The Aiga Festival, held at South Bank Piazza in Meanjin (Brisbane), has concluded with resounding success, leaving attendees immersed in a rich tapestry of Indigenous, Pacific and Melanesian cultures.

Dancing groups from diverse backgrounds showcased their traditions, fostering a vibrant exchange of culture, language, and traditional stories.

The Festival was opened with a smoking ceremony by Turrbal man Uncle Joe Kirk and hosted by Havea, a popular Tongan TikTok creator with 1.2 million followers.

Co-Director Fonomatemua Josefo Nauer was elated with how the day turned out.

"It was a very good day, we are so pleased with it," he said.

"Everywhere I looked, people were cheering the kids on, which is what it's all about."

"Seeing the community come together - it's just a lovely thing to see."

Represented cultural groups included TSI Dance Group for Torres Strait Islands, Tadikaka for Papua New Guinea, Pou o Toa, Mr.Mr and Tilomai for Samoa, Te Ngakau for Maori/NZ, Avaikians for Cook Islands, Fenusina for Tonga, Fuata Mogonei for Niue, Te Foe for Tokelau, and UQ SPIA for Tuvalu.

The festival drew an impressive crowd of 2500 people, with many enticed by the sounds of beating drums and melodic singing, choosing to join in and witness the cultural displays.

"Having over 2000 people there was amazing considering the cancellation," Mr Nauer said.

"Some people who were at South Bank just for a swim heard the drums and the sound of the music and decided to come in, which is exactly what we wanted."

"The highlight for me was seeing the kids faces that got to perform and the people from the pacifica mixed in, with the people of the moana (people of the sea) and with our Indigenous people."

Local businesses added to the festival's charm, offering a variety of crafts, clothing, and food for attendees to enjoy on-site.

From traditional handicrafts to mouthwatering delicacies, the offerings added to the festival's vibrant atmosphere.

To ensure an enjoyable experience for all, dedicated areas were set up for elders and children, with volunteers tirelessly working throughout the day to cater to their needs and ensure seamless proceedings.

Tatou Aiga, the driving force behind the event, expressed immense satisfaction with the day's proceedings.

Their vision of creating a "cultural explosion" and celebration was realised, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

"It's only going to get bigger and better moving forward," Mr Nauer said.

"We're going to debreif during the week to see what we can improve on and fine-tune for the next Aiga Festival."