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 gig, 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
Mini Beauty Mart
This weekend, you’ll be rewarded for your retail therapy at Indro with a pop-up Mini Beauty Mart landing in the centre full of travel-sized skincare heroes, cult-status cosmetics and pint-sized perfumes from the shopping centre’s leading beauty and wellness brands. We’re talking Sephora, Endota Spa, Bangn Body, KORA Organics, and more. Spend $150 in-centre at participating stores and you can redeem three minis for free or simply head straight to the mart to shop the range.
The Details
When: 10am to 2pm, Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March
Where: Level 2 (near Camilla), Indooroopilly Shopping Centre
Find out more here.
2026 UQ Alumni Book Fair
Set your sights on more than 130,000 books, magazines, records and more pre-loved goodies from as little as $1 at UQ’s annual Alumni Book Fair. Raising funds for student scholarships and research at UQ, this page-turning extravaganza is always a hit for anyone looking to expand their shelves for less. The fair is on all weekend with free activities for book lovers of all ages on Saturday 28 February.
The Details
When: Friday 27 February to Sunday 1 March
Where: UQ Centre, St Lucia
Find out more here.
Margarita Month at Iris Rooftop
Image credit: Iris Rooftop | Supplied
One day simply isn’t enough to celebrate your favourite salt-rimmed cocktail, which is why Iris Rooftop is turning World Margarita Day into a six-week-long affair complete with exclusive flavours and tasty pairings. Until Sunday 29 March, you can pick your poison on the Patron Margarita menu with the help of cheeky ‘What’s Your Flavour’ quiz cards. Are you bold and spicy? Balanced and timeless? Vibrant and playful? Or the coolest of your crew? Iris has a margarita for that, as well as a Tequilas & Tapas menu that pairs each drink with a tapas dish like crab tostada, croquettes with chimichurri rojo or baked half-shell scallops. Book here.
The Details
When: Until Sunday 29 March
Where: Iris Rooftop, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
Platform 2026
Image credit: Institute Of Modern Art | Katy Bedford
You can always trust the Institute of Modern Art to spotlight incredible new artists within their free public gallery, and Platform 2026 is no exception. This year’s annual showcase of Queensland-emerging talent is now open so you can explore fascinating perspectives from three up-and-coming artists. There’s Dean Ansell’s monolithic metal sculpture in an interpretation of Melanesian mythologies, Spencer Harvie’s surreal explorations of AI-generated slop, and Seren Wagstaff’s sex-toys-turned-orchestral-machine examining queer innuendos within working-class subcultures. While you’re at IMA, make sure to check out John Stezaker’s Kisses and Trains—compositions of old film stills in a cheeky nod to the birth of cinema.
The Details
When: From 24 January
Where: Institute Of Modern Art, 420 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
Make A Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity And Club Culture In The 90s
Image credit: Make A Scene | Kenn Bushby Collection
Take yourself back to an iconic era of Australian queer culture with Queensland Museum's latest free exhibition: Make A Scene. The fashion-forward 90s showcase features all things colour, camp, pop culture and community—from fearless self-expressions of LGBTQIA+ identity to the Brisbane-based labels that defined the era. Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the immersive exhibition is your chance to engage with personal stories that unfolded on the underground nightclub and dance party scene. It’s glamorous, it’s moving and it’s full of pride.
The Details
When: Until 19 July 2026
Where: Queensland Museum Kurilpa, South Brisbane
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 March 2026
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 2026
Where: Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
Find out more here.
Friday 27 February
Latin Fiesta Markets
A vibrant fiesta is taking over Wolloongabba this Friday night with bold Latin flavours, lively beats and market stalls for the treasure hunters in your group. Make your way through the food trucks or get those hips moving with the help of the DJ on deck. The Latin Fiesta Markets are family-friendly (dogs included) and free for everyone making it an absolute no brainer.
The Details
When: 4:30pm to 8:30pm, Friday 27 February
Where: South/City/SQ, Woolloongabba
Find out more here.
G Flip
Don’t be The Worst Person Alive—spend your Friday night rocking out with G Flip at Riverstage. Touching down in Brisbane for their world tour, this Aussie legend will be joined by Ayesha Madon and The Beaches for a night straight out of your Disco Cowgirl dreams. Get your tickets here.
The Details
When: Friday 27 February
Where: Riverstage, Brisbane CBD
Find out more here.
Saturday 28 February
Lunar New Year Rooftop Party
Set your eyes to the sky and let your jaw hang low because Sunnybank’s annual Lunar New Year rooftop party is back this Saturday. Featuring Brisbane’s first-ever Lunar New Year drone show lighting up the sky just after 7pm, the crowd-fave fireworks display will be off with a bang at 8pm. When you’re not “ooing” and “aahing” at the sights above, you can enjoy lion and dragon performances, live entertainment, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Plus, your favourite Sunnybank restaurants will be dishing up feasts, including Lunar New Year specials.
The Details
Where: Sunnybank Plaza, Sunnybank
When: From 5pm, Saturday 28 February
Find out more here.
Rise & Vibe
The early bird gets the pastry on King Street this Saturday morning when Queen Amann Bakery transforms into a morning club slinging coffee and kouign-amann. In collaboration with AM Social, this free coffee rave will have DJs setting the mood from 8am—ensuring you start your day the right way. Simply register here.
The Details
When: 8am to 11am, Saturday 28 February
Where: Queen Amann Bakery, Bowen Hills
Find out more here.
Eau Bags Warehouse Sale
Image credit: Eau Bags | Instagram
Sustainably made to be used by you on the daily, Eau Bags is hosting their annual warehouse sale in Brisbane this Saturday. The colourful bags are hard to miss with their bold stripes and vibrant hues—made from 100% recycled nylon. At the sale, you can expect 40% off past stripes and style, samples, and perfectly imperfect pieces.
The Details
When: 9am to 3pm, Saturday 28 February
Where: Unit 3/566 Rode Road, Chermside
Find out more here.
Clouds Open Day
Free coffee. We repeat, free coffee ALL DAY. New cafe Clouds is saying welcome to the southside with a lively open day where they’ll be slinging free specialty coffee all day long from 6am. Their full menu will also be available if you’re looking for a feed with a vibrant atmosphere to boot.
The Details
When: From 6am, Saturday 28 February
Where: Clouds, 5 Belbora Road, Shailer Park
Sunday 1 March
Frosé Sip N Dip
Image credit: Above | Supplied
Sip, dip and repeat at Above Rooftop Pool & Bar this March, because they’ve launched a new sun-soaked ritual combining bottomless Frosé, pool time and DJ tunes. In partnership with Château Minuty, the two-hour experience also includes a welcome cocktail, a chef-curated Mediterranean spread, full pool access, a fresh towel, and a reserved table for you and your crew—all for just $79 per person. Book here.
The Details
When: 12pm to 2pm and 2:30pm to 4:30pm, every Sunday in March
Where: Above Rooftop Pool & Bar, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
Wedding Open Day
Nuptials on the horizon? Then you need to swing by Alter Albion and Herves Restaurant’s Wedding Open Day where some of Brisbane’s best vendors will be showcasing their work. Specifically intended for couples who dream of a smaller ceremony, you can also explore Herves’ beautiful event spaces while meeting the people who could be part of your big day—from florists to make-up artists and bakers to calligraphers. The best part? It’s free to attend.
The Details
When: 10am to 2pm, Sunday 1 March
Where: Upstairs, Craft’d Grounds, Albion
Find out more here.
The Sound Society
Sun, sips and live tunes in sub-tropical surrounds? Say less. The Sound Society is once again turning Roma Street Parkland’s Lakeside Lawn into the perfect (and free) arvo sesh, with a food truck pulling up in case you forget your picnic basket. Bring your mates and your pups too for a dreamy Sunday reset.
The Details
When: 11am to 2pm, Sunday 1 March
Where: Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane CBD
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: Sunnybank Plaza | Supplied