Brisbane Festival is on the countdown to wrap up for another year on 26 September. The program’s still packed, and a huge chunk of it costs nothing at all, so consider this your cheat sheet to what’s on and worth clearing your calendar for before the lights go down.
Brisbane Festival 2026: Festival Village, South Bank Is Still Buzzing
Good news: Festival Village at South Bank is running all the way through to 26 September as part of Brisbane Festival, so there’s plenty of time to squeeze in one more visit (or three). And here’s the best part: most of it is free. Fancy yourself a dancer? Get amongst the line dance workshop with Footloose Fun. Keen to try something new? There’s a hula hoop workshop with Vulcana Circus, plus Beat and Move: An African Dance Adventure with Yenenesh Nigusse. Over on the Village Green, Queensland Ballet is running dance workshops, Camerata has morning mantras, and there’s live music and talks rolling through all day. Early risers can hit up DAYBREAKER for alcohol-free DJ sets and yoga to kick the day off right. And don’t sleep on the Giant Sing Along, an interactive mass-choir installation from Montreal studio Daily tous les jours. It’s exactly as fun as it sounds.
Bright Nights by ANZ Lights Up the River for Brisbane Festival 2026
If you only do one thing before the festival wraps, make it this. Bright Nights by ANZ runs three times a night at Festival Village right up until 26 September, and it’s a proper spectacle: floating fountains, waterscreens, lasers reaching 80 metres, all scored by The Veronicas. Each show opens with a Welcome to Country from Yuggera and Turrbal man Shannon Ruska. Grab a spot along the river and settle in.
Related article: Discover the full program of events for Brisbane Festival 2026
Don’t Miss the Smash Hit Show, The Choir of Man at Brisbane Festival
The Choir of Man is still packing out the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent every night until 26 September, and it’s easy to see why it’s become a West End smash. Expect music, community and a genuinely rowdy good time (sorry, we couldn’t resist). If that’s not quite your speed, the Spiegeltent’s also home to This Show is a Joke and Are You Lonesome Tonight for the rest of the season.
Fijian Flying Circus Sticks Around a Little Longer
Here’s a handy one to know: Fijian Flying Circus doesn’t clock off when the rest of Brisbane Festival does. VOU’s Australian premiere keeps the big top up at South Bank’s Piazza until 4 October, so if you miss it during the festival proper, you’ve still got a window afterwards.
Brisbane Festival 2026 Free Events: One Last Family Day Out
Family Fun Day, supported by Brisbane Airport, lands this Sunday 20 September at Festival Village. It’s your last family-focused event before the festival wraps up, with prizes, giveaways and surprises throughout the day. Bring the kids, bring the picnic blanket, make a day of it.
Brisbane Festival 2026: Don’t Miss Out!
With Brisbane Festival closing on 26 September, the ticketed shows are the first to sort, especially anything in the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent. Head to brisbanefestival.com.au and lock in your last few nights before the season wraps for good.
