What's your Horizon flavour?
Live music, arts, comedy, dance and more. Horizon kicks off this Friday and there's still time to grab tickets or register for free events.
Horizon is just around the corner bringing with it over 50 free and ticketed events across more than 10 Sunshine Coast locations from May 2-11.
Sunshine Coast Council Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said the Horizon festival was a beacon of creativity and community spirit for the Sunshine Coast.
“This Festival not only showcases the incredible artistic and creative talent within our region and beyond, it also brings people together to celebrate art, culture and innovation,” Cr Law said.
“With diverse events spread across multiple locations, Horizon offers something for everyone, making it a truly unmissable experience.
“It’s a festival that enriches our community and highlights the Sunshine Coast as a vibrant cultural destination."
Horizon Creative Director Megan Rowland said the festival was bookended by two enormous weekends, with plenty in between to inspire you whatever your taste and budget.
“The festival lights up Ocean Street, Maroochydore on Friday May 2 from 5pm with a free Opening Night Street Party - an irresistible first taste of Horizon 25,” Megan said.
“Get ready for a vibrant evening of art, performance and street culture that sets the tone for 10 unforgettable days and nights across the festival precinct and the Sunshine Coast.
Full Moon Flower Band
“The precinct offers 10 nights of programming at Solbar with artists like C.W. Stoneking, Alex Hines, BARKAA and Full Flower Moon Band, fresh local tunes in the Lounge every afternoon plus a free immersive Urban Gallery to explore every day from 2pm.
“The Urban Gallery is a relaxing way to explore some stunning works from Sunshine Coast and internationally renowned artists in a surprisingly non-traditional setting – The Big Top Shopping Centre!
“You’ll find live mural painting with Alison Mooney‘s Daily Muse, an immersive journey through the backstreets of Tokyo with Tokyo Rain and a place to confess all your fashion sins with Confashional.
Tokyo Rain, Photography by Susann Bargas, Gomez Model
“Test your humanness in the AI revolution with the gameshow style Pigeon Fool and then make sure you stick around until 5pm when the stunning projection works Stasis by Kenneth Lambert and act as known by Vernon Ah Kee light up.”
On Sunday May 4, you’ll get a chance to experience the epic spectacle that is Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhales Across Australia as they grace the skies above UniSC in Sippy Downs.
Patricia Piccinini, Skywhalepapa, 2020 and Skywhale, 2013, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, © Patricia Piccinini.
“This is the first time the Skywhale family, toured by National Gallery of Australia, has reached South-East Queensland and the dawn spectacle will be a memory in the making as the momentous whale-like creatures take to the skies,” Megan said.
Later on Sunday afternoon, catch an intimate performance from globally renown singer Gabriella Cohen, who’ll captivate audiences at the Mapleton Public House.
Supperclub Mapleton, dining experience. Credit Visit Sunshine Coast, The Falls Farm Mapleton Queensland, Sunshine Pantry
Another key location during the festival is Nambour, with a stunning program of dance/contemporary performance, underground music and visual art with DJs most nights - it’s going to be a very fun time at The Old Ambo in Nambour.
We’re excited to share performances like Hold me Closer Tony Danza inspired by a misheard Elton John lyric, KIN’s BERSERK and Phantom Femme Fatale alongside sound installation by Basket of Hammer’s BOH! Sub_Culture and the thought-provoking exhibition No Souvenirs, curated by Libby Harward.
Phantom Femme Fatale, Photo by Lisa Hatz
The First Nations program threads through the festival with highlights including opening weekend Yauar Warai Wandi - Sing, Dance, Gather, the evolution of Horizon’s signature event Dawn Awakening, the free event in Coolum offers an entire afternoon of traditional and contemporary dance, workshops art trails and more.
You’ll love making the trip to the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve to experience Light Line Jinibara and Scene Through the Screen any day of the festival.
Enjoy a full weekend of live music, activities and more on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May, where Kate Berry’s hugely popular OK Motels comes to town in Kenilworth for OK Kenilworth.
JB Patterson, OK Kenilworth
The final day of the festival is The Last Sunday in Alexandra Headland, a free all-day event for the whole family.
You’ll find live music, Chiggy’s skateboarding competitions and children’s workshops, all centred around two massive community-powered performances of Us And All Of This.
Us And All Of This, Arts Centre Melbourne, 2023, photography Mark Gambino
Then if you want to come celebrate with the artists and creative community, make sure you get to the Sunset Wrap Party with Spinning Wildfire at Solbar to dance your final festival night away.
Explore the program, buy tickets and register for free events on the Horizon website.