More than 100 events, 70+ venues, Dolly Parton, Asha Jefferies, River Pride, Circa, a giant Rubber Duck and so much more are set to transform Brisbane from 21 October to 8 November.
Brisbane is getting ready to come alive once again as Melt Festival 2026 prepares to take over Magandjin/Brisbane from 21 October to 8 November, bringing together more than 100 events across 70+ venues in a celebration of Queer arts, culture and community.
And after speaking this week with Brisbane Powerhouse CEO and Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, it is clear that this year’s festival is shaping up to be something very special.
Louise highlighted to us that what makes Melt so powerful is its ability to bring people together through shared experiences, and this year’s program takes that idea to a whole new scale.
With a great team around her, Louise says the festival is set to once again create a transformative experience for Brisbane — one that reaches beyond individual performances and events to bring people together across the city.
That sense of connection is certainly reflected in the latest additions to the 2026 program.
DOLLY PARTON GETS THE MELT TREATMENT
On Friday 30 October, Brisbane Powerhouse will go full Dolly with Dolly Hoe-Down, a fabulous celebration of one of pop culture’s most beloved icons.
Presented by Brisbane Powerhouse and Harry K, and hosted by reigning Queen of Queensland’s Drag Scene Vollie LaVont, the night will feature DJs spinning Dolly favourites, drag performances, Dolly visuals and a line-dancing lesson from Gilly’s Line Dancing.
Expect rhinestones, big hair, denim, sequins and plenty of country glamour, with dressing up strongly encouraged.
For anyone who has ever wanted to channel their inner Dolly, this could be the night to do it.
ASHA JEFFERIES JOINS THE LINE-UP
Brisbane-born artist Asha Jefferies will also join Melt for a special performance at Black Bear Lodge on Saturday 7 November, as part of her Desire Is An Angel album tour.
The appearance follows the release of her second album on 2 October, bringing her intimate and emotionally charged sound to the festival.
STITCH, PLEASE — LET THE SEWDOWN BEGIN!
Melt is also bringing a little competitive chaos to Queen Street Mall with Stitch, Please: The Ultimate Sewdown.
On Sunday 18 October at 11am, internationally acclaimed artist Adele Varcoe will go head-to-head with sewing superstar Gayleen Tuckwood in a high-speed onesie-making showdown.
The pair will race against the clock to create a onesie from scratch, turning the art and craft of sewing into part performance, part competition and plenty of fun for audiences watching on.
SURF LIFE SAVING QUEENSLAND MAKES RIVER PRIDE HISTORY
One of the significant additions to this year’s festival will see Surf Life Saving Queensland join the River Pride Parade for the first time.
At least three boats will form part of the Brisbane River flotilla, marking the first participation of a major Queensland sporting organisation in the parade.
It is another example of how Melt continues to reach into different parts of the city and create opportunities for connection, community and belonging.
AND YES — THE RUBBER DUCK IS COMING!
Perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable spectacles of the festival will be Florentijn Hofman’s spectacular 15-metre, five-storey-high Rubber Duck.
The giant yellow visitor will make several appearances around Brisbane.
First, it will pop up outside Brisbane Powerhouse on Wednesday 21 October, before taking to the river as part of River Pride on Saturday 24 October.
It will then return to Brisbane Powerhouse, where it will remain until 8 November.
So, Brisbane — keep your eyes open. You never know when you might spot a giant duck!
A FESTIVAL THAT BRINGS BRISBANE TOGETHER
These latest announcements join an already impressive Melt program, which includes the inaugural Mr First Nation competition, the world premiere of Show Me Love by Circa, along with Jude York, TEEKS, Courtney Barnett, Melanie C and many more artists and performances.
For me, what stands out about Melt is not simply the sheer size of the program, but the way it continues to use arts, performance, music, public spaces and shared experiences to bring people together.
And as Louise Bezzina told us this week, that is at the heart of what Melt is about — creating those shared experiences and taking them to an even greater scale across Brisbane.
With the city becoming the stage, there will be plenty to see, hear, experience and celebrate.
Melt Festival 2026 runs from 21 October to 8 November across Magandjin/Brisbane.
For the full program and ticket information, visit www.melt.org.au.Follow: @melt.fest
#MeltFest
