With what's on in Brisbane every December, it's understandably our favourite month of the year—the official arrival of summer, the start of festival season and of course, Christmas happenings. Whether you’re ready to say ‘good riddance’ to the year that’s been or keen to keep the good times rolling make sure you end the year the right way with all the best events in Brisbane this December.
Water at GOMA
Goma’s much-hyped new exhibit ‘Water’ will explore the vital element which sustains all forms of life on Earth. Featuring a vast, rocky riverbed created by Olafur Eliasson that uses over 100 tonnes of rock to recreate an Icelandic Stream, the exhibition will also include Cai Guo-Qiang’s brilliant blue waterhole surrounded by animals and an actual snowman.
When: 7 December 2019–26 April 2020
Where: GOMA, South Brisbane.
Find out more here.
Weekend Of Tartness
The Scratch Bar’s annual Weekend of Tartness is back for its sixth round, with over 30 different sour beers to tap over three days. This year, they’ll be transforming the bar into an intergalactic saloon, so pop on your best space suit or cowboy boots and join to sip on everything from wild ales and hoppy sours to bretted IPAs and barrel-aged goodness.
When: Friday 6–Sunday 8 December
Where: The Scratch Bar, Milton
Find out more here.
A Very Naughty Christmas
For some less wholesome Christmas fun, book your tickets to the annual spectacle that is A Very Naughty Christmas. This holiday comedy special takes six performers, a live band and nostalgic Christmas traditions and subverts them into a show that will surely put you on Santa’s naughty list.
When: 4–15 December
Where: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
For more information, click here.
Moonlight Cinema
Whether you opt to re-watch a Christmas classic or a new release blockbuster, the Moonlight Cinema is here to take your next movie night up a notch. Ditch the Netflix this month and nab a bean bag chair for an evening under the stars instead—this year they’ll even deliver an espresso martini right to your seat.
When: 14 December–29 March
Where: Roma St Parkland, Brisbane CBD
Find out more here.
Love Actually
While we do love a cheesy Hallmark Christmas romance, we all know that Love Actually is the OG holiday favourite. But what’s better than watching it on your TV? Watching it projected on a huge screen with a full, live-orchestra performing the soundtrack. You know you won’t be alone in belting out ‘Christmas Is All Around Us’ when it comes on.
When: Saturday 12 December
Where: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane
Find out more here.
Falls Festival
For those who have been living under a rock, Falls Festival is arguably one of the country’s best and biggest NYE festivals and just like the weather this year’s lineup is coming in HOT. Featuring the likes of Halsey, Vampire Weekend, Disclosure, Of Monsters and Men and even Aussie icon John Farnham, it’s pretty much THE place to ring in the new year.
When: 31 December–2 January
Where: North Byron Parklands, NSW
Find out more here.
Christmas Movies at the Screen on the Green
Big Screen on the Green, located at Eagle Farm Racecourse, is serving up four of the best Christmas movies of all time. Watch Buddy the Elf take on the big apple or the Grinch plot his reign of terror in Whoville, on the merriest (biggest) screen in the Southern hemisphere—all for only a gold coin donation.
When: Monday 16 December—Thursday 19 December
Where: Eagle Farm Racecourse, Ascot
Find out more here.
Late Night Thrifting
Break out that piggy bank and get ready to pop some tags as Late Night Thrifting is hitting the Valley this December. A new wardrobe for the silly season while saving some cash and helping the planet? Say no more. The sale will feature masses of vintage and pre-loved goods for sale, from recycled clothes to old school records and everything weird and wonderful in between.
When: Saturday 7 December
Where: The Station, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
Harry Potter Fest
Palace Cinemas on James Street is calling all die-hard Potter-fanatics because Potterfest is back in full force. Lasting over 25 hours and spreading over two days, the movie marathon will include all eight Harry Potter films as well as both Fantastic Beasts flicks. So tell your friends (both wizards and muggles welcome), grab your wand and accio tickets ASAP.
When: Saturday 7 December–Sunday 8 December
Where: Palace Cinemas, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
Spiders The Exhibition
Arachnophobics this one might not be for you. Come this December, over 12 species of spiders will be loose in Queensland Museum’s new exhibit. Luckily they’lll be safely behind (hopefully very thick) glass, but ‘Spiders: The Exhibition’ will also feature over 200 spider specimens as well as live tarantulas, funnel-webs, redbacks and giant water spiders that you can get up close and personal with—if you dare.
When: 6 December—4 May
Where: Queensland Museum, South Brisbane
Find out more here.
So Freshtival Tour
Time to bust out the Von Dutch trucker hat and shutter shades because the ultimate 2000s party is hitting Eatons Hill Hotel this December. Kicking off at 8pm and running all into the night, the So Freshtival Tour will be serving up your fave hits from the 00s, as well as a ball pit, jumping castle and world record attempt at a Veronica’s ‘Untouched’ sing-a-long. Basically, you don’t want to miss it.
When: Saturday 14 December
Where: Eatons Hill Hotel, Eatons Hill
Find out more here.
Wildlands
Taking over the Brisbane Showgrounds on December 28, Wildlands Festival will showcase some of the hottest acts from around the world including Rufus Du Sol, Tyler the Creator, RL Grime, Skepta and Mallrat. From the brilliant team behind Beyond the Valley in Victoria, you can rest assured this festival will not disappoint. So start planning your perfect festival get-up and grab tickets to end the year with a bang.
When: Saturday 28 December
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Find out more here.
Woodford Folk Festival
Back for its whopping 34th year, Woodford Folk Festival is an end-of-year favourite for a reason. Bring in the new year with likeminded creative souls and explore everything the jam-packed six days has to offer. Headlining this year’s festival and making her iconic festival debut is Kasey Chambers, joined by the likes of Emma Louise, Amanda Palmer, Lior, Kate Miller-Heidke and over 2,000 more artists putting on more than 1,600 shows. As well as killer tunes, the festival will feature a collection of workshops, talks and experiences.
When: Friday 27 December–Wednesday 1 January.
Where: Woodford
Find out more here.
Detective Day
Fancy yourself a bit of a detective? Inspired by the boardgame Cluedo, this immersive murder mystery will transport you back to 1960s London and see you hitting the streets with a team of fellow sleuths to solve the double murder of the famous Kray Twins. Need some help? You can even bring along your best canine sidekick in case they can sniff out a few clues too.
When: Saturday 7 December
Where: Secret Location, Brisbane
Find out more here.
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Image credit: GOMA