Melt Festival has just released new additions to its 2026 program, including a Dolly Parton tribute event, high-speed sewing showdown and Australian artist Asha Jeffries.
The annual festival will take place across Magandjin/Brisbane from the 21st of October to the 8th of November, putting on one of Australia’s most vibrant display of Queer arts and culture.
With over 100 events across more than 70 venues, Melt’s city-wide program spans landmark public art, world premieres, headline concerts, spectacular river celebrations and powerful new Queer storytelling.
Let’s unpack some of the new events added to this years’ line up.
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Asha Jefferies confirmed for the festival line-up
Brisbane-born artist Asha Jefferies will join the Melt program for a special performance at Black Bear Lodge on Saturday the 7th of November.
Fresh from the release of her highly anticipated second album, Desire Is An Angel, Jefferies will bring her intimate, emotionally charged sound to Melt Festival in an exploration of desire, intimacy, sexuality, vulnerability and self-discovery.
Jefferies’ newest music is raw, sympathetic, elated and erotic whilst landing somewhere softer, making Jefferies’ appearance a perfect addition to this year’s Melt program.
Asha Jefferies
Date: Saturday 7 November
Time: From 7.00pm
Location: Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley, QLD
Tickets available HERE.
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Dolly Parton celebration hoe-down
On Friday the 30th of October, Melt will pay tribute to one of pop culture’s most beloved icons with Dolly Hoe-Down – an evening of drag performances, line dancing and DJs spinning Dolly Parton favourites.
Presented by Brisbane Powerhouse and Harry K and hosted by the reigning Queen of Queensland’s Drag Scene Vollie LaVont, the celebration will include a lesson from Gilly’s Line Dancing to match the music.
Dressing up is strongly encouraged – come in your best country glamour, with rhinestones, big hair, denim, and plenty of sequins.
Dolly Hoe-Down will transform the Powerhouse Theatre into a joyful celebration of the songs, style and enduring cultural influence of an icon who has long held a special place in queer hearts. So whether you’re a lifelong Dolly devotee or simply here for the glitter, the night promises to be one big, fabulous celebration you won’t want to miss.
Dolly Hoe-Down
Date: Friday 30 October
Time: 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Location: Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse
Melt Festival 2026Image: Supplied
High-speed sewing showdown at Onesie World
Sunday the 18th of October will see Queen St Mall hosting Onesie World, where internationally acclaimed artist and fashion researcher Adele Varcoe will go head-to-head with sewing superstar Gayleen Tuckwood in a onesie-making showdown.
The event will be part of the major participatory artwork by Varcoe and queer First Nations artist Dylan Mooney.
Locals are invited to get involved with free community sewing workshops running from the 5th to the 23rd of October at Brisbane Powerhouse and the State Library of Queensland, where participants will make more than 1000 onesies featuring Mooney ’s iconic print.
The collaborative artwork will be released back into the community for participants to claim on a first-in-first-dressed basis on the 24th of October, at the River Pride Parade.
No sewing experience is needed – come and learn alongside fellow community members, or share your sewing expertise.
Stitch, Please: The Ultimate Sewdown
Date: Sunday 18 October
Time: 11.00am
Location: Queen Street Mall, Queen St, Brisbane City
Surf Life Saving Queensland joining the River Pride Parade flotilla
This year, the River Pride Parade will be held as day turns to dusk, beginning at 4pm on the 24th of October.
The colourful flotilla of boats and watercraft will include at least three boats from Surf Life Saving Queensland, marking the first participation of a major Queensland sporting organisation.
The SLSQ boats will join a fleet of official party boats (including WET ON DECK, Come To Daddy, Splash Out and FUEL) as they cruise from West End to Brisbane Powerhouse.
The whole community is invited to gather along the river at dedicated viewing precincts for expanded riverside activities, or book a spot on a themed party boat to celebrate into the evening in classic Brisbane style.
River Pride Parade
Date: Saturday 24 October
Time: 4pm
Location: West End Boat Ramp – Brisbane Powerhouse
Melt Festival 2026Image: Supplied
The location of Florentijn Hofman’s five-storey-high Rubber Duck has been revealed
The central visual attraction of this year’s Melt program is Florentijn Hofman’s spectacular 15-metre, five-storey-high Rubber Duck.
Appearing for the first time in Melt’s signature hot pink, Hofman’s Duck will pop up on the Brisbane River/Maiwar near the CBD ahead of the festival, before leading the River Pride Parade as one of its flagship floats.
For the rest of the duration of Melt, the Rubber Duck will be taking up residence close to the Brisbane Powerhouse, bringing an international exhibit to Australia for the first time.
Hofman’s ducks have previously appeared in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Osaka, São Paulo and Pittsburgh.
Melt Festival 2026Image: Supplied
Melt Festival major highlights and full program
Melt Festival returns from the 18th of October to the 8th of November 2026, with its biggest program yet.
Major highlights include performances from Queensland singer-songwriter Jude York, Māori soul singer TEEKS, Grammy-nominated artist Courtney Barnett, and pop icon Melanie C.
See the full program and get your tickets here.
Melt is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
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