The BEST Brisbane Festival Events for Families

The Brisbane Festival 2024 boasts a program of fun family-friendly events! Read all about it here.

Brisbane Festival 2024 unites the city this August and September in a celebratory fusion of culture. Experience the wonderful, the wistful and the downright whimsical when Brisbane Festival’s program of family-friendly events surprise and delight audiences.

A spectrum of city-wide encounters and productions tap into both a rich seam of nostalgia and the promise of a hopeful future; use vintage technology and the latest digital platforms; and bring entertainment to the people while also enticing them to explore their own backyards.

The programme for 2024 has been confirmed, so it’s time to plan what you’re going to see! 

Here are our picks of the family-friendly shows and events you can look forward to at the Brisbane Festival. We even have suggestions for free activities at the Brisbane Festival and a run down of the coolest ideas to get your teenager involved in the festival!

Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust (FREE) 31 August 2024

• Date: Saturday 31 August 2024
• Location: Brisbane River and surrounds
• Price: Free, non-ticketed
• Entertainment from 4pm, Fireworks from 7pm

Witness one of the most electrifying fireworks displays in Australia, launched from multiple bridges, barges and city rooftops, with aerobatics from the Australian Defence Force. Riverfire celebrates the kick off of Brisbane Festival with a pyrotechnic extravaganza set to an almighty soundtrack.

Find out all about Riverfire here and click here for Riverfire parking deals and find the best vantage points to see the fireworks here.

Fancy Long Legs

A brand-new glittery musical adventure for children and families based on a new picture book by international tinsel and craft icon Rachel Burke.

Fancy Long Legs is the story of Fancy, a spider who loves to create but struggles to stay focused on her creative task of web-building. With the support of her spiderling friends, Fancy goes on a beautiful journey of self-discovery to find her own style and make something no one else can. 

The show has been created with accessibility at its core to ensure the theatre experience is welcoming, safe and inclusive for all. Each performance in the season will be considered ‘relaxed’ with flexible venue access, ambient lighting, spoiler sheets, sensory warnings, a low-sensory space, accessible seating, plus Auslan Interpretation, Audio Description and Tactile tours on select performances. 

Fancy Long Legs is a groundbreaking, fully accessible work for young audiences and the young at heart.

Event Details:

• Venue: La Boite Theatre, 6 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove
• Dates and Times: 12 – 22 September
• Tickets: From $29

Lightscape

The Lightscape experience is reimagined for 2024, showcasing Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens in a new light, with breathtaking installations created by acclaimed local and international artists. This internationally acclaimed multi-sensory experience is set to wow families from Thursday 29 August – Saturday 12 October 2024.

A special feature of Brisbane’s Lightscape will be two incredible sculptural installations created by Queensland First Nations artists Paul Bong (aka Bindur Bullin) and Michelle Yeatman.

Uniquely curated to take you on a journey of the senses through light, colour and sound, enjoy the City Botanic Gardens as never before. Beginning beneath glowing tree canopies filled with colour, stroll alongside larger-than-life flowers and neon roots bursting from the undergrowth, through sparkling tunnels of light and under giant poppies suspended high in the night sky. Soak in the breath-taking lightworks created by the best local and international artists. It’s an after-dark oasis of botanical brilliance.

Lightscape is a timed entry event running between 29 August and 12 October and it sells out across the world so be sure to book ASAP. Session tickets are available between 5.45pm and 8.30pm on event dates. You can enjoy Lightscape at your own pace. Organisers recommend 1.5 – 2 hours to make the most of the experience. If you are heading in to see Lightscape on a weeknight, perhaps consider Little Miss Sunshine as a place to eat?

Event Details:

• Venue: Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, 147 Alice Street, Brisbane
• Dates and Times: 29 August – 12 October
• Tickets: From $24

Find out more about ticket prices and opening times here.

Cirque Bon Bon — Le Retour

Cirque Bon Bon — Le Retour

Prepare to be swept off your feet as the sell-out show Cirque Bon Bon returns, bigger, better, and more breathtaking than ever before! Hosted by Brisbane favourite, Mario Queen of the Circus, this new spectacular brings an all-star cast of contortionists, acrobats, and dancers to South Bank Piazza.

Created by former Cirque Du Soleil Assistant Creative Director Ash Jacks (McCready) and Choreographer Julieann Nugent, both Brisbane natives, Cirque Bon Bon blends beauty with bravery into 70 minutes of electrifying action. With talented performers hand-picked from around the world, each bringing their unique skills and talents, this show promises to leave you speechless.

Brace yourself for an evening of pure entertainment, jaw-dropping stunts, and gravity-defying performances that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Event Details:

• Venue: South Bank Piazza, 186 Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane
• Dates: 18 – 20 September
• Showtimes at: 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 7:45pm
• Duration: Approx. 1 hour 10 minutes
• Tickets: From $30 – $65

Find out more here.

Skylore – The Rainbow Serpent

Back by popular demand and following the huge success of last year’s Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale, a three-dimensional multicolour drone show returns for another glittering spectacular.

At Festival Garden in South Bank or at Queen’s Wharf, watch as 400 drones dazzle over Brisbane’s iconic skyline, telling the captivating story of The Rainbow Serpent. This First Nations creation story for the Brisbane River, narrated by Traditional Owner and Tribal Experiences Managing Director Shannon Ruska, will be brought to life through a carefully choreographed drone performance, accompanied by an original sound composition by Guy Webster.

Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent is a larger-than-life highlight of the Brisbane Festival, celebrating culture and place in a bright and bold display.

Event details:

• Venue: Festival Garden, 186 Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane
• Dates: 19 – 21 September
• Showtimes: 7:15pm, 8:15pm, 9:15pm each night
• Price: Free, non-ticketed
• Duration: 60 minutes

Find out more info here.

Brisbane Serenades

Brisbane Festival’s smash-hit Serenades program is back for its fifth year. This year five incredible outdoor concerts will occur, taking place from the north and the south, amongst the city’s gorgeous green spaces, gardens, parks and rivers. It’s the perfect way to explore Brisbane and experience the joy of music, dance and connection.

Event details:

• Venues: Moorooka, Portside, Victoria Park, St Lucia, and Kuraby
• Dates and Times: 7 – 21 September
• Showtimes:
  • Moorooka Block Party: 7 September, 4pm – 8pm
  • Voices of Victoria Park: 8 September, 3:45pm – 7pm
  • St Lucia Serenades: 14 September, 2pm – 5pm
  • Portside Serenades: 15 September, 4pm – 7pm
  • Pasifika Made: 21 September, 5pm – 9pm
• Price: Free, non-ticketed

Find out more info here.

Proudfoot and Friends

As part of the Lord Mayor’s Children’s program, award-winning children’s performer Lucas Proudfoot will perform at the Brisbane Festival on Thursday September 19.

Proud First Nations performer Lucas leads the audience on a hilarious interactive sing-along adventure. He’ll perform on stage with his guitar, stomp box, didgeridoo and a cast of unforgettable characters on a non-stop musical adventure around Pelican Bay.

This 45-minute musical comedy show is perfect for 3-7-year-olds. It features state-of-the-art digital puppeteering and choreographed animated projections that will delight and captivate kids and adults.

Event details:

• Venue: Brisbane City Hall, 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City
• Dates and Times: 19 September, 10am and 1pm
• Price: Free event, booking required
• Duration: Approx. 55 minutes

Click here for further details.

Common People Dance Eisteddfod

Sequins, sweat and spandex – the ultimate suburban party!

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. 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 competition is fierce, the outfits are bold, and the moves are body rollin’. But who will be crowned the champion and take home all the glory?

It’s the ultimate battle of the ‘burbs…so slap on some sequins, and come join the fun barracking for your favourite team.

Event details:

• Venue: South Bank Piazza, 186 Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane
• Date and showtime: 21 September, 6pm
• Price: Tickets from $30

Spectrum of Happiness

Spectrum of Happiness is an interactive swing that invite people of all genders and generations to experience shared moments of happiness together. The rainbow symbolizes an optimistic, new, bright beginning. It embodies diversity in its diverse colours, the same as diversity in each individual, which together shines as the beloved and celebrated rainbow of humankind.

Event details:

• Venue: Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
• Dates and Times: 30 August – 21 September, closed on Mondays
• Price: Free, non ticketed

Festival Favourites

Get a taste of the Festival’s best – for free! – under the dome at Westfield Chermside.

Enjoy live entertainment from Brisbane’s talented musicians. Families can also master new skills at the free workshops. Master new circus skills, drop by for a hip hop workshop and join in a dance cypher with some of the best dancers in town.

Event details:

• Venue: Westfield Chermside, Gympie Road, Chermside
• Dates and Times: 12 – 21 September, closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Price: Free, non ticketed

Brisbane Festival 2024 programme

There are many more Brisbane Festival events for all the family including:

• Meeanjin Songlinez
• Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts — Continuum
• The Art Boat
• and so much more!

Past events at Brisbane Festival

Wondering what happened Brisbane Festival’s of the past? Have a look here!

Last year’s Brisbane Festival was stacked with plenty of fun, including:

Erth’s Shark Dive

Take a risk or play it safe. The choice is yours!

Ever wanted to dive with sharks but been too afraid? Don’t be! Come close to the Great White without getting wet at a new shark dive experience, created by world-renowned puppeteers, Erth. 

Plunge into the world of sharks and choose your own audio adventure as you dive below the surface and come face-to-face with these majestic creatures. Will your performance soundtrack have you marvel in awe at their serene beauty, or be a high-energy, thrill-filled escapade? 

The decision is yours. No diving experience is needed, but keep your eyes peeled and your mind open.

Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale

400 drones take to the sky to light up a 65,000 year old story. Brisbane’s night sky has never looked so spectacular. Join us for a Festival first, as 400 drones dazzle over Brisbane’s iconic skyline celebrating our ancient stories of culture and place with a show directed by Traditional Owner and storyteller, Shannon Ruska and Tribal Experiences.

Kaleidoscope

12 August – 3 October, Brisbane Powerhouse – ALL AGES, $16.50 per person (Under 5 and over 75 free)

A once simple, optical device has been taken to epic proportions. Walk within the Kaleidoscope at Brisbane Powerhouse – a mesmerising symphony of light, sound and joy, staged in a breathtaking mirror maze. Artist Keith Courtney has created a space where motion and gravity are distorted, surprising and disorienting the senses at every turn. Immerse yourself in this ever-changing utopia. Bookings essential. 

Museum of the Moon, Mars and Gaia

2 – 11 September (Museum of the Moon), 13 – 18 September (Gaia), 20 – 24 September (Mars) Metro Arts – ALL AGES, Free

Enjoy Luke Jerram’s three-part series which fuses lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound. 

The Pool

6 – 24 September, BOQ Festival Garden, South Bank – ALL AGES, Free

You’re encouraged to create a tidal wave of lights and colourful effects with every step as you interact with a giant field of concentric circles that swirl with colour when activated by touch, inviting visitors to jump, dance and play across the cosmos, to their hearts content!

Ephemeral

2 – 24 September, South Bank – ALL AGES, Free

Ephemeral is an immersive light and sound environment exploring the concept of ephemerality, representing it as that of a bubble. By day, this larger-than-life sculpture emulates the magical qualities of bubbles by using dichroic film to create the illusion of bubble-like colours and form.

Zooom

7 – 10 September, Metro Arts – Suitable from 3yo – 10yo, $25 plus booking fee

Combining old-school whimsy with state-of-the-art technology, ZOOOM is an enchanting story of a child alone in her bedroom, unable to sleep and curious, who begins her transformational journey with light and discovers that the dark is a magical place. The show is driven by the power of ‘child logic’, combined with the magic of science.

Brisbane Serenades

Various dates from 9 – 24 September, Locations: Various, Free

Seven pop up (and free) bespoke concerts, celebrations and gatherings across Brisbane throughout September. Everything from roller skating, jazz, multicultural celebrations, DJs and more!

Sky Castle at Brisbane Festival

3- 25 September – ALL AGES

This interactive installation is making its home at Northshore, Hamilton before floating down the river on Brisbane’s Art Boat from 15-25 September.

This incredible work changes colour as you move through its luminous arches. Light and music have been specially orchestrated to inspire joy and hope as you flow in and out.

Like a rainbow after a storm, Sky Castle is a beautiful apparition that is here with us for a short time, not a long time. Catch it before it passes.

Airship Orchestra

3- 25 September – ALL AGES

• Brisbane’s Art Boat from 3-12 September before grounding at Northshore, Hamilton for the remainder.

Made from mesmerising inflatables, some as high as six metres, these mystical shapes light up as they perform to a choir score that will transport you to another world. If you find eyes following your every move, never fear – they mean no harm. You can book passage on the Brisbane Art Boat to see Airship Orchestra at the start of the Brisbane Festival or wait till it makes land at Northshore Hamilton for the remainder of the Brisbane Festival.

Silver City at Brisbane Festival

3- 25 September, Rainforest Green, BOQ Festival Garden, South Brisbane. Suitable for people 10+ years.

• Tues – Thurs 6:15pm, 8pm | Fri 7:15pm, 9pm | Sat – Sun 12pm, 1:45pm, 5:15pm, 7pm – 1 hour sessions.
• Single admission $40. Groups of four $35 each. Bookings recommended.

Silver City is an immersive new experience by world-renowned circus company, Circa, together with UK architects, AL_A. Inside a structure of chrome bubbles awaits a unique performance where acrobats tumble and leap as the show unfolds. Extreme skill meets bold design in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Children under 12 years of age must be supervised by a responsible adult.  

Messengers of Brisbane (FREE)

3- 25 September, various locations across Brisbane – ALL AGES

Six giant Gouldian Finches will fly into Brisbane to spread messages of hope this September.

Created by internationally renowned artist Florentijn Hofman and brought to life by Brisbane’s Urban Art Projects, these spectacularly coloured birds invite us to look up and smile.

Perched atop iconic Brisbane locations in the inner-city river area, Messengers of Brisbane can be viewed on a leisurely stroll, bike ride, or even from a CityCat.

Peter and the Wolf

16 – 25 September, Judith Wright Arts Centre – ALL AGES

• Single admission $30, packages of four $110 each. 50 minute performance. Bookings required.

Performed on stage by Queensland Ballet’s talented Jette Parker Young Artists and choreographed by Greg Horsman, Peter and the Wolf at Brisbane Festival beautifully retells the classic symphonic fairy tale with a contemporary twist.

Danced to an extended version of the original score by Sergei Prokofiev, this is a wonderful introduction to the orchestra that will inspire the littlest of ballet lovers and their families. there will be a relaxed performance on Saturday 25 September at 11am for families with sensory needs.

Looking for more family fun? Check out list of all the family friendly festivals around Brisbane here.