You won't want to miss the final weekend of Melt Festival

It’s the final weekend of Melt Festival, Brisbane’s LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural celebration, and with the River Pride Parade and Picnic, there’s still plenty of Pride to go around!

Pride continues to take centre stage in Brisbane/Magandjin with one final week of community connection and celebration for Melt.

We’ve had pageants, performances, visual arts, theatre and talks.

Now it is time to round Melt Festival out with a lineup of free and fabulous queer art and culture.

Across the final weekend, the Brisbane Powerhouse and seven other sites around Brisbane continue to glow with Shimmer.

Gerwyn Davies’ dazzling free exhibition, which was created in collaboration with Open Doors Youth Service.

After something a little bit naughty, The Bubble Show for Adults Only delivers a night of high-camp bubble art spectacle and surprise.

You won’t want to miss Reuben Kaye’s queer, messy, and hilarious The Kaye Hole.

It’s the hottest late-night ticket in town.

Where the riskiest and most diverse acts let loose, dripping in sweat and backed by a live band.

Craving a side of sequins with your scrambled eggs?

Drag Brunch Club serves up the city’s fiercest queens, closing the weekend in style.

Whatever floats your boat

This Saturday, the River Pride Parade returns with everything from yachts to paddleboards and beautifully decorated vessels sailing from West End to Brisbane Powerhouse.

Prefer your pride a little more fast-paced?

Race the River Pride Parade invites those up for a run or stroll to join the Brisbane Lesbian Run Club along the river as the dazzling River Pride Parade floats by on the water.

No boat?

Jump aboard The Pride Ride or join the free, family-friendly River Pride Picnic at New Farm Park, complete with food trucks and live music..

Pack a rug and settle in for an afternoon of watching the River Pride Parade sail by in full colour and special performances from water skiers and tugs.

Don’t miss the daytime fireworks that close the parade in style.

Key times:

12:30 pm – River Pride Parade – Lead First Nation boat passes under Neville Bonner Bridge

2:30 pm – River Pride Parade flotilla starts to arrive at New Farm Park Boat Hub (continue to dock until 3.00 pm)

Daytime Fireworks Displays start at New Farm Park, Riverbank and Brisbane Powerhouse

12.00 PM – 3.00 PM at River Pride Picnic (New Farm Park Riverbank)

Drag Story Time – (20 MINS) – 12.30 pm, 1.15 pm and 2.30 pm

Salty Sires performing Sea Shanties – 12.30 pm, 2.00 pm and 2.40 pm

Splashdown on water performances on Maiwaar/Brisbane River, as well as Roving Roller Skaters & Dykes on Bikes

Melt ends on a high note

Saturday night, close out Melt with the official festival closing party, HOLE MANIA 2.0: the final meltdown.

DJs, dancing and the holy trinity of Shandy, Gogo Bumhole and The Tivoli rise again for ROUND TWO of the outrageous and downright legendary HOLE-MANIA.

Sunday is going to be something really special.

1000 Voices brings one thousand singers from LGBTQIA+ and Pride Choirs across Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand together.

This free mass choral event is hosted by Reuben Kaye and held at South Bank Piazza to end Melt on the highest of notes.

He’s previously created large-scale events for Sydney WorldPride.

“There’s nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of voices rising as one,” said Adam Majsay of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir.

“It lifts the spirit, opens the heart, and reminds us what true family feels like.”

“I’ve had the privilege of leading large-scale choral projects that centre inclusion and visibility, and I’ve seen firsthand how music welcomes people in.

“1000 Voices at Melt Festival will be more than a performance.

“It will be a powerful moment of connection for LGBTQIA+ singers, allies, and anyone who simply loves to sing.”

And you can join the community choirs and solo singers in a moving celebration of identity, solidarity and song.

What a perfect way to round out a spectacular Melt Festival for another year.

Find out all event details here.