From the heart of the city to the soul of the outback, Wynnum Fringe returns for its sixth sparkling year, uniting Queensland’s stories and stages in a vibrant celebration of connection, creativity and community.
Queensland’s quirkiest winter arts festival will once again transform Brisbane’s bayside into a buzzing hub of music, comedy, cabaret and circus from 2 – 20 July 2025.
Wynnum Fringe Founder and CEO / Artistic Director Tom Oliver said this year’s program was built around the idea of connection – cultural, creative and geographical.
“Our 2025 theme is Mateship, a celebration of connection in all its forms,” Oliver said.
“It’s about the ties that bind us, between artists and audiences, city and country, and the bush and the bay.
“From the Augathella Spiegeltent to our brand-new precinct inspired by regional Queensland, this year’s festival is all about championing big talent, big stories and big love for Queensland.”
What began as a grassroots COVID recovery initiative in 2020 has grown into one of the state’s most anticipated cultural events, with audiences increasingly drawn to its fiercely local personality and line-up of big-name artists.
“It is a festival that feels both intimate and world-class and that is what keeps audiences coming back,” Oliver said.
The beating heart of this year’s Wynnum Fringe is the iconic Augathella Spiegeltent, a 380-seat revitalised performance tent proudly positioned on Bay Terrace.
Designed by the world-renowned Klessens family for Queensland’s and relocated 750 kilometres from Augathella to Wynnum last year following a people-powered crowdfunding campaign, the tent is a masterful fusion of the traditional Belgian craftsmanship and the raw, nostalgic aesthetic of an Australian shearing shed.
The special Augathella-Wynnum bond as “Sister Suburbs” sets the tone for this year’s festival, which further strengthens its ties to regional Queensland through a new precinct celebrating the spirit of the outback and the introduction of a beloved bush tradition, the Wynnum B&S Ball.
Hosted in the historic Spiegeltent and featuring live sets from some of the state’s best country music artists, the ball brings the bush to the bay and revives a rite of passage once named a Q150 Icon for its cultural significance.
The Wynnum B&S Ball is one of just 110 ticketed experiences on offer throughout the three-week celebration, which welcomes a mix of headline talent, emerging artists and returning festival favourites.
Comedy royalty Wil Anderson and Dave Thornton bring their razor-sharp wit and signature storytelling to the Spiegeltent stage, while beloved stage icon Rhonda Burchmore returns with her hit cabaret show Rhonda’s After Party, fresh from a sold-out season and ahead of a starring run at Darwin Festival.
For those who love their cabaret circus with extra cheek, the return of the five-star adults-only RAILED, described as a fusion of Cirque du Soleil and Magic Mike, is a must-see.
Music fans are in for a treat with an exclusive Australian debut performance from acclaimed American musician Theo Katzman, best known for his work with the funk-pop group Vulfpeck.
Also on the bill are intimate live sets from some of Australia’s most celebrated vocalists including Wesley Dean, Mirusia, Tex Perkins, Matt Walker, Tyrone Noonan, Karise Eden, Greg Gould and Trevor Jones.
Family entertainment abounds during the winter school holidays, with family favourites Kaboom, The Greatest Magic Show, Circus The Show and All Star Circus playing across both weeks to keep little ones entertained.
Local legends Shake & Stir are presenting three crowd-pleasing productions: George’s Marvellous Medicine and Burn Out for school students on July 18, and Romeo & Juliet for people of all ages – a rare romantic outing to a Spiegeltent.
While two Wynnum Fringe signature events also return by popular demand: Bay Pride, the inclusive community celebration recently crowned Event of the Year at the 63rd Annual Queens Ball Awards, and Yana Marumba (Walk Through Time), a powerful opening ceremony celebrating local First Nations culture.
Australian icon and Wynnum Fringe ambassador Rhonda Burchmore called the festival one of the most electric, joy-filled events in the country.
“Wynnum Fringe has become one of my favourite gigs on the calendar,” Burchmore said.
“It is glamorous, grassroots and gloriously fun and I am thrilled to be back with the fabulous people of the bay.”
Wynnum Fringe
2 – 20 July 2025
Various locations
www.wynnumfringe.com
