7 of Brisbane's best art festivals
Enjoy Brisbane's weather, get outside and be inspired at our outdoor art festivals and exhibitions.
Brisbane Comedy Festival - 29 April to 29 May
Crafting the perfect comedy set is an art form and one worth experiencing from the front row. Book seats at this year's Brisbane Comedy Festival to share in the comic musings of some of Australia's and the world's best comedians.
Brisbane Writers Festival - 3-8 May
In its 60th year, the Brisbane Writers Festival gives a nod to the literary arts with a week of celebrating curiosity and creativity in the River City. This year, five curators, including Brisbane's own, Benjamin Law, have come together to create a diverse program of great writers and thinkers from around the world. Get ready to turn the page on this new chapter onnine and in person!
Anywhere Festival - 5-22 May
Anywhere Festival is back in 2022 and ready to make its unique celebration of performance art bigger and better than ever before. Keep an eye out for this year's program of performances in places you wouldn't expect. Discover performances in gyms, underground reservoirs, backyards, ferry stops, rooftops, warehouses, cafes, trams, parks and heritage homes. Online, virtual and both at the same space and time. Anywhere festival is THE place to discover local performances before they become big. We dare you to find another festival that connects audiences, locations and shows with local nooks and crannies in quite the same way!
Indigenous Art Program: OUTstanding - 7 May to 7 August
Head to the CBD to enjoy Indigenous Art Program: OUTstanding. Works from emerging and early career First Nations artists take over city streets and laneway spaces as part of Council's permanent Outdoor Gallery. View large-scale banners, vitrines and projections, whilst uncovering hidden gems to eat and drink at along the way. Once you've taken it all in, make your final stop at Howard Smith Wharves to enjoy an evening by the Brisbane River.
Brisbane Street Art Festival - 7-22 May
Walls, bridges, and buildings across the city are being turned into live canvases for the Brisbane Street Art Festival (BSAF) with local artists brightening public spaces with unique murals that will become permanent neighbourhood features. See artists in action at mural paintings live across Brisbane and get involved in plenty of workshops and exhibitions at local galleries. Highlights include the Festival Launch at the newly established ephemeral arts venue, Superordinary, the annual Within These Walls group exhibition also at Superordinary, and the BSAF X Felons Party at Howard Smith Wharves.
Botanica - Contemporary Art Outside - 20-29 May
A string of renowned Australian artists are bringing their dazzling art installations to life after dark at the City Botanic Gardens as part of Brisbane's Botanica - Contemporary Art Outside. Nine new artworks with eye-catching and interactive installations will take you on a sensory journey through the gardens from 5pm daily. It's the perfect destination for a night out with friends, a date, or the kids. On the weekends, enjoy live music, food trucks and an outdoor, pop-up bar.
Brisbane Festival - 2-24 September
What wrap up of our best art festivals would be complete without a nod to our month-long festival celebrating the very best arts performances and experiences. Brisbane Festival kicks off with the ever-popular Riverfire (also debuting a new name - Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust) now heralding the start of the festival on 3 September.
Mark your diaries with your must-see shows from this year's program!
Paint your own public canvas!
Want to land your own piece of public art? Be part of Brisbane's unique 'drive-through gallery' by painting an original work on one of Council's traffic signal boxes. Applications are open for Brisbane's Aftforce Brisbane project. To apply, visit the Artforce Brisbane website.
Related links
- Download the Brisbane app to plan your next unordinary day out in Brisbane
- What's on in Brisbane
- Things to see and do in Brisbane
- Brisbane art galleries and museums for a rainy day
Editor's note: The featured content in Brisbane Explore is created to inspire residents and visitors to plan a day out exploring Brisbane and to buy local as part of the city's Economic Recovery Plan. Brisbane City Council disclaims any relationship with, or endorsement of, businesses featured in this video.
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