First Nations Focus

Yalanji trio, Briscoe Sisters, bring language and song to the stage with a powerful, grounded presence. Fusing rich sibling harmonies with Yalanji spirituality, their voices carry Country, Culture and deep connection. Reflecting on legacy, identity, and the deep Cultural connections that shape their artistry, they reveal how inspiration flows across generations.

Experience an intimate evening with the Brady family; a lineage of First Nations artists whose creative practices are rooted in Culture, Country, and Connection. Together, the family offers a rare and moving insight into the passing of knowledge across generations. A story of legacy in motion: where Culture is lived, shared, and carried forward through music, memory, and kinship.

Living Sculptures: How the birds got their colours, is a stunning, Indigenous-led, contemporary collaboration between ARC Circus and Luther Cora and his team from Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers fusing traditional First Nations dance, storytelling and contemporary circus. Hosted outdoors in the Brisbane Festival Village, it is a beautiful re-telling of the traditional Dreamtime story exploring themes of belonging and delivering a powerful message of togetherness.

Each Friday morning the Sunrise Ceremony: Bikki Wantimaa acknowledges and gives thanks to the lands on which the Festival takes place, honouring First Nations peoples who have witnessed the sunrise on these lands for thousands of years.

Everyone is welcome.

Join Tom for a joyful live stage experience celebrating Language from the Yugambeh Region, Culture and storytelling through movement, music and dance. A fun and interactive experience for children and families where everyone is invited to join in.

Step onto the spectacular island landscape of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and celebrate the Culture, Story, Community, and Connection to the Country of the Nughi, Nunukul, and Goenpul clans of the Quandamooka People. This year’s multi-artform program features a major visual art exhibition, a powerful traditional dance gathering Kunjiel, panel discussions, markets, live music, and a curated art trail, offering audiences a truly place-based cultural experience.

Discover the next wave of Brisbane’s performing arts talent in a vibrant live showcase. Developed through the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts’ School Holiday Workshop program over four days of collaborative creation and intense training, join us and celebrate artistic growth and individual voice. These exciting, emerging young artists present original works in dance, singing, acting, and storytelling.