From circus lights to rock ’n’ roll chaos by the water, Wynnum Fringe is back for its seventh year, returning from 25 June – 12 July 2026 with its biggest and boldest program yet.
The award-winning arts festival returns to transform Brisbane’s bayside into a buzzing cultural playground, with more than 200 performances of comedy, live music, circus, cabaret and family entertainment taking place at the iconic Augathella Spiegeltent.
Now a firm favourite on Queensland’s cultural calendar, Wynnum Fringe continues to bring together blockbuster headline acts, cult comedy favourites, emerging artists and immersive live experiences all wrapped into a distinctly bayside festival atmosphere.
Wynnum Fringe Founder and CEO / Artistic Director Tom Oliver said the seventh year feels like the festival hitting its stride; bigger, bolder, but still unmistakably Wynnum at heart.
“Every year Wynnum Fringe grows a little louder, a little brighter and a little more ambitious. But it’s always stayed true to what it is at its core – a place for people to come together and have an incredible time,” said Oliver.
“This year’s program is packed with everything from major touring artists to emerging independent work and that mix is what keeps it so alive. You can see a headline show and then stumble across something completely unexpected along the way.”
The 2026 program features a stacked line-up of top-tier comedy and music including Arj Barker, Luke McGregor, Mel Buttle, Matt Okine, Bradley McCaw’s The Music of Billy Joel and the Wynnum Fringe Comedy Gala.
A major highlight of this year’s program is In Pour Taste – a one-of-a-kind comedy and wine experience created in partnership with Innocent Bystander and award-winning comedians Ethan Cavanagh and Sweeney Preston, fresh from a residency in Las Vegas. Blending sharp comedy with curated wine tasting, the immersive show invites audiences to sip, laugh and be part of the experience in an intimate, high-energy setting.
One of the festival’s most ambitious new productions, Highway To Hell: The Rock ’N’ Roll Circus, will premiere at Wynnum Fringe in a strictly limited run of five performances. Created for the festival, the show transforms the Augathella Spiegeltent into a 1980s Aussie pub, celebrating the golden era of Australian rock through a high-voltage mix of live music and circus.
Starring ARIA chart-topping artist and Australian Idol winner Wes Carr alongside powerhouse performer Mahalia Barnes, the production is backed by an all-star band featuring Matt Smith (Thirsty Merc), Ben Rodgers (Jimmy Barnes Band), Mick Skelton (Thirsty Merc) and Andrea Krakovska (Pseudo Echo) and world-class circus artists Katrina Louise (Vice The Show) and Melon The Human (Cirque du Soleil).
Mahalia Barnes said Wynnum Fringe stands out for its personality, energy and unmistakably local feel. “Wynnum Fringe is one of those festivals that I’ve heard so many people talk about, but I’ve never experienced it first-hand,” Barnes.
“The shows have lot of personality, it feels to me like a festival with real heart and a raw, cheeky energy. I love when a festival has that kind of spirit. It gives the audience and the artists a chance to share something really unique, special and unforgettable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Queensland Minister for the Arts John Paul Langbroek said Wynnum Fringe’s annual program provides locals and visitors of all ages with unique and high quality arts experiences across a range of spaces and places.
“The Crisafulli Government proudly supports Wynnum Fringe to deliver on our Queensland’s Time to Shine strategy and its focus on locally led arts and cultural experiences in our communities,” said Minister Langbroek.
“The festival champions creativity, provides employment opportunities for artists and arts workers and brings community together with an exciting line up of cultural events featuring new talent alongside national favourites.”
Festival favourites and family-friendly shows return in full force, with Dangerous Goods, Elixir Revived, Adults Only Magic Show, Party Animals, The Greatest Magic Show, Circus The Show, All Star Circus, A Night at the Musicals and The Rockin’ 70s Singalong all part of a broad program designed to appeal to audiences of all ages.
Also joining the festival this year is The Lunchbox Theatre, a new home for intimate, independent and delightfully offbeat works, including Wynnum Watch – a comedy show inspired by the wonderfully chaotic world of local community Facebook pages, where comedians Emma Zammit and Kat Davidson unpack everything from mysterious helicopters to missing dogs and neighbourhood drama.
A major new addition to the 2026 program is the debut of the Brisbane Clown Festival at Wynnum Fringe, with Andrew Cory curating a three-day line-up of local and interstate artists across the final weekend, giving the new festival a platform to launch in Brisbane for the first time.
Audiences can also expect school holiday workshops from Art For Earthlings, as well as a Rooftop Container Bar, food trucks, a pop-up wine experience all designed to create a vibrant, social festival hub along the waterfront.
Wynnum Fringe returns 25 June – 12 July 2026. For more information and full program, visit: www.wynnumfringe.com for details.
Images: The Greatest Magic Show (supplied) | Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh star in In Pour Taste (supplied) | Adults Only Magic Show (supplied)