Discover Brisbane's guide to the 10 best things to do in the next 7 days and school holidays
Months of winter induced hibernation is well and truly over as Spring has injected life into Brisbane and its surrounding regions. Festivals abound this weekend, and over the coming school holidays with events to satisfy curious minds, nature lovers, and hungry foodies.
Cover Photo by Eat Street
Sweet! Head to Eat Street’s Kombi Alley Drive-Through Dessert Festival
For everyone who’s been waiting with excitement for the day when the Eat Street Markets re-open, well this weekend, and over the School Hoilday weekends, Eat Street is re-opening with a twist to keep you all safe and contained. Welcome to the Kombi Alley “Drive-Through” Dessert festival. Choose from cronuts, doughnut fries, canolli, super shakes, glazed doughnuts & take home ice-cream tubs from the comfort of your car. Tune in your radio to 88.1 FM and listen to Eat Street’s own Drive-Thru DJ, Johnny Dram.
When: Friday and Saturday, 3pm–9pm, and Sunday, 12pm–8pm, until 4 October.
Where: More info here
Image by @eatstreet
Make the most of the Swell Sculpture Festival and head to the Gold Coast
It’s your last weekend to see Queensland’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition. Come face to face with awe-inspiring sculptures by local, national and international artists at the 18th SWELL Sculpture Festival
Stay a little longer and discover a range of unique experiences; guided twilight walks through the artworks, artist talks next to the sculptures and artist led workshops.
When: Sep 11 - 20
Where: Gold Coast
More info here
Hand in the Sand by Karl Meyer. Image by @pbrimagesoz courtesy of @swellsculpture
Day trip it out to Toowoomba and see the stunning Carnival of Flowers
The iconic Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is back, and right now 170,000 blooms carpeting the entire city for the festival. This year’s event is of course with a socially distant twist, but breath-taking floral displays, plus music, twilight tours and food are still very much on offer. For an even better view, snatch a pod on the ferris wheel located in the middle of Queens Gardens. Top tip: Definitely stick around after dark for The Night Garden and witness the stunning light display which will take over the Botanic Gardens.
When: Sep 18 - 27
Where: Toowoomba
More info here
Image by @millyrosebannister
Watch Independent Films at a historic theatre
The historic Elizabeth Picture Theatre is the site of this year’s Australia Independent Film Festival. Multiple screening sessions will take place from Sep 18 - 19, showcasing the very best Australian and International short films, documentaries, animations and more!
When: Sep 18 - 19
Where: Elizabeth Picture Theatre
More info here
Image Credit @imdb / amazon Poached Movie
Let the festivities Be-Gin! Brisbane Gin Festival
Taking place over two days, Saturday and Sunday, get your tastebuds ready for the Brisbane Gin Festival. Taste signature gin cocktails, and delight at delectable eats at Welcome To Bowen Hills. The festival will feature gin makers such as Wolf Lane Distillery, Larrikin Gin, Brisbane Gin and more. Although all tickets to the earlier sessions are sold out, you can try your luck for the free 730pm sessions.
When: Sep 19-20
Where: Welcome to Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills
More info here
Image by @welcometobowenhills
Get your kids outdoors and entertained these School Holidays
Kids Collective is a free holiday program running Monday to Friday at Roma Street Parkland. Aimed at kids from 5-12 years old, the free outdoor series is set to entertain children with a range of educational and interactive activities, stimulating parts of the brain that assist in creative thinking, problem solving as well as fine and gross motor skills. Southbank will host the Kids Collective Thursday mornings for the younger kids 0-5 years old.
When: Sep 21 - Oct 2
Where: Roma Street Parkland and Southbank
Image credit @visitbrisbane
Ignite your kids imagination at Queensland Museum’s Sparklab
Visit Queensland Museum’s SparkLab these school holidays and explore interactive exhibits and discover how science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) affect your everyday world. Ideal for 6 to 13 year olds, there are live experiments at the Science Bar and kids can get hands on at the Maker Space, designing and creating a solution to a challenging question.
When: Ongoing
Where: Qld Museum
More info here
Image credit @stephaniedaviesart and @qldmusuem
Digi Youth Arts presents a collection of performances across music and spoken word in response to Uncle Richard Bell’s Embassy; a public space for imagining and articulating alternate futures and reflecting on, or retelling, stories of oppression and displacement. These performances are the outcome of a creative development program that nurtures the next generation of Indigenous young people by providing space to remake, regenerate and reclaim their culture through performance, visual art and music.
When: Sep 19 Sat 4pm. FREE.
Where: Bunyapa Park, West End
Image by LaVonne Bobongie (Brisbane Festival)
Discover the Minjerribah Arts Trail
Hop to Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) as you discover local artists and makers. Visitors will be welcomed to artsits private studios, workshops and galleries in celebration of Minjerribah’s opulent arts and vibrant local artist community. Held over three consecutive weekends (Friday-Monday), you can design your own arts trail experience. Meet the artists and makers, understand their inspirations and practices, take part in a workshop or just browse and buy in the galleries and studios.
When: Sep 18 - Oct 5
Where: Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island
More info here
Image Credit Visit Redlands Coast
Catch a free midweek flick, Rom Coms & Nom Noms
The midweek Rom Coms & Nom Noms pop-up cinema and bar is back at Brisbane City’s Post Office Square. The inner-city green space of Post Office Square will host a line-up of popular romantic comedies and a pop-up bar catered by Isles Lane.
When: Every Wednesday in September from 5pm
Where: Post Office Square
More info here
Image by @discoverbrisbane
Due to COVID19 please check with individual operators, or their official websites (social media accounts), for the most up to date information on events or activities listed on this site.
