Afterglow is a mesmerising and magical world premiere experience, emerging from the shadows to transform Brisbane’s iconic City Botanic Gardens from Thursday 5 September to Saturday 27 September 2025.
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
