Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) will throw open its doors on Sunday 31 August 2025 for a milestone celebration, marking 40 years of unforgettable performances with a jam-packed day of free activities, tours and entertainment for all ages.
The QPAC 40 Open Day offers the community a rare opportunity to explore behind the curtain of every theatre – excluding the new Glasshouse Theatre, currently under construction and set to open in 2026 – while enjoying a host of interactive experiences, performances and special events.
QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy said the day was designed as both a celebration and an invitation. “Our 40th birthday celebration will pull back the curtain on QPAC, giving hundreds of people the opportunity to see and feel the workings backstage of what is soon to become Australia’s biggest performing arts centre under one roof,” she said. “It’s also a chance to discover some of the treasures of Queensland’s performing arts history, while a lucky few will experience what it means to be a Lighting Operator at QPAC.”
The festivities begin at 9am with a Welcome to Country by Nunukul Yuggera on the Melbourne Street Green, followed by an eclectic program of entertainment including a breaking workshop with Elements Dance Collective, DJ sets by Jeremy Neale, Broadway Bingo, and live music from Toni Janke and Band.
Visitors can also expect:
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Backstage tours guided by QPAC’s production team, offering insights into how world-class performances are created.
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Production taster workshops in lighting, staging, stage management and wardrobe on the Playhouse stage.
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Technical activations on Opera Queensland’s La bohème set in the Lyric Theatre.
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A chance to operate a followspot in the Cremorne Theatre, illuminating props and costumes from the QPAC Collection.
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Two free organ recitals in the Concert Hall by Christopher Wrench (10am and 1pm).
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Pop-up performances throughout the building from local artists.
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A collaborative community artwork created live on the Green with artist and designer Penny Challen.
The Open Day is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with tactile tours for blind and low-vision patrons, Auslan-interpreted tours and workshops, step-free tour options, and a Deaf-led tour.
Special programs include BlackCard Cultural Tours, which will guide participants through First Nations public artworks and stories of the broader precinct, and a Cultural Precinct Architecture Tour led by former Queensland Government Architect Malcolm Middleton OAM LFRAIA.
In addition, highlights from the QPAC Collection – comprising more than 80,000 items including costumes, photographs, set designs and programs – will be on display in the Lyric foyer, accompanied by talks revealing the history and hidden stories of Queensland’s performing arts.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the event offered a unique look inside one of Queensland’s most iconic institutions. “For 40 years, QPAC has been the beating heart of Queensland’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. The QPAC 40 Open Day is a wonderful opportunity for the public to explore the centre’s inner workings and fascinating history through backstage tours, entertainment and activities for the whole family.”
While all events are free, bookings are essential for tours, recitals and select workshops via qpac.com.au.
The QPAC 40 Open Day is a chance to step into the beating heart of Queensland’s performing arts centre, celebrating four decades of creativity and connection – and offering a glimpse of an exciting future.