2026 will bring fresh energy to the 14th BrisAsia Festival as it celebrates the Year of the Horse which is characterised by its energetic and adventurous spirit.
Brisbane’s largest showcase of Asian culture, cuisine, art and music will run from February 13 to 22 across 17 suburbs and feature more than 350 artists.
This year brings 10 new events, with the very first BrisAsia Comedy Gala at the Brisbane Powerhouse, and an electrifying new K-pop Showcase.
Other new events include a Lunar New Year party at the Thomas Dixon Centre; skate workshops for kids at the Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza; and lion dancers and Brisbane’s biggest Lunar New Year fireworks display at Sunnybank.
Highlights include:
- The popular Southside By Night at Willawong returns to kick things off with street, luxury and performance cars. Grab some street food and watch entertainment for the whole family with hip-hop and DJ performances by local artists. February 13 from 5-9pm. Free.
- Watch rising Asian-Australian skaters and join a workshop for kids (bookings essential) at the BrisAsia Sk8 Zone at the Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza on February 14 from 9am-noon. Free.
- The BrisAsia Comedy Gala at the Brisbane Powerhouse is a new major highlight for this year. Hosted by comedian Michael Hing with a stellar lineup of Asian Australian stand-up comedians including He Huang, Ting Lim, Jo Gowda and Ashwin Segkar. On February 14 from 7.30pm-9.15pm.
- Celebrate the growing influence of Korean pop culture across Australia with the K-pop dance community at the Thomas Dixon Centre. There will be two shows on February 14 from 4pm-5.30pm and 6.30pm-8pm.
- Hiyoshi in Counterpoint is an all-female contemporary Asian fusion band which melds the best of East and West at the Queensland Multicultural Centre, Kangaroo Point on February 14 from 7.30pm-9pm.
- Celebrate Lunar New Year in the Gardens at Mt Coot-tha with displays of traditional lion dances and martial arts, Bollywood dances, and Thai musician Peranya. On February 15 from 4pm-6pm. Free.
- Chinese opera singer Zi Wang will perform alongside live instrumentalists at the Lunar Soul Party at the Thomas Dixon Centre. Plus catch a curated set from Neo Soul DJ Saie and listen to local hip hop hero Chong Ali rap some tunes. On February 17 from 6pm-10pm.
- The Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts presents Shu Ha Ri which means to “bridge between tradition and innovation.” In this case it’s the boundaries between classical Japanese music and contemporary interpretation. On February 17 from noon-1pm at the Brisbane City Hall. Free.
- The Velvet Lounge at Mr Vain Restaurant and Bar is an intimate neo-soul and R&B Experience which brings together Brisbane’s finest Asian Djs on February 19 from 6pm-12am.
- The Comedy Gala has been expanded to include fun improv workshops for beginners at Big Fork Theatre, Fortitude Valley on February 22 from 1.30pm-4.30pm.
- BrisAsia Dance Battles will hold a qualifying day on Saturday February 21 from 10am to 7pm at VENTspace, South Brisbane. For all ages. Entry from $20. Finals at the Queen St Mall Stage on Sunday February 22 from 4pm-7pm. Free.
- Brisbane’s biggest Lunar New Year fireworks display and lion and dragon dance performances will be held at the Sunnybank Lunar New Year Rooftop Party on February 28 from 5pm-8.30pm. The fireworks will be held at 8pm. Free.
