QPAC’s Out of the Box festival for children aged eight and under returns this June with a vibrant, full-venue takeover. This much-loved festival is packed with theatre experiences, hands-on workshops, free events, and exciting activities, with additional programs extending across the cultural precinct at the State Library, Queensland Museum, and QAGOMA.
For its 2025 edition, Out of the Box places children at the heart of the festival as artistic collaborators and experts in imaginative play. With the theme of Hope, the festival embraces creativity as a necessity in a child’s world, offering arts-rich participatory experiences designed especially for young audiences.
Since its inception in 1992, more than a million children have attended Out of the Box, and after a seven-year hiatus, it makes its much-anticipated return to QPAC. This year’s festival will feature a number of world premiere productions, including Wolfgang in the Stars by Brisbane’s Circa Ensemble, as well as beloved children’s books brought to life on stage with Where is the Green Sheep? by Monkey Baa Theatre Company and Gurril Storm Bird, based on Trevor (Bumi) Fourmile’s story.
Out of the Box festival 2025 invites children and families to a week filled with creativity, wonder, and unforgettable experiences. Running from 17th to 22nd June 2025, the festival offers a mix of ticketed and free events, with tickets now on sale to the public.
Out of the Box festival 2025 Performances
The Gruffalo
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Lyric Theatre
Age Recommendation: 3 Yrs old +
Duration: 55 minutes
After sell-out seasons across the world, including London’s West End and Broadway, The Gruffalo returns to QPAC for songs, laughs and scary fun.
Wolfgang in the Stars
18 – 22 Jun 2025 | Concert Hall
Age Recommendation: 3 Yrs old +
Duration: 45 minutes
Circa’s world premiere, Wolfgang in the Stars, is a music-fuelled circus space romp of galactic proportions.
Where is the Green Sheep?
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Playhouse
Age Recommendation: 1 – 6 Yrs old
Duration: 45 minutes
Monkey Baa Theatre Company’s world premiere, is an immersive visual theatre experience based on the beloved children’s book by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek.
Gurril Storm Bird
18 – 21 Jun 2025 @ Cremorne Theatre
Age Recommendation: 5 Yrs old +
Duration: 45 minutes
Gather around the campfire in the forest to hear the story of Gurril, the young boy who came face to face with the rainbow serpent.
Club Origami
18 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Tony Gould Gallery
Age Recommendation: 1 – 5 Yrs old
Duration: 50 minutes
Dance, fashion and live music meet the magic of origami to sweep visitors up on a spirited and inspiring adventure in a land made purely of paper and play.
The Lost Lending Library
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Playhouse Band Room
Age Recommendation: 5 Yrs old +
Duration: 50 minutes
At 314 floors high and with 72 spiral side departments, enter the largest collection of books in the world and discover a magical world.
Wonderbox
18 – 21 Jun 2025 @ Playhouse Studio 1
Age Recommendation: 6 Yrs old +
Duration: 60 minutes
With immersive projections, delightful surprises, and kooky-carnival characters, every child’s curiosity is celebrated
Workshops
Bluey Puppetry Workshops
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Playhouse Balcony Foyer
Age Recommendation: 4 Yrs old +
Duration: 60 minutes
Join a fun-filled, hands-on puppetry workshop inspired by everyone’s favourite blue heeler.
Sing on Country Music Workshops
19 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Concert Hall Balcony Foyer
Age Recommendation: 6 Yrs old +
Duration: 45 minutes
Learn about our beautiful, diverse country through song and traditional language with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Songwoman, Jessie Lloyd.
Little Chefs Cooking Workshops
17 – 21 Jun 2025 @ Lyrebird Restaurant
Age Recommendation: 5 Yrs old +
Duration: 45 minutes
Calling all Little Chefs! Get ready for a delicious adventure where your child can learn the joy of cooking while creating fun, healthy recipes.
Mindful Me Health & Wellbeing Workshops
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Concert Hall Balcony Foyer
Age Recommendation: 4 Yrs old +
Duration: 45 minutes
Through guided meditation exercises, children will learn how to quiet their minds, improve focus and enhance emotional awareness.
Green Sheep: You and Me Workshop
17 – 21 Jun 2025 @ Playhouse Rear Stage
Age Recommendation: 1 – 6 Yrs old
Duration: 45 minutes
Following Where is the Green Sheep?, share a playful, hands-on experience with your child.
Art Box for Kids: Mandy Quadrio
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Gallery 1.4, GOMA
Age Recommendation: 3 Yrs old +
People have been using Tasmanian bull kelp as a material for thousands of years. Create your own unique paper carrier to hold your special treasures at GOMA.
For Mothers
17 – 21 Jun 2025 @ Lyric Lounge
Age Recommendation: For mums of babies who are 0 to 3 years old.
Duration: 120 minutes
A creative and cultural project for mothers designed to reinvigorate and reimagine parenting for the modern mama.
Moments of Wonder
21 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Bodhi Tree Terrace, GOMA
Age Recommendation: 3 Yrs old +
This drop-in workshop invites you to consider a moment of wonder in your life, before creating a picture with coloured pencils and watercolour paint at GOMA.
Activities
Tree of Hope
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Concert Hall Foyer
Age Recommendation: All ages
What are you hopeful for? Craft your own Tree of Hope as part of the large scale site installation this Out of the Box 2025 festival season.
Jarjum Life Museum
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ QPAC Tunnel
Age Recommendation: All ages
Welcome to Jarjum Life Museum – a museum made by children – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Jarjum.
Let’s Dance!
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ Melbourne Street Green
Age Recommendation: All ages
Join in the fun for an upbeat celebration of music and movement that brings all ages together in one giant dance party.
State Library Scavenger Hunt
17 – 22 Jun 2025 @ State Library of Queensland
Age Recommendation: All ages
Are you a keen explorer? Are you a master of puzzles? Then get excited and jump into this scavenger hunt at the State Library of Queensland.
Out of the Box festival 2025
When: Tuesday 17th – Sunday 22nd June 2025
Where: Cultural Precinct, Cnr Grey and Melbourne Street, South Bank, QLD, 4101
Cost: Performances $39, Children under 18 months old who do not occupy a seat are free on the knee; Workshops mostly $15; Activities are free
More information: Out of the Box festival 2025
