These shows will appeal to morning run lovers and gym enthusiasts alike. Wear some comfortable shoes, move your body, and break a sweat at these active events.
#What’s better than a Brisbane Festival show? A Brisbane Festival show with a workout!
Sat 21 Sep
Common People Dance Eisteddfod
Dressed in sequined armours, the mighty suburban gladiators will meet on neutral territory and dance it out to see who will be the 2024 Common People Dance Eisteddfod winner. The Common People Dance Eisteddfod has now become a tradition here in our fair city. Teams from across South-East Queensland will battle it out over one epic night and need you to cheer and shout as they dance the night away.
Sat 7 Sep
Moorooka Block Party
Bop, dance, jump, sing and revel in celebratory sounds, from afro beats to carnivalesque grooves, guitarra to gourds, didgeridoo to djembes to Saraswati veena. Back for year three, the crowd-favourite Moorooka Block Party will kick off Brisbane Festival’s Serenades program with an impressive line-up of Australia's finest First Nations and World Music performers.
Sat 14 Sep
The Alexander Ball
Mother of the Brisbane Ballroom scene Ella Ganza continues her reign as Curator as houses from across the country and overseas battle it out for the Grand Prize. Ballroom families born out of safety and necessity celebrate their existence and authenticity on stage as thousands chant and scream for their chosen families for a night of drama, chaos, notoriety and status.
Sat 21 Sep
Assembly Vol.1
Get hyped to dive into an electrifying fusion of music and dance at The Princess Theatre, where Australasian Dance Collective and 4000 Studios are set to collide for an epic one-night-only event featuring four extraordinary performances. This is not just a line-up, it's a collision of legends, promising an unforgettable vibe that pushes the boundaries of music and dance. Be ready to move like you've never moved before and party like there’s no tomorrow.
Sat 21 Sep
Pasifika Made
From across the Australian and Pacific Island diaspora, a dynamic line up of artists ignites the stage in the spirit of the Moana, weaving together a vibrant fabric of cultural and contemporary Pasifika dance, music and storytelling with a bit of quirk and island humour!
29 Aug – 12 Oct
Lightscape
This one-of-a-kind experience will immerse audiences in an inspiring, after-dark journey along a 1.8km trail through the iconic City Botanic Gardens. Wander beneath towering tree canopies illuminated in colour, stroll beneath larger-than-life flowers, alongside shining neon roots, and through dynamic glowing tunnels. Discover moments of wonder to share with everyone.
30 Aug – 21 Sep
The Art Boat
Step aboard and immerse yourself in an unforgettable voyage through the heart of Brisbane. Against the stunning backdrop of the ever-expanding city skyline, journey along the iconic waterways, tracing the mighty banks that shape the Brisbane River. The city ambience is remixed into decadent DJ sets soundtracking the extravaganza and punk that is burlesque, the drama and defiance of drag and the addictive and attention-grabbing power of circus.
2 Sept – 6 Oct
Big Sculpture
Observe our history in a magnificent sculpture at the Brisbane Powerhouse. This exhibition centers on large-scale works that showcase the artists' deep ties to culture, land, and heritage. Through the masterful use of modern and repurposed materials, the sculptures not only reflect artistic prowess but also echo a commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Sat 7 Sep
Sweet Relief!
Indulge in a blissful moment of Sweet Relief! as the iconic festival of music, art and performance returns for its sensational second year. As always, at the beating heart of Sweet Relief! is a commitment to inclusivity and access, ensuring everyone is welcome on the dance floor. No matter who you are, get ready for a free-flowing party, destined to leave you craving more.
13 – 18 Sep
Studio1 Workshop Series
Studio1 opens its doors to visionary dance-theatre companies featured in Brisbane Festival's 2024 program, including Force Majeure, Dancenorth and Restless Dance Theatre. Get involved in one of or all three inclusive workshops and masterclasses that investigate process and creativity, led by Australia’s leading makers of contemporary and dance theatre works.
14 – 15 Sep
Us And All Of This
Unfolding momentarily on the Brisbane Powerhouse Forecourt, this large-scale sculptural performance offers a rare moment of calm reflection, gathering 100 curious volunteers from all walks of life to move together as one. Us And All Of This rejects the positioning of humans as something separate to the environment, and challenges the fast-paced, isolated structure of society. Performers move with the landscape and each other, acknowledging our place as one part of a complex ecology, in a ritual of coming together.
