Melt Festival 2026

Revealing its largest-ever program, this year’s Melt Festival program is transforming the entire city into a vibrant destination for queer excellence from Wednesday October 21 to Sunday November 8. Melt Festival invites Brisbane to come together, celebrate and experience the city in fabulous new ways.

For the first time, the program launch will see the Brisbane Pride Rally and March and Fair Day align with the River Pride Parade. As the sun sets, the River Pride Parade returns for a new twilight event, leading a bevy of colourful party boats as well as watercraft that will cruise from West End to the Powerhouse. Melt’s Opening Party will kick off at the Powerhouse later that night, with DJs and live entertainment until late.

This massive opening weekend sets the stage for a fortnight of epic events, spanning workshops, community events and a 15-metre high pink duck floating down the Brisbane River. Florentijn Hofman’s Rubber Duck has been reimagined in Melt’s signature pink hue, and will join the River Pride Parade.

After 2025’s successful Miss First Nations drag queen event, 2026 will welcome the inaugural Mr First Nations drag kings to the stage.

Contemporary circus group Circa has created an immersive production exclusively for Melt. Show Me Love transforms the Powerhouse into a performance journey.

Some of Australia’s favourite artists will join the line-up, with the likes of Courtney Barnett, pop icon Melanie C, TEEKS and emerging Queensland singer-songwriter Jude York added to the program.

There’s plenty more on the calendar to get your heart pumping, and your feathers ruffled, so don’t hesitate to snatch up some tickets to Brisbane’s biggest Melt Festival celebration yet.

This article is written in partnership with our friends at Melt Festival.