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, is showcasing 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 enchanting 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 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. MoB is once again inviting art lovers to escape the world outside and enter a new, far more colourful one inside its fun-filled exhibition Play Moves. Sticking around until April 16, 2023, this fantastical display is bringing together a bounty of local and national artists for a boundary-breaking art experience like no other. Exhibition-goers can stroll through six large-scale installations where every action you take makes the art around you come alive.

Theatre and live shows
You’d better kick your knees up and step in time to QPAC – Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s supercalifragilistic new production of Mary Poppins is closing this weekend and there are limited tickets left. This summer, the queens of SIX The Musical begin their reign at QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre. Remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak, these Tudor queens turned pop princesses retell their story in this high-octane pop musical, which has taken the world by storm. Be shocked and scandalised in a decadent evening of sensational acrobatics, operatic cabaret and tongue-in-cheek burlesque at BLUSH. This award-winning circus sensation is not to be missed! On the music front, Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody is returning with a brand-new show in 2023 spotlighting Queen’s greatest hits at The Tivoli on Friday. On Saturday, hip-hop heavyweights Thundamentals will return to The Tivoli for the fourth time since 2017 as part of the ENCORE series. Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer and songwriter Jordan Rakei is coming to The Princess Theatre on Saturday, while The Zoo will welcome Powerman 5000 on Thursday and SANSIBAR on Friday. Oasis tribute band Half The World Away is coming to The Triffid on Friday while Rina Sawayama will take the stage on Saturday.

Out-of-the-box activities
In the middle of Roma Street Parkland is where you’ll come across Moonlight Cinema, which is screening hits and serving up popcorn this summer. The outdoor cinema boasts a line-up of this season’s biggest blockbusters, hottest new releases and certified cult classics. Those feeling extra adventurous 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. Nerdy about NASA? If that’s a yes, then you’re going to love the space-centric experience that’s landed in Brisbane. Neighbourhood Earth is an out-of-this-world experience that lets visitors explore the solar system and our place within it. Feeling hot hot hot? The Nautilus Beach Club is open for the summer to both guests and the general public, and it’s the perfect place to cool down with a cocktail in hand. For just $29, guests can enjoy the pool for up to seven hours and you’ll even get a welcome spritz on arrival.

Markets and foodie fun
If you’re eager to stroll through some stalls and stock up on some fresh fruit and veg over the weekend, 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, Nundah Farmers 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 on Friday – a unique night market bringing a sense of wonder, excitement and sense-enlivening magic to West End. For a sweet treat, head to South Bank to check out pop-up Japanese eatery Kumo Kumo, which is slinging its signature jiggly souffle pancakes and speciality drinks for a limited time only. Hot margarita summer has arrived at The Boundary with the arrival of the Patrón Pop-Up. Head up to The Boundary rooftop and be transported to the beaches of Tulum, complete with margarita trees, bottomless nachos, tacos and all the good vibes you could ask for.

Want more? Head to The Weekend Edition’s comprehensive Event Guide for all of the fun around town where you can search by category, date, location and more!