Entertainment
24 August, 2026
Elixir festival amplifies First Nations voices
ELIXIR Music House will host a 10-day fringe festival from 28 August to 6 September, bringing together more than 100 musicians, artists, dancers, workshop facilitators and creatives.
The event follows a fringe festival held alongside last year's Cairns Festival, when organisers secured a grant to offer free entry.
Elixir Music House’s Sky Rixon said last year’s event’s success had helped organisers secure funding from the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund this year.
“This is under our 4 Hearts Creative Collective non-profit. We are super lucky to have been successful in getting this grant to put on our event,” she said.
The festival will have a strong First Nations focus, with Creative Bama Connections’ Merindi Schreiber presenting the opening night, featuring performances by Naurita Briscoe & Rahnae, yarns with Yidinji Elders, and Tausala & Shiloh.
“Voices of Kin is First Nations artist-led. We want to celebrate the world's longest-living culture,” Ms Rixon said.
Ms Rixon said the festival's main headliners are Yirrmal, from Gove, and Gurridyula, from Waddununggu.
A packed program will run throughout the festival, featuring R.3.B, Dizzy Doolan, Hxlsixty, Mayi Wunba Dancers, Cloud 9, Jay Wymara, Bala Kaijo, Yirgjhilya, Djun Djun Band & Black Crubians (Yarrabah), Ben Jansz, Tinderbox, Viv Aisi Band, Miss Tee and Mortal Wound.
The program will extend beyond live music, featuring films, workshops and live FX Body Art by Sue Kim.
“We're going to have films on the first Sunday, the 30th. We'll be rotating films. They'll be presented by Integrated Media and will feature catalogues from End Credits Films, 86400 Productions, On County Events & Productions and Desert Pea Media,” Ms Rixon said.
Workshops will include Spear Making, Weaving, Online Branding and Communications for youth, and Garment Bleaching.
Organisers are also working with organisations, including Bori Muy, to host barbecues over the weekend, providing participating groups with opportunities to raise funds.
The fringe festival will run at Elixir Music House from 28 August to 6 September.
