Brisbane’s Melt Festival began on 21 October, with a pink, 15-metre Rubber Duck on the river among the public artworks in its queer arts programme. The festival runs until 8 November.

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman created the duck. The festival lists it as a free installation on the Brisbane River, also known as Maiwar. An opening-day AAP photograph records it afloat at New Farm Park River Hub during a media call.

Elsewhere in the programme, the inaugural Mr First Nation pageant brings Indigenous drag kings to the stage. Its two heats are scheduled for 21 and 22 October, followed by the grand final at Brisbane Powerhouse on 23 October. The organisers describe it as growing from the legacy of Miss First Nation.

The river becomes a parade route on Saturday 24 October. The River Pride Parade is scheduled for 4pm, finishing at Brisbane Powerhouse. An opening-night party follows there from 6pm.

Check the individual programme pages for bookings and access details before setting out.

Brisbane Powerhouse produces Melt. This year’s opening puts queer art both on its stages and out on the river, where people can encounter it as part of the city’s everyday life.