In sizzling news that is sure to get you excited, Brisbane Festival has unveiled its jam-packed program of wonder – set to transform the city from August 30 to September 21. Brisbane’s arts venues, landmarks and suburban streets will play host to more than 1000 events, from large-scale theatre works, world premieres and colour-soaked light trails to awe-inspiring drone performances, block parties and a string of mini-concerts.

As always, Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust will light up the city skyline, helping kick off the festival on Saturday August 31. From here, the festival program expands with groundbreaking theatre works, including the world-premiere performance of Trent Dalton’s Love Stories – new adaption from the team who brought you Boy Swallows Universe and Fancy Long Legs – a brand new show from the craft-queen Rachel Burke.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show – a collision of fashion, music, pop culture, cabaret and art – is making its Australian debut down the runway in South Bank Piazza from August 30 to September 15. Queensland Indigenous artist Grace Lillian Lee will be adding local flair to the revue-style party and also spearhead the world premiere of her debut solo exhibition, The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace August 30 and September 21.

At Brisbane Powerhouse,  audiences are invited to “binge-watch” Volcano from August 30 to September 15 in a never-before-seen hybrid production that plays out over four, 45-minute episodes and combines theatre and dance with a television sci-fi thriller – blurring the line between fact and fantasy. Opera Queensland is premiering the remarkable true story of Torres Strait Islander workers laying an astonishing 7km of railway track in a single day in 1968 with Straight from the Strait running at QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre August 28–30.

Following the tremendous success of 2023’s Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale, Brisbane Festival has partnered with Nova Sky Stories and Tribal Experiences to develop a dazzling drone show over the city’s iconic skyline. More than 400 drones will animate a spectacular First Nations story  Skylore – The Rainbow Serpent in a 3D multicolour show. Also returning to light up the city is 2023’s smash-hit Lightscape August 31 to October 12 with a completely reimagined illuminated trail of neon lights, technicolour installations and choreographed soundscapes through Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens.

Head to the Brisbane Festival website to see the full 2024 program.