The carnies have come and gone, the ferris wheel has been taken down and the scent of dagwood dogs is a distant memory – Ekka season is over and we’re coming down from that sugar high. To ease the pain, we’ve put together some choice ways to spend your days off – from Armakeggon to dog shows, here are the best things happening in Brisbane on the August 22–25 weekend. more
There are so many things to love about the Ekka – the food, the animals and the rides are right up there, but it’s the public holiday that we’re most grateful for. If you’re not up for braving the crowds at the showgrounds on Wednesday August 14, we’ve whipped up a little list of things that are happening around town on the public holiday and the night before – you get a sleep-in, after all … more
A few short months back, Brisbane's dining scene was put under the spotlight as a panel of our city's culinary best dissected everything from review aggregators to the future of fine dining. June saw a collection of Brisbane-based designers gather to go into detail about how they built a sustainable business on their terms. Last month, several forward-thinkers dug deep into the world of slow fashion and sustainable style. On Wednesday August 28, The Locals Panel Series returns for the fourth and final event of 2019. This time, we're double dipping back into the realm of food, pivoting our point of focus to shine a light on the environmental impact of our food choices and how we can eat healthier, smarter and more sustainably. more
The great state of Queensland quite simply has loads of things to be proud of. XXXX Beer, Savage Garden, the Story Bridge and Bundaberg Rum have all earned us some serious bragging rights, but there is one thing that makes our hearts swell with pride for the rich culture we have cultivated – the Royal Queensland Show (or the Ekka, as its more affectionately known). This year the show steamrolls ahead into its 142nd year (seriously, the only thing that’s stopped it since its inception have been the Spanish influenza and World War II), returning to its home turf of the Brisbane Showgrounds to celebrate the best of Queensland. more
Whether you're a hop head who knows your pale ales from your pilsners, or if you just enjoy blowing the top off a few frothies with your pals, you'd best block out Saturday September 7 in your diary. The Gold Coast's beloved Craft Beer & Cider Festival is returning to crack the kegs in Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach for its third year, bringing with it more than 200 different beers and ciders from 44 breweries, alongside a healthy dose of street eats, a roof-raising seaside concert, beer yoga, hotdog-eating competitions, live comedy and more. more
What do eye-watering shiny glazes, the crisp sound of crackling , the heady aroma of smoke filling the air and the feeling of juice dripping down your fingers have in common? You can find them all in the same place – The Brisbane BBQ Festival. Returning to the sporting fields at Victoria Park on the July 27–28 weekend for two days of all-out carnivorous feasting, this annual affair is set to get people drooling. more
Somewhere along the line, coffee went from being a humble (albeit tasty) bean juice and evolved into a full-blown subculture. Brisbane has taken a firm grasp on the coffee-as-a-hobby phenomenon, fostering a caffeine culture that rivals its southern brethren. If you take your java seriously – or even if you just appreciate a good brew – there is a rad festival coming our way to celebrate all things to do with the good bean. The Lanes Coffee Festival is taking over Fortitude Valley’s three famous laneways on Saturday July 27, bringing a swag of experts together to enjoy, educate and discover. more
There’s a damn good reason that people love James Street – from the amazing sartorial selection to the unbeatable atmosphere, the designer precinct offers a range of luxury unlike anywhere else. As much as we love swanning around enjoying the amazing shopping on offer, the dining scene on James Street holds just as much of a place in our hearts – which is why every year we eagerly await the James Street Food and Wine Trail. Running from July 25–28, the annual event is back bigger and better than ever – so we thought we’d give you a taste with some must-do events throughout the festival. more
Folks, the most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us once more! We're not talking about Christmas – it's the Night Noodle Markets, baby! Taking over South Bank as part of Good Food Month presented by Citi, the hawker-style affair will be serving up delicious morsels from some of the country's most creative Asian food vendors. more
The air is crisp, the produce is fresh and our stomachs are growling in anticipation – yep, it’s time to welcome the return of Regional Flavours Presented by The Courier-Mail! The massive celebration of Queensland’s natural bounty is returning to South Bank from July 20–21, bringing a line-up of eats and entertainment that is as delicious as it is diverse. With so much going on, it can be hard to navigate to the bits of the festival that interest you the most – but we’ve got your back. Whether you’re chasing cheap eats or just want to keep your little ones busy, we’ve broken down the Regional Flavours offering so you can do it your way. more
September in Brisbane is a seriously magical time – we’re in the heart of springtime, spirits are high, and the city becomes home to one of our most beloved annual rituals. That’s right – Brisbane Festival is returning from September 5–28 and bringing with it a whole host of jaw-dropping entertainment. We’ve been keeping you posted on some juicy announcements as they come through, but the full program has finally made its way out into the world – and we’ve gotta tell you, it’s well worth getting excited about. more
Queenslanders have a whole lot to be proud of, but we would be lying if we said our food scene wasn’t the thing that gives us the most to brag about. After all, our unique (and very comfortable) climate yields some seriously amazing produce – not to mention the amazing makers, growers, farmers and chefs that we have working as a team to make Queensland’s culinary credentials top notch. Taking over the lush surrounds of the South Bank Parklands on the July 20–21 weekend, Regional Flavours presented by The Courier-Mail shines a bright light on Queensland’s abundant resources and those who bring them to our plates. more
There’s a reason that pretty much everyone on earth is obsessed with France – its rich cultural history and generally romantic aura definitely have us sold, not to mention that the food is next level. If you’re craving a true Parisian experience but can’t part with the plane fare, be sure to block out the July 5–7 weekend in your calendar because Le Festival is back! Taking over South Bank for three days of bliss, the annual Francophile gathering will combine authentic eats, entertainment and goodies to create a truly Euro-centric experience. more
Real talk – Brisbane has got it going on year-round when it comes to culinary prowess, but we’re certainly not ones to complain about a whole month dedicated to all things dining in our city. Throughout July, Brisbane is set to become a hotbed of all things eat and drink for the annual epicurean marathon that is Good Food Month, hosting a series of specially curated foodie events designed to make you drool. We already spilled the beans on the first announcement of the program back in May, so we thought we’d treat you to some other tasty titbits to get you excited for the month ahead. more
Have you ever been to a festival so kick-ass that you wish it could happen more than once a year? Proving that you can never have too much of a good thing, the legends from Beer InCider are returning for a second coming in 2019 to deliver tins, tunes and good times galore. Heading to the Brisbane Showgrounds on September 20–21, the froth-fest has just released its hotly anticipated music line-up – and we venture to say it's one of the best yet. more
It is an irrefutable fact that Brisbane winters are an absolute delight. We would never ever complain about our amazingly comfortable season, but sometimes we can’t help but wonder what it would be like if our town went all frosty on us – kind of like how Ariel had a sweet life under the sea but craved a taste of that land-based life. Well the good news is we don’t have to go making a shady deal with a sea witch to quell our curiosity and desire – Skating At Festival has returned to bring a heady dose of après ski vibes to King George Square from June 21 to July 15. more
The award-winning Sunnybank $2 Food Trail is back and ready to take your tastebuds on an Asian foodie adventure, when more than 45 Sunnybank restaurants and outlets will serve up an array of mouth-watering $2 mini dishes. Take a journey around Asia with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Taiwanese and Hong Kong cuisines. We’re talking crispy pork noodles, mouth-watering pan-fried dumplings, fresh sushi, chicken katsu, bubble tea, delectable hot cakes and beef pho noodle soup – there truly is something for all taste buds! more
Considering how killer Australia’s daytime caffeine scene is, it seems like a damn shame that our favourite bars don’t have access to a speedy, convenient and top-tier option to play with when it comes to coffee-based cocktails … until now. The legends from Mr Black have distilled our country’s coffee culture into an evening alternative, creating a coffee liqueur that will have you seeing stars. Curious? You’re in luck! Mr Black is taking over The Gresham Bar for one night only to show you just what it can do – with a very special guest in tow. more
When it comes to the world of wine, things can come across as awfully serious. For those of us who enjoy a good drop, it can be hard to imagine just hanging out with the actual people that make wine – you know, the folk off in the vineyards tinkering and perfecting all of the delicious varieties we enjoy on the regular. One beloved event that puts a personal spin on the world of viticulture is Wine Playground, a day for vino-loving folk to sip and sample drops from some of Australia’s top winemakers – all while the winemakers themselves are present. Returning to Happy Boy (and its sibling Snack Man) on Saturday May 25, this is one sipping spectacular you won’t want to miss. more
The culinary highlight of the Brisbane winter is set to return in 2019, with yet another month of feasting and frolicking planned for our worthy maws from July 1–31. more