Follow the flame and be captivated by a glowing dreamscape of dancing shadows, candlelit installations and fire sculptures in the world premiere of Afterglow.

The fire trail is an all-ages experience, perfect for family outings, date nights or solo moments of reflection and is presented by Sony Music Entertainment as part of Brisbane Festival 2025.

A nocturnal wonderland, the City Botanic Gardens beckons visitors to enter its gates as the sun goes down and immerse themselves in a multisensory experience.

Live performances and a carefully curated ambient soundtrack spark wonder and awe as visitors journey with purpose along a 1.4km trail brought to life by world-renowned fire artists and local creative talents.

Expect to be warmed by glowing embers, intrigued by light bending and bouncing through the tree canopy, dazzled by shimmering illusions and captivated by the pulse and rhythm of flickering flames.

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina said the world premiere season of Afterglow brings a blend of spectacle and solemnity to the 2025 Festival.

“Across time and cultures, people have always felt a connection to fire – as an element of nature, a force of renewal or a symbol of ceremony and ritual,” Ms Bezzina said.

“Afterglow is a slow-burn experience, an invitation to deliberately and respectfully engage with the artistry and power of fire.”

Sony Music Australia and New Zealand Chair and CEO Vanessa Picken said the company was proud to partner again with Brisbane Festival to debut its new multisensory experience following the overwhelming success of Lightscape in 2023 and 2024.

“Afterglow is unlike anything Brisbane has witnessed before, a fusion of stillness and surprise where fire, sound and shadows combine with artistry, creativity and nature to create an unforgettable experience,” Ms Picken said.

Culture Creative Managing Director Zoe Bottrell said the brand-new fire trail was created to complement the Gardens’ natural beauty.

“Afterglow is unique. With consideration and care, we design and structure every element to illuminate this beautiful location and offer moments of transcendence and wonder to all who step into this nocturnal dreamland,” Ms Bottrell said.

Session times begin nightly at 5.45pm and run every 15 minutes until late. Visitors can experience the glowing multisensory trail at their own pace with an average duration of 90 minutes.

Afterglow is suitable for all ages and is wheelchair-and stroller-accessible.

Afterglow
5 – 27 September 2025
City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane
www.afterglowau.com

Reimagined for 2024, the globally renowned Lightscape phenomenon of light, colour and sound returns during Brisbane Festival to dazzle visitors with all-new lightworks and installations by local and international artists.

Direct from New York, Chicago and London, tickets are now on sale for internationally renowned Lightscape in Brisbane.

Two exclusive sculptural installations created by Queensland First Nations artists Paul Bong (aka Bindur Bullin) and Michelle Yeatman will take pride of place as a special feature for 2024.

Visitors can experience these incredible premiere works and more as they embark on a multi-sensory journey through light, colour and sound along a 2km self-guided trail through Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens.

The technicolour wonderland will take visitors of all ages beneath towering tree canopies illuminated in colour, alongside larger-than-life flowers and through dynamic, glowing tunnels.

Presented by Sony Music Entertainment as part of Brisbane Festival 2024, Lightscape reveals moments of wonder and beauty to share with everyone.

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina said the 2024 program would bring the city to life with daring ideas and memorable experiences.

“I am delighted to welcome a new version of last year’s festival favourite, Lightscape, to once again delight and dazzle visitors to Brisbane’s beautiful inner-city oasis,” said Ms Bezzina.

“This year’s Brisbane Festival program encourages us to embrace frivolity and I cannot imagine a more fitting place to do so than among technicolour trees, fields of luminous blooms and ethereal soundtracks.”

Chair & CEO of Sony Music Australia and New Zealand Vanessa Picken said: “Lightscape has captivated audiences of all ages from the US to UK and throughout Australia.

“Its highly anticipated return to Brisbane will bring with it all-new lightworks, soundtracks and immersive experiences.”

Culture Creative Managing Director Zoe Bottrell said the company was proud to work with Sony Music Entertainment on a reimagined Lightscape trail for its second Brisbane season.

“Each Lightscape trail that Culture Creative curates and builds is unique and we know the trail we’ve produced for Brisbane this year will enchant new audiences and charm those who attended last year,” Ms Bottrell said.

Session times begin nightly at 5.45pm at 15-minute intervals until late. Visitors can experience the self-guided multi-sensory trail at their own pace with an average duration of 90 minutes.

Food and drink are available to purchase along the trail. Lightscape is suitable for all ages and is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Lightscape
City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City
29 August – 12 October 2024
www.lightscapeaustralia.com