Brisbane Festival is back, and South Bank is once again at the centre of the action. From world premieres and gravity-defying circus acts to spectacular theatre, family favourites and free riverside experiences, these are the shows worth adding to your calendar.

‍

Fijian Flying Circus
4 September – 4 October South Bank Piazza
Making its Australian premiere at the South Bank Piazza, Fijian Flying Circus is a breathtaking blend of circus, storytelling and Fijian culture. Follow young Loma as she embarks on a magical adventure through a world of forest spirits, giants and mystical creatures, brought to life with soaring aerial acrobatics, daring stunts and plenty of heart. Perfect for the whole family. Book here.

‍

The Choir of Man
3 – 26 September Festival Village
Part pub, part concert and all good fun, The Choir of Man has become a worldwide sensation. With a working bar on stage, nine extraordinary performers and a soundtrack featuring hits from Queen, Adele, Sia, Paul Simon and Guns N' Roses, expect 75 minutes of powerhouse vocals, live music and feel-good entertainment that'll have the whole audience singing along. Book here.

‍

Strong is the New Pretty
1 – 19 September QPAC
From acclaimed Australian playwright Suzie Miller comes the inspiring true story behind the creation of the AFLW. This world premiere follows the determination, resilience and trailblazers who turned an ambitious idea into one of Australia's biggest sporting success stories, proving it's about far more than football. Book here.

‍

ESCAPE
23 – 27 September QPAC
Expect your jaw to hit the floor with ESCAPE, a visually spectacular production from internationally acclaimed company DIAVOLO. Combining dance, acrobatics and enormous moving architectural structures, the performance explores themes of resilience, connection and adventure through breathtaking physical theatre. Book here.

‍

This Show Is a Joke!
20 – 26 September  Festival Village
The Listies return with their funniest show yet, packed with slapstick, sketch comedy, songs and audience participation. Whether you're four or forty, this laugh-out-loud variety show delivers an hour of brilliantly ridiculous entertainment for the whole family. Book here.

‍

Bright Nights by ANZ
4 – 26 September Festival Village
As night falls, the Brisbane River transforms into a spectacular display of water, light and sound. Featuring towering water jets, floating fountains, lasers and an exclusive soundtrack by Brisbane favourites The Veronicas, Bright Nights by ANZ is one of the festival's must-see free experiences. Shows run three times nightly throughout the festival. Find out more here.

‍

Are You Lonesome Tonight
9 – 12 September Festival Village
Country music and opera come together in this unique production from Opera Queensland. Blending classics by Puccini and Verdi with songs from Dolly Parton, Slim Dusty and Troy Cassar-Daly, it's an uplifting performance that proves these two worlds have more in common than you might think. Book here.

‍

Shel We
10 – 13 September QPAC
Inspired by the whimsical works of Shel Silverstein, Shel We is a playful and heartfelt dance performance from award-winning choreographer Tupua Tigafua. Blending humour, imagination and stunning movement, the production explores family, memory and the natural world in a way that delights audiences of all ages. Book here.

‍