Ready to get out there and explore what Brisbane has to offer? Whether you're a culture seeker looking for a unique way to experience Brisbane's top galleries or a foodie fanging for your next exclusive bite, here's what's on in Brisbane this week, this month and beyond.
What's On In Brisbane This Week
iam Straddie Arts Trail
Stradbroke Island | 12-21 August
It’s time to immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most picturesque art trails, located one the one and only Stradbroke Island. Whether you’re an experienced creative looking to showcase your skills or keen to check out what the art scene has to offer, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The event will feature over 50 artists with workshops in silversmithing, clay, beekeeping, sand art and more. Check out the details here.
Let The Music Play
Fortitude Valley | Saturday 13 August
The largest single-day ticketed event to hit the Valley, Let The Music Play will see epic live acts perform across The Fortitude Music Hall, The Zoo and Brightside Outdoors, as well as s pop-up laneway by iconic club night FLUFFY in Warner Street. Headliners include Northeast Party House, WAFIA and Thundamentals, while FLUFFY's "Unicorn Alley" will host incredible drag artists and DJs. Read more and nab your tickets from $79.95 here.
Aperol Aperitivo Passport
Now until September 4
Let us introduce you to Aperol Aperitivo Passport, an invitation to travel the globe through your tastebuds, right here in Brisbane—without the jet lag. Together with Aperol, we have asked three chefs from Brisbane's best restaurants to curate a bespoke aperitivo share dish that pairs perfectly with two Aperol Spritz, for wallet-friendly prices. Make a booking for a fancy seafood platter feat. cured kingfish, scallop crudo, Sydney rock oysters, mussels and taramasalata at Greca, chorizo and goat cheese empanadas, kingfish ceviche tostadas and chipotle grilled peppers plus, roast eggplant dip and chips at Rita's, and gnocco fritto featuring fried dough topped with Stracciatella and 24-month Prosciutto di Parma at Gemelli. For all the deets and to make a booking, head here.
What's On In Brisbane This Month
Pop-Up Puppy Yoga
Stretch Yoga, Holland Park | 12pm and 1pm, Sunday 21 August
If there are two things that are bound to bring you a sense of calm and relaxation, it’s yoga and puppy cuddles—so we imagine that both of them together will put you in to the most zen state you’ve ever experienced. You’ll find just that at Stretch Yoga Holland Park on Sunday 21 August, with two sessions available at 12pm and 1pm. To celebrate their 8th birthday, they’ve teamed up with Dare Inc to host a yoga class with puppies everywhere. Best of all, all the puppies will be up for adoption if you find yourself really connecting with one of them while you’re downward dogging. Tickets are $50, with all profit going to help Dare foster animals searching for their forever homes, and will go on sale on Monday 15 August. Sign up to get an email alert when they do so you don’t miss out here.
A Picnic At Pemberley
Abbey Museum, Caboolture | Saturday 3 September
While you wait patiently for season three of Bridgerton, it’s time to Afterpay yourself a Regency costume and dress up for A Picnic At Pemberley hosted by Caboolture’s Abbey Museum. For one afternoon, their manicured grounds will be taken over by a traditional afternoon tea spread, Regency era games such as shuttlecock and pall mall (we bags the mallet of death), archery, Regency dancing and even the chance to learn the etiquette of the period. You can book in for a Regency dance workshop if you really want to make things realistic, but don’t worry, they’re not known for making you work up a sweat. Tickets to this delightful affair start at $20 and you can get them here.
Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival 2022
Apex Park, Woody Point | Friday 19-Sunday 21 August
Good news folks, South East Queensland’s biggest food festival is back and better than ever. Featuring world-renowned celebrity chefs such as Manu Fieldel and Miguel Maestre, the Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival is set to be a calendar clearer this month. Whether you’re attending for one day or indulging in the ultimate weekend experience, you won’t be short of delicious food to sink your teeth into. So, if you’re ready to sample some sweet treats from Queensland’s best dessert makers and relax by the water with a refreshing cocktail, purchase your tickets here.
Winter Warmer Experience
Sirromet, Mt Cotton | Fridays, Saturdays And Sundays This Winter
Are you after the perfect activity to warm you up for the last month of winter? Well you’re in luck, because Sirromet is hosting their seasonal Winter Warmer Experience. You can enjoy all your favourite picnic treats—mulled wine we’re looking at you—every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening this winter for a cost of $149 for 2 people. So, gather your besties or that someone special for an afternoon under the stars experience with your very own private fire-pit. Find out more here.
The Churchie Emerging Art Prize 2022
Institute of Modern Art, Fortitude Valley | 30 July-1 October
If you like to think of yourself as a bit of an art critic or love supporting up and coming artists from across the country, then be sure to check out The Churchie’s 2022 finalists’ artworks at the Institute of Modern Art. Labelled as one of Australia’s leading prizes for emerging artists, the exhibition is open to rising artists nationwide, featuring a range of artistic mediums including painting, textiles, video and more. To learn more about the exhibition—or the art for that matter—click here.
Quandamooka Festival
North Stradbroke Island | Friday 26-Sun 28 August
Looking to escape the mainland and head somewhere that celebrates culture, country and people? Well, the Quandamooka Festival is the place to do just that. An event dedicated to immersing visitors in Quandamooka Culture, the line up is jam-packed with activities such as perusing food stalls, artisan markets and traditional storytelling. Did we mention there will be acclaimed First Nations artists making an appearance? Keep an eye out for stars such as Roger Knox, Shakaya, Electric Fields and more. Head here to score your tickets now.
Bridge To Brisbane
Across Brisbane | Sunday 28 August
Get your new kicks ready because Brisbane’s biggest fun-run is back. After raising a record breaking $1.2 million for over 300 Queensland charities in 2021, The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane is striving for another epic year. This year’s charities include The Salvation Army, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Dementia Queensland, Cancer Council, and more. With a choice between cruising along the 4.5km course or tackling the 10km course, you don’t need to be an athlete to participate. To sign up and support, head here.
La Dolce Vita Special
Ciao Papi | 12pm-3pm, Monday to Thursday
Lunch with a view? Yes please. Join Ciao Pai from 12pm-3pm every Monday to Thursday to soak up some sun and taste the impressive food they have to offer. For the price of $29pp, you can enjoy your choice of pizza or pasta—the pumpkin ravioli is to die for—paired with a glass of pinot. So, if you’re stuck on where to go for your next mid-week outing, try out Ciao Papi’s La Dolce Vita Special for a meal you won’t regret. View their menu here.
The Calile x Reason to Thrive Charity Gala
The Calile Hotel, Fortitude Valley | 6pm-11pm, Friday 19 August
If you’re looking for an excuse to finally show off that glamorous dress you bought—the one you just had to buy but are yet to wear—then we’ve got just the event for you. This month, The Calile Hotel has partnered with Reason to Thrive, an organisation that provides equine-assisted learning programs to women and children who are victims of trauma and abuse, to put on the ultimate gala. Tickets are $350 and include all food, drinks and a gift bag with 70% of proceedings going directly to the charity (meaning it's tax deductable, win). An online auction will also be open from Wednesday 10 August where you can bid on $110,000 worth of prizes, with all proceeds going to the charity, while exclusive live auction items will also be on offer on the Gala night. Grab your tickets and find out more here.
Pasta Palooza
One Fish Two Fish, Kangaroo Point | Friday 19 to Sunday 21 August
If four courses of pasta sounds like your ideal way to carb load, you’ll want to get yourself to One Fish Two Fish on the weekend of Friday 19 August. The KP seafood restaurant is throwing the ultimate pasta party, dishing up a four course pasta lunch all weekend long. For $79pp, you’ll chow down on cured salmon pasta salad, pan seared prawn gnocchi, pasta shells filled with Fraser Island spanner crab and even a ricotta filled fried ravioli in chocolate Jaffa sauce for dessert. Too much pasta? No such thing—get a booking in here.
Winter Reloaded Pop-Up
W Brisbane, Brisbane CBD | Until 31 August
W Brisbane's Wet Deck is embracing the chilly weather with a winter pop-up worth rugging up for. Head to the riverside rooftop bar this month and you'll find it decked out with chunky knit blankets, cushions, rugs, firepits and even a ski gondola you can book out to enjoy a cheesy fondue, caviar and champagne experience. On the menu is comfort food like lamb shepherd’s pie, gruyere cheese fondue and baked Woombye brie, which you can pair with winter themed cocktails like the Pumpkin Spice, Miso Old Fashioned and Spiked Chocolat Chaud. Find out more and book here.
Twilight Electric
Northshore Hamilton | From Wednesday 27 July
Do not miss the return of the iconic Spiegeltent to Brisbane’s Northshore for Twilight Electric. With two jaw-dropping shows (Blanc de Blanc Encore and Maho Magic Bar), the immersive experience is filled with sparkling cocktails, delicious food, and “wow” worthy entertainment. Tickets are selling fast for these unmissable events; grab your tickets here.
The Soul Trembles
GOMA, South Brisbane | Until Monday 3 October
Immerse yourself at GOMA in the long-awaited, breathtaking works from Chiharu Shiota's 25 years of large-scale installations, sculptures, video performance, drawing, and photography. 'The Soul Trembles' is Shiota's biggest solo exhibition to date and aims to shine a spotlight on her abstract approach in using everyday concrete objects to create the expression of memories, anxiety, dreams, and silence among her audience. Tickets are already available for purchase here.
The Maker & Me
Siffredi's | Sunday 28 August
Ready for a wine tasting event that you don't even have to stand up for? The Fruitful Pursuit is back with The Maker & Me, a seated wine event letting you pick the brains of five of Australia's leading independent winemakers. They'll take you through their drops in intimate table-side tastings, and you can order Siffredi's snacks and spaghettis as you choose. The July event will South Australia's Brash Higgins and Victoria's Ephemera, while August's will host NSW's Frankly, Wine by Bob and South Australia's Harrison. Bookings are super limited with only 10 tables available per session—you can nab one (as a four-, six-, or seven-person table, with any leftovers released for two) for $49pp here.
Disney: The Magic Of Animation
Queensland Museum | Until 22 January, 2023
The Walt Disney Animation Research Library is bringing an amazing selection of artwork from their extensive catalogue in this enchanting exhibition that takes you behind the scenes of your favourite animated films, with more than 500 artworks including paintings, sketches, drawings and concept artworks. Disney: The Magic Of Animation will reveal the development of beloved stories and animation techniques from Mickey Mouse’s first talkie, Steamboat Willie (1928), to Sleeping Beauty (1959), The Lion King (1994), and Frozen (2013). Learn more about what to expect here.
Veuve Clicquot In The Snow
Customs House, Brisbane CBD | Until The End Of August
If you're more of a homebody during Brisbane's winter months, make an exception to venture to Customs House's Veuve Cliquot in the Snow pop-up. From Friday 13 May, you have the chance to book out an igloo by the Brisbane River with a group of friends and pop as many bottles of champagne as your heart desires on Thursdays–Sundays through to June. To accompany your Veuve, you can also devour melty mac and cheese croquettes, beetroot and goats cheese arancini and oozy baked brie in chic chalet surroundings. Bookings are a must for the igloos, or you can walk in and try your luck at general seating. Learn more here.
Imaginaria
South Brisbane | Until February 2023
The aptly named Imaginaria will feed your imagination with its immersive, futuristic audio-visual installation. Choosing to label itself as part-game, part-gallery, part-journey, Imaginaria contains architectural inflatables, a multi-dimensional light maze, a giant infinity bubble, and a black hole hovering space. You could say it's written in the stars that you give this exhibition a visit. Further information is available here.
What's On In Brisbane This Year
Fridayz Live
Brisbane Showgrounds | Friday 11 November
Prepare to be transported back to 2000, when 7 Days was at the top of the charts, we knew never to go chasing waterfalls and everyone could do a Shaggy impersonation, because R ‘N’ B Fridays is bringing Fridayz Live back to Brisbane, and some of your favourite 90s and 00s artists with it. With a line up that features Craig David, Akon, Shaggy, TLC and Jay Sean, this festival is going to be bigger than your 2001 CD collection. Also on the bill is Macklemore and Havana Brown for a little 2010s action, with Abbie Chatfield and Fatman Scoop playing host. It’s all going down on Friday 11 November at the Brisbane Showgrounds and tickets go on sale next Friday right here.
Fisher’s Rescheduled National Tour
Riverstage, Brisbane CBD | Sunday 6 November
After multiple cancelled tour dates (thanks Covid), international superstar Fisher is finally making his way to Brisbane, performing his iconic house bangers at Riverstage on 6 November 2022. Formerly the ‘Bigger Than A Beach Party’ tour, his show has been renamed ‘Australia, It’s F’kn On!,’ but the supporting acts haven’t changed, with Booka Shade and Pnau both also on the bill. With ticketholders to the original show given priority access, tickets to the new date are limited, but a handful will be available from Wednesday 13 July.
Brisbane Festival
Various locations | Friday 2-Saturday 24 September
Brisbane Festival is back in 2022 over four jam-packed weekends. Kicking off with, arguably Brisbane's biggest annual event, Riverfire, the month-long celebration will feature performances, installations and unmissable parties. Some must-see events on this year's calendar include a light and sound installation by British artist Luke Jerram at West Village, the return of the mega-popular Art Boat which will set sail to celebrate acclaimed Australian artist Lindy Lee, as well as the world premiere of Dead Puppet Society and Legs on the Wall’s aerial epic Holding Achilles. More information on tickets and other must-see events can be found here.
Riverfire
Brisbane City | Saturday 3 September
One of the most anticipated (and colourful) events in Brisbane's yearly calendar, Riverfire is returning bigger and better than ever this year as it kicks off the three-week Brisbane Festival celebrating all things art, music, dance, theatre, and cabaret. On Saturday 3 September the Brisbane River will light up in a spectacular fireworks show to signify the start of the festival and bring back some joy to the people of Brisbane after what has been a tough period due to the 2022 floods. More information on the Brisbane Festival and Riverfire is available here.
BIGSOUND
Fortitude Valley | Tuesday 6–Friday 9 September
Returning for the first time since 2019 for its 21st birthday, BIGSOUND is back to hit the Valley with its epic blend of music lovers and industry. Over 150 speakers will come to town for the industry conference (the biggest in the southern hemisphere), while fans of emerging talent can catch 150 acts over 21 of the Valley's favourite music venues. Some past names to get a boost from BIGSOUND include Courtney Barnett, Flume, RÜFÜS DU SOL and Gang of Youths, so you know you're in for a treat. The lineup is still being curated, so stay tuned for more or check out BIGSOUND's website for details.
The Only Oktoberfest
Brisbane Showgrounds | 7–9 and 14–16 October
After a two-year break, Brisbane's massive Oktoberfest celebration is finally returning to the showgrounds, bringing more pretzels, beer and pork knuckles than ever before. Over two action-packed weekends, catch loads of traditional German eats, Bavarian strongmen challenges, loads of hands-on activities and epic oompah tunes to really get you in the swing of things. On top of early bird and GA ticketing, there's also a VIP option for groups of up to eight, with rounds of schnapps, a Bavarian grazing platter, and VIP access on offer. Learn more and grab tickets here.
Paniyiri Festival
Musgrave Park, West End | Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 October
If you've been dreaming of eating souvlaki again in the sunshine of Musgrave Park, then all your dreams have come true because Paniyiri is back in 2022. Let your tastebuds loose and your hair down as you submerge yourself in over 20 culinary pop-ups, live music, and traditional Greek dancing for two whole days. With cuisine representing 11 unique Greek villages, Paniyiri is guaranteed to heighten all your senses and is well worth the $12 ticket. Find out more about what to expect here.
Grapevine Gathering
Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton | Sunday 16 October
Self-labelled as Australia's favourite music and wine pairing, Grapevine Gathering is hitting Sirromet Wines on Sunday 16 October. The boozy festival has name-dropped the likes of The Kooks, Peking Duk, Ball Park Music, The Veronicas, Jack River, Confidence Man and Gus Dapperton, and will be hosted by comedy legends The Inspired Unemployed. If you're not yet convinced, the festival will also be paired with locally sourced food and some of the tastiest drops from Sirromet Wines. Tickets are on sale from Thursday 26 May and can be purchased here.
Ministry Of Sound Classical
Riverside Green, South Brisbane | Saturday 19 November
Ministry Of Sound are touring Australia to celebrate thirty years of dance music. Combining some of the best classical performers and artists to create an orchestral extravaganza, you can expect Music of Sound Classical to showcase dance music favourites reimagined into funky orchestral pieces. Arriving in Brisbane on Saturday 19 November, this is definitely a one-of-a-kind musical performance you will not want to miss. Grab your tickets here.
QSO Presents Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
BECC, South Brisbane | 1.30pm and 7.30pm, Saturday 25 February, 2023
The music of Harry Potter is iconic—hearing just a few bars instantly transports you to the magical world of Hogwarts, quidditch and wizards. You may know it well but we bet you’ve never heard it performed by a full orchestra, however Queensland Symphony Orchestra is giving you the chance to do just that. On Saturday 25 February, watch Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince on the big screen accompanied by a full symphony orchestra providing the soundtrack. A must-see for any true Harry Potter fans out there. Get tickets here.
Looking for weekend plans? Check out what’s on in Brisbane this weekend right here.
Image credit: Sirromet, Urban List, QAGOMA, W Brisbane, Let The Music Play