- Brisbane Festival 2026 will activate the city (4 to 26 September), with an exceptional program of more than 700 performances showcasing international and national talent alongside Queensland's finest creatives.
- In an exciting new approach, the festival includes programming that embraces the State's morning economy and includes 420 free and low-cost performances, to ensure the festival is accessible to all.
- Brisbane Festival supports more than 2,600 artists' jobs, strengthens Queensland's creative economy and showcases world-class arts experiences in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and a plan for Queensland's future, after a decade of decline under Labor.
Brisbane Festival's 2026 program is set to transform the city into a vibrant playground of creativity with more than 700 spectacular performances, 11 world premieres and community celebrations for audiences of all ages.
Launching today, Brisbane Festival's 2026 program has an exciting new approach, starting bright and early each day, with dance parties, yoga, Morning Mantra with Queensland's own Chamber Orchestra Camerata, and puppet workshops with Dead Puppet Society.
More than 50 Queensland arts organisations will take part in the festival, including Gold Coast company The Farm, which will deliver a gripping performance of No-One Gets Out of Here Alive at the Thomas Dixon Centre.
Brisbane Festival is renowned for incredible storytelling, and scores with its combination of sport and art in the inspirational theatre work Strong is the New Pretty, a showpiece of this year's program.
Free festival community celebrations across the suburbs will include the Moorooka and St Lucia Block Parties, Manly Serenades, Pasifika Made and the Neighbourhood Centre's Program.
Brisbane Festival is part of the Crisafulli Government's commitment to create a vibrant arts scene in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Brisbane Festival 2026 program would shine a spotlight Queensland's vibrant arts and cultural scene.
"This spring Brisbane will come to life with an exciting program that features 700 performances and over 2,600 artists," Minister Langbroek said.
"Brisbane Festival showcases the extraordinary talent of Queensland artists alongside national and international creatives.
"The Crisafulli Government is proud to support Brisbane Festival in strengthening access to exceptional arts and cultural experiences for Queenslanders and visitors, with more than half the festival's productions featured as free events across the city.
"Last year alone, more than two million people engaged with a Brisbane Festival event, and we are expecting an even bigger audience in 2026."
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell MP said Brisbane Festival cemented Queensland's status as Australia's premier events destination and a national leader in world-class experiences.
"Brisbane Festival showcases the very best of our state while delivering more than $27 million into the economy, backing local businesses and proving Queensland leads the nation when it comes to major events," Minister Powell said.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane Festival would light up the river and turn every corner of our city into a stage.
"From spectacular performances in iconic city spaces to hidden gems in neighbourhood venues, this year's festival is packed with unforgettable experiences across Brisbane," Cr Schrinner said.
"Brisbane continues to attract world-class events and bold artistic talent from around the globe while proudly backing local performers, businesses and communities that continue to help shape our reputation as Australia's lifestyle capital.
"We're proud to support Brisbane Festival and the incredible opportunities it creates for our local artists and local economy. So grab your friends, plan your calendar and dive headfirst into this year's program. There's truly something for everyone."
In introducing the 2026 program, Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Ebony Bott said this year Brisbane Festival was tuned to the frequency of this city – from first light through to after dark.
"It is a Festival shaped on Brisbane energy, outdoor life and sense of momentum and possibility, bringing extraordinary artists from Queensland, across Australia and around the world into theatres, parks, riverbanks and the Festival Village at South Bank" Ms Bott said.
For the full program and more information visit: brisbanefestival.com.au .
