Is there anything more wondrous than witnessing a child experience a moment of sheer delight and inspiration? When they go from simply watching something to suddenly wiggling forward so they are teetering on the edge of their seat, as they strain to take in as much as possible.
The truth is, these moments when children are truly engaged are not only the ones in which they learn and retain the most, but also when we as parents get to experience their joy along with them.
Sharing those things which make children smile – singing, dancing, playing, painting, creating and imagining – is a gift to both parent and child and it is one the QPAC Out of the Box festival continues to provide in bucket loads to Brisbane families.
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What to Expect at the Out of the Box festival 2025?
Here at Brisbane Kids we have been fans of the festival for many years and always look forward to the program release.
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre first presented its Out of the Box festival in Brisbane in 1992 and since then this popular event continues to grow, both in the diversity and range of its program, as well as the number of families and children it attracts.
On offer during the festival are amazing live theatre experiences, creative workshops and free events and activities. The fun doesn’t stop there though, additional programs are available across the cultural precinct including at the State Library, Queensland Museum and QAGOMA.
This festival and associated community engagement activities also help to inspire our community to talk about broader issues in the world today with our children.
Who Will Enjoy the Out of the Box festival?
With the distinct aim to provide an opportunity for Queensland children to engage with the arts, the Out of the Box festival is as much fun, as it is creative and educational.
The festival is designed specifically for children under the age of eight (and their carers) and features live performances, workshops and activities.
It is not only families who adore the Out of the Box festival. The festival is popular with educators and school groups who want to get in on the action too. You will need to book well in advance though if you are one of these groups, as tickets usually get snapped up pretty quickly.
What’s On – Out of the Box festival 2025
Live Shows
The Gruffalo IMAGE CREDIT: QPAC
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 Details
When: Tuesday 17th – Sunday 22nd June 2025
Where: Cultural Precinct, Corner Grey and Melbourne Street, South Bank
Cost: Performances from $39. Children under 18 months old who do not occupy a seat are free on the knee. Workshops approximately $15. Activities are free.
For further information and bookings visit Out of the Box festival 2025
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