At its core, Horizon Festival works to strengthen the ecology of Kabi Kabi and Jinibara arts and cultural practices. The festival is a place you can go to experience beautiful First Nations work that is deeply connected to Country and community, learning stories of the land and ancestral lines from those who have always called it home. First presented in 2016, the annual arts and cultural celebration serves up a platter of free and ticketed events that not only provide a platform to champion local and emerging artists, but ground attendees with artistic works inspired by the land and culture around them.

Horizon Festival begins with a free opening ceremony at sunset in Cotton Tree Park on Friday August 26. Cotton Tree Park will also be home to the Wonderland Spiegeltent, offering up ten days and nights of cabaret, circus, dance, family performances and music. Program highlights include the Sunshine Coast premiere of Le Coup, a circus tribute to old funfairs, travelling folk, showmen and women, Kate Ceberano singing as part of her Sweet Inspiration tour, Steven Oliver from ABC’s Black Comedy performing a bit of rap, a bit of song and a bit of tap at his Bigger & Blacker show, and the Common People Dance Party. This all-ages dance party will see Sunny Coast dance gladiators participate in games, join in competitions and brush up on their moves. The Wonderland Spiegeltent is also hosting a special kids program jam-packed with workshops and shows that will encourage your little ones to play, make, dance, sing, laugh and learn. Play School darling Justine Clarke is bringing her band for a special song and dance with Everybody Roar. New Dreaming Art and Digeridoo Music Therapy are also sharing their cultural history in a safe space while teaching you and your bub to make art that tells your own family’s story. The groms can enjoy creative play with Wildlings Forest School, become their best bin self with Holy Bin Amoley! and punk rock through the tribute that is Babushka’s Right to Party.

Music lovers should mark their calendars for Saturdaze with Blak Social, a free event at the Eumundi Amphitheatre that features First Nations artists, including AYA J, DJ Kitty, Selve and Tia Gostelow. Throughout the program, you can also catch Emily Wurramara with Andrea Kirwin, Cloe Terrace, Yirinda and an ode to Gaia (Mother Earth) by the Ensemble Beyond Borders. The Homegrown Series is back to celebrate local artists and features the children’s book Guyu and Friend Mr Pelican, a contemporary dance work titled Sand and the comedy film accompanied by a live band Eddie Ray – Silence of the Jams. Take some time to marvel at the diverse range of visual art experiences, including Kabi Kabi Connections in Cotton Tree, Country is Calling in Maleny, The C Word in Nambour and RISOFEST in Alexandra Headland – part group show, part art market compiled by some of the Sunshine Coast’s favourite artists, photographers, designers and printmakers. That’s not all! Horizon Festival also boasts an eclectic mix of performance art, public discussions, the Storytellers Festival, clay and risograph printing workshops, and so much more!

If Horizon Festival sounds like your cup of tea, or you’re intrigued by one of the many performances on offer, we recommend taking a peek at the complete program. Here, you can purchase tickets and plan an art-filled exhibition on the Sunshine Coast this August.

This article was written in partnership with our friends at Visit Sunshine Coast.