Spoilt for choice, Horizon program packs a punch
The program for Horizon 2025, the region's flagship arts festival, is out now.
The Sunshine Coast’s award-winning arts festival, Horizon, returns May 2-11, 2025, bringing 10 days and nights of art, music, performance and more, set across the stunning landscapes of the region.
Visitors and locals are invited to explore, experience, and immerse themselves in the bold new program, boasting more than 50 events across 10 Sunshine Coast locations.
About the festival
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said Horizon 2025 was deeply connected to place and was presented in collaboration with artists, producers, communities and Traditional Owners.
“Our flagship arts festival celebrates the stories and beauty of our special region and provides a platform for our artists to showcase their practice, while connecting and inspiring communities,” Mayor Natoli said.
“This year’s program features internationally acclaimed artists showing on the Sunshine Coast for the first time, together with much-loved Sunshine Coast-based artists displaying new work that has been commissioned by Council.
“We are incredibly proud of our festival.
“Whether it is enjoying an arts experience at a hinterland pub in Mapleton or Kenilworth, the magic of Stumers Creek in Coolum, the urban streets of Maroochydore and Nambour, or the stunning coastline of Alexandra Headland, we invite you to explore our special region.”
“Under the guidance of Gubbi Gubbi elder Lyndon Davis, Horizon’s signature Dawn Awakening event, has evolved to become Yauar Warai Wandi – Sing, Dance, Gather.
“Now spanning a full afternoon culminating at sunset, visitors will experience a historic gathering of traditional dance groups from surrounding Gubbi Gubbi Country, in a celebration of traditional dance, song, music, language and storytelling at Stumers Creek Park, Coolum.
“This event marks the first time in more than 20 years that such a significant number of traditional dance groups have come together, making it a must-see highlight of the festival, Mayor Natoli said.
Fast facts
Since its inception, Horizon has made a significant, positive impact on the region, generating more than $16 million in economic benefit, employing 6,798 creatives and attracting 319,192 attendees.
The festival has twice been named ‘Best Regional Event’ at the Australian Event Awards.
About the program
Sunshine Coast Council Horizon Creative Director Megan Rowland said at its heart, the 10-day festival celebrated the intersections of art, people, and place on the Sunshine Coast.
This year, we embrace hope - not as wishful thinking, rather as a force for change,” Megan said.
“Through collective action and creative expression, we re-imagine what’s possible.
“Expect live music in unexpected places, dance that moves you, art and technology, exhibitions and installations, events for the whole family, bespoke food experiences and more.”
Opening Night Street Party
The festival kicks off with a good old-fashioned street party in Ocean Street, Maroochydore, bringing you live music, performance, art, family activities and more.
Festival Precinct – Ocean Street, Maroochydore
You’ll find a diverse collection of works nestled into streets, laneways and the Big Top Shopping Centre, blurring the lines between physical, artistic and digital realms. This free-to-enjoy Urban Gallery will feature inspiring work from visionary Queensland, Australian and internationally acclaimed contemporary artists, and is suitable for art lovers of all ages. In the evenings, live at Solbar see BARKAA, C.W. Stoneking or Full Flower Moon Band as well as firsts for the Sunshine Coast including Queer Powerpoint, Electro House Wife and Eddie Ray – The Sequel and much more.
Yauar Warai Wandi – Sing, Dance, Gather – Stumers Park, Coolum
Experience a historic gathering of traditional dance groups from Gubbi Gubbi Country, celebrating culture through dance, song, music and storytelling at Stumers Creek Park, Coolum. This event marks the first time in more than 20 years that such a significant number of traditional dance groups have come together, making it a must-see highlight of the festival.
Supperclub Mapleton – Falls Farm and Mapleton Public House, Mapleton
Join artist Lowana Davies at Falls Farm for Catching a Whiff – a guided walking tour inviting you to follow your nose through the smells of Falls Farm. An amalgamation of science, performance, and olfaction - followed by a guided dining experience -a collaboration between exceptional chefs, regenerative farmers, and artists at Mapleton Public House.
The Daily Muse – Festival Precinct, Duporth Avenue
Led by Sunshine Coast based artist Alison Mooney and a changing roster of special guests, this unavoidable good news mural is created in response to current events in mainstream media’s daily news. Across 10 days, the wall will shift and change, with new artworks and anchor-news-puns everyday!
Confashional – Festival Precinct, Big Top Shopping Centre
Confashional is a visual and interactive experience where salvation from fashion guilt is served in sacred, ritualistic doses. This immersive installation is part performance, part sacred space, dedicated to confronting the fashion waste crisis on the Sunshine Coast.
Step inside the confashion booth – crafted from waste and discarded clothes – and confess your fashion sins. What’s your guilty pleasure? That unworn dress still hanging in your closet? The fast fashion impulse buy? No judgment here. Instead, receive a creative response that encourages reflection, redemption, and, most importantly, revolution.
C.W. Stoneking - Solbar
Don’t miss the chance to see this acclaimed musician in an intimate setting. C.W. Stoneking blends New Orleans brass, traditional African percussion, and early 20th century blues, creating a unique sound that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Hold Me Closer Tony Danza – Black Box, Old Ambulance Station, Nambour
Hold Me Closer Tony Danza is bold, brash, and non-conforming dance-theatre work that, just like a pop song, you can’t get out of your head.
A gateway for non-theatre audiences, this seductive work reflects a modern minefield of potential misrepresentations. “Tony” confronts our awkward reality of responsibility through a choreography of discomfort, lack of coordination, inappropriate dynamics, and Elton John. Get ready to dance-off as if your life depends on it!
Electro House Wife - Solbar
Electro House Wife live electronic experience, by The Ironing Maidens, is the most fun you will ever have while thinking about the housework.
Ingeniously adapting real irons and ironing boards into electronic instruments, this performance is a high energy, captivating explosion of dancing, visuals, wit, humour and steamy hot sounds.
With house inspired tracks built from real world laundry sounds, The Ironing Maidens sound like an unbalanced washing machine. In the best way possible.
Tickets and program information
For program information and to get tickets, festival updates and behind the scenes info, head to horizonfestival.com.au and follow @horizonartfest on socials Instagram and Facebook.