Horizon Festival 2026 will present more than 35 events across Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country from May 1-10, marking a decade of championing people, place and possibility.
The 10-day program will span coastal sunset performances, hinterland experiences and street celebrations in Maroochydore, bringing together First Nations-led gatherings, large-scale contemporary performance, live music, visual art, immersive food events, dance, family activities and workshops.
Organisers say it is one of the festival’s most expansive and diverse line-ups, designed to spark wonder, foster connection and showcase the Sunshine Coast’s creative spirit.
Festival director Bec Martin says audiences can expect “artistic risks that delight and inspire”.
“Horizon Festival belongs to the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Martin says.
“We’ve created a program where art doesn’t just visit our region, it responds to place, transforms experiences and celebrates community.
“Our artistic community is vibrant, courageous and collaborative, and this year’s program brings ambitious new work to life across extraordinary settings.
“Audiences are invited to gather in unexpected places and to be moved, enchanted and surprised by all that the Sunshine Coast has to offer.”
Presented by Sunshine Coast Council with support from Tourism and Events Queensland, the festival also marks a key cultural moment ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli says the 10-year milestone underscores the festival’s growing significance.
“Horizon Festival is a unique reflection of the Sunshine Coast,” Mayor Natoli says.
“It is a festival for our region, by our region, and its authenticity and commitment to place have also attracted the interest and attendance of visitors from across Australia.
“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.”
The annual festival generates about $1.4million for the local economy.
Visit horizonfestival.com.au.
