Live shows
A bunch of must-see concerts, gigs and music-soaked soirees are coming to Brisbane this weekend, and we are ready to treat our ears to some live tunes. The Zoo will host MY DISCO on Friday, Yours Truly on Saturday and a yacht-rock party on Sunday. The Chaser – War on 2022 is coming to Fortitude Music Hall on Friday, while RÜFÜS DU SOL will take over the venue for a late-night after-party with DJ sets on Saturday, following its sold-out live show at Brisbane’s Showgrounds. Over at The Triffid, Alex Cameron is set to take the stage on Friday and With Confidence will be bringing the noise on Sunday. Peter Hook & the Light will hit The Tivoli on Friday to perform Joy Division’s landmark albums, Unknown Pleasures and Closer, in full and sequential order. Australian hip hop act Bliss n Eso will be playing The Tivoli on Saturday, while comedian Rob Beckett will making gig goers laugh on Sunday. Celebrated cover band The Hindley Street Country Club are headed to The Princess Theatre on Saturday, while Brisbane post-hardcore outfit Deadlights and regional Victorian metallers Mirrors join forces at the venue on Saturday. On Saturday, sink some frothy sips at Felons Barrel Hall and listen to live tunes courtesy of Mildlife. Valley Fiesta will be taking over Fortitude Valley this weekend with live tunes galore – think free shows from the likes of indie rockers HOLY HOLY, folktronica singer-songwriter Gordi, local pop-duo WIIGZ and indie-pop songstress Jess Day. Yonder Festival returns from another lap around the sun this weekend in the Scenic Rim. Expect a stacked program of music, workshops, live art and theatre acts in a sharing of copious creativity. Back in The City, grab a blanket, picnic basket and rally up your mates to enjoy an afternoon of Gigs & Picnics. Think mellow jazz sounds, modern reggae and dub vibes, gypsy swing and more, set against the lush backdrop of the City Botanic Gardens.

Exhibitions
One of our favourite ways to spend our free time is strolling through an art gallery, and there’s no better place to do this than at QAGOMA. The gallery’s summer blockbuster exhibition, Air, premieres this weekend and is set to showcase immersive and large-scale works by leading international and Australian artists exploring the cultural, ecological and political dimensions of air. Courage and Beauty is another fresh exhibition to grace the gallery, and this spellbinding showcase celebrates the vision and generosity of Queensland art collector and philanthropist James C. Sourris AM. Curious culture lovers can also check out Embodied Knowledge, a focused survey of new work by Queensland artists showing at Queensland Art Gallery. This group of commissioned and recent projects brings to the fore the voices of women, people of colour and LGBTIQA+ artists, all with a close connection to the sunshine state. Fans of Mickey, Minnie, Elsa, Anna and everyone in between are sure to adore Queensland Museum’s newest exhibition, Disney: The Magic of Animation. This kid- and adult-friendly exhibition will draw back the curtain on almost 100 years of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, revealing the magic and hard work behind scenes of your favourite animated films. Giving us the perfect excuse to wander around the city is Brisbane City Council’s newest Outdoor Gallery exhibition, play/ground. Art enthusiasts are set to be wowed by a series of breathtaking artworks in light boxes, banners, vitrines, and evening projections across destinations including Howard Smith Wharves, Ann Street and Fish Lane.

Theatre
Queensland Theatre is doing something pretty special for its final production of the year. It has partnered with serving Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Johnston CSC, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, to present the world premiere of First Casualty, currently playing at the theatre until December 10. This hard-hitting tale, which is informed by the authentic experience of Christopher (who wrote the play) and his colleagues, is an imagined account of soldiers on a remote patrol base in southern Afghanistan. Lovers of F. Scott Fitzgerald can immersive themselves in 1920s glamour at The Great Gatsby: An Immersive Theatrical Production. Led by an ensemble cast of the highest calibre Australian actors, this production will offer audiences the opportunity to experience the story of Gatsby as they have never seen it before. Expect secret rendezvous, dramatic confrontations, bootleg gin and a party that only Gatsby could throw. We hope you’re holding onto your umbrellas as Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s supercalifragilistic new production of Mary Poppins is currently showing at QPAC for a strictly limited season. Adapted from the beloved stories by PL Travers and the original film, this stage show is a practically perfect time. Be transported to the isles of Scotland with the magical and modern folktale – Islander the musical. Playing at the Pip Theatre in Milton this November, the family-friendly theatre performance will amaze audiences with innovative looping technology, hilarious characters, ear-tingly harmonies, a Scottish folk-pop score and inspiring storytelling.Wynnum Fringe returns for its biggest party yet from November 16 to December 4 with three weeks of big-name artists, legendary ambassadors and spectacular performances. The Marcia Hines-led Velvet Rewired, a glittering, high-energy fusion of disco, dance, burlesque and circus, also returns while show-stopping, sexy and stunt-filled production GODZ will be transporting the audience to Ancient Greece. An unabashed celebration of queer art, artists and ideas – MELT Festival is currently serving up some sizzling entertainment at Brisbane Powerhouse. This weekend you can catch the MELT Comedy Gala on Saturday for a few laughs, check out Queerstories with Benjamin Law on Sunday for some heartfelt tales of pride, prejudice, resilience and resistance, or be transported to the fantasy full-filling awards ceremony for the future with Polytoxic’s new cabaret work, In Your Dreams. With Christmas right around the corner, there’s no better time to start checking off Santa’s wish list than on November 25 for Black Friday at Queen St Mall. With more than 500 stores to meander through, there will be plenty of opportunities to steal a deal!

Out-of-the-box activities
Lasers, lizards and 22,000-sqm of custom-made lighting is just a taste of what you can expect to find at this year’s The Enchanted Garden, which is set to light up Brisbane once more. Returning to Roma Street Parkland from November 25 to December 21, the family-friendly showcase sees the lush grounds light up in a spectacular technicolour display that is sure to take your breath away. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Brisbane and what better way to kick off the festive season than with the iconic Lord Mayor’s Lighting of the Christmas Tree presented by The Lott by Golden Casket on Friday at King George Square. Picturesque parklands, sparkling summer starlight and fantastic food – gather your loved ones and treat yourself to a night of cinematic splendour with the return of Moonlight Cinema. Australia’s favourite outdoor cinema, Moonlight Cinema is set to showcase this season’s biggest blockbusters, hottest new releases and certified cult classics in idyllic inner-city spot Roma Street Parkland. Those feeling extra adventurous this weekend can hit up Brisbane’s most ‘grammable experience – Imaginaria. The stunning immersive play experience combines audio-visual art, inflatable architecture, light installations and futuristic gamification suitable for all ages. From now until December 3 you can treat yourself to some quality you-time at the Medibank Feel Good Program. Set in the serene surrounds of South Bank Parklands, the program is offering a range of classes to suit all ages and fitness levels. Surrender yourself to the serenity at yoga, get pumped up at energy class and even bring along your little one for the mini and me classes. Nerdy about NASA? If that’s a yes, then you’re going to love the new space-centric experience coming to Brisbane. Neighbourhood Earth is an out-of-this-world experience that lets visitors explore the solar system and our place within it. Grab the popcorn as Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is back from November 11 to 27 and will be playing cinematic gems at Palace Barracks Cinemas and QAGOMA – there’s everything from anime and thrillers about serial killers to a mouth-watering foodie documentary. Those looking to get into the Christmas spirit can have a whole bunch of festive fun at Christmas Putt Putt at Victoria Park. Aim for a ho, ho, hole in one as you putt through festive fairways decked out with bells, bows and bright twinkling lights. Want to immerse yourself in some amazing acrobatics? You can expect to see breathtaking athleticism at Circa’s new show On by Circa playing at QPAC from November 23–26.

Markets and foodie fun
If you’re eager to stroll through some stalls and stock up on some fresh fruit and veg, be sure check out these markets happening – Saturday Fresh Market, Riverside Markets, Kelvin Grove Village Market, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Davies Park Market,Carseldine Markets and the Redcliffe Markets. For delicious dinnertime eats, Eat Street Northshore is on for your snacking pleasure on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights or a hint of mystery, head to Westoria this Friday – a new night market bringing a sense of wonder, excitement and sense-enlivening magic to West End. On Sunday, the Brisbane Genki Market will be bringing a cross-cultural showcase of arts and crafts to The City. This Saturday you can get a head start on your Christmas shopping at the Milton Christmas Twilight Markets. Expect artisan handmade gifts as well as gourmet eats, live entertainment and plenty of festive cheer! Market goers can expect new and second-hand goods and amazing street food, all with a uniquely Asian flavour. On Sunday, Albion restaurant Hervé’s Restaurant and Bar will host a festive lunch celebrating their relationship with treasured supplier (and maker of the famous Jersey Girl cultured butter) Tommerup’s Dairy Farm. This lip-smacking lunch features a carefully curated five-course menu with wine pairings by the Hervé’s team – it’s the perfect way to kick off the silly season! More delicious bites and drops await at Valley Hops Brewing’s first birthday party on Sunday, where beer lovers can get knee-deep in live tunes, sink cold ones and enjoy $10 share plate specials. Ease yourself into the weekend a little early with pizza and prosecco on Thursday nights at Will & Flow at Beats & Eats. For just $20, you’ll enjoy a pizza or pide with a glass of prosecco, as well as live entertainment. Take your tastebuds on tour at the King Street Food Fiesta for the opening night of the Valley Fiesta on Friday. Discover amazing flavours from King St restaurants as they serve tasting plates of signature dishes from right outside their venue from $6. In absolutely stunning news for our river city, we’re getting treated to just that thanks to Kumo Kumo, which will be bringing its jiggly Japanese street-style pancakes and speciality drinks to South Bank from Wednesday November 23 to Sunday January 29. There are several flavours to tuck in to including whipped butter and Jarah honey, creme brulee and the Biscoffee, a creative concoction melding Biscoff and coffee cream with whipped mascarpone. For some seriously sweet sips, join the bevy of tea lovers descending on The Old Museum on Saturday for the summer edition of the Brisbane Tea Festival. You’ll try new teas and foods, meet tea purveyors, plus learn new brewing tips and tricks. This Saturday will see James Street host Lunch Club, a private dance party open to those dining at participating venues from 12:00 pm that day. If you lunch at Biànca, Cru Bar, ESSA, Gemelli, The Green, Harvey’s Bistro, Hellenika, Mosconi, sAme sAme, Sixes and Sevens, SK Steak & Oyster or Sushi Room, you’ll be given a key that will grant you access to a guerilla-style soiree taking place from 2:00 pm at Studio Gallery on Wandoo Street. The post-lunch after party will feature drinks whipped up by the team from LOS as well as a DJ set by The Kite String Tangle.