Multicultural Australia’s LUMINOUS Lantern Parade, with its glow of colours and lights, returns to South Bank Parklands on Friday, 9 June 2023, in a spectacular celebration of welcome.

Now in its sixteenth year, Multicultural Australia’s LUMINOUS Lantern Parade has grown to become Queensland’s largest parade celebrating our fast-growing cultural diversity.

Multicultural Australia CEO, Christine Castley, sees this event as an important celebration of Queensland’s cultural diversity, as Multicultural Australia celebrates its 25-year anniversary in 2023.

“LUMINOUS is all about highlighting the warm spirit of welcome, connection and belonging that is extended to everyone living in Queensland,” Ms Castley said.

“It is a time to celebrate our many culturally and linguistically diverse communities who have made their home here, letting them know that their cultures are accepted and embraced.”

Featuring up to 100 groups walking in the parade – from cultural groups and schools to religious communities, government, and corporate organisations – LUMINOUS takes a symbolic walk along the South Bank promenade.

“South Bank is the perfect setting for LUMINOUS. Apart from being Brisbane’s designated cultural precinct, the iconic Brisbane River and illuminated Brisbane city skyline feature as the backdrop of the procession – symbolic of the vibrant and fast-growing cultural diversity of our city and state.”

The event culminates in Multicultural Australia’s signature LUMINOUS World Music Concert at South Bank Piazza. This energising event will feature a wide range of performers from refugee and migrant backgrounds and will showcase Multicultural Australia’s story of creating welcome and belonging in Queensland.

“For 25 years, Multicultural Australia has worked in the Queensland community to create belonging and to change the conversation about the many communities and cultures who live here and who make a significant economic, social, and cultural contribution in Queensland.”

“The World Music Concert features music and performances that reflect the rich diversity of sounds, rhythms, and traditions of Queensland’s multicultural communities.”

Multicultural Australia’s LUMINOUS Lantern Parade will also light up communities across Southeast Queensland with a series of LUMINOUS in the Neighbourhood events in Inala, Kingston East, Mount Gravatt, Redbank Plains and Zillmere, as well as LUMINOUS in the Regions events in the Lockyer Valley, Rockhampton, and Toowoomba.

For media enquiries please contact Stanton Dunn, Communications, Marketing and Events Manager on 0493 291 699 or stantond@multiculturalaustralia.org.au