Explore the concerts and events at AFCM 2025.
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AFCM Concert Conversations 2
Monday 29 July
Venue: Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre at Pimlico State High School.
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AFCM Concert Conversations 3
Wednesday 30 July
Venue: Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre at Pimlico State High School.
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AFCM Concert Conversations 4
Thursday 31 July
Venue: Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre at Pimlico State High School.
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AFCM Concert Conversations 5
Friday 1 August
Venue: Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre at Pimlico State High School.
Event Information
Start Time: 10:00 am Finish Time: 12:00pm
- Tea & coffee from 9:30am
- Doors open 9:45am
- Concerts include a 15 minute interval following the interview component
- All five (5) Concert Conversations are included in both Gold and Gold Plus Subscriptions. Shuttle transport along major routes is included.
- All five (5) Concert Conversations are eligible for selection as part of a Silver or Silver Plus Subscription.
AFCM Concert Conversations 1 will be held at the Townsville Civic Theatre on Saturday 26 July.
AFCM Concert Conversations 2 - 5 will be held at the Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre at Pimlico State High School from Monday 28 July - Friday 1 August.
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Ray Golding Sunset Series 1 - Horn of Plenty
Saturday 26 July
Experience the brilliance of horn virtuoso Stefan Dohr.
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Ray Golding Sunset Series 2 - Sunset Screening
Sunday 27 July
Join us for a screening of the silent film Scandal in Bohemia, accompanied by live performances by Festival Artists.
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Ray Golding Sunset Series 3 - Baroque Sunset
Monday 27 July
Immerse yourself in the elegance of the Baroque era.
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Ray Golding Sunset Series 4 - Goodman's Clarinet
Wednesday 30 July
Celebrate the timeless charm of the clarinet, inspired by the legendary artistry of Benny Goodman.
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Ray Golding Sunset Series 5 - Song of the Reed
Thursday 31 July
Let the soulful voice of the reed instruments transport you through melodies of reflection and joy.
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Ray Golding Sunset Series 6 - The Final Sunset
Friday 1 August
The Final Sunset concert brings the Ray Golding Sunset Series to a stunning close
Event Information
Start Time: 5:00 pm Finish Time: 6:00pm
- Doors open 4:45pm
- All six Ray Golding Sunset Series concerts are included in both Gold and Gold Plus Subscriptions and shuttle transport is provided along major routes.
- All six Ray Golding Sunset Series concerts are eligible for selection as part of a Silver or Silver Plus Subscription.
The Ray Golding Sunset Series concerts are held at the Townsville Civic Theatre.
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AFCM Opening Night Concert - Reawaken!
Friday 25 July
Featuring Artistic Director Jack Liebeck and many of the stellar Festival artists, including UK soprano Carolyn Sampson and the Australian String Quartet, tonight’s Opening Night sees the Festival bloom with a celebration of the greatest music
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AFCM Governor's Gala - Heavenly Serenade
Saturday 26 July
Prepare to be transported by a program of celestial beauty and sublime melodies.
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AFCM Sunday Night Concert - Bohemian Rhapsodies
Sunday 27 July
Join us for a special Sunday night concert celebrating the spirit of the old Bohemia through the music of Dvorák, Martinu, and Janácek.
* This concert includes a single-course dinner and glass of wine for Gold Plus Subscribers only from 6:15pm in the AFCM Festival Garden.
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AFCM Evening Concert 1 - Final Words
Monday 28 July
Tonight’s poignant program features Chausson’s last completed work, Nicole Murphy’s response to the impact of COVID in 2020, Andrew Ford’s reflections on a piece by Seán Ó Riada, and Mahler’s unfinished symphony.
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AFCM Evening Concert 2 - Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn!
Wednesday 30 July
Experience a musical showdown featuring works by Liszt, Brahms, Glass, Reich, and Tchaikovsky. Bold rivalries and spats are found amongst composers too, yet each person’s creative brillian
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AFCM Evening Concert 3 - Baroque Temptations
Thursday 31 July
Tonight we indulge in the rich textures and intricate beauty of Baroque music.
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AFCM Closing Concert - Farewell... But not for long!
Friday 1 August
Join us for the Festival's grand finale, featuring an exceptional program performed by our brilliant ensemble of artists. Celebrate the closing moments with music that promises to linger in your heart until we meet again.
Event Information
Start Time: 7:30 pm Finish Time: 9:30 - 9:45pm Interval: 20 min
- Doors open 7:10pm, latecomers will be admitted after the first work.
- All Evening Concerts including the Opening Night, the Governor’s Gala and the Festival Finale are included in both Gold and Gold Plus Subscriptions and shuttle transportation along major routes is included.
- All Evening Concerts including the Opening Night, the Governor’s Gala and the Festival Finale are eligible for selection as part of a Silver or Silver Plus Subscription.
Evening Concerts are held at the Townsville Civic Theatre.
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AFCM Illuminates 1 - The Shortest History of Music with Andrew Ford
Saturday 26 July
Award-winning broadcaster and composer Andrew Ford takes us on a lively journey through thousands of years of music, packed with fascinating characters and surprising insights.
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AFCM Illuminates 2 - Who's afraid of the big, bad serialists?
Monday 28 July
Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Serialists? marks the passing of the alarm these composers once threw out.
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AFCM Illuminates 3 - The Shortest History of Music with Andrew Ford Part 2
Wednesday 30 July
Andrew Ford continues his engaging exploration of music's rich history - discover why music remains a universal and essential part of the human experience.
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AFCM Illuminates 4 - Botanical Rarities presented by James Cook University
Thursday 31 July
Botanical Rarities, presented in partnership with James Cook University, explores the connections between music and the natural world.
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AFCM Illuminates 5 - The Ageing Brain
Friday 1 August
The Ageing Brain examines the relationship between neuroscience and music.
Event Information
Start Time: 3:00 pm Finish Time: 4:00pm
- AFCM Illuminates events are included in Gold Plus Subscriptions only. Transport is not included.
- All AFCM Illuminates are eligible for selection as part of a Silver or Silver Plus Subscription.
AFCM Illuminates is held in C2, at the Townsville Civic Theatre
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AFCM Pathways Program International Masterclasses 1
Monday 28 July
Venue: Townsville Civic Theatre - C2
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AFCM Pathways Program International Public Masterclass 2
Wednesday 31 July
Venue: Townsville Civic Theatre - C2
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AFCM Pathways Program International Public Masterclass 3
Thursday 31 July
Venue: Townsville Civic Theatre - C2
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AFCM Pathways Program International Public Masterclasses Concert
Friday 1 August
Venue: Townsville Civic Theatre - Main
Event Information
Start Time: 1:00 pm Finish Time: 2:00pm
- AFCM Pathways Program International Public Masterclasses are FREE to attend - they are held in C2 at the Townsville Civic Theatre
- AFCM Pathways Program International Public Masterclasses Concert is included in Gold and Gold Plus Subscriptions - Shuttle transport is not provided.
- TheAFCM Pathways Program International Public Masterclasses Concert will be held on the main stage at the Townsville Civic Theatre.
The AFCM 2025 Special Event series features three unique and unforgettable experiences. From the AFCM Festival Garden, to Orpheus-Goolboddi Island and Magnetic Island-Yunbenun, explore more music in the tropics with AFCM's Special Event program.
- All 3 AFCM 2025 Special Events are included in Gold Plus Subscriptions only. Transport is not provided.
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AFCM 2025 Long Table Lunch
Friday 25 July
Start: 12:30pm Finish: 2:00pm
Venue: AFCM Festival Garden (located in the forecourt of the Townsville Civic Theatre)
Join us for the AFCM 2025 Long Table Lunch in the AFCM Festival Garden, located in the forecourt of the Townsville Civic Theatre. Kick off the Festival with delicious food, good company, and lively conversation featuring music from the Andromeda Quartet. Enjoy a two-course meal with a glass of wine or soft drink included, full bar facilities and a relaxing garden atmosphere - the perfect setting to connect with fellow Festival goers and immerse yourself in the spirit of AFCM before the festivities begin.
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AFCM Annual Orpheus-Goolboddi Island Concert
Tuesday 29 July
Depart: 12:30pm Return: 8:00pm
Departs from: Sealink Ferry Terminal, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive
Embark on an unforgettable day trip to Orpheus-Goolboddi Island, beginning with a scenic ferry ride where whale sightings are often a highlight. Enjoy refreshments on board before arriving at the island’s tranquil shores. Spend time exploring untouched beaches, swimming in crystal-clear waters, or soaking up the natural beauty. Later, settle on the beach for a special concert by Festival musicians, then relax on the return journey with dinner and a stunning sunset.
Meet at the Sealink Breakwater Terminal at 12:00pm for departure. Estimated return time is 8:00pm.
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AFCM's Arcadian Concert on Magnetic Island-Yunbenun
Saturday 2 August 2025
Start Time: 3:00 pm I Finish Time: 6:00pm
Venue: Arcadian Surf Club at Alma Bay
Celebrate the grand finale of AFCM 2025 with the Arcadian Concert on Magnetic Island-Yunbenun. Set at the newly remodelled Arcadian Surf Club overlooking Alma Bay, this unforgettable evening combines live music from Festival musicians with stunning ocean and sunset views. Enjoy a curated selection of cocktails and delicious canapes as the waves provide a stunning backdrop to a mesmerizing performance. Join us for an elegant close to the Festival, surrounded by natural beauty.
Depart and return at leisure from the Sealink Breakwater Ferry Terminal in Townsville using your return Sealink ferry ticket or select ‘event only’ to make your own way to and from the event.
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Sunday 27 July
Start Time: 11:00 am Finish Time: 12:30 pm Doors Open: 10:45am
Join us for a Sunday morning concert in the exquisite acoustics of St James' Cathedral.
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AFCM Festival Garden - FREE Concerts & Events Daily!
Located in the forecourt of the Townsville Civic Theatre, the AFCM Festival Garden will feature Free Concerts for all ages from Saturday 27 July through Friday 1 August 2025.
See below for more information on opening hours and programming.
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AFCM Annual Queens Gardens Concert with the Barrier Reef Orchestra
Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon at the AFCM Queens Gardens Concert, a free, all-ages community concert featuring the Barrier Reef Orchestra and Festival Artists. Bring your picnic, family, friends, and even your dog to this all-ages celebration of music in the park.
Start Time: 3:00pm I Finish Time: 4:30pm
Venue: Queens Gardens
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AFCM Children's Concert
Join us for the free AFCM Children’s Concert in the AFCM Festival Garden - a fun-filled, family-friendly experience featuring world-class Festival Artists. With music that delights and entertains, it’s the perfect way to introduce kids and families to the joy of live performance.
Start Time: 2:00pm I Finish Time: 3:00pm
Venue: AFCM Festival Garden in the Townsville Civic Theatre Forecourt.
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AFCM In Conversation
AFCM In Conversation events are held in C2 at the Townsville Civic Theatre. View the full program on the AFCM Festival Garden page.
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AFCM Pathways Program International Public Masterclasses 1 - 3
Masterclass 1: Monday 28 July Masterclass 2: Wednesday 30 July Masterclass 3: Thursday 31 July
Experience the journey of Australia’s finest young chamber musicians as they refine their craft under the guidance of world-class mentors. These public masterclasses are FREE, offering a unique opportunity to watch Festival Artists tutor, guide, and inspire the next generation of talent.
Start Time: 1:00pm Finish Time: 2:00pm
Venue: Townsville Civic Theatre - C2
