We can think of more than a few lovely reasons to visit the Sunshine Coast this May. The weather is still splendid (it is called the Sunshine Coast, after all), the vibes are always high, the ocean is constantly sparkling. Oh – and Horizon is back, baby!

Featuring 10 days of challenging, clever and all-round fun events on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country, Horizon is an exploration of art, people and place. We’ve perused the program so that you don’t have to (although please do – there’s plenty more events to feast your eyes on) and we’ve wrangled together 10 top-notch events to check out at Horizon this year.

Plus, there's also 9 double passes up for grabs to see the legendary Full Flower Moon Band play live on May 4th! Head to our win page and enter for your chance to snag these sought-after tickets.

Have a squiz at our picks below and start planning your travels. Sunshine is awaiting!

BARKAA

BARKAA – May 2nd There are few artists who possess the prowess and power to live up to the mammoth task of performing on the Opening Night of Horizon. You can bet your bottom dollar, though, that BARKAA is most certainly one of them. The Malyangapa, Barkindji hip-hop artist has been sending ripples across Australia’s music scene over the last few years, and there’s no doubt that Maroochydore’s Solbar is going to be quaking with the force of this musician.

NO SOUVENIRS, image by Libby Harward

NO SOUVENIRS – May 2nd to May 11th What happens when you take some of the best emerging artists in the biz, add in curation from the formidable Libby Harward and mentoring from the phenomenal Darren Blackman? A spectacular exploration of the commodification imposed on Black art – that’s what. NO SOUVENIRS is as thought-provoking as it is stunning, featuring works that delve into experimentation of form and medium. Plus, it’s happening all throughout Horizon, so there’s no excuse to miss it.

Phantom Femme Fatale, image by Pedro Greig

Phantom Femme Fatale and BERSERK – May 3rd and May 4th If you’re a fan of the spooky and kooky, there’s no going past this double billing of Phantom Femme Fatale and BERSERK.

Choreographer and performer behind Phantom Femme Fatale, Jenni Large, mixes performance-art and dance through her reimagination of a vampiric character. Exploring the intertwining ideas of sex and power, this ripper performance is for all the horror heads out there.

BERSERK, image by Ketakii Jewson-Brown

Later in the evening, the show continues with the wonderous movement-based performance that is BERSERK. Exactly as the name would have you think, BERSERK is a wild and chaotic experimentation of pushing the human body to the limits. What’s more – BERSERK is a kickass exclusive event to Horizon 2025.

Catching a Whiff, image by Ellemay Fitzgerald

Catching a Whiff and Supperclub Mapleton Dining Experience – May 4th It’s another double-whammy of delight with this journey from farm to plate. Lowana Davies’ Catching a Whiff will lead you through a free guided walking tour of the splendid Falls Farm as the artist uses sensory surprises, conversation and nature to explore how we can connect to our environment through sound and smell.

Later in the afternoon (and just down the road), the Supperclub Mapleton Dining Experience will take things one step further with a Sunday lunch to rival all others. This swanky dining experience will see chef Cameron Mathews team up with Lowana for a specially curated meal, plus a musical performance from Gabriella Cohen.

In The Flesh

In The Flesh – May 6th Don’t just watch the show – draw it. In The Flesh by HOTMESS invites you to do just that with this kaleidoscope of art and performance that grabs the audience by the hand and pulls them right into the weeds of theatrical conversation. There’ll be costumes, soundscapes, life drawing, bold visuals, and – of course – bucketloads of fun.

Social Muscle Club, image by Artwork Agency

Social Muscle Club – May 7th Social Muscle Club is basically a combination of everything you could want from a festival event. Part intimate performance and live music, part cabaret and social games (plus delish food), Social Muscle Club brings strangers together through interactive performance, engaging conversation and the act of asking and receiving through play.

C.W. Stoneking

C.W. Stoneking – May 9th The music continues to send shivers down the spine of Solbar throughout Horizon as C.W. Stoneking preparers to take to the stage. The legendary Australian-American musician draws from a range of genres, styles and traditions that culminate in a sound as unique as the man behind the microphone. One moment you’ll be tapping your toes to early 20th century blues, the next you’ll be on your feet dancing to gospel-inspired electric guitar. 

OK Kenilworth, image by Kyle Dobie

OK Kenilworth – May 9th to May 10th There’s no doubt that “ok” is an understatement to describe the raucous fun and sweet wholesomeness of the event that is OK Motels. Taking over Kenilworth as part of Horizon, OK Kenilworth will include a chockfull weekend of free music, with a ticketed dinner and a show to top it all off on May 10th. The brains behind the event, OK Motels founder Kate Berry, has thrown her fair share of parties around Victoria already, including the famous OK Charlton. At the core of the OK Motels events is a mission for more mateship, so come prepared to meet your new best friends at OK Kenilworth.