The Best Things To Do In Brisbane This Weekend
Dinushka Gunasekara
Brisbane Editor | Urban List
Rain, hail or shine, Brisbane is getting busy with an epic lineup of markets, pop-ups, festivals and more to ensure you don't waste a moment this weekend. Whether you're catching a show, swinging by a market, or simply want to get on top of what's on, this weekend's a doozy.
Check out the best things to do in Brisbane this weekend below:
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All Weekend
Romeo and Juliet
The Australian Ballet is in town with a love story for the ages. Catch Romeo and Juliet at the Lyric Theatre for a limited season, complete with richly detailed sets, breathtaking costumes and epic choreography. You know how the story goes, but seeing it told through ballet is a whole other experience—one that's well worth witnessing live. Tickets are going fast, so get yours ASAP here.
The Details
Where: Lyric Theatre, QPAC
When: 15 to 22 August
Find out more here.
Straddie Arts Trail
Image credit: Straddie Arts Trail | Supplied
Clear the weekend and catch the ferry to Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), because the wholesome Straddie Arts Trail is returning for its biggest year yet. Spanning 33 stops across Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout, the three-day trail will showcase more than 70 creatives through exhibitions, open studios, artist residencies, workshops, film screenings and cultural experiences.
Highlights include work by acclaimed Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins at the North Stradbroke Island Museum, Elisa Jane Carmichael and Renata Buziak’s Held in Blue exhibition, hands-on pottery, island-designed ceramics and swimwear, and the Hidden Treasures Art Show, where anonymous original artworks sell for just $20 in support of Dunwich State School. There’ll also be markets, high tea, local seafood and plenty of spectacular island scenery to enjoy between stops.
If you want to make a proper trip of it—and you should—book one of Straddie’s best accommodation options and settle in for the entire weekend.
The Details
When: 14–16 August 2026
Where: Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
Find out more here.
Ekka
Image credit: Ekka | Supplied
It’s that time of the year again, folks. The mighty Royal Queensland Show, Ekka, is right around the corner and they’re pulling out all the stops for their big 150th anniversary.
This year, there are nearly 100 brand new show bags, making it a mega library of 356, 81 of which are under the $10 mark—absolute bargain. And the newbies? Think Stranger Things, The Mandalorian, Formula One x Kit Kat, Micky Mouse, Hersheys and Reece’s, and for a good dose of nostalgia for the big kids, there’s a delightful Ovaltine number.
Speaking of new things, music lovers can revel at the Ekka After Dark experience on Tuesday 11 August. Casey Barnes is among the exciting line-up of artists gracing the stage at The Tivoli. Tickets are sold separately here.
For a source of energy to fuel your adventures, do the organised thing and pre-order your exclusive Ekka Strawberry Sundae to pick up on the day at any of the dedicated Strawberry Sundae vendors.
We haven’t even scratched the surface. You can look forward to a plethora of things to do—many of which are entirely free—such as a flavourful cooking stage demos, flower beard competitions, drag queen bingo, dancing, live music, delicious food, refreshing bevs, cat shows, animal petting zoos, carnival rides and (some how) so much more. Read up the full program over here.
The Details
When: 8–16 August
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
Find out more and purchase your tickets here.
Night Feast
This neon-lit food and art festival is returning to Brisbane Powerhouse, making its winter debut with 20+ of Brisbane’s best restaurants dropping exclusive dishes and street eats for the occasion. There’s a smorgasbord of flavour to work your way through, from Japanese carbonara udon by Ruby, My Dear, birria-style duck pancakes by Aunty and baked cheesecake gelato by Messina. In between bites, check out the large-scale art installations and immersive music experiences transforming this riverside precinct under the stars. Read all about it here.
The Details
When: 4:30pm–9pm, Wednesday to Friday, 4pm–9pm Saturday, 3pm–8pm Sunday until 23 August
Where: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Find out more here.
Book Of Mormon
Image credit: Book Of Mormon | Daniel Boud
Arguably Australia’s favourite musical, the record-breaking Book of Mormon is officially returning to Brisbane’s QPAC in 2026 as funny and fearless as ever. The Tony, Olivier and Grammy award-winning production has set house records at 27 theatres across the US, broke sales records at New York’s Eugene O’Neill Theater more than 50 times, and set the London record for the highest single day of sales in West End history. Closer to home, the Australian premiere season achieved the highest selling on-sale period of any production in Melbourne’s Princess Theatre’s 159-year history. In other words, whether it’s your first or your fifth, you need to see this hilarious and ground-breaking musical from the creators of South Park, which follows a pair of mismatched Mormon missionaries who go on a trek to spread the good word far from home. Grab your tickets here.
The Details
When: 31 July to 4 October
Where: Glasshouse Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane
Find out more here.
Cirque Du Soleil’s KOOZA
Image credit: KOOZA | Alex Coppel
Roll up, roll up because the iconic Big Top is once again landing in Brisbane—bringing the thrilling and internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil production KOOZA to town. As jaw-dropping as it is hilarious, KOOZA is undeniably one of Cirque du Soleil’s most daring touring productions with its mind-boggling acrobatics, death-defying stunts and return to the art of clowning. It’s mesmerised more than eight million spectators around the world, and will no doubt do the same here from August 2026 in a world full of surprises, thrills, chills and delights. Get your tickets here.
The Details
When: 1 August to 4 October 2026
Where: 465 Curtin Ave, Eagle Farm
Find out more here.
The Red Dress
Image credit: The Red Dress | Joe Ruckli
There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the incredible piece of pure artistry on display for the first time in Australia at the Museum of Brisbane. The Red Dress is an award-winning global community art project 14 years in the making. Created by British artist Kirstie Macleod, the poignant piece has travelled the world to be embroidered on by 367 women, 11 men and two non-binary artists from 51 countries.
From refugees to survivors of war, The Red Dress holds the Guiness World Record for the largest collaborative embroidery project with an estimated 1.5 billion stitches incorporated into the piece—telling the stories of marginalised voices and shining a light on important social issues in a truly awe-inspiring kind of way. The Red Dress has been exhibited in major galleries and at political gatherings across the globe, and now you can see it for yourself right here in Brisbane for free.
The Details
When: 25 July to 13 September
Where: Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane CBD
Find out more here.
Dinos Alive
Image credit: Dinos Alive | Supplied
An absolute blast from the past is coming to Brisbane, with more than 80 towering dinosaurs roaring before your eyes. The pop-up Dinos Alive immersive experience lets you get up close and personal with animatronic replicas of your favourite dinosaurs, including the T-rex, stegosaurus, triceratops and velociraptor. There’s also a virtual aquarium where you can dive into the world of sea giants, plus budding paleontologists can dig for fossils with state-of-the-art VR technology. This larger-than-life exhibition is perfect for families or anyone who smashed through that new dino doc so don’t miss out—grab your tickets here.
The Details
When: Until 30 August
Where: Skygate Precinct, Brisbane Airport
Find out more here.
Horizons of Khufu
Image credit: Horizons of Khufu | Supplied
If you thought the only way you’d ever visit Ancient Egypt was through a time machine, think again because a fully immersive experience is coming to Brisbane where you can walk like an Egyptian. The free-roaming VR experience will send you back 4,500 years to explore iconic landmarks in all their glory—from soaring over the Great Pyramids of Giza at sunrise to a boat journey through the Nile. The cutting-edge technology means you’ll have 360º panoramic views throughout your 45-minute expedition, plus you can see and interact with your fellow adventurers. Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for kids—grab yours now here.
The Details
When: Until 31 October
Where: Fever Hub Brisbane, 123 Gotha Street, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
Alcotraz
Image credit: Alcotraz | Supplied
While we don’t normally suggest ending up behind bars on your next night out, Brisbane’s new and immersive cocktail experience invites you to do just that. Inspired by Hollywood’s greatest prison stories, Alcotraz gives you an inmate number and orange jumpsuit to pop on before ushering you into a speakeasy-style cell block for the evening. It’s part role-play/part bar, as crooked guards and bootlegging accomplices whisk you into the world while pouring signature cocktails like the dangerously smooth Conspiracy (premium mezcal, burnt coconut tequila, pineapple and a hint of cinnamon) or the Crime of Passion (passionfruit liqueur, strawberry puree, lime, cranberry and orange). Tickets are $65 and you can grab yours here.
The Details
When: Until 30 September
Where: 123 Gotha Street, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
Prison Island
Image credit: Prison Island | Supplied
This isn’t your average escape room. One for the adrenaline junkies and puzzle solvers alike, the globally captivating Prison Island is officially coming to Brisbane and putting you to the test. The interactive adventure features more than 30 unique ‘cells’ that require you and your mates to put your heads together across a combination of action games, sports and strategy. With 90 minutes on the clock, your team needs to conquer as many challenges as possible to earn a coveted spot on the leaderboard—dodging laser beams, escaping cages, and taking part in the most high stakes game of whack-a-mole you’ve ever encountered. You can book here.
The Details
When: Until 29 November
Where: 162 Alfred St, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
The God Of Small Things
Image credit: QAGOMA | Supplied
If you’re intrigued by faith, visual culture, and how the divine finds its way into daily life across cultures, then QAGOMA’s latest free exhibition will be right up your alley. Featuring stunning and rare oleographs dating back to the late 1800s, this insightful showcase was created in collaboration with conservationists based in Bengaluru, India—letting you witness how the divine exists all around us from the other side of the world.
The Details
When: Until 5 October 2026
Where: QAGOMA, South Brisbane
Find out more here.
Precious
Image credit: Museum of Brisbane | Supplied
Explore more than 3,000 items generously loaned from around 30 incredible collections and collectors at Precious—Museum of Brisbane’s new major exhibition that doubles as a veritable treasure trove. With many on display for the first time, this charming assortment offers a glimpse into the cherished collections usually hidden within suburban homes and buildings across Brisbane. From international dolls to ornamental eggs and wind-up toys, Precious covers the rare, beautiful and intriguing while honouring the dedication and stories of Brisbane enthusiasts. The free exhibition is worth a visit for the sheer scale and variety alone, with objects from some of the city’s most fascinating institutions (think the Embroiders’ Guild QLD, Queensland Maritime Museum, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia QLD) sitting alongside lovingly gathered curiosities that capture a truly unique side of the people that call Brisbane home.
The Details
When: Until Autumn 2027
Where: Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
Find out more here.
Friday 14 August
Night Shift
Teneriffe's favourite coffee haunt Sippy Tom's is swapping flat whites for smash burgers, just this once. From 5pm, the cafe is opening its doors after dark for one night only, dishing up thin and crispy patties loaded with sweet and spicy pickles and their signature burger sauce, alongside spritzes and wine to wash it all down. If the after-hours switch-up has you feeling some type of way, ease in with their cold foam coffee negroni—the perfect bridge between your daytime order and your nighttime one. Book a spot here.
The Details
Where: 2/54 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe
When: 5pm to 9pm, Friday 14 August
Find out more here.
Saturday 15 August
Ekka Country Music Showdown
Calling all country music lovers—the Ekka Country Music Showdown is back and it's the ultimate search for Australia's next big star. Head to the XXXX Stockmen's Bar & Grill to catch up-and-coming artists take the stage in front of Ekka crowds and industry professionals, competing across a junior category (12-17 years) and an open category (18+) for a prize pool valued at over $80,000. If you're heading to the show this Saturday, make sure you swing by.
The Details
Where: 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
When: 9am to 6pm, Saturday 15 August
Find out more here.
Better Off Red
Image credit: Night Feast | Supplied
Brisbane’s ever-popular Night Feast is adding a new occasion to the lineup in Better Off Red: an indulgent one-day-only long lunch dishing up bold flavours, breathtaking performances and sensory theatrics. In the kitchen will be Bosco’s Simon Hill and Blackbird Brisbane’s Jake Nicholson, who are pulling together a flame-led spread with the likes of grilled tiger prawns with romesco, chorizo glazed in hard cider and wood barbecued cumin-spiced spring lamb with quince and mint—all paired with D’Arenberg wines. Sprawled across the Performance Lawn, you’ll also have front-row seats to unexpected live performances, combining fine dining and performance art into an unforgettable experience. Tickets are $269 and available here.
The Details
When: 12pm to 2:30pm, 16 August
Where: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Find out more here.
Bar Miette x Fountainhead
The Sunday sesh of all Sunday seshes is landing this weekend. For one afternoon only, Bar Miette's terrace is being taken over by the Fountainhead crew, pouring seasonal wines and cocktails alongside snacks straight off the grill. With warmer days finally on the horizon, there's no better way to farewell winter than soaking up the sun with gorgeous river views in hand.
The Details
Where: Bar Miette, Brisbane CBD
When: From 2pm, Sunday 16 August
Find out more here.
Northside Collectors Market
Treasure hunters, this one's for you. The Northside Collectors Market is your chance to explore 80+ dealers slinging antique and vintage finds, from dolls, china and ceramics to vinyl, furniture, jewellery, coins and all the bric-a-brac in between. There's also free gold and silver jewellery cleaning on offer, and before you list anything on Marketplace, bring your own vintage pieces along for free advice and appraisals. Entry is $8, and come prepared with cash.
The Details
Where: South Pine Sports Complex, Brendale
When: 9am to 2pm, Sunday 16 August
Find out more here.
Looking for more things to do this weekend? We've got you:
If you like food, try:
If you like exploring, try:
If you like shopping, try:
Main image credit: Night Feast | Supplied
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