Three weeks of queer arts across Brisbane
Melt Festival returns from 21 October to 8 November 2026 with its biggest program yet, according to Brisbane Powerhouse, which produces it. That means more than 100 events across more than 70 venues, from public art and world premieres to concerts and river celebrations.
Image: Brisbane Powerhouse / Melt Festival
The Rubber Duck and the River Pride Parade
Florentijn Hofman’s 15-metre, five-storey Rubber Duck is the headline artwork of Melt Festival. It appears on the river near the CBD, joins the River Pride Parade, then stays near Brisbane Powerhouse for the festival. The hot pink duck has captivated audiences in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Osaka, São Paulo and Pittsburgh.
The River Pride Parade is on Saturday 24 October and moves to a twilight timeslot, with a flotilla running from West End to Brisbane Powerhouse. Official party boats include WET ON DECK, Come To Daddy, Splash Out and FUEL. For the first time, Brisbane Pride’s Rally, March and Fair Day line up with the parade, so the celebration stretches from Fortitude Valley to New Farm.
The Melt Opening Party at Brisbane Powerhouse follows, with free entry, DJs and live performances.
Shows, music and Mr First Nation
Circa’s world premiere Show Me Love moves audiences through the hidden spaces and winding corridors of Brisbane Powerhouse. It explores the tension between instinct and control, vulnerability and strength, before a finale inspired by club culture.
Names on the Melt Festival program include Courtney Barnett (Creature of Habit tour), Melanie C, Jude York and TEEKS.
Mr First Nation is a new drag king competition produced by Ben Graetz, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drag king performers and Blak excellence. It has two heats and a grand final on opening weekend.
Free ways to join in
Onesie World, a participatory artwork by Adele Varcoe and Dylan Mooney, aims to make 1000 onesies featuring Mooney’s print. Free sewing workshops run from 5 to 23 October at Brisbane Powerhouse and the State Library of Queensland, and no sewing experience is needed. On 24 October the onesies are free to claim on a first-in-first-dressed basis.
Brisbane Powerhouse CEO and Artistic Director Louise Bezzina says the festival is open to everyone, whether you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, an ally or a family discovering it. Tickets and the full program are at melt.org.au.
More from New Farm and the inner north: New Farm news on Bubble News.
Source: Brisbane Powerhouse.
