About Out of the Box

Out of the Box is an initiative of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane Australia. The festival is held bi-annually across multiple theatre spaces, foyers, outdoor areas, nooks and crannies within the state cultural complex and reaches children across the state of Queensland through outreach programs, regional delivery and touring productions.

Since 1992, Out of the Box has welcomed more than one million children, families and educators to share in the joy of creativity, imagination and discovery. Over its history, the festival has presented more than 1,600 performances, delivered 2,500 workshops and offered 9,500 free events and activities, becoming one of Australia’s most loved arts experiences for young audiences.

Created especially for children aged 0-8 years and their families, Out of the Box brings together theatre, music, visual arts, workshops and hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, learning and play. The festival celebrates the unique role of the arts in childhood, creating opportunities for children to explore new ideas, express themselves, and connect with the world around them.

For more than three decades, Out of the Box has been a leader in children’s arts and cultural programming, commissioning over 100 new works and championing exceptional artistic experiences designed specifically for young audiences. It works in partnership with artists, education institutions, government and non-government partners to uphold Australia’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Festival Purpose

Through world-class performances, interactive experiences, and opportunities for creative participation, the festival celebrates the power of imagination, storytelling, and lifelong learning.

Presented by QPAC, the festival is committed to ensuring children have access to high-quality cultural experiences that are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible. By connecting artists, educators, families and communities, Out of the Box fosters creativity, cultural curiosity and a lifelong engagement with the arts.

The festival’s successful return in 2025 marked an exciting new chapter after a seven-year hiatus. More than 100,000 people participated across performances, workshops, free events and cultural precinct activities, with audiences, schools, artists and community partners warmly embracing its return. Building on this momentum, Out of the Box continues to strengthen its legacy as a national leader in arts experiences for children, creating moments of wonder that inspire the next generation of creative thinkers, learners and dreamers.

2027 Theme: Belonging

Each year, Out of the Box embraces a theme that helps shape the festival program, inspiring the stories, experiences and conversations shared across the event. In 2027, the festival explores Belonging.

We believe every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and connected. Through welcoming and inclusive experiences, Out of the Box invites children and families to explore what it means to belong: to their families, communities, cultures, the places they call home and the natural world around them.

Through performances, workshops and interactive experiences, children can build confidence, deepen their sense of identity and discover new ways of connecting with others. The festival celebrates the many stories, perspectives, and experiences that make up our communities, creating opportunities for children to see themselves reflected while learning about the world around them.

By nurturing curiosity, empathy and connection, Out of the Box helps children feel part of something bigger and encourages them to find their unique place within it.