If your kids love being creative, musical, theatrical or artistic, the Horizon Festival of Arts and Culture on Queensland’s stunning Sunshine Coast is just what your family needs.

And the great news is, most events are free.

From Friday, August 25 until Sunday, September 3 you can immerse yourself in 10 arts-fuelled days featuring more than 200 events in visual art, film, literature, performance, street art, comedy, music, theatre and new media, by local, national and international artists.

No matter where you’re staying, Horizon takes in iconic Sunshine Coast locations from the hinterland to the coast, including Caloundra, Coolum, Maroochydore, Nambour, Eumundi and Maleny.

Kids of all ages will love the internationally acclaimed Architects of Air’s Arboria luminarium, a monumental walk-in sculpture inspired by trees and nature and designed to generate a sense of wonder at the beauty of light and colour.

Presented by USC in association with Insite Arts, Arboria is a highlight on the 2017 program and thousands of visitors are expected to visit so make sure you book your free tickets early.

For music lovers, this Australian premiere will amaze. The Los Angeles based international installation artist, musician and visionary William Close, brings his famed Earth Harp to Australia for the first time to ignite Horizon with two free concert spectacles on Friday, August 25 in Caloundra.

During the concert, the body of the Earth Harp will rest on the stage and 24 harp strings will travel across the length of Kings Beach Amphitheatre, over the audience, transforming the venue into a colossal musical instrument. This opening night spectacle should not be missed.

Make a trip to one of the Coast’s most loved arts communities, Eumundi, and enjoy three days of creativity during Art St Eumundi from August 25-27.

From music, street art, spoken word and literature to epicurean delights, ancient crafts, digital animations and indigenous celebrations, Art St Eumundi will deliver a unique program that will inspire, engage, challenge and delight.

Don’t miss Eumundi School of Rock on Saturday, August 26, opening with the famous North Arm State School marimba band, the School of Rock scholarship winners, top rock outfit The Thump and the new Eumundi School of Rock Showband. The show closes with Sunshine Coast unearthed Indie Pop artist Ayla.

Here’s one for the parents. Put on your platforms, dust off the flares and head to Kings Beach Caloundra on Saturday, August 26 for Music on Kings Love Train. Experience the fabulous hits of 60s and 70s in an all singing, all dancing Motown, Soul and Disco spectacular.

So you think you don't know opera music? Think again, The Secret Life of Opera, presented by Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra, promises to be one for all the family with well-known opera music repertoire you'll recognise from film and advertising. Performances by the orchestra’s youth and wind symphonies, chamber strings and sinfonia ensembles will have you saying ‘I know that one!’. There is a small cost for this one, only $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

Heading out on Father’s Day? Why not take in the beachside suburb of Moffat Beach and soak up the good vibes, good times, and great music at the free Moffat Beach Originals concert on Sunday, September 3 from 1-5pm.

Head over to C-Square in Nambour on Saturday, August 26 between 10am – 4pm and have a play in the Pom Pom Palace, watch the House of Sole dancers and the Sunshine Coast Ukulele Masters, enjoy a comedy show with Captain Australia, walk through a Wordscape and make magical musical instruments with Junktown. Free again!

Teens, if the stage is calling, you’re in luck. Have a night away from the folks and join like-minded 13-17 year olds at the Play in a Day workshop from Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 August. Staying overnight, you will create a play in a fun-filled 24 hours, then step up and perform to a live audience.

For budding artists, there are so many amazing galleries, exhibitions, public art, street art and installations to discover while you’re exploring the region. Take a walk along the Coolum Boardwalk public art trail, check out the street art in Caloundra and Nambour or the sculpture garden at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden. For some live street art action, head to Ocean St and Duporth Ave in Maroochydore from August 28-30 for Stand By Me, and see internationally renowned street artist Beastman, and accomplished multidisciplinary artist MIMI (Emily Devers) as they transform the space.

Your kids will be doing cartwheels when then see this - a new favourite, and a must see on our list is iDIDIT! in Village Park, Birtinya. Local artist Russell Anderson has created a six metre high sculpture that captures the joy of playing and reflects a child doing a cartwheel.

For those wanting to learn something new, there are lots of awesome workshops to join such as African Drumming for Kids on Sunday, September 3 at 10am where you will be taken on a journey and learn the ancient rhythms of Africa. There is a $10 cost for this one.

For a bit of theatre, head along to The Events Centre in Caloundra on Friday, August 25 where younger kids will love the international touring mini musical production of We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, from the producers of Possum Magic and Wombat Stew. Tickets are $20 each.

For those aged 12 and over, unlock the mysteries of great performance poetry and join the Slam Poetry Workshop on Saturday, September 2, with Anisa Nandaula, winner of the Queensland Poetry Slam 2016. It’s only $12 to attend.

On the final festival weekend head up to the hinterland for Maleny Music Festival and Art St Maleny, where creativity will spill out into public spaces through local cafes, parks and venues.

The 6th Maleny Music Festival will deliver a line-up of home grown, interstate and international artists across six venues. The music festival also includes a children’s program, concerts, comedy, dance, poetry, blackboard opportunities, workshops, street performers, and food and artisan vendors. Refer to www.malenymusicfestival.com for festival times and ticket details.

Take a walk along the Forest Art Trail designed to educate children about native wildlife and join in the Dreamcatchers and Painted Stones Kids Workshop on Sunday, September 3.

With all this and more, Horizon Festival will delight art lovers of all ages.

For a unique and fun way to enjoy Horizon with the family, join our interactive scavenger hunt GooseChase and you could win tickets to the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2018. Download the GooseChase app to participate.

To find out more, check out the full program and book your tickets visit www.horizonfestival.com.au

Horizon is proudly presented by Sunshine Coast Council and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland.

Horizon is supported by USC, SunCentral, Youi, Telstra, Tourism and Events Queensland, APN Outdoor, 92.7 MixFM, SeaFM, Sunshine Coast Daily, Audi Centre Sunshine Coast, Visit Sunshine Coast and The Sebel Hotels.

ENDS

Media contact: Jacqui Azzopardi, Communication Officer

P: 5441 8446 / 0418 227 219  E: jacqui.azzopardi@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au