For live tunes

Sunday sessions are inevitably hampered by the threat of a hungover Monday morning at work, but this Sunday October 5 we’re all getting a free pass to enjoy that extra beverage and sleep in the morning after. Caxton Street craft beer bar Brewski will only just be recovering from a tap takeover by new Sydney brewers Nomad Brewing Co. on the Saturday, before two up-and-coming singer-songwriters Sahara Beck and Hailey Calvert play live on the Sunday from 4:00 pm.

Listen Out festival will be blasting into Brisbane Showgrounds from 2:00–10:00 pm this Sunday, no doubt resulting in a few sore heads on the public holiday. Flume, Chet Faker, Zhu, Four Tet, Ta-Ku and a bunch more acts will be getting local butts shaking this long weekend. Browse set times and buy your ticket online.

Sunday will also see some great Bands in Parks sessions, with Sunday Morning Classics from 10:30 am in Old Government House, Brass Rocks at 2:00 pm in the Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre and Evergreen Hits also kicking off at 2:00 pm at Mowbray Park.

If you’re still craving more live music, the Sunday afternoon Livespark session at Brisbane Powerhouse could be the perfect kick-off to a late Sunday night celebration in Brisbane. Enjoy free Brazilian beats from local band The View From Madeline’s Couch from 3:30 pm at the Turbine Platform.

Those with more energy to burn can dance away the public holiday at the free Spring Break Car Park Party at the Normanby Hotel. The third annual event will see more than 40 musical acts filling five stages from 11:00 am on the Sunday through to 5:00 am on the Monday, as 50 tonnes of sand and a mechanical surfboard recreate the atmosphere of Cancun.

Join the fun of a festival

Boundary Street will be bursting with activities this Saturday, as the Spring Hill Alive festival brings live music and market stalls to the inner-city suburb. Enjoy the security of two more days off work and head to the pop-up bars for a leisurely afternoon tipple, sunset dance parade and headline DJ set from Sampology. If Saturday is another scorcher, slip into your swimmers for a dive-in movie at the Spring Hill Baths, featuring Singing In The Rain at 5:45 pm and Some Like It Hot at 7:30 pm.

Head to Roma Street Parkland between 10:00 am and 7:30 pm on Sunday and enjoy a packed program at this year’s Thai Culture and Food Festival. Fill your belly with selections from the many food stalls and enjoy live music and dance performances throughout the day.

For something a little different

Brisbane locals who harbour a weakness for LEGO can revisit their childhood at the BrisBricks LEGO Fan Expo 2014 inside the Chandler Arena at the Sleeman Sports Complex from Saturday right through to Monday. Admire incredible LEGO creations, snap up special pieces and let the kids run wild in the LEGO play area. Buy tickets online.

Brave Brisbane dwellers can don their most gruesome costumes and join the Brisbane Zombie Walk at the Boundary Street Markets this Sunday. Special effects artists will be on hand to work their magic before you drop in to the portraits tent, while food and market stalls, a licensed bar and live entertainment will keep you amused throughout the day. The markets will operate from 9:00 am and the march will head in to West End from 2:00 pm, with the event also raising funds for the Brain Foundation of Australia.

Sports fans can take a leisurely drive to Eatons Hill Hotel for a footy fix this Sunday. The NRL grand final will be screened live on the big screen, with live music and DJs bringing in the after-party.

If you’re hankering to leave the city behind and enjoy a long weekend away, check out our recommendations for the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Island and the Scenic Rim.

Local loving

If your to-see list of local exhibitions seems to get longer with each new issue of The Weekend Edition, take advantage of the public holiday by dropping in to a local venue. The Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art and Museum of Brisbane will all be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, while the Queensland Museum will open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Head to our extensive online events calendar for a full list of what’s happening around Brisbane this weekend, and check for public transport changes to plan your itinerary.