Bright Nights water show, Festival Village and full program guide
This year, the highlight of the Brisbane Festival is an open-air water and light show that will illuminate the Brisbane River on the South Bank.
night presentation titled Bright NightsIt will transform the river into a “choreographed water canvas” with 80-metre-high water jets, spirals and curtains of water with colored lights and projected images.
Brisbane Festival artistic director Ebony Bott said Australian company Oracle Liquid’s ten-minute show will feature an audio story by traditional owner Shannon Ruska and music by The Veronicas.
The festival will be staged three times each night on the South Bank from 4-26 September.
Bright Nights It will be a highlight of the Festival Village, a free hub taking over the South Bank area in front of QPAC.
The Festival Village will feature the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, which returns to Brisbane after a six-year absence, and The Giant Sing Along, an interactive public karaoke machine that invites strangers to sing along.
Bott said the Festival Village is a nod to the Olympic Athletes Village.
“It was important for me to create a civic heart for the festival, because I believe festivals need these to show that the circus is coming to town,” he said.
“If you do it right, some of the barriers to participation disappear.”
Hailing from Western Australia, Bott is presenting his first Brisbane Festival, coming from a position as a programmer at the Sydney Opera House.
He said Brisbane struck him as a city that wakes up early in the morning, which inspired Festival Village events such as Daybreaker dance parties and morning meditation to the music of Camerata and Queensland Conservatorium students.
“This year’s festival lasts from sunrise until after dark,” he said.
Among the notable performances from abroad was an innovative physical performance from Los Angeles. To escape by Diavolo/Architecture in Motion.
True crime meets extreme theatricality scorched earth A film from the Irish company Attic Projects, which tells the story of an unsolved murder through drama and dance. The production comes to Brisbane after its last season in New York.
Many productions originate from New Zealand. Bott said he was looking forward to it Werewolfis an immersive, interactive one-hour show based on the popular parlor game.
“People were told to go to the nearest safe house and you were plunged into darkness and started to piece together what was going on.
“I think it will be a really hot ticket at the festival.”
Parkland Night concerts will return to Roma Street Parkland with Aloe Blacc, Human Nature, Icehouse, Temper Trap, Missy Higgins, PNAU and Katie Noonan performing Jeff Buckley’s 1994 album. Grace, and The Magic Dirty Cruel Sea.
Free concerts Moorooka Block Party, St Lucia Serenades and Pacifica Made will return, along with Town Hall concerts and other free events in the Festival Village.
Riverfire fireworks will take place as usual, along with an RAAF flyover at the start of the festival on Saturday 5 September.
Bott said he was aware Following Riverfire last year, there were overcrowding and delays in getting out of townand traffic management will be a priority.
“We like the idea that the village will be there and maybe we can keep people around a little bit longer to stop this mass exodus,” he said.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the Brisbane Festival supported local businesses and contributed more than $27 million to the economy.
Brisbane Festival 2026: Hot tickets
Strong is the New Beautiful 1-19 September
New play by Australian playwright Suzie Miller (at first glance) tells the story of the founding of the women’s AFL league.
koreboo 2-29 September
star News Reader Michelle Lim Davidson drew on real-life experience to write and perform this play about a woman visiting her birth mother in Korea.
Human Choir 3-26 September
This huge hit, which was performed in London’s West End for five years, features exciting renditions of hits by Queen, Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, Luther Vandross, Guns n’ Roses and Katy Perry.
My Mom Is Having a Derby 3-6 September
A skating comedy with a cast on wheels from Adelaide. My Mom Is Having a Derby There is a lively punk bank and an in-theatre skating rink.
Living Sculptures: How Did Birds Get Their Colors? 5-9 September
A live circus performance on the Village Green in Festival Village tells the story of the First Nations.
Are You Alone Tonight 8-12 September
Parton meets Puccini at a country and opera party; Opera is Queensland’s most successful regional tour yet, finally playing in Brisbane.
No One Gets Out Alive Here 9-12 September
Brave and heartfelt dance troupe The Farm offers a soothing performance on the dark subject of death.
Do it, Believe it, it’s Magic: The Worlds of the Jim Henson Company 12 September-18 April 2027
The Gallery of Modern Art, in collaboration with the Jim Henson Company in Los Angeles, is curating a world-first exhibition featuring Muppets, Fraggles, gelflings, goblins and more.
Complete the Bach Cycle September 13
Dr Calvin Bowman will perform each JS Bach organ piece in a 12-hour performance at QPAC Concert Hall, which will be free to attend.
Dead like a dodo 23-26 September
A skeleton boy and a skeleton dodo star in New Zealand visual theater company Wakka Wakka’s puppet adventure.
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Nick Dent is a Culture Reporter for the Brisbane Times covering arts, entertainment and things to do in the city.Connect via email.
