Live music
Iconic dance beats will be billowing from Riverstage on Saturday night when super-charged technicolour concert Synthony returns with its unique fusion of electronic dance music, live orchestra, DJs, immersive visuals and vocalists (including Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Ilan Kidron of The Potbelleez). Like the sound of that? Get your last-minute tickets here. Over at Eatons Hill Hotel, Regurgitator is celebrating its iconic 1997 album UNIT in the form of a massive hometown carnival of music this Saturday from 1:00 pm, with a cohort of big Brisbane names like DZ Deathrays, Custard, Butterfingers, Resin Dogs, Screamfeeder, Models and more on the bill. Over at The Tivoli this weekend, Indie-punk group The Smith Street Band hits the stage on Friday night, before party-starters Peking Duk really up the ante with a show of dance-worthy mega hits on Saturday night.

For something a little more mellow, Gigs and Picnics returns to the lush City Botanic Gardens this Saturday (it’s held on the fourth Saturday of the month) for an afternoon of free live tunes – think cool jazz sounds, modern reggae and swingin’ gypsy beats. On Sunday, head to Queen Street Mall to see the South East Queensland Symphonic Winds perform everything from light classical through to Broadway favourites, movie themes and original wind-band compositions, as part of Brisbane’s City Sounds.

Foodie fun
PSA – it’s the final week to experience Night Feast! Brisbane Powerhouse’s month-long immersive art and market-style feasting mecca has been luring folks from near and far for the past three weeks with a sizzling line-up of 20 gourmet food stalls by top Brisbane restaurants, alongside a dedicated dessert bar, cocktail and wine-bar pop-ups, and appearances by guest chefs. While you stroll, snack and sip, immersive art installations, roaming performances, DJ sets and live music from visual and performance artists illuminate the night around you – it’s a must-do! Luckily, the Night Feast hours have been extended to ensure everyone gets a taste – you can check it out from Wednesday to Friday from 4:30–9:30 pm or on Saturday and Sunday from 2:00–9:00 pm. Don’t miss it.

Big week? Ease into the weekend a little early with woodfired pizzas, sips, views and tunes at Eats & Beats at Will & Flow. It kicks off at 4:30 pm every Thursday – just order a glass of AIX French rosé and for $19 you can enjoy any woodfired pizza on the menu (four cheese, please) while listening to live beats overlooking the Brisbane River.

In case you missed, Oxley’s Neighbourhood Farm, responsible for the fresh produce that hits the plates at some of Brisbane’s best restaurants, has launched its first-ever series of workshops and farm tours. This weekend it kicks off with the Tomato Growing Workshop – an intensive one-day course on the art of growing tomatoes in Brisbane. Get your hands dirty and book here.

Out-of-the-box activities
James St Up Late is back this Thursday (5:00–8:00 pm) for another dazzling night of soirees and shopping sprees. For its 11th year, the promenade is pulling out all the stops, with appearances from high-profile guests, stellar styling services, art-show launches and one-night-only food menus. What a night! You can read more about what’s on offer here.

Ready to geek out? Interested in some ‘sexy’ science? World Science Festival Brisbane returns to Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct from Wednesday March 22 through to April 2, with 12 days of weird, wacky but always wonderful experiences in store. Be sure to check out Night of the Nerds at QPAC on Saturday night, and see Queensland Museum transform into a hub of music, discovery and experimentation for the sexy, science-y and slightly strange Social Science event on both Friday and Saturday nights. Interested in the bone-tingling prehistoric era? Clash of the Titans – A Prehistoric Showdown will be right up your alley. You can check out the full program of events here.

If you’re up for some wholesome fun with the crew or the kids, the pink-hued, neon-lit Candyland Putt Putt is back at Victoria Park from this weekend – you can swing through the fairways sprinkled with a mixed bag of delight until May 1.

Keen to boogie away on Saturday night? Metro Arts’ New Benner Theatre is hosting The People’s Dance Party where you’ll witness  pop-up performances from a range of artists and dance styles, before getting to immerse in the artists world and learn some beginner-friendly moves in a follow-along style group workshop.

Feeling extra adventurous? Why not 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.

Theatre, film and live shows
Comedy icon Kevin Hart’s whirlwind Australian tour lands at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, delivering plenty of knee-slapping moments as part of his new Reality Check tour.

Meanwhile, film buffs are in for a treat with the new Sunset Outdoor Cinema launching this Thursday at Northshore’s Maritime Green with a six-week program of new-release blockbusters, all-time classics and family favourites screened under the stars. Plus, the annual Alliance Française French Film Festival continues this week (and through until May) transporting audiences from their seats at Palace Barracks and Palace James Street cinemas to streets of Paris, Cannes and beyond through the festival’s spectacular program of films.

Queensland Theatre’s latest work Drizzle Boy (an all-terrain satire that leans into the world of autism) will have its final shows at Billie Brown Theatre this weekend, wrapping up on Saturday night – fetch your tickets here. The weeks are still melting away before our eyes, which means there’s not long to experience the magic of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s much-loved musical, Hamilton, currently showing at QPAC. The iconic production bows out in late April, so don’t miss out!

Exhibitions
If you’re yet to check out the hyped new Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York exhibition at HOTA on the Gold Coast, make tracks on Friday night to line up your visit with the Pop Masters Up Late: New York Nights event. You’ll get to explore the exhibition (which includes works by iconic artists Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat) after dark while enjoying live performances, DJ sets and tasty eats. Tickets to Up Late are $35 per person and can be purchased at the HOTA website.

Immersive new experience Australian Geographic: Our Country is running at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre for the next few weeks – it’s a must-see! The multi-sensory experience comprises works of 25 specialist cinematographers, displayed through large-format multi-screens, that explores the natural landscapes of Australia, from rainforests, oceans and deserts, and celebrate the grandeur and diversity of Australia’s wild places. Jump here for tickets. Over at QAGOMA, 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 – you’ve only got until April 23 to check it out!

Giving us the perfect excuse to wander around the city is Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Gallery exhibition, the play/ground showcase features a series of breathtaking artworks in light boxes, banners, vitrines, and evening projections in destinations including Howard Smith Wharves, Ann Street and Fish Lane. Museum of Brisbane 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, this immersive display brings together a bounty of local and national artists for a boundary-breaking art experience like no other.

Weekend markets
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.

Events may be subject to be postponed or cancelled at the last minute. We do our best to remove cancelled events but be sure to check the organiser’s own event page for the most current updates.

This article was written by Janna Hrastovec from The Weekend Edition.