The G20 Leaders’ Summit is almost upon us, luring in delegates from around the world for two days of discussion and debate from Saturday November 15 to Sunday November 16. Held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in South Bank, the surrounding areas of Brisbane City and South Brisbane will inevitably be affected. To see if road closures will hamper your weekend wanderings, head online for a list of changes in and around the Brisbane CBD, South Brisbane, Brisbane Airport and Brisbane Showgrounds.

One benefit to drivers is a few bridges will be made toll free to ease congestion, with the Go Between Bridge free from 12:01 am Friday November 14 to midnight Sunday November 16, and the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges (Gateway Bridges) free from 6:00 am to midnight on Saturday November 15. Brisbane dwellers have been advised that trains will be their best option during the G20 period, with only the Cleveland, Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines affected, and only the South Brisbane station closed. Bus services will be significantly disrupted and commuters are advised to leave the city before 6:00 pm tonight, Thursday November 13.

The Brisbane Cultural Precinct, including QPAC, QAGOMA, the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, will all close for three days from Friday to Sunday, so if you need a hit of culture, venture to the Russian Film Festival at Event Cinemas in The Myer Centre, or the Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane Powerhouse and Judith Wright Centre, which will operate as normal over the three days. The Jan Powers Farmers Markets will be running as usual, with the Powerhouse markets on this Saturday, and Eat Street Markets launching Thursday-night trading with a Christmas shopping focus tonight, and continuing as normal Friday and Saturday evenings. Kickstart your long weekend with Alfred & Constance’s themed Obamarama Tiki Party tonight, listen to live tunes at The Motor Room Friday and Saturday nights, meet new friends at one of the Great Get Together events being held over the weekend or catch one of four Brisbane Bandits baseball games being played between tonight and Sunday.

Many Brisbane City and South Bank retailers and restaurants are promising it will be business as usual this long weekend, while The City Sounds will be bringing live music to public spaces around the CBD as part of Brisbane’s G20 Soundtrack. QueensPlaza, The Myer Centre, MacArthur Central and the Wintergarden will all be open across the long weekend, while Public will be open from 5:00 pm Friday and Saturday, e’cco bistro will be closed Friday and open for dinner only on Saturday and Sunday, Moda and Navala Churrascaria will be open as normal and Pony will be pouring special G20-inspired cocktails from 5:00 pm on Friday night. Malt Dining will be closed Friday and open for lunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday, while Malt Traders will be on hand for alcohol stock-ups on Saturday. If you find yourself South Bank way, take a stroll through the Parklands, which will be open all weekend, and pause at venues like South Side Diner for a daily G20-inspired dish, Aquitaine Brasserie or Ole, before enjoying a lazy afternoon at Sunday Sessions on the Green. The Fox Hotel’s Long Bar will be open as normal, while West End’s Mondo Organics will be closed Friday only, and Cobbler will be on hand to satisfy thirsts all weekend.

For those who would rather avoid the city completely, cruise to Stranded Festival on South Stradbroke Island tomorrow, have a few sips at the Cork & Fork Festival at Eatons Hill on Saturday, soak up Noosa Junction’s food and wine street festival Junction Flava also on Saturday, or enjoy live music at The Redcliffe Sunday Nice Up to wind down your weekend.