Get ready for one of Brisbane's best, brightest and biggest street parties – Valley Fiesta is returning for its 22nd edition next week.
Valley Fiesta, which will run for five fabulous days from 29 August 2 September, will take over more than 40 venues in the area, and bring everything from inflatable art installations to a Michael Jackson tribute show.
If you're out and about on the opening night, be sure to catch the official 6pm launch as well as the very first night of the Le Coup Cabaret, Brisbane's own high-flying circus act.
The Clapstick Flashmob, a Digi Youth Arts percussion ensemble, will also be putting on all-ages performances in the Valley Mall 29 August and 1 September.
The Good Time Boys, Brisbane's self-proclaimed 'tenth best comedy group', will be providing the laughs every night of the festival at Daily Planet with their new show '$69 Basics'.
STAGES, an art exhibition featuring works from Brisbane, Melbourne and Tasmania, will open at the Slingshot Bar on Wednesday and run right through to Sunday. Wednesday, which coincides with the birthday of the King of Pop himself, will also see an all-ages Michael Jackson tribute show on at The Osbourne Hotel, with plenty of tunes to keep the party going.
Anyone heading out on Thursday (30 August) can celebrate in true fiesta style with the free 'Fiesta Soul'sa' dance classes, being held at Cloudland from 5pm. If salsa isn't your style, you can boogie on down to The Press Club, which will be hosting a 'Rockabilly Riot' night featuring Little Billie.
Dancing not your thing? Get your game on with Bogan Bingo at The Empire Hotel, Pinball for Beginners at Netherworld and QuizMeisters Trivia at The Wickham. If that isn't enough, then there's always 'Press A To Start', a showcase of locally made video games that will be running right in the middle of the Brunswick Street Mall.
Friday Valley-goers will be able to catch a laneway party in the subterranean courtyard of Greaser, which will feature Colt Seavers and Shakes Fear & The Skeleton Gang.
Greaser isn't the only place you can catch a mini-music-fest; Winn Lane are also providing the goods, with the 'Wasted Winter' mini-fest, featuring a secret set from a Brissie artist to be announced on the day.
There will also be a showcase of the Brisbane City Council's QUBE effect finalists, which include Aerborn, Beddy Rays and YELLOWCATREDCAT.
The Ironing Maidens will take over the Central Valley Laundromat on Friday night, using irons and ironing boards as instruments in a hilarious all-ages electronic music event.
Ride, an immersive theatre experience led by the award-wining Lucas Stibbard, will be picking up passengers in secret locations around Fortitude Valley on Friday, and taking them on a trip they won't be forgetting soon.
If you can't get enough theatre, let 'The Ballad Of Rosie Quinn', a performance piece straight from a sold-out run at Anywhere Theatre Festival, take you on a haunting journey through Australia's dark colonial past.
You can also spend Friday night celebrating the '80s in raucous Valley style with the Common People Dance Project in the Mall, Glamotage at Sabotage Social, and Black Bear Lodge's Heather's Party.
On Saturday, you can chill out with The Osbourne Hotel's Spring Brunch (featuring bottomless mimosas), or even bring your favourite furry friend along to Barks and Brews at The Brightside. Also on offer is social chess, an urban wine walk and the Valley Fiesta Garden Party.
Not to be missed is Saturday's Ballgame Championship, which will see Brissie's finest sweat it out with some of the classic sports-day activities, including tunnel ball, zig zag and leader ball.
For those who weren't always sport-inclined, the Bite Back Challenge at Oporto is a good, old-fashioned burger-consumption competition. A silent disco will be on offer later that night, as well as the Elephant Hotel's 130th birthday, so rest assured that you can boogie off that burger.
The night will finish up with a K-POP dance extravaganza in the middle of the Brunswick Street Mall, featuring Brisbane dance crews Cloud90, Red Ivy Dance, Lulupink, Stardust and K.A.T.U.
Cleanse your body and soul on Sunday, the final day of the festival, with tai chi in the Chinatown Mall, 'Workout, Wine Down' in Cloudland vintage board games at Proud Henry.
The final festival activities will include a live art battle at Ric's Bar, a tattoo flash exhibition at Crow Bar and 4ZZZ's Rooftop Oasis on the Chinatown Car Park rooftop.
2018 is gearing up to be an absolutely massive year for the Valley Fiesta, so be sure to head along and party it out.
