What events to save on your calendar this winter in Brisbane
There’s no reason to hibernate this winter under your cosy blankets, with plenty of epic events that will have you out and about. From tasty foodie festivals, winter wonderlands, RnB sundays, interactive theatre, music and cultural festivals. Discover the best of Brisbane this winter!
The Epic return of Regional Flavours
When: June - October
Where: Southbank Parklands
More Info here
Much loved foodie heaven and a Southbank favourite, Regional Flavours returns in 2021 as a tasty three part series across June to October. Offering a suite of new programs, immersive experiences, stallholder offerings and esteemed chefs and restaurateurs. Grazed and Grown from 18 until 20 June looks to celebrate Australia’s incomparable landscape, Global Fiesta, the from 20 to 22 August will celebrate International food trends and Australia’s rich multicultural DNA, while Providore Park, from 15 to 17 October, will conclude the 2021 series celebrating wine, cheese and chocolate.
Celebrate winter at the newest winter village
When: Thursday 3 June - Sunday 29 August
Where: Northshore Riverfront Event Site, 33 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton, QLD, 4007
More Info here
For the first time ever, The Winter Village has opened in Brisbane! The alpine-inspired winter wonderland will be open daily and will run for three months, from 3rd June – 29th August. The Winter Village will transform the Northshore Riverfront Event Site into a 3900m2 winter wonderland, complete with an ice skating rink, an igloo village, daily snow showers and food & drink pop ups serving the ultimate cosy comfort food.
When: Every Sunday in June from 2pm
Where: Iris Rooftop Bar, Fortitude Valley Hotel X.
More info here
Discover Brisbane’s newest rooftop Sunday Sesh. Kick back in the clouds at Luxury Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant, Iris, for Sky High Sundays. A fantastic way to end your weekend on a high, embrace the soulful vibe and bask in insatiable views of the Brisbane City skyline and beyond. With live entertainment from 2pm onwards, Brisbane’s newest rooftop destination will welcome guests to enjoy the ultimate Sunday Sesh.
Support a great cause and satisfy your bookish ways!
When: Saturday 26 June- Sunday 4 July
Where: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southbank
More info here
Brisbane Bookfest is back, bigger and better in 2021. Showcasing high-quality books, plus a huge variety of puzzles, CDs and DVDs over nine massive days. Bring your squad as Brisbane Bookfest will be more spread out, across three halls of the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre, to keep COVID safe. Keep in mind there won’t be any packaging this year, so bring your bags, totes, suitcases. Money raised from this amazing event will support the 24-hour 13 11 14 Crisis Support Line.
Gerwyn Davies, Island 2017, inkjet print. Courtesy the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery.
Journey into subtropical Brisbane with City in the Sun
When: Saturday 19 June - Sunday 27 Feb
Where: Museum of Brisbane
More info here
Showcasing over 30 artworks, take a look back at how Brisbane saw itself. The exhibition includes 8 significant commissions by local artists including Kinly Grey, Christopher Bassi, Laura Patterson, Rachael Sarra, Sam Tupou, Sebastian Moody, Holly Anderson and Rachel Burke, coupled with works by Gerwyn Davies, Michael Zavros and Tracey Moffatt, to name a few. Travel back in time with a film from the National Film and Sound archive from 1954 called 'Brisbane - City in the Sun', marvel at Sunshine Psychology, a large-scale light and text work by leading Brisbane artist Sebastian Moody, plus for a real City in the Sun experience, join family and friends in our backyard complete with an immersive installation by Rachel Burke with flower beds, a tinsel sky and cubby house all adorned in her signature sparkled, hyper colourful style.
Feel the magic of music at MoB
When: Friday 20th & Saturday 28th August, 7pm-8:30pm
Where: Museum of Brisbane
More Info here
Join Camerata, Queensland's Chamber Orchestra as they perform a dynamic original score inspired by City in the Sun. After four weeks of musical play and composition, Camerata’s immersive residency at MoB will culminate in an exquisite evening of music. Take a stroll through the museum after dark and feel City in the Sun come alive with the magic of music as Camerata's eight-piece ensemble perform their original score. Stay on for an “In Conversation” with exhibition curator Miranda Hine and Camerata's Artistic Director Brendan Joyce as they journey through the themes and inspirations of City in the Sun.
Image: “The First Embrace” by Mads Nissen
See the World Press Photo Exhibition 2021
When: Until 18 July
Where: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
More Info here
Discover this FREE exhibition, following an unexpected year of pandemics, tragedy and social justice movements, the World Press Photo Exhibition 2021 returns to Brisbane Powerhouse to showcase some of the most spectacular images and visual journalism highlights of the past year.
Image @eatlocalweek
Visit the Scenic Rim for Eat Local Week!
When: Saturday, 26 June– Monday, 5 July
Where: Scenic Rim
More info here
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week showcases the people who produce food and wine in the Scenic Rim. The region, with its fertile alluvial soil, produces a bountiful selection of fruit and vegetables, wines, milk and gourmet products such as olives, cheeses, jams and relishes. It features plenty of free and low-cost activities for children and families, including farm tours, cooking classes, producer dinners and opportunities to meet the farmers and taste their wares. The week culminates in the Winter Harvest Festival, Scenic Rim Eat Local Week’s signature event. It’s a celebration of food, wine and farming. There’s live music, fresh produce, cooking demonstrations and plenty of good old fashioned country hospitality.
image by @outerspace.brisbane
See the latest exhibitions from Outerspace Gallery
When: Wednesday - Friday 12pm - 6pm (all year), 12pm - 4pm Saturdays during exhibitions.
Where: 420 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
More info here
Explore the latest works of artists at galleries you may not have heard about. Outer Space is a not-for-profit Contemporary Arts organisation located next to the Judith Wright Arts Centre whose aim is to collaborate with artists and arts workers to develop, make, and present critically engaged creative practice in a supportive professional environment.
Image by @goboatbrisbane
Explore the River City like never before!
When: All year
Where: 44 Ferry St, Kangaroo Point, then Newstead (contact GoBoat)
More info here
What’s better than a picnic? A picnic on a boat, exploring Brisbane, and the wonderful views of the River City. Experience Brisbane like never before, with up to 8 people aboard your very own environmentally-friendly, self-drive picnic boat. Communal recycled timber picnic table included, and No Boat Licence Required!
See the best pieces of Art from The Met
When: Sunday 12 June - Sunday 17 October
Where: Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Pl, South Brisbane QLD 4101
More info here
Visit some of the best pieces of art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, without ever leaving Brisbane! With the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) as the exclusive Australian Venue for the major exhibition ‘European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’, you’ll be able to see 500 years of European art, featuring 65 paintings charting Western art history’s most iconic movements and will also include works by Titian, Raphael, Goya, Vermeer, Cézanne and others.
Visit Winter in the Vineyards at Regatta Hotel
When: Wednesday 16 June - until end of Winter
Where: Regatta Hotel, 543 Coronation Drive, Toowong
More info here
There will be no need to leave the city to enjoy vineyards this winter. The iconic Regatta Hotel will transform its open-air Courtyard into a winery setting this season with a Winter in the Vineyards activation for Brisbanites to enjoy. Available Wednesday to Sunday from 11.30am, the Regatta Hotel Courtyard will be offering a mulled wine and antipasto style menu featuring baked jersey brie, goats cheesecake in sesame pastry crust and a Ploughman’s Picnic. On Sunday 27th June, the Regatta Hotel host the Harvest Festival, an epic event celebrating local produce. The free entry Harvest Festival will see pop-up market stalls featuring a variety of local cheese, antipasto and wine. Olympus cheese, Salumi Australia and Chinchilli sauces will be present along with Brockenchack wines and the mulled wine cart. A special food menu will feature all of the delicious local products for the day. Live music by Benjam Band will entertain.
Get the best gardening tips from the Qld Garden Expo
When: Friday 9 July - Sunday 11 July
Where: Nambour Showgrounds, Sunshine Coast
More info here
Guests will be spoilt for choice at the 2021 Queensland Garden Expo with a full speaker program including over 40 of the country’s most impressive gardening gurus at this year’s event from 9-11 July. With 60,000 plants on sale each day and plenty of activities for all ages to experience over 7 hectares, this year’s event will be one of the biggest ever. Tickets are $20 for adults, while children under 15 are free.
Image by @brisstyle
Find some goodies from a Brisstyle Markets
When: Sat 19 Jun, Fri 30 July, Sat 28 Aug
Where: 19 Jun, 28 Aug, Qld Musuem “Whale Mall”, 30 July King George Square
More info here
The Bris Style markets is a chance to shop local artisan hand-made wares and unique pieces, from jewellery, through to homewares, clothing and much more. It is the perfect opportunity to support local creative talent whilst enjoying the perfect Brisbane winter day.
Celebrate the Laneways of Fortitude Valley
When: Saturday 14 August
Where: Winn Lane, California Lane, Lucky Lane, Bakery Lane
More info here
Fortitude Valley’s laneways comes alive for this day-long festival showcasing art, design, fashion, beauty, food, wine, and an impressive musical line-up. Featuring almost 50 bands and DJs headlined by Newcastle's dance-punks RAAVE TAPES, the lush pop adventures of Connor Brooker (of BUGS fame) and the soulful, disco beats of Buttercats.
Winter Sunset Sundays at Portside Wharf
When: Sundays throughout Winter
Where: Portside Wharf
More info here
Over the winter months, Portside Wharf is the place to be. Indulge in delicious food, cocktails and live entertainment with Drag Bingo, Smoky Sundays at Byblos, Dine with Dendy and the Portside lifestyle market all happening in the one scenic spot by the river.
Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival
When: July 30, 31 and Aug 1st
Where: Apex Park, Woody Point.
More info here
Get your tastebuds ready to EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. (REPEAT) all weekend-long as you make your way through the Festival Precinct on Saturday and Sunday, winding along Woody Point’s foreshore, famous for its spectacular sunsets. From unique dining experiences, cooking demonstrations, pop-up bars, live entertainment, celebrity chefs, food trucks, fireworks, masterclasses, and local produce; the 2021 festival program has the recipe to satisfy everyone’s palate.
Enjoy an epic 6 day Music Festival!
When: 5 August - 11 August
Where: Various venues across Brisbane
More info here
**UPDATE. This event has been postponed.
For the first time ever, Brisbane’s kicking off an incredible six-day Brisbane Winter Sessions music festival this August – bringing an unrivalled line up in celebration of the city’s iconic live music industry. Supported by Brisbane City Council and Triple J and produced by QMusic, Winter Sessions runs 5 – 11 August and features headline acts such as, No Money Enterprise, Thy Art Is Murder, Ian Haug (ex-Powderfinger), Ben Ely (ex Regurgitator), Nina Las Vegas, Miiesha, Trophy Eyes, Last Dinosaurs, plus many more.
Laugh out Loud at the Comedy Festival
When: Friday 16 July - Sunday 8 August
Where: Various venues across Brisbane
More info here
Brisbane Comedy Festival is back to inject some fun and laughter with a spectacular line-up of comedians. Homegrown heroes, repeat offenders and fan favourites will be performing over three action-packed weeks at Brisbane Powerhouse, The Tivoli and The Fortitude Music Hall.
Indulge in mouth-watering truffle season
When: Now - Saturday 7 August
Where: Emporium Hotels, South Bank
More info here
Emporium Hotel’s decadent restaurant, Signature, is bringing fresh produce to the plate with a mouth-watering truffle menu for a limited time only. Available from 1 July to 7 August - husband and wife duo Executive Chef Chris Norman and Executive Sous Chef Alex Norman have created an indulgent seven-course degustation menu priced at $140pp, where truffles are featured in every course, fresh, pickled and infused. Bookings can be made via OpenTable or via email: dine@emporiumhotels.com.au or Telephone Emporium Hotel South Bank: (07) 3556 3333
Free coffee and shots of comedy!
When: Tuesday 20 July – Friday 23 July
Where: Various locations around Brisbane City
Tickets: Free
Coffee and Comedy returns to Brisbane City for the perfect double shot of free coffee and live stand-up from some of Australia's top comedic talents. From Tuesday 20th July, participating Brisbane CBD cafés will be serving up the ultimate caffeine happy hour where the first 100 visitors will enjoy a free coffee and a whole latte laughs.
When: Now until 31st July
Where: Various venues and locations
More info here
After a hiatus in 2020, one of Brisbane’s loved foodie events, the Good Food month returns with an array of mouth-watering lunches, dinners, pop-up events and much more. Featuring some of Australia’s biggest names, and shining a light on home-grown talent, the Good Food month is in its eighth year promising an inspiring program throughout July.
Shop in one scenic spot at Portside Markets
When: Sunday 25 July 11am - 3pm
Where: Various venues and locations
More info here
Brisbane’s newest outdoor market experience will be returning to Portside Wharf on Sunday 25 July from 11am to 3pm - allowing you to shop and dine in the one scenic spot by the river. Presented by The Market Folk and featuring a range of creatives, designers, local makers and entrepreneurs, the markets are an opportunity to enjoy the day exploring the city’s finest ceramics, plants, candles, fashion, jewellery, art, homewares, pet accessories and more.
Escape to France on your lunch break
When: Monday - Friday 12pm - 3pm.
Where: Bisou Bisou, Hotel X Ground Floor
More info here
What better way to savour a work break than with a quick trip to France? Well, look no further than Brisbane’s luxury French brasserie Bisou Bisou offering an Express Lunch deal every Monday-Friday from 12noon – 3:00pm. For just $48 for 2 courses and $58 for 3, you get the choice of three options in each course. Imagine feasting on a cream of mushroom soup with truffled mushrooms on toast, followed by a delectable parmesan and thyme crusted chicken schnitzel with caper beurre and then indulging in a dessert of dark chocolate mousse with white coffee ice cream. Need we say more?
