Melt Festival 2026
Über dieses Event
Melt Festival is Brisbane's city-wide celebration of queer arts and culture, running 21 October to 8 November 2026 from Brisbane Powerhouse out across venues all over the city. Expect cabaret, theatre, comedy, drag, music and big party nights from Australia's LGBTQIA+ artists, with a program that has grown into one of the country's major queer arts festivals.
Where to stay during Melt Festival 2026
via Stay22Programm & Sub-Events
+ Event eintragen
From Paris to Brisbane: The impact of the Games for the Asia Pacific region
Perspectives: Asia October 17th, 6-7pm Title: From Paris to Brisbane: The impact of the Games for the Asia Pacific region
mini melt
Mini Melt is back in Queen Street Mall! Get a sweet taste and a sneak peek of the Melt Festival line up for 2026 with this mini edition. Join us fo...
Portugal. The Man - The Denali Tour
Portugal. The Man is bringing their Denali Tour to Brisbane on October 18, 2026. The acclaimed band, known for their eclectic sound and captivating...
MELT Festival of Queer Arts and Culture
MELT Festival of Queer Arts and Culture returns to Brisbane for an extended run in 2026, offering a vibrant program across the city. This year's fe...
with love, from the future
With Love, From the Future is an evolving, community-driven art installation and intimate letter-writing space created by Noa Wolf Smith Fletcher. ...
pink swans
A study by the University of Melbourne revealed that 25-30% of male native black swans (Cygnus atratus) were in same-sex partnerships. PINK SWANS i...
mr first nation
The fiercest Blak drag pageant in the country is back! Born from the legacy of Miss First Nation, history is being made with the world premiere of ...
melting pot
Melting Pot in collaboration with QUIVR, is back again transforming into a vibrant hub each week of Melt Festival. This energetic welcoming space c...
rubber duck
Exclusive to Brisbane - the iconic Rubber Duck, a large-scale public artwork by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, arrives at Melt Festival for its ne...
bloodlines
Bloodlines is a sparkling séance for queer art's silenced legends — The Huxleys channeling artists lost to HIV/AIDS back into dazzling, defiant lif...
the sexfessional
We know you’ve got an itch. No, not that kind. Or yeah…maybe that kind. Whatever - we’ll take it all. Step into The SEXFESSIONAL and tell us all ab...
trophy boys
A queer dark comedy about power, privilege… and debating. It is the biggest night in the academic calendar, the Grand Finale of the Year 12 Intersc...
no fixed address
No Fixed Address invites you to connect through the simple, powerful act of sharing a message. Write an anonymous letter of hope, encouragement, re...
joey jay LIVE
Star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 and runner-up of All Stars 11. Fresh from her triumphant return to RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 11, Joey Jay i...
Drag Quen Bingo, Paint, Sip & Slay- ASPLEY TAVERN
🎨✨ Drag Queen Paint, Sip & Play with Violet Crumble! ✨🎨 Nothing says a unique Thursday night in the ‘burbs quite like a Drag Queen Paint & Sip! D...
cocky horror
Pioneers of the Drag King renaissance, the Kings of Kaos and some very special guests are gathering at the Frankenstein place for one of the Master...
swampdogs
Beneath the glow of the XXXX sign, on the banks of the Maiwar, in the pool of fallen jacarandas, we invite you to party with the SWAMPDOGS. SWAMPDO...
the butterfly who flew into the rave
An electrifying nonstop performance which straddles the border between performance art, dance, and theatre. Explore rave culture, witness the destr...
i get knocked down, but i get up again
Is it just me, or has life been feeling a bit grueling lately? Well, I have a theory that the hit song 'Tubthumping' might be more than just a 90's...
after hours II – lesbian RnB dance party
After Hours RnB is the Lesbian night out you've been craving.Dim lights. Sapphic DJs. High vibes.Sweet cocktails, music you know the words to, and ...
artist showcase
Get a taste of Melt with exclusive excerpts from upcoming festival shows, showcasing the creativity, talent and stories that will unfold across the...
After Hours II: Lesbian RnB Party
Join Sapphic Society Brisbane for After Hours II, a dedicated Lesbian RnB Party. This event promises a night filled with the smooth sounds of R&B i...
Rally and March
A powerful day of protest, pride, and community marching through Brisbane's streets.
Fair Day
Queensland’s biggest LGBTQIA+ community festival with stalls, live music, and family fun.
OASIS x Harry K - SPLASH OUT — Float & Flaunt, The MELT Parade Cruise
Eventbrite - OASIS BRISBANE presents OASIS x Harry K - SPLASH OUT – Float & Flaunt, The MELT Parade Cruise - Saturday, October 24, 2026 at City Bot...
wet on deck
MAKE WAVE…The queerest boat party of the season is throwing a RAVE. Ready to pump those supersoakers? Your favorite DJ collective, QUIVR brings you...
opening party
Come for the parade, stay for the party. When River Pride Parade rolls into Brisbane Powerhouse, we're only just getting started! Continue the fest...
splash out
Join Harry K’s SPLASH OUT as we return to the Melt River Pride Parade aboard the spectacular OASIS for Brisbane’s biggest floating celebration of P...
gay pirate day
The Salty Sirens are setting sail down Maiwar for River Pride Parade 2026, and you’re invited! Lovers of rollicking shanty singalongs, Kristy "Caps...
fuel: river pride parade edition
A kink social like Meanjin has never seen, FUEL is taking to the Maiwar on the Lady in Red to welcome kinksters and leatherfolk from all over. Expe...
come aboard to daddy
Come To Daddy takes to the river for River Pride Parade, and you're invited. With Drag from Gayleen Tuckwood & Zelphia Mann, music from Dj Denzil p...
no fixed address
No Fixed Address invites you to connect through the simple, powerful act of sharing a message. Write an anonymous letter of hope, encouragement, re...
thank god you’re queer
Thank God You’re Queer is a fabulous gay twist on Australia’s most successful improvised show. Join Brisbane’s finest LGBTQI+ improvisers as they b...
trans christian andersen and friends
Trans people tell their own jokes! A hilarious line-up of budding trans comedians in a showcase that's pure joy from beginning to end. With the hos...
reputation
Chris McAllister was once accused of being a cult leader. Years later, they became known for creating the viral trans allyship campaign #ICanTell I...
queer powerpoint
It’s a bunch of queers deep diving into highly niche content in a very gay way. Melt favourite Queer PowerPoint is back and, in a brand, new venue....
the buttery queer open mic
The Buttery Music School brings its community spirit to the intimate corners of The Junk Bar for two nights of queer-led open mics, followed by set...
MELT FESTIVAL - Big Fork Queer Comedy Hour
Brisbane's premier Improv Comedy theatre is set to deliver a hilarious performance at MELT Festival. Prepare for an evening of spontaneous laughter...
trans theatre symposium
The future of trans theatre. The Trans Theatre Symposium is creating space for dialogue and support for Queensland Trans Artists and stories. It is...
no seasons
No Seasons is a bold new experimental work by disabled transgender artist Oliver Ayres. After having 22 eggs frozen as a teenager before his transi...
jude york
Arriving with a bang, Jude York’s explosive rise to stardom in 2026 is both the culmination of years of hard work and a testament to the artist’s u...
not on your rider
Not On Your Rider is Brisbane's own cult favourite interactive music trivia gameshow. Think of it like a live version of your favourite panel quiz ...
what i did for love
What's the wildest thing you've ever done for love? Come lose yourself in this intimate exhibition, where answers to this question are brought toge...
cargo culture II
Four destinations. Three artists. One rental truck art show. Occurring across a single day, Cargo Culture invites you to embrace your curiosity to ...
quiet on set
Hope D’s Quiet on Set returns to Melt Festival for another unforgettable year. A one-of-a-kind live experience celebrating connection, community, a...
Queens Ball
A glamorous awards night celebrating LGBTQIA+ excellence and community at Brisbane City Hall.
katie is a marker sniffing lesbian
Katie’s on track to dux - until she starts selling glow-in-the-dark Sharpies out of her locker. What begins as a low-stakes side hustle at an all-g...
Drag Queen Musical Story Hour (Adults Only)
Eventbrite - Big Fork Theatre presents Drag Queen Musical Story Hour (Adults Only) - Saturday, October 31, 2026 at Big Fork Theatre, Fortitude Vall...
fashion queer identities
Calling LGBTQIA+ Creatives in Brisbane:Melt Festival and COLLAB invite you to join a collaborative, multimedia project celebrating queer expression...
Jenny & Joel Creasey Live
Jenny and Joel Creasey are bringing their live show to Brisbane. This sibling duo is known for their sharp wit and hilarious takes on life. Prepare...
your inner diva is showing
Self-love in Sequins! Channeling the likes of Celine, Whitney & Adele, Singer-pianist and cabaret star Jacqui Randa tackles self-love, sex, and the...
show me love
A wild, dark celebration of bodies and beings. Circa, Australia’s most internationally toured contemporary circus company, returns to Brisbane Powe...
artist showcase
Get a taste of Melt with exclusive excerpts from upcoming festival shows, showcasing the creativity, talent and stories that will unfold across the...
‘she is’ with sacred hearts
'She Is' is a night of queer storytelling through song; celebrating the messy, invigorating freedom of self-acceptance, the calm introspection, the...
aberdeen
Traverse space and time, in a race to save an icon from himself. Part eulogy, part fantasy, part biography, Aberdeen, is a surreal conversation bet...
guava FEST
Black-led and music-first, Guava nights are a conduit for queer expression, connection and liberation. Closing out Melting Pot in 2026 is Guava FES...
club broadway: a wicked halloween ball
Club Broadway: A Wicked Halloween Ball returns for its third annual celebration as part of Melt Festival, bringing Brisbane's favourite musical the...
tropical fruits: melted
Tropical Fruits is joining forces with Magandjin’s beloved community space and venue, QUIVR, for a night of queer dance, performance and celebratio...
Still Here, Still Queer
Still Here, Still Queer is a holding event for the November Concert, taking place in Brisbane. This event serves as a precursor to the main concert...
saddle club
Dust off your boots and join Saddle Club for an afternoon of queer line dancing! Whether you're a seasoned pro or have never danced a step in your ...
wild abandon
A one-night stand. A long-awaited reunion. A hook-up gone off script. It’s the final night of Lilly’s “free pass” from her marriage when, in a hote...
teeks
Musically gifted from a young age and raised on everything from traditional waiata and kapa haka to Bob Marley and Sam Cooke, Te Karehana Gardiner-...
Videos
MELT 2025 Festival Wrap
