Volcano: This multi-award-winning show from acclaimed director and choreographer Luke Murphy has reimagined experimental dance theatre for the Netflix age. Volcano takes on the science-fiction mystery genre through a multimedia dance experience, which will be performed live across four back-to-back ‘episodes’. Blurring the lines between form and expectation, Volcano offers a voyeuristic look at time, memory and isolation. 

Private View: Set across four rooms, this fascinating four-part work of dance theatre explores the romantic and sexual desires of people with intellectual disability. Private View boldly tackles societal myths and misinformation by showcasing unspoken stories and secret longing. Told through performances by dancers with and without disability, and accompanied by a live performance from singer Carla Lippis, Private View invites the audience to peek into domestic spaces and discover the dreams and desires that often go ignored.

Lighting the Dark: Choreographer and dancer Chris Dyke has joined forces with Dancenorth Ensemble for this electric new dance performance. Dreamed up by Chris himself, Lighting the Dark traverses the artist’s profoundly moving and life-affirming adventure through the world. As an artist living with Down Syndrome, Chris has been inspired by his real-life heroes Banksy, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury and their boundless imagination to create this masterpiece of love and light. Grab tickets here. 

Assembly Vol. 1: For one night only, Australasian Dance Collective and 4000 Studios collide for four extraordinary performances. A fusion of music and dance, Assembly Vol. 1 will feature live sets by Danny Harley from The Kite String Tangle, Dominik Felsmann from Felsmann + Tiley and Louis Frere-Harvey from $0.003, followed by the acclaimed dance work by Stephanie Lake and Robin Fox. Taking place at The Princess Theatre, Assembly Vol. 1 offers guests the experience of a late-night party with world-class artists on the guest list. Book tickets here. 

The Art Boat: Curated by the world-class local collective BRIEFS FACTORY, this is not your mother’s version of Brisbane Festival staple event The Art Boat. The 2024 iteration embarks on a vivacious voyage of circus, burlesque and drama. Resident artists Fez Faanana, Mark Winmill and Brett Rosengreen and a dazzling array of special guests unite for an extravagant night on Brisbane River. Ready to set sail? purchase tickets here. 

Adrift: Experiential play takes a new form in this enthralling participatory theatre work. Adrift invites the audience into a world facing a potential mass-extinction event. This race against the clock will see the audience follow instructions through headsets in a part mystery, part game. By considering our relationship with nature, Adrift challenges us to find hope across an ocean of unknown. Get ahead of the game and score tickets here. 

GURR ERA OPP: Created by celebrated director, writer, comedian and choreographer Ghenoa Gela, GURR ERA OPP comes to Brisbane Festival after an acclaimed run at Rising: Melbourne. This captivating fusion of theatre, movement and spoken word follows four mainland-born Torres Strait Islander women as they battle against the rising tide that threatens their home, culture and identity. Ghenoa’s landmark work marks a call to action for a better future for us all. You can buy tickets for this mesmerising show here.

Lightscape: Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens will transform this Brisbane Festival with multi-sensory phenomenon of light, colour and sound, Lightscape. The 1.8km trail invites you to experience installations created by acclaimed local and international artists after dark. For Brisbane’s iteration of Lightscape, two incredible sculptural installations by Queensland First Nations artists Paul Bong (aka Bindur Bullin) and Michelle Yeatman will join the light line-up.

Discover Brisbane Festivals here full program. Running from August 30 to September 21, this year’s festival will see more than 1000 performances take place across the city in an electric collision of culture, celebrations and community.