Experience the Rangebow Festival

Maleny, Montville and Flaxton.... the places to be seen in full colour, with more than 36 unique events to experience over the 4-day event with plenty of free activities as well as ticketed events. 

Sunshine Coast Council Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston OAM said the Rangebow Festival was a bright light on the Sunshine Coast events calendar welcoming everyone to our Hinterland for a series of creative and inclusive events and activities. 

“In its third year, the event is an opportunity to connect and engage our communities to build a better future for everyone," Cr Johnston said.

"The festival was proudly supported by Council through the Major Events Sponsorship Program’s Emerging Events category.

“As a sponsor of this event and many others, our message to everyone is to buy tickets early so that event organisers have the confidence to keep delivering creative and entertaining experiences like the Rangebow Festival.”

The Rangebow Festival Director, Wayne Parcell declared, delivering on our promise following last year’s festival, some of the best things at Rangebow 2024 are FREE!

"The Enchanted Garden at Montville is offering FREE entertainment over three days with full days of live music, entertainment, quirky performances and so much more," Mr Parcell said.

"Everyone can find some joy in the festival, especially in these tough times.

"You will be entertained thanks to the generosity of event sponsor Montville Gourmet Bistro who is picking up the tab.

“The line-up includes Frank and Louis, Shanleigh Rose, Lee Hardisty, Andy V and Curbside Carnies circus performances.  

"Bring the whole family, picnic on the Montville Village Green, enjoy a drink, grab a snack and relax.  

"Let your hair down with the free Totally Tubular 80s Dance Extravaganza with singer-comedian Daryl Murphy. 

"The kids get their own dance party too with the GLOWTOPIA kids disco – the kids get to dance it off and their parents are the crowd controllers!”

2024 Program Highlights

Rangebow 2024 will open with an exceptional world premiere event, Sunrise Chorus: a sensory feast enhanced by the soundscape of an original composition of Clifford Bradley, capturing this moment. Performed by a specially created 11 piece orchestra of professional artists of national and international acclaim.  

Sunrise in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is a beautiful time of day to experience the unique landscape of forest, mountain, ocean and sky, best captured from the Blackall Mountain Range in Jinibara Country: birds and insects begin to wake; the wind through the trees and grasses unobstructed by ‘human’ interference.

Additionally, this orchestra will perform a 35 minute program of much-loved classical pieces to welcome Rangebow 2024. 

Forage Fire Feast is a fiery First Nations gourmet food and culture experience at Flaxton Gardens that will sell-out fast as it did last year.  Or, for something more risqué, After-dinner mintz - Burlesque night with Scarlet Tinkerbell (pictured above) and The Kitty-Kats will have you clamouring for more in Maleny.

The Opera Symphony Premiere features the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra playing a classical and operatic program with acclaimed opera singers.  For a more intimate experience, the glass and stone Chapel of Love has limited tickets for an exquisite concert of harp, flute and cello. Or for something else, Hello Gorgeous brings you a magical afternoon with the Barbra Streisand songbook.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side – Platypus Whispers for experiences of land and nature that might have you face to bill with a platypus guided by global sensation, Neil Andison, The Platypus Whisperer. For something quirky, the Drag Run-a-way Pageant returns after previous sell-out years with new contestants performing with some of Australia’s leading drag performers – a night of sensational costumed characters. Recover with a side of tree-planting at Plant & Party with live music while you plant some trees in a revegetation zone in Russell Family Park, Montville.

The world premiere interactive theatre experience Come fly with me will have you reaching for the oxygen mask and your life jacket, if you’re not laughing in the aisles.  If you are feeling a bit sporty, try the Tennis High Tea event at the Montville Tennis Club – play tennis with a drag queen while enjoying champagne, live music and delicious snacks.

If you are looking for something deeper, A conversation in loneliness: The Great Separation, a unique curated discussion with Joey Fry, protagonist in the documentary ‘The Great Separation’ and aspiring paralympian.  This event offers a unique social perspective and a call to action for everyone.

The Rangebow Microfilm Fest & Competition offers screenings and cash prizes and is supported by the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective – something special for aspiring filmmakers and film buffs.

Maybe you just want to chill at the Sound Bath immersive meditation and music experience at Mapleton.  Sound Healer, Luke Marino, accompanied by the Sunshine Chimes, with gongs, music and voice radiating to relieve you of your worldly concerns.

About the Festival

The Rangebow Festival is supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Visit Sunshine Coast, Tourism & Events Queensland and number of business sponsors.

Festive Director Wayne Parcell said the festival had a purpose and was values-driven. 

"We seek to respond to the higher aspirations of the community – we challenge stereotypes to bring people together identifying those things we have in common with kindness as the foundation," Mr Parcell said.

"The future of our festival lies in its core values.  

"The festival future stands on its core values, and those values don’t go out of fashion."