Blast off into fun at THRIVE Festival this September 2026. Perfect for Brisbane families willing to make a short road trip, this four-day festival features space-themed acrobatics, interactive circus workshops, planetarium sessions, First Nations storytelling, live theater, and free craft activities designed to entertain kids aged 0 to 12.
THRIVE Festival 2026
THRIVE Festival launches into space in 2026 with a four-day celebration of creativity, imagination and play for children aged 0 to 12 and their families. Now in its ninth year, this Empire favourite returns with a program of free and ticketed experiences across indoor and outdoor spaces.
This year’s festival features Into Space, an acrobatic show from resident artists ARC Circus, along with Cosmodome Planetarium sessions exploring the Solar System, the Apollo Moon missions and the journey to Mars. Kids can join circus and magic workshops, take part in The Hunt for The Empire, watch Shake & Stir Theatre Co’s My Two Blankets, or experience Living Sculptures: How The Birds Got Their Colours, a First Nations dance and storytelling performance.
Free activities include galaxy painting, face painting, lawn games, scavenger hunts, storytime, science displays, craft activities, fairy bread and rainbow fruit, plus the Thriving Galaxy community installation made by local students. The festival closes with free evening stargazing on Friday, with telescopes set up for views of the Moon and Saturn, weather permitting.
Suitable for children aged 0 to 12 and their families. Bookings are essential for ticketed performances.
Program Highlights
Into Space – an acrobatic show by ARC Circus following an astronaut’s journey through an asteroid field, alien encounters and the challenge of finding a way home.
Living Sculptures: How the Birds Got Their Colours – a First Nations dance and circus performance telling a traditional Dreamtime story about belonging and difference.
Out of This World Circus Workshops – hands on circus skills sessions for kids, building balance, coordination and confidence through movement, juggling and acrobatics.
Cosmodome Planetarium – a full dome cinematic journey through space, with sessions covering the Solar System, the Apollo Moon missions and the future of Mars exploration.
The Hunt for The Empire Tour – an adventure tour for young explorers to uncover hidden stories around the precinct.
School of Magic Workshops – interactive magic sessions where kids learn tricks and take home a goody bag.
My Two Blankets – a stage adaptation of the picture book by local author Irena Kobald, following a young girl adjusting to a new country.
ALONE featuring Toowoomba Concert Orchestra – a theatrical reading with live orchestral music, designed for young audiences.
Evening Stargazing – telescope viewing of the Moon and Saturn, weather permitting.
Free daily activities – craft with Tinker, galaxy painting, face painting, storytime, interactive science displays, lawn games, a scavenger hunt and the Thriving Galaxy community installation.
Plan your visit
When: Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th September 2026,
Where: The Empire Theatre, 54-56 Neil Street, Toowoomba, 4350
More information and bookings here