on sale now, with full program details available on the Brisbane Festival website.