THE SUNSHINE Coast’s premier arts festival has released its program, and this year’s Horizon Festival will be showcasing 10 days of creativity and unforgettable experiences across the region from May 1-10.

Now in its tenth year, Horizon Festival is an annual arts and cultural festival exploring the intersections of art, people and place on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country, Sunshine Coast, and this year the festival shines a light on diverse voices, shared experiences and the power of belonging.

Coolum will feature significantly in the program this year with the free event ‘Yauar Warai Wandi – Sing, Dance, Gather’ which will be held in Norrie Job Park on May 2. The sunset gathering will celebrate living relationships between flora, fauna and Country. This First Nations-led event honours connections across Gubbi Gubbi, Jinibara, Quandamooka and Butchulla Country through contemporary and traditional performance, music, ceremony and sculpture.

The festival is expected to welcome more than 24,000 visitors and features a program spanning First Nations-led gatherings, immersive food experiences, dance and performance, live music, visual art, family adventures and workshops – each crafted to spark wonder and connection.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the festival’s 10-year milestone highlighted the event’s growing success and significance within the region and its broader reputation for creativity and boldness.

“Horizon Festival is a unique reflection of the Sunshine Coast. It is a festival for our region, by our region, and its high-quality performances and exciting experiences regularly attract visitors from across Australia,” Mayor Natoli said.

“At its heart, Horizon is about community and connection. It invites us to see our landscape differently, to gather in surprising places and to discover how art deepens our understanding of each other and of this extraordinary region. It is a celebration of our community.

“As a key cultural pillar ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Horizon Festival works to engage and embed the creative sector in the cultural offering of the Sunshine Coast.”

About the Horizon Festival program 
Horizon Festival Lead Bec Martin said this year’s program showcased the breadth of the region’s creativity and talent, while taking artistic risks that would dazzle and delight audiences.

“Horizon Festival belongs to the Sunshine Coast, so we’ve created a program where art doesn’t just visit our region, it responds to our places, communities and stories, transforming and celebrating them,” Martin said.

“Together with local artists and creative partners, we’re bringing exciting collaborations to life across our breathtaking surrounds and inviting audiences near and far to experience the Sunshine Coast through a different lens.”

Impact and influence
Queensland Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said Horizon Festival is a much-loved highlight of the Sunshine Coast arts calendar, celebrating creativity while delivering strong benefits for the local economy.

“Horizon Festival is the Sunshine Coast’s signature celebration of the arts, bringing our creative community together through visual art, performance, music and words,” Minister Langbroek said.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching the 10-year milestone. It’s a testament to the organisers, the strength of the programme and the community’s support that the festival has achieved such longevity and continues to thrive.

“With around $1.4 million flowing into the local economy, Horizon Festival continues to deliver for community and tourism alike.”

Program highlights
*Opening Night Party, May 1 at Kings Beach, Caloundra. Live music from local artists, family activities, food and drinks, and a high-energy atmosphere celebrating creativity, connection and play. All ages, free.

*M’ap Boule, May 2-3 at The Old Ambo, Nambour. Meaning “I’m on fire” in Haitian Creole, this powerful music performance is a celebration of culture, connection and resistance.

*Burnt Earth: Bonyi Bounty, May 3 at Maleny. An afternoon of sensory dining and cultural connection at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve – with four local First Nations chefs collaborating to explore a bounty of native ingredients and cooking rituals.

* Live music and comedy (May 1-9)  at venues across the Sunshine Coast. Featuring The Umbilical Brothers, Danny Widdecombe and Jem Cassar-Daley.

View the full program and purchase early bird tickets at horizonfestival.com.au