FAQs

Is Brisbane Festival on in 2020?

Brisbane Festival will take place from 4 to 26 September 2020. For announcements, keep an eye on brisbanefestival.com.au from 28 July and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

What are the dates of Brisbane Festival 2020?

Brisbane Festival will take place from 4 to 26 September 2020.

Where can I get a Brisbane Festival brochure?

Printed programs will be available at many major information centres and libraries around Brisbane in August. But all the information you need is right here on the website, and you can download a PDF of the brochure at the bottom of this page.

How will Brisbane Festival deliver a program that adheres to social distancing restrictions? 

There is no denying that Brisbane Festival 2020 will look and feel different due to the impact of COVID-19. In reimagining the 2020 Festival, the Brisbane Festival team is focused on finding new ways to bring Brisbane together this September to celebrate without encouraging crowd gathering. Brisbane Festival’s 2020 program is evolving, but the safety of performers, audience members and Festival staff is and always will be of paramount importance. This year’s program is being designed in a way that people can enjoy it without gathering together in crowds. Read more on our Stay COVID Safe page.

How will you ensure patron safety at this year’s Brisbane Festival?

The safety of performers, audience members and Brisbane Festival staff is and always will be of paramount importance to Brisbane Festival. Brisbane Festival will ensure all social distancing restrictions are adhered to as part of the organisation’s COVID-19 safety plan. Read more on our Stay COVID Safe page.

Is the Festival happening at South Bank this year?

Normally, South Bank is where the hub of the Festival is, but this year Brisbane Festival is going out to 190 suburbs across the city. This year is a wonderful opportunity to rediscover our wonderful city.

Is Sunsuper Riverfire going ahead this year?

The one true consistency during COVID-19 has been unpredictability. Like many organisations, Brisbane Festival has reimagined the Festival so it may proceed mindful of the need to adhere to social distancing restrictions. While the Brisbane Festival team is committed to delivering an exciting program for Brisbane this September, certain elements of the 2020 program, including Sunsuper Riverfire, are unable to go ahead because it encourages crowd gathering.

Which streets will Street Serenades be happening in?

Brisbane Festival has been designed to bring people together this September to celebrate without encouraging crowd gathering. Street Serenades concerts are pop-up performances, as part of this year's 'surprise and delight' program. We will not be publishing locations in relation to dates or times. 190 suburbs of Brisbane will be visited by our mobile stages-on-wheels so keep an eye and ear out in your suburb.

Can I use my camera or recording device inside the theatre?

Photography and recording during in-theatre performances is generally not allowed, however please check the individual event information available at the venue on the day or evening of the performance.

What is happening with the giant finches after the festival?

Florentijn Hoffman’s inspiring visual artwork Messengers of Brisbane was created as a beacon of hope, and to bring joy to all those who witness the six vibrant, larger-than-life sculptures perched atop iconic landmarks of Brisbane. The message is simple, but powerful: look up and smile. We are delighted that the Finches will have a life outside the Festival. Stay tuned for the details. 

What are the lasers in Brisbane city?

Every Friday and Saturday night of the Festival, buildings across Brisbane’s skyline will play host to an interconnecting and pulsing laser beam installation set to an ethereal soundtrack. For more details, check out the Sunsuper Night Sky event page.

I'm concerned about potential impacts on native wildlife in the area. What happens if wildlife accidentally look directly at the laser beam?

Brisbane Festival is working with a highly regarded laser specialist company that has over 20 years of experience. They are well known and respected for adhering to all industry standards and regulations; safety is a priority, including that of wildlife. Due to the distance that the laser is travelling (which adheres to regulations) it will have no ocular damage on a human or native wildlife. The installation is temporary, the beams are not continuous and there is no long term exposure to the laser beam at any point. 

Brisbane Festival takes its responsibility very seriously in regard to social and environmental impact in all aspects of its program delivery. We are committed to operating under strict procedures and protocols. Consultation and approval has occurred with all appropriate regulators in the planning and delivery of Sunsuper Night Sky. We look forward to sharing a joyful and safe Brisbane Festival for all.

Do the lasers effect planes? 

Lasers are never aimed directly into a flight path. Brisbane Festival is working closely with CASA to ensure that no laser enters any flight path. Due to this the lasers will predominantly be focussed horizontally and down to the ground.

What happens in bad weather – will the lasers work?  

The lasers work in rain and often look even more amazing. In high winds we will not be able to operate the laser installation and it will be stopped. May be affected by heavy rain, storm and high winds. 

Will Sunsuper Night Sky affect rock climbing at Kangaroo Point?

Kangaroo Point rock face has been selected as a terminating point for laser beams as part of Brisbane Festival’s Sunsuper Night Sky installation. For your safety, rock climbing is not permitted on Kangaroo Point cliffs during 7pm – 9pm Wednesday 2, Thursday 3, Friday 4, 11, 18 & 25 and Saturday 5, 12, 19 & 26 September. Further details.

Need more information about Sunsuper Night Sky? 

You can read further details here. 

Where will Street Serenades be happening?

Brisbane Festival has been designed to bring people together this September to celebrate without encouraging crowd gathering. Street Serenades concerts are pop-up performances, as part of this year's 'surprise and delight' program. For a cheeky few events that have plenty of space, we may drop hints on the day. Follow this Facebook event, keep an eye and ear out and you might be the first to know about a Street Serenade in your suburb! 

How do Street Serenades performances work? 

Street Serenades will be popping up in 190 suburbs around Brisbane to delight people who happen across these events. So if you do hear some music coming from a public venue, go and investigate! The Street Serenades events will be publicly accessible and sectioned off to monitor COVID Safe distancing and you will be asked by our Front of House team to check in via a QR code. For more information on what to do if you stumble across a Street Serenades performance, check out our COVID Safe page.

Are the ADF and superhornet flyovers happening this year?

For the past 22 years the Australian Defence Force has engaged Brisbane Festival audiences with exhilarating displays of airpower, including fast jet flyovers, transport and rotary wing aircraft augmented by ground displays and the Navy band.

Due to COVID-19 and Brisbane Festival’s commitment to maintaining social distancing and crowd control, the traditional ADF flyovers, alongside Sunsuper Riverfire, will not take place this year. Unfortunately this is the first year since 1998 the ADF displays will not take place. Australia’s Defence Force continues to assist the COVID response effort in the provision of a broad range of support and services.

Whilst we know that Brisbane audiences will miss the traditional RAAF appearance that signifies the last night of the Festival, we wish to thank and honour the men and women of the ADF who continue to serve our country. We look forward to the ADF returning to Brisbane Festival in 2021 subject, as always, to availability.

How do I buy tickets?

All tickets can be booked online via our website or over the phone. You can find more information on our Ticketing Information page. Once a sale is finalised, there will be no refunds, cancellations or exchanges, except as provided for in the LPA Ticketing Code of Practice for event ticketing. This is advised when purchasing a ticket. 

Once a sale is finalised, there will be no refunds, cancellations or exchanges, except as provided for in the LPA Ticketing Code of Practice for event ticketing. This is advised when purchasing a ticket.

I want to cancel/change/refund my ticket.

Once a sale is finalised, there will be no refunds, cancellations or exchanges, except as provided for in the LPA Ticketing Code of Practice for event ticketing. This is advised when purchasing a ticket. Please see our Ticketing Information page for more information.

Can I use my gift voucher this year?

Gift vouchers will be redeemable for a limited number of 2020 ticketed events. If you don't want to use your gift voucher this year, hold onto it for 2021. If you don't want to use your gift voucher in 2020 or 2021, you can receive a full refund of your purchase. Please email refunds@qtix.com.au including your name, voucher reference number and contact details. Please do not include credit card information.

I bought my ticket from a ticket resales website, will it be valid?

Brisbane Festival is unable to verify the validity of tickets that have been purchased via an unauthorised ticket reseller. Other resale sites such as Viagogo are not official resellers and are not endorsed by Brisbane Festival or our venues. We retain the right to cancel tickets purchased via unauthorised ticket resellers. See Ticketing Information for details.

Can I collect my ticket at a box office?

Due to COVID regulation all tickets will be issued electronically via email or text message, dependent on the ticket provider.

Patrons with accessibility needs

For any access information, please check with the venue before booking. More information about this year's venues can be found on the Venues & Access page.

 

Can I perform at Brisbane Festival?

Brisbane Festival is a curated event and the character of the Festival is dependent on the vision of the Artistic Director. Unfortunately, Brisbane Festival is unable to offer assessment and feedback on unsolicited submissions. Please contact brisbanefestival@brisbanefestival.com.au for more information.

How can I volunteer this year?

Brisbane Festival appreciates our volunteers, some who have been working with us for many years. We regret there is no opportunity for volunteer involvement this year. We look forward to working with you again in 2021!

How can I be an intern?

The internship program will not be receiving applications from the public in 2020. If you have any questions, get in touch with us via interns@brisbanefestival.com.au.

How do I apply for a job?

Positions are listed on the Employment page.

Can I hold a stall at a Brisbane Festival event?

We do not accept applications for stalls. We have no central hub in this year’s festival so no food vendors are required.

How can I be part of Working Title?

Working Title submissions are now closed. 

I’d like to become a partner of the Festival

Read more about how you can partner with the Festival on our Partners page or contact our Partnerships Team at partnerships@brisbanefestival.com.au to discuss unique ways to collaborate.

I’d like to donate to the Festival

Our donors help Brisbane Festival to deliver performances of scale and ambition from both local and international artists. Read more about how you can donate to the Festival on our Giving Program page.