Locals can once again look forward to a fantastic few weeks of magical inspiration this September as Brisbane Festival returns to South Bank and locations across the city from Saturday September 5 to Saturday September 26. The 2015 program boasts 164 free events, seven world and 13 Australian premieres, four new commissions and a new festival village, Arcadia, which will be five times larger than previous years. Performers from 11 different countries will assemble in Brisbane to present a stunning program sure to enlighten and entertain local audiences.

The first Saturday in spring with see the festival launch with free performances from RAPcity hip-hop and break dancers, African bands and the Australian premiere of Sila. Arcadia will be open day and night throughout the festival, boasting four bars, ten food trucks, 3D chalk creations and two performance tents, while guests can also relax in the Theatre Republic garden bar with free music and artist chats. The stunning interior of The Spiegeltent will come alive will the sounds of Megan Washington, Club Swizzle and Fox Capture Plan throughout September. Don’t miss the flying circus spectacular FLOWN; the Australian premiere of FLEXN, a collaboration between Peter Sellars, Reggie (Regg Roc) Gray and Flex dancers; the world premiere of Rise for the Oceans with special guests Tim Winton, Bernard Fanning, Katie Noonan, Jessica Watson and Professor Iain McCalman; and A State of Grace: The Music of Tim and Jeff Buckley featuring Martha Wainwright, Casper Clausen, Willy Mason, Camille O’Sullivan, Steve Kilbey and Cold Specks, led by Gary Lucas and his band Gods and Monsters. Sunday September 20 will see the festival making a selected film available for streamed viewing in the hope that friends, family and community groups will get together in private locations around Brisbane to host their own Backyard Cinema screening. The festival will culminate with the spectacular fireworks display of Sunsuper Riverfire on Saturday 26 September.

View the complete program and ticket information online, and keep watch on Facebook for festival updates.