Highlights of Festival Village, South Bank

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.

Direct from London’s West End, sensational singers perform stunning harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs brimming with hits from Queen to Katy Perry and more.

With a real bar on stage, come drink in the ultimate feel-good show!

A unique celebration of country music and opera, featuring arias and songs by Puccini, Verdi, Slim Dusty, Troy Cassar-Daly, Dolly Parton and more.

The result? A foot-stomping, heart-stirring performance that bridges two musical worlds in a way that feels fresh, exciting, and downright fun.

Bright Nights by ANZ transforms the Brisbane River into a dazzling choreographed canvas of water, light, and sound with floating fountains, water screens, animated water features and jets shooting up to 80 meters high. Pierced by a stunning laser light show and with an original pop rock soundtrack, this bold installation fills the Festival Village, South Bank with colour, energy, and emotion. Free shows three times nightly throughout the Festival. Featuring an exclusive soundtrack from Brisbane music royalty The Veronicas.

How many LOLs can Australia's favourite kids’ comedians squeeze into one hour? Let's find out.

Hold onto your cowpats! After nearly two decades of seriously silly nonsense, Matt and Rich (aka The Listies) have whipped up their most ridiculous show yet — a turbo-charged mash-up of fan favourites, slapstick, songs, and a fresh batch of brand-new, freshly hatched gags. It's a comedy extravaganza for kidults aged 4 to 4 million (dinosaurs welcome).

DAYBREAKER is the globally renowned sober dance, yoga and wellness movement that flips nightlife on its head. Gather in the morning to move, connect, and celebrate being alive. No alcohol. No phones. Just music, movement, and a space full of humans choosing mischief and joy. Be present, be here, be in the now. See you at daybreak!

An interactive installation inviting people of all ages to sing together in shared, collective experience, Giant Sing Along places participants in a field of microphones, contributing to a live mass choir with songs chosen by the local community. A subtle sound system harmonises voices in real time — creating moments of joy, belonging, and spontaneous connection.