School’s out, spring has sprung, and the sun is well and truly sunning. We’ve rounded up the best things to do in Brisbane this weekend. Whether you need somewhere to wrangle the kids or simply want to soak up the sunshine, there’s so much happening this September—from endless shows and exhibitions to running raves and all the magic of Brisbane Festival.
Check out the best things to do in Brisbane this weekend below:
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What's On All Weekend
What's On Saturday
What's On Sunday
All Weekend
Shostakovich Ten
Ukrainian pianist, Alexander Gavrylyuk, is putting on a show you won’t want to miss. Filled with motifs of rebellion and revolution, the concert will highlight works from famous Stalin-era composers, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Alongside Gavrylyuk’s electrifying keys will be artist William Kentridge’s film, Oh To Believe In Another World, a visual depiction of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10. Ready to get fired up? Tickets are available here.
The Details
When: 7.30pm, Friday 19 September and Saturday 20 September
Where: QPAC, South Bank
Find out more here.
Redcliffe Kitefest
The sky will be scattered with colourful patterns this Saturday and Sunday for the Redcliffe KiteFest—the perfect reason to pack a picnic and be amazed by some of the world’s best kite flyers. There will be food trucks, kite-making workshops where you can create a masterpiece of your own, and a public fly zone. The event is free, making it the perfect way to kick off the school holidays. Take advantage of the sunny spring weather and fly high.
The Details
When: 10am to 4pm, Saturday 20 September and Sunday 21 September
Where: Pelican Park, Clontarf
Find out more here.
The Smeds and the Smoos
If you have any little book worms in tow, this might be the perfect event for them. Adapted from the popular picture book by beloved children’s author duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and brought to life by CDP, is Tall Stories’ production of The Smeds and The Smoos. Set outdoors in the QUT Gardens, this 55-minute musical tale of friendship in space will have you and the kids giggling. Tickets start at $39 and are recommended for ages 3 and up.
The Details
When: 10am, 12pm & 3pm, Saturday 20 September & Sunday 21 September
Where: QUT Gardens Theatre
Find out more here.
Brisbane Festival
Australia’s largest international arts festival will once again take over our humble River City in a dynamic celebration of art, culture and community. From after-dark fire gardens to large-scale exhibitions transforming Brisbane’s pedestrian bridges into stunning works of art, you can also expect incredible events, shows and productions to rock your world. Check out our guide to Brisbane Festival here.
The Details
When: 5 to 27 September
Where: Various locations in Brisbane
Find out more here.
The Lovers at QPAC
Can’t get enough of 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s The Man? You won’t want to miss out on the hottest new Shakespeare re-telling opening this weekend at QPAC. Based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Lovers is a new musical exploring the complicated reality of 21st century love. The score is packed with original pop bangers that’ll have you singing in the car on the way home, after a night of heartache, humor, and maybe even happy endings? Grab your tickets here and find out what happens when the lives of four young lovers collide.
The Details
When: 13 September to 5 October
Where: The Playhouse, QPAC, South Brisbane
Find out more.
Queen’s Wharf x Brisbane Festival
As Brisbane Festival takes over the city this September, the lively Queen’s Wharf Precinct is leaning into the action with eats, beats and a whole lot of pink. Kicking off on the evening of Friday 5 September, you can dig into a 22-day festival line-up full of top-notch dining, entertainment and culture. Each of Queen’s Wharf signature restaurants will be dishing up a limited-time-only feast from golden hour sips to exclusive land and sea experiences. This is also where to find some of the best vantage points in town for the festival’s skyline spectaculars, as Queen’s Wharf unveils a new outdoor area just in time for Riverfire. The Landing is a purpose-built space at the river’s edge featuring a 600-seat grandstand, street eats, pop-up bars and roving entertainments with free and ticketed access on the night. Throughout the festival, The Landing will also have prime viewing for the immersive Baleen Moondjan ceremony and drone show Skylore. Check out the full lineup here.
The Details
When: 5 to 27 September
Where: Queen’s Wharf, Brisbane CBD
Find out more here.
MoB Common People Dance Project
Shimmy and shake your way to the Museum of Brisbane (MoB) for their sequin-soaked Artist in Residence with Common People Dance Project. In collaboration with Brisbane Festival, MoB is throwing an all-out dance party—complete with free dance workshops and an exhibition celebrating the Common People’s history, led by the talented choreographer, performer and theatre-maker Neridah Waters. To top it all off, there’ll be a dance showdown in King George Square on 27 September, so chuck on those leg warmers and get physical, because nobody puts Baby in a corner.
The Details
When: 30 August to 6 October
Where: Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane CBD
Find out more here.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Grab your wands and venture into the awe-inspiring woods of Sirromet Winery in Mount Cotton, as the breathtaking Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is kicking off this weekend. Here, a dazzling light trail will guide you through illuminated moments from the world of Harry Potter. Featuring iconic characters from both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, you can set your sights on hippogriffs, unicorns, and nifflers—without the fear of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named around the corner. Grab your tickets here.
The Details
When: Until 5 October
Where: Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton
Find out more here.
Under A Modern Sun
Sun-kissed and light-filled, QAGOMA’s new and free exhibition features more than 140 paintings, sculptures, photographs and works of decorative art that paint a picture of what life was like in the Sunshine State from the 1930s to 1950s. Featuring art from renowned Brisbane-based artists including William Bustard, Vida Lahey and Margaret Olley, as well as luminaries from the regions such as Kenneth Macqueen and Joe Alimindjin Rootsey, Under A Modern Sun presents a “light-filled vision of Queensland and reveals the beginnings of more experimental means of expression," QAGOMA Director Chris Saines says. Oh, and did we mention it’s free?
The Details
When: 16 August 2025 to 25 January 2026
Where: QAGOMA, South Bank
Find out more here.
Eonarium Enlightenment
A captivating and immersive experience that’s already wowed 1.5 million people worldwide is set to turn up the lights in Brisbane this winter. Eonarium Enlightenment is making its Australian debut at St Stephen’s Cathedral—treating you to a breathtaking feast for the senses with vibrant light projections, stunning visuals, and alluring soundscapes to the tune of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. You’ll travel through spring, summer, autumn and winter across the 30-minute show, with every corner of the heritage-listed site transformed into a world of colour in this one-of-a-kind 360 degree adventure. Tickets start from $20 for kids and $29 for adults—grab yours here.
The Details
When: 5 July to 27 September
Where: St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane CBD
Find out more here.
Friday 19 September
Melbourne SKA Orchestra The Ballad of Monte Loco Tour
For all those musically inclined, the ARIA Award-winning Melbourne Ska Orchestra will be parked up at The Triffid this Friday. They’ll be performing their new album The Ballad of Monte Loco, inspired by the swaggy instrumental music of 70s spaghetti westerns, like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. If you're after one rebellious evening with a few of your favourite outlaws, tickets start at $66.
The Details
When: 8pm, Friday 19 September
Where: The Triffid, Brisbane
Find out more here.
Saturday 20 September
Run the River
Set that alarm, lace up your joggers, and grab a banana for Brisbane’s hottest, sweatiest, and healthiest rave. Run the River, hosted by Fitstop, is all about getting physical and having head-banging fun. Starting at South Bank, you’ll wind your way through 6kms of river views and the botanical gardens, with electrifying live music from DJ Raul Pedro and dance performances by Mad Dance House—it truly is the ultimate fitness festival. They won’t leave you caffeine-less either, with Wolff Coffee Roasters on hand, plus free LSKD merch up for grabs. This isn’t your typical run club, so make sure to register here.
The Details
When: 7:30am, Saturday 20 September
Where: South Bank Cultural Forecourt
Find out more here.
Australian Steak Championship
Keen for a little road trip? Fire up the car (and your appetite) for the Australian Steak Championship at Distillery Road Markets. In partnership with the Steak Cookoff Association (SCA), this mouth-watering day is packed with live-action competitions, market stalls sent straight from the grill gods, and plenty of barbecue gear, grills, marinades, and cooking demonstrations. Food takes centre stage at this comp, with food trucks and venues scattered throughout, and you can wash it all down with frosty brews from Perentie Brewing Co. It’s free entry and well worth the drive for a food-filled day out for the whole family. Just make sure to book a ticket here.
The Details
When: 11am to 9pm, Saturday 20 September
Where: Distillery Road Market, Eagleby
Find out more here.
Sunday 21 September
RSPCA Family Fun Day
Adopting a pet is a big decision… and one you just might make this Sunday at the RSPCA Family Fun Day. To celebrate the opening of their brand-new Clare May Real Estate Adoption Centre, RSPCA will be hosting a day full of fun-filled activities for the whole family. Cuddle up with adoptable pets, help feed the shelter dogs and puppies, and enjoy the Kids’ Activity Zone, live entertainment, and food trucks. You’re not obliged to take a pet home, but there’s no guarantee you won’t fall in love while you’re there.
The Details
When: 9:30am to 2pm, Sunday 21 September
Where: Brisbane Animal Care Campus, 139 Wacol Station Road, Wacol
Find out more here.
Your Local Wedding Guide Brisbane Expo
Unearth those Pinterest boards—this wedding expo is about to turn your dreams into reality. Anyone with some all-important bling on their finger should jump at the chance to attend this year’s Your Local Wedding Guide Expo. There’ll be endless products to explore, live music, reception and wedding displays, cars, gowns, cakes, and photographers to browse. This long-running expo features some of the most trusted wedding industry suppliers from across Queensland—everything you need to make your big day the best of your life.
The Details
When: 10am to 3pm, Sunday 21 September
Where: Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds
Find out more here.
For more of what’s on in Brisbane, head here.
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Main image credit: Redcliffe Kitefest | Intsagram