Melt Festival is back, produced by Brisbane Powerhouse, with its biggest-ever programme. . . Transforming Brisbane into one of Australia’s most vibrant destinations for queer arts and culture.
“Melt has always been about bringing people together through unforgettable shared experiences, and this year’s programme does that on a scale we’ve never seen before,” Brisbane Powerhouse CEO and Artistic Director Louise Bezzina says. “From international public art legend Florentijn Hofman’s giant pink duck floating down the Brisbane River for our biggest-ever River Pride Parade, to a major new commission from Brisbane’s own Circa, the city will come alive in ways you simply won’t experience at any other time of year.”
“Whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community, an ally, a family discovering the festival for the first time or visiting Brisbane, Melt is an invitation to come together, celebrate and experience the city at its brightest.”
The event kicks off with its biggest and most ambitious opening weekend ever, transforming Brisbane’s streets, river and public spaces into a celebration of visibility, creativity and community. For the first time, Brisbane Pride’s Rally and March and Fair Day will align with River Pride Parade. This will bring together Brisbane’s largest celebrations into a single day.
River Pride Parade will return in a new twilight timeslot, with a colourful flotilla of boats and watercraft, cruising from West End to Brisbane Powerhouse. The celebration will continue at Brisbane Powerhouse, where Melt’s free Opening Party keeps the energy going with DJs, live performances and festivities into the night.
Florentijn Hofman’s Rubber Duck
A central visual across the 2026 programme is Florentijn Hofman’s Rubber Duck, reimagined in Melt’s signature pink.
A stand-out addition this year is the inaugural Mr First Nation building on the success of Miss First Nation in 2025. The new competition from Ben Graetz celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drag king performers and Blak excellence.
Brisbane locals can also be part of the festival through Onesie World, a major, participatory artwork from artist and fashion researcher Adele Varcoe, and celebrated queer First Nations artist Dylan Mooney.
Beyond opening weekend, one of Melt’s defining artistic experiences is the world premiere of ‘Show Me Love’, from globally-recognised contemporary circus company Circa. This has been created exclusively for Melt, inviting audiences to move through the hidden spaces and winding corridors of Brisbane Powerhouse, following acrobats and guest artists.
Melt presents a wide range of music, live performance and comedy in 2026 too, including Queensland singer-songwriter Jude York, Maori NZ soul singer TEEKS, GRAMMY Award-nominated and ARIA Award-winning Courtney Barnett, and pop icon Melanie C with an electrifying live show.
Melting Pot also returns in collaboration with QUIVR, as Melt’s vibrant weekly hub to amplify local queer voices and stories throughout the festival. A favourite also making a comeback is ‘Queer PowerPoint’, transforming the humble slideshow into an evening of hilarious passion projects, niche obsessions and gloriously queer deep dives.
Visual art, theatre and new performance continues top shape the festival, with The Huxleys presenting ‘Bloodlines’ and Sean Dowling, Merlynn Tong and Ian Lawson presenting ‘Wild Abandon’.
Award-winning writer Cassie Workman’s ‘Aberdeen’ reimagines the life of Kurt Cobain through a dark, surreal blend of biography, time travel and the supernatural, while the ‘Trans Theatre Symposium’ brings together artists and audiences to explore the future of trans storytelling on stage.
’Queer The Town’ will also once again transform Brisbane into a celebration of queer culture with pop-up moments and hidden performances.
“When a five-storey pink duck takes up residence on the Brisbane River, you know the city is in for something special,” Chair for Community and the Arts Councillor Vicki Howard says.
“Melt celebrates LGBTQIA+ artists, stories and communities through a major programme of arts and cultural events. With so many wonderful events across so many venues, the festival will attract visitors, support local businesses and bring crowds to our popular lifestyle precincts from Fortitude Valley to Fish Lane. We are proud to support a festival that strengthens Brisbane’s reputation as an inclusive, welcoming city and Australia’s lifestyle capital.”
Tickets on sale now.
Melt Festival is on in Brisbane from 21 October-8 November.
