All things food and drink
Whisky lovers and inquisitive sippers are gathering beneath the train tracks on Fish Lane this Saturday for an afternoon of sips, snacks and sounds at Whisky Whisky – a fun and refreshing whisky show created by Brisbane-born whisky society, Supping Club. Now in its third year, Whisky Whisky brings together the curious, adventurous and seasoned whisky enthusiasts for a delightful day sampling more than 80 different whiskies from sought-after Australian and international makers. Keen to find your dream dram? Final tickets to Whisky Whisky are available here.

Month-long sensory celebration Night Feast has entered its second week of bringing electrifying eats by top Brisbane chefs, interactive art, spectacular visuals and live music to Brisbane Powerhouse. The spring edition of the immersive art and feasting experience will turn up the heat even more this weekend – so repeat visits are essential! This weekend’s music line-up kicks off with the positive pulsations of David Versace and Julie Beiers on Friday night, before Glasshead and dance-floor fixture mumgenes take to the Pleasuredome on Saturday. On Sunday, Chinese-Australian electronic pop artist Dyan Tai will send tunes sky-high while you devour Night Feast menu favourites like the sixteen-hour beef short rib from NOTA, and the duck and waffle from ESSA. Yum.

If that’s not enough to ignite the senses, then clip in and savour a fine-dining feast 17 metres above ground at the newly opened Vertigo – a hair-raising eatery that’s suspended four stories above ground at Brisbane Powerhouse. Harnessed diners can feast on fare by Bar Alto while enjoying stunning city views, and guests are even given the option to abseil down Brisbane Powerhouse’s exterior once dinner is done. Yikes. Keen to dine on the edge? Book your seat at this elevated dining experience over here.

There will be more feasting happening over at the Brisbane Showgrounds this Saturday for Oktoberfest in the Gardens 2023, while Seafood lovers can indulge in a fresh prawns, bugs, sand crabs, calamari and more at the The Oyster & Seafood Festival at the Sandstone Point Hotel, also this Saturday.

Wine fans can sample drops from the best pinot noir producers from Australia, New Zealand and beyond at Pinot Palooza – a three-day wine extravaganza happening at the RNA Showground’s John Reid Pavilion from Friday to Sunday.

Live music
Enjoy a breezy springtime afternoon dancing to big bands at Live on the Hill, a new concert series being held at the The Workshops Rail Museum this Sunday. Local Ipswich bands will take to the new Rostrum stage in front of the historic Powerhouse building for a day of live sounds in the sunshine, while a variety of food trucks and a pop-up bar provide a variety of snacks and sips. Head in from 11:00 am, roll out the picnic  blanket and settle in for a relaxing spring Sunday session. Book your spot on the lawn here (tickets are inclusive of museum entry, too!).

The Ministry of Sound Orchestra will take over Riverstage for Ministry of Sound: Classical this Saturday, combining its ensemble with sensational live vocalists and live DJs to recreate a songbook of iconic dance-floor anthems. It all kicks off at 3:00 pm – tickets are still available here.

The Whitlams will recreate their ’93-’97 hits with the help of Scott Owen (The Living End) at The Tivoli on Friday night, before Mark Seymour (Hunters and Collectors) and his solo band The Undertow take to the same stage on Saturday night. Catch Californian punk rockers Descendents at The Princess Theatre on Friday night, and Gold Coast indie-folk duo Hollow Coves on Saturday night.

Festivals, markets and outdoor events
Calling all earring enthusiasts! Dive into the dazzling world of studs, hoops and dangles at the BrisStyle Earrings Market, which is taking over The Paint Factory in Yeronga this weekend. The two-day earring extravaganza will feature more than 65 stalls showcasing an extensive collection of one-of-a-kind earrings, all carefully handcrafted by skilled local makers. In addition to exceptional earrings, the market will feature a delightful array of mouth-watering food stalls. If you’re visiting on Friday night, a pop-up gin bar by White Oat Distillery will be pouring the goods so you can sip while you shop.

Down on the Gold Coast, the annual WONDER Festival has been dazzling the crowds at HOTA with a spectacular selection of outdoor art and performance to celebrate spring. This Saturday, you can check out Night Bites Under Lights to feast on a mouth-watering array of food-truck fare under the breathtaking display of Borealis, a large-scale installation by Dan Archer, with groovy tunes provided by ten-piece mega band, the Sunny Coast Rude Boys. WONDER wraps up this Sunday, so don’t miss out!

The Prince Consort’s five-week events festival Spring Fling is in full bloom – and we’re not just talking about the 40,000 flowers that are currently adorning the venue! This Sunday, head along to sip and paint with glamorous drag queens at Drag & Canvas – there will be plenty of vibrant paints, wine and fabulous entertainment across the afternoon. For tickets, jump here.

Gather your gaggle of ghouls for a fun time swinging through the putting greens at Spooky Putt Putt at Victoria Park this weekend. Putt your way through the chilling Broken Bones Boulevard, dodging cackling clowns and wicked witches as you mingle with friendly neighbourhood zombies. Be sure to order boo-zee slushies (spiked with Altos tequila) to be delivered while you’re putting through this creepy course.

Keen knitters, crochet gurus and embroiderers of everything won’t want to miss the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from this Wednesday though to Saturday. If collectables are more your jam, head to The Collectors Market at Distillery Road Market in Eagleby this Saturday and Sunday to check out everything from anime, trading cards, memorabilia and much more from keen collectors and enthusiasts.

Fans of Japanese cinema can scope out the Japanese Film Festival, which kicked off in Brisbane last week with a program of cinematic gems, from gripping historical dramas to innovative modern tales. The festival runs until October 22 – find out what’s screening over here.

Live shows and theatre
Shake and Stir Theatre Co’s monstrous theatrical adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein makes its debut at QPAC’s Playhouse this Saturday – it’s a must-see! The story follows Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist who creates a living being from the remains of the dead – but this act of playing God leads to dire consequences as he is shunned by society, and the creature he brings to life becomes a destructive monster. The production, helmed by adaptor Nelle Lee and director Nick Skubij, combines mind-blowing production elements with powerful storytelling to create truly thrilling theatre. Frankenstein is showing at QPAC until October 28 – for details and tickets, head here.

Don’t miss Metro Arts’ newest production Every Brilliant Thing – a moving and uplifting theatrical experience, prompting audiences to reflect on the simple joys that make life brilliant. Taking over the Metro Arts’ New Benner Theatre, Every Brilliant Thing explores themes of family, love, loss and hope from the perspective of a child who compiles a list of worthwhile moments to help their depressed mother. This touchingly funny theatrical experience is showing until October 21 – don’t miss it!

The hosts of The Imperfects podcast – Hugh Van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton and Josh Van Cuylenburg – are taking their first-ever live show on tour in Australia, and they’re landing at QPAC’s Concert Hall this Sunday. A unique blend of laughter, emotion, and thought-provoking content is on the cards from the trio – grab a seat to the show here.

Must-see exhibitions
Free art exhibition Sculpture By The River has popped up at Northshore, showcasing head-turning works of some of Queensland’s most renowned sculptors on the Hamilton riverfront. The public is welcome from 10:00 am daily to check out the display of works from local and Queensland artists on both the riverfront walkway and in the Northshore Shed.

Venture to QAGOMA to get your eyes on sis, an incredible display that showcases three decades of art-making from a sisterhood of Pacific artists, featuring everything from large sculptural installations and compelling video to the most intricate weaving creations. While you’re there, check out Queensland Art Gallery’s newest exhibition, Living Patterns, which focuses on the way audiences perceive and react to artistic elements such as colour, shape and form. Spotlighting contemporary Australian artists like Scott Redford, Jemima Wyman, Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie and many more, this one is a must-see.

Over at Museum of Brisbane, you can marvel at Clay: Collected Ceramics – a celebration of the hand-crafted endeavour that combines works from the Museum of Brisbane’s esteemed collection of ceramics, plus works from more than 300 external makers lending their individual pieces in celebration of the art that beholds them. Clay is being showcased at Museum of Brisbane until October 22, running daily between 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The State Library of Queensland is uncovering the role Aboriginal people played in establishing our pastoral industry in its latest collection, Working Country. Peruse the halls of First Nations community space – kuril dhagun – and you will be transported to a time of colonial invasion where, amid upheaval and devastation, working Country became a means of survival. You can wander through this free exhibition until January 2024.

Markets
If you’re eager to stroll through some stalls and stock up on some fresh fruit and veg over the weekend, be sure to check out these markets happening – along with the brand-new Northshore Produce Markets, there’s the 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 dinner time eats, Eat Street Northshore is open for your snacking pleasure on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

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.

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!