Music
Two fixtures of Australian indie rock unite this weekend for a show at The Tivoli. Dune Rats is joining forces with FIDLAR for one night only, bringing their grunge sounds and sweat-soaked mosh pits to Brisbane. The two bands have remained tethered throughout their respective careers, spending the better part of a decade playing shows together and supporting each other on tour. On Friday, this brotherhood will be taking the stage, playing their most beloved hits from over a decade dominating the country’s indie rock scene. 

Live events
If what you really need this weekend is a femininomenon – you’re in luck, babe! Newstead venue The Triffid is transforming into its very own Pink Pony Club with a themed night dedicated to the savour of pop music, Chappell Roan. Get hot to go for a night of drag queens, burlesque dances and themed drinks – kicking off from 8:00 pm on Friday.

For more fruity fun this weekend, The Princess Theatre will be hosting The Alexander Ball for the event’s fifth year. A celebration of the ballroom scene, Ella Ganza continues her reign as houses from across the country and overseas flock to Brisbane and battle it out for the Grand Prize. Gather your chosen family and get ready for a night of high drama, chaos, notoriety and status.

BRIEFS FACTORY’s takeover of The Art Boat continues this weekend. Now, this is not your mother’s version of Brisbane Festival staple event – the 2024 iteration embarks on a vivacious voyage of circus, burlesque and drama. Resident artists Fez Faanana, Mark Winmill and Brett Rosengreen and a dazzling array of special guests unite for an extravagant night on Brisbane River.

Head north this weekend and put petal to the metal for the award-winning Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. The festival returns for its 75th year, continues to blossom as a spring-tacular seasonal extravaganza. With live music, local food and wine, activities, activations and acres upon acres of breathtaking botanical beauty this four-week festival is set to stun from September 13 to October 7.

Theatre
The Broadway blockbuster WICKED will be flying into QPAC this weekend. The iconic musical follows the enthralling origin story of the wicked witch – long before Dorothy arrived. With a book penned by Stephen Schwartz, sensational sets and magical costuming, the show will defy your expectations (and gravity).

Trent Dalton’s second stage adaptation comes to QPAC this weekend with the debut of Love Stories. The same team behind the smash-hit Boy Swallows Universe have reunited to bring to life another one of Trent’s best-selling stories. Love Stories will follow the two months Trent spent gathering stories on his sky-blue 1960s Olivetti typewriter, on a prominent street corner in Brisbane’s CBD, asking passers by: ‘Can you please tell me a love story?’. This new play is bound for icon status and will be beginning its run this weekend.

This weekend marks your last chance to see acclaimed director and choreographer Luke Murphy’s latest piece of experimental dance theatre. Volcano takes on the science-fiction mystery genre through a multimedia dance experience that’s been created for the Netflix age, blurring the lines between form and expectation for a voyeuristic look at time, memory and isolation.

Something wicked this way comes with QPAC’s new production, GRIMM. This brand-new show from Shake and Stir Theatre Co delves into the darkness of our favourite fairy tales with spine-tingling takes on the stories you know and love. The bold adaption reimagines the literary legends through a raw new lens, featuring lavish costuming design by Australian fashion icon Paul McCann.

The new show from celebrated director, writer, comedian and choreographer Ghenoa Gela, GURR ERA OPP, makes its Brisbane debut this weekend. This captivating fusion of theatre, movement and spoken word follows four mainland-born Torres Strait Islander women as they battle against the rising tide that threatens their home, culture and identity. Ghenoa’s landmark work marks a call to action for a better future for us all. You can buy tickets for this mesmerising show here.

Dendy Powerhouse is doing a screening this weekend of the award-winning Prima Facie by Brisbane’s own Suzie Miller. Starring the incomparable Jodie Comer, this thrilling piece of theatre has catapulted to modern classic status since it debuted. Experience London’s Nation Theatre production of this enthralling exploration of gender, power and the law at Dendy Powerhouse’s luxe open-air cinema this Sunday.

Arts and exhibitions
Lightscape returns to set Brisbane’s Botanical Gardens alight with a technicolour wonderland of music and light. Back as part of Brisbane Festival, Lightscape invites you on a 2-km trail of glowing tree canopies, sparkling tunnels and neon-lit tree roots. The light show is running all September and kicks off this Saturday.

Experience fifty years of pop culture through the eyes of fashion’s enfant terrible this weekend with the Australian premiere of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show. This new theatrical spectacle by the fashion powerhouse is a centrepiece of this year’s Brisbane Festival. Bare witness to new exclusive outfits by Jean Paul Gaultier alongside some of his most iconic creations on the Brisbane runway in this unmissable fashion event.

Fashion fans should also head to Brisbane Powerhouse this weekend to experience the trailblazing work of Grace Lillian Lee’s new exhibition The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace. The exhibition will showcase eight ethereal shields and armours of Grace’s totem, Koysemer (moth), exploring Grace’s multicultural lineage from the symbolism of the Koysemer to her Chinese name. The exhibition opens this Friday.

Iconic Brisbane-born author Trent Dalton continues his artist residency at Museum of Brisbane this weekend. Trent’s work just premiered at QPAC with the world-premiere Love Stories at Brisbane Festival, documenting Trent’s time spent writing the love stories on a busy street corner in Brisbane City. This new exhibition invites you to fill the Dome Gallery with tender tales by writing your own love letters to celebrate everything and everyone we love in the city.

School holidays
This weekend also marks the start of the school holidays and fortunately, Brisbane is putting on a show to keep the little ones entertained. For budding-little theatre-buffs, La Boite is premiering Brisbane and craft icon Rachel Burke’s debut play Fancy Long Legs. This new play is an adaptation of Rachel’s upcoming children’s picture book which follows Fancy, a spider who loves to create webs but struggles to stay focused on her craft. The adorable arachnid sets off on a quest to find her own style and identity with the help of her friends in a wholesome new tale about neurodivergence. Shows kick off from Thursday September 12.

Disney’s Cinderella is also currently touring Westfield’s across the country and will be making a magical appearance from this Saturday at Westfield Chermside. The beloved princess will be hosting captivating storytelling sessions, interactive moments and photo opportunities. For our little foodies, Vapiano is currently hosting kids pizza-making classes, inviting kids into the kitchen to make their very own pizza and learn about the Italian delicacy’s ingredients and herbs – plus they get to take home a mini apron. Bellissimo!

Classic children’s book The Gruffalo returns to the stage this weekend with a run of shows at QUT Gardens Theatre. Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Catch The Gruffalo this Saturday.

Westfield Carindale’s new and improved food precinct opens this weekend, treating the southside shopping centre to a bunch of new restaurants. To celebrate, Carindale is hosting a whole fleet of festivities to welcome the new dining destinations. Talented illustrator Kaili Saba will be creating hand-drawn foodie portraits as well as complimentary face painting, roaming entertainment and LED hoopers. These events will be running all weekend will more information on the Westfield Carindale website.

Food and drink
Renowned bartender Matt Whiley – known best for his eccentric and conscious cocktail creations – is collaborating with W Hotel. This week, Matt will be running four exclusive masterclasses, where the master mixologist will teach you the concocting secrets. Shake and stir alongside Matt and discover his unique approach to bartending and sustainability.

Markets
Hamilton’s Superordinary welcomes Soul Curated Markets this weekend, treating you to goodies from local creatives and makers. Shop curated collections of second-life vintage and grab a bite at the fleet of food trucks as well. Running from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Soul Curated Markets lets you start your weekend with river views, live DJs and a vibrant atmosphere.

Stock up on fresh-local produce, bespoke goodies and street food snacks at one of the weekly markets as well. Riverside Markets, Kelvin Grove Village Market, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Carseldine Markets, Nundah Farmers Markets and the Redcliffe Markets are open and trading this weekend. For our night owls still craving the delicious market fare but can’t beat the ‘snooze’ button and hit up Eat Street Northshore. Open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Want more? Head to our comprehensive Event Guide for all of the fun around town where you can search by category, date, location and more! We do our best to remove cancelled events but be sure to check the organiser’s own event page for the most current updates.