BLEACH Festival 2026 Announces Spring Program at HOTA with 290+ Artists
The 2026 edition of the BLEACH Festival will take place at HOTA on the Gold Coast from October 1 to 11. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this festival has transformed into a significant multi-arts celebration, showcasing nearly 50 events, both free and ticketed, featuring over 290 artists. Notable performances include 'The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave' by Oli Matheson, 'Cuddle' by Harrison Ritchie-Jones, First Nations works like Karul's 'Kuramanunya', and 'A Simple Space' from Gravity and Other Myths. The local group Everybody NOW! will present 'BEACON' along with a community choir. The festival will conclude on October 11 with 'High Tide', which includes aerial ballet, jet-ski acts, and giant jellyfish puppets. Felix Preval, the Artistic Director, aims to foster pride in the Gold Coast.
Key facts
- BLEACH Festival 2026 runs from 1 to 11 October at HOTA on the Gold Coast.
- The festival has moved from winter to spring and will take over the HOTA precinct for 11 days and nights.
- Artistic Director Felix Preval leads the festival.
- The program includes nearly 50 free and ticketed events and over 290 artists.
- Highlights include Oli Matheson's 'The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave', Harrison Ritchie-Jones's 'Cuddle', and Karul's 'Kuramanunya'.
- First Nations companies Na Djinang and Arc Circus (with Yugambeh Dancers) are featured.
- Gravity and Other Myths' 'A Simple Space' will have its Queensland debut.
- Everybody NOW! presents 'BEACON' with Morag Myerscough and a community choir of 200.
- Closing ceremony 'High Tide' on 11 October features aerial ballet, jet-ski performers, and giant jellyfish puppets by Dead Puppet Society.
- The festival aims to make Gold Coasters proud and see their city in a new light.
Entities
Artists
- Felix Preval
- Oli Matheson
- Harrison Ritchie-Jones
- Morag Myerscough
- Karl S Williams
- Ella Fence
- Tijuana Cartel
- Diana Carroll
Institutions
- HOTA
- BLEACH Festival
- Na Djinang
- Arc Circus
- Yugambeh Dancers
- Gravity and Other Myths
- Everybody NOW!
- Dead Puppet Society
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
Locations
- Gold Coast
- Australia
- HOTA
- Queensland
- Berlin
- Adelaide
- London