Folks, the year is steamrolling along at a cracking pace. The birds are swooping, the days are longer and the humidity is gradually rising, so you should embrace this last window of pleasantness before this city descends into a melting ball of sweat. From Instagram-worthy dessert exhibitions to dedicated beer festivals, we’ve tracked down the best things to do in Brisbane on the September 20–23 weekend. more
One of the best things about a coastal jaunt is undoubtedly the food – there’s nothing quite like enjoying the freshest seafood that the ocean has to offer. If you’ve been craving a taste of the good stuff, we have news that is going to make your mouth water – Brisbane City is getting its own pop-up dining trail dedicated to bugs and oysters! Stretching along City Reach, Sea to the City is a dedicated alfresco food trail popping up on Sunday October 7 to deliver a seafood feast to the heart of The City. more
When it comes to the Sunshine Coast, movies probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind – try beaches, bushwalks and laid-back vibes. It turns out that film culture is alive and well on the coast, as a thriving community event returns for its third outing to celebrate the region’s love of all things to do with the big screen. Running across multiple venues from October 25–28, the Noosa International Film Festival is a jewel in the crown of the Sunshine Coast’s cultural calendar bringing cinematic gold from all around the world. more
Brisbane may be a relatively young city, but that certainly doesn’t mean we don’t have our fair share of amazing architecture. From the old hidden nooks to the jaw-dropping feats of modern engineering, there are plenty of amazing buildings in Brisbane that have plenty of stories behind them. If you’ve always wanted to know a little more about the build world around you, Brisbane Open House will quench your desire. Mark October 13–14 in your diary and prepare to unlock the secrets you didn’t know our city had. more
If there’s one thing us Australians are known for, it’s a love of beer. While the international stereotype may relegate us to Fosters-swilling bogandom, we know the truth – our country is chock-full of damn good brewers who are passionate about making the best brews around. If you froth over the good stuff, be sure to mark September 21 and 22 in your calendar because the Beer InCider Experience is back at the Brisbane Showgrounds … and its bringing way more than just suds. more
Cinephiles, your time has come – the dates have dropped and we’ve been given a couple of irresistible samples, but now the Brisbane International Film Festival is well and truly ready to go. A massive program announcement and ticket release have just taken place, so it’s time to start saving those dates and locking in spots at the most coveted events before they sell out. more
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – springtime in Brisbane is pretty much the greatest time of year. As well getting to swan around outdoors in the perfect weather, our cultural calendar really kicks into overdrive (looking at you, Brisbane Festival). As the days get longer and the nights grow balmy, we’ve found the perfect way to celebrate – with Spring Time Drinks. Taking over Treasury Brisbane every Friday in September, this pop-up party series is bringing a little something extra. more
Last year marked a pretty momentous occasion in Australian history – our (frankly useless) government asked us if same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, and because we’re not a pack of animals we voted yes to love. This rainbow-coloured victory is something to be celebrated, which is why the legends at King Street have decided to throw a three-week-long party in conjunction with Brisbane Festival. Love is King will take over the street from September 8–29 bringing fun, feasting and loads of amorous activities with it. more
I like the way Greek Mythology tells us stories about love that are uncomfortable, morally confusing and generally unromantic ...~ Harry James Angus more
Calling all movers, shakers, thinkers and lit-lovers – the Brisbane Writers Festival is rolling into town with a huge roster of guests and activities that will make your brain melt and your heart sing! Some of the world’s most brilliant minds will be congregating to share their wisdom, but don’t fret if you haven’t snapped up tickets just yet – we’ve whipped up a little list of amazing events that still have some spots available. more
In the world of art, there are certain names that come with an automatic sense of wonder – we’re talking your Glover, Archibald, Wynne and Sulman types. These prestigious awards are a true indicator of enormous talent, boundless imagination and dedication to the craft … and a whole host of winning artists are bringing their works to Brisbane as part of the legendary Tattersall’s Club Landscape Art Prize. more
When it comes to old-school fun, the art of the billycart is hard to beat. The time-honoured tradition of building your own vehicle from scratch and challenging your mates to a rollicking roll down the nearest slope of any kind is such a wholesome activity. You may think that this hobby is a forgotten pastime, but this isn’t the case – the Brisbane Billycart Championships are returning to the Carindale Recreation Reserve on Sunday September 9 to bring a dose of adrenaline to the Green Heart Fair. more
Fighting is a deeply personal business. Whether you’re exchanging barbs with a sibling, standing up for justice or stepping into a boxing ring, all fights have one thing in common – the strength they require. We’re not just talking about throwing a punch – all real fights call upon your deepest reserves of mental fortitude. Smash-hit production Prize Fighter proves this sentiment in spades, heading to the Logan Entertainment Centre for two rounds on September 13 and 14. more
Anyone who frequents Fortitude Valley (or just generally has their finger on the pulse of cool stuff) would know that the laneways are where it’s at. The beloved Bakery and Winn Lanes have long been go-to locations to scout the best of Brisbane – from food to fashion, these hotspots are loaded with local gems worth your attention. The Valley is about to welcome a brand-new laneway into its fold, and the powers that be have decided to celebrate by throwing one hell of a party. The Hidden Lanes Festival is taking over town for one day only on Saturday October 13, uniting the three locations to showcase our city’s secret charms. more
Cinema lovers, your time has come – the annual Brisbane International Film Festival is back in town, baby! Our city’s flagship film festival has found a new home in QAGOMA, setting up shop from October 11–21 and bringing a huge roster of inspiring entertainment our way. more
Here in Brisbane, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to epicurean events. While most of the big names tend to set up centrally year after year, it’s time for the Bayside to shine with the arrival of the first-ever Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival. Sweeping over the Redcliffe Foreshore on September 8–9, the free-entry two-day festival will give you the chance to explore the best bites, brews and entertainment across a great range of formats. more
When you think about classic fairytales, it makes sense that they are so perfectly suited to the realm of ballet – the whimsy, beauty and fantasy of these timeless tales lend themselves so well to the genre. One of the world’s most beloved stories is coming to QPAC this September, when Queensland Ballet brings its stunning rendition of Cinderella to the stage. more
Folks, the time is almost upon us – the hotly anticipated Valley Fiesta is back in town and sticking around for an extra few days of goodness. For the first time in its inception, the Fiesta will be spreading its program of live music, art, theatre, immersive experiences and parties across five jam-packed days. There’s so much to see and do that we thought we’d give you a helping hand sorting through it all – from tropical rooftops to laneway shindigs, we’ve picked our must-dos at Valley Fiesta for every night of the week. more
There are two types of people in the world – those who love Twin Peaks and those who just don’t get it. Jokes aside, David Lynch’s bizarre mystery-horror series was a seriously iconic staple of 1990s television. The story of special agent Dale Cooper investigating the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer gripped an entire generation, and went on to retain its status as a cult hit that still holds relevance today. Good news for fans – Brisbane is about to get a true taste of Twin Peaks when a selection of the stars land at Eatons Hill Hotel on Sunday August 26 for a scintillating conversation session. more
Folks, spring has almost sprung and it’s bringing a little something special with it – we’re talking Brisbane Festival, baby! Come September 8, our fine city will be overflowing with a selection of local and international entertainment that will make your head spin. From circus and cabaret to top live bands and immersive theatre, the festival brings together the best of the arts scene for your enjoyment – so you’d better get out there and lap it up. Mark September 8–29 in your diary and start planning your hit-list, because this one’s going to be a doozy. more
Have you ever watched a movie that gripped you so much that you felt like you were almost right there in it? 3D films have long given us a taste of the more interactive movie experience, but we’ve found something that takes this immersion to the next level. The Australian Virtual Reality Film Festival is coming to the Brisbane Powerhouse from August 22–26 to bring fantasies to life, giving viewers the chance to totally engage themselves in another world like never before. more