Arts & cultural events

PRECIOUS | NOW - 2027
Prepare to be amazed with Museum of Brisbane's exhibition, Precious, showcasing the most awe-inspiring collections across Brisbane with more than 3,000 items from around 30 remarkable collections and collectors. From international dolls to Queensland Rugby League memorabilia, model ships to ornamental eggs, immerse yourself in the incredible stories of some of the prolific collectors of Brisbane, and get to know what makes a keepsake and collectible truly Precious.

OLAFUR ELIASSON: PRESENCE | NOW - 12 JUL
Olafur Eliasson brings a Brisbane-exclusive exhibition to QAGOMA, inviting visitors on a multi-sensory journey through rocky landscapes, optical puzzles, and visionary cityscapes. Spanning three decades of one of the world’s most influential contemporary artists, the exhibition features major works and site-specific installations inspired by the dramatic forms of his Icelandic homeland.    

GOMA FRIDAY NIGHTS - OLAFUR ELIASSON: PRESENCE | 1 MAY - 26 JUN
End your week immersed in light, art and good vibes at QAGOMA's legendary after-hours experience. Every Friday night throughout May and June, the Gallery transforms into an unmissable social celebration built around the Brisbane-exclusive exhibition Olafur Eliasson: Presence. Beyond the exhibition, you can expect Brisbane's best DJs, captivating pop-up performances, bespoke bars and delicious bites to fuel the night. 

PROFESSOR BRIAN COX | 30 MAY
Prepare to have your mind expanded. One of the world's most beloved science communicators brings his most ambitious live shows yet to Brisbane. Blending cosmology, biology, philosophy and history into an all-encompassing experience that'll leave you contemplating the beauty of nature and questioning everything you thought you knew about the universe.

DINE BNE CITY | 1 – 30 JUNE 
Brisbane’s dining scene takes centre stage from 1-30 June with a flavour-packed program featuring 130 exclusive offers and special dining events across more than 80 of Brisbane City’s top restaurants, bars and cafes. Locals and visitors can eat, drink and explore from morning to midnight with wallet-friendly dining deals, special events and a month of vibrant flavours and delectable dishes. 

NIGHT FEAST | 29 JULY – 23 AUGUST 
Brisbane’s captivating culinary festival Night Feast is returning in 2026, with new dates that mark a bold new chapter for the city’s favourite culinary and cultural festival. Now taking place in Winter – a season made for cosy outdoor dining - audiences can expect boundary-pushing menus, festival-exclusive dishes, and immersive art experiences that have made Night Feast one of Brisbane’s most anticipated annual events. This year, Night Feast will also include ‘Better off Red’, an afternoon where food, art and the senses collide, and a bold menu of crimson hues comes to life.  

CLANCESTRY | 30 JULY - 8 AUGUST 
An iconic event in QPAC’s calendar since 2013, Clancestry is a celebration of identity and connection, providing a platform for both established and emerging First Nations artists to share their stories and talents through an exciting program of concerts, workshops, theatre and children’s events.

BRISBANE FASHION FESTIVAL | 24 - 29 AUGUST 
Now entering its 21st year, Queensland’s premier fashion event returns again in 2026, shining a spotlight on fashion, sustainability, female empowerment, gender fluidity and neutrality, diversity, and fashion inclusivity for all. Having cemented its place on the Australian fashion calendar as the first-of-the-season launch for Spring/Summer collections, Brisbane Fashion Festival celebrates the very best local fashion designers, leading industry names, homegrown favourites and the brightest next-gen talent. 

MAKE, BELIEVE, MAGIC - THE WORLDS OF THE JIM HENSON COMPANY | 12 SEP - 18 APR 2027
Celebrating 70 years of creativity and innovation, the exclusive-to-Brisbane exhibition ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ will be an unprecedented exploration of world-building and imaginative storytelling. Immense and immersive, the exhibition will explore the Company’s dynamic trajectory from practical puppetry to today’s animatronic and digital innovations, and will feature hundreds of objects from Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, the Muppets and Sesame Street.

Festivals & live shows

OPEN SEASON | 25 MAY - 25 JULY
Officially returning for the sixth year, Open Season’s annual program of music, art and cultural events will once again turn Brisbane into a winter playground of live performances. Over eight weeks, Open Season will celebrate world-class artists, local heroes and genre-defying performances in some of the city's most iconic venues, once again proving why it has quickly become one of Brisbane’s most celebrated events.

MORGAN EVANS | 30 MAY 
The Aussie-born, Nashville-based hitmaker comes home for his biggest tour yet, bringing country-rock anthems, unparalleled energy, and a brand-new album that's a cinematic love letter to his Newcastle roots. Morgan Evans returns to Fortitude Music Hall fresh off two sold-out nights at the Sydney Opera House, armed with his sophomore album ‘Steel Town’.

AGAINST THE GRAIN FESTIVAL | 20 JUNE 
For the first time in almost a decade, highly revered music festival ‘Against The Grain’ will return to Brisbane in June 2026, with more than 30 performances set to take place across multiple venues, in a never-been-used-before precinct in Woollongabba. Expect a specially curated full day of live music, featuring artists from around Australia and the world, including: Stereolab, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, POND, Protomartyr, The Belair Lip Bombs, Cola and Hatchie, with many more. 

GREAZEFEST | 31 JULY – 2 AUGUST
Chrome, culture, and full-throttle attitude collide at Australia's longest-running and most iconic Rockabilly and Kustom Kulture festival. It’s three days of ultra-cool action at Redlands Showgrounds where horsepower meets hairspray and hot rods meet high-octane nostalgia. With rockabilly bands ripping through classics, DJs spinning vintage vinyl, pinups striking poses and the markets overflowing with vintage wares, automobilia, and rockabilly gear. Add food outlets, licensed bars, art shows, and a kids' zone and you’ve got yourself a party for the whole family.

THE BOOK OF MORMON | 31 JUL - 6 SEPTEMBER
Australia's biggest ever musical comedy show returns to QPAC's Glasshouse Theatre with the outrageous show that's been called "the best musical of this century" by The New York Times and "the funniest musical of all time" by Entertainment Weekly. 

LAUFEY | 3 AUGUST 
A lot has changed for Icelandic-Chinese jazz-pop artist Laufey since her previous Australian tour. After selling out her Australian tour back in 2024, Laufey now returns for a series of massive shows.

BIGSOUND FESTIVAL | 1 - 4 SEPTEMBER 
Australia's most important music showcase festival returns to Fortitude Valley for four days and nights of live music again in 2026. Every September, BIGSOUND transforms Brisbane's live music heartland into a hub for the country's most exciting emerging artists. With hundreds of performances across the Valley's iconic venues and a packed conference program, BIGSOUND remains the essential destination for anyone who loves live music.

BRISBANE FESTIVAL | 4 - 26 SEPTEMBER 
For three weeks every September, Brisbane Festival transforms the city into a stage, filling parks, theatres, streets and the Brisbane river with world-class performances, bold new works and unforgettable spectacle. As one of Australia's largest and most celebrated arts festivals, Brisbane Festival brings together the finest local, national and international artists across theatre, dance, circus, music and large-scale events, culminating in the spectacular Riverfire. Whether you're a first-timer or a Festival regular, there's no better time to experience Brisbane at its most alive.

TAME IMPALA | 9 - 11 OCTOBER 
Australia just can't get enough of Tame Impala, but thankfully, Kevin Parker is answering the call, with three massive Brisbane Entertainment Centre shows. Following a second Grammy win, Perth's psychedelic pop juggernaut returns home for their first Australian tour since 2022, bringing the full force of new album ‘Deadbeat’ to life alongside a stacked catalogue of euphoric synth anthems that have turned a generation of music lovers into devoted followers for life.

POST MALONE | 12 OCTOBER 
This October, US based rapper and pop-artist Most Malone will return to Brisbane for his largest show to date, with a one-night-only performance at Suncorp Stadium. Widely regarded as one of the defining artists of his generation, Post Malone continues to push the boundaries of modern hip-hop, pop and country music, underpinned by a catalogue of massive hits and one of the biggest live shows in contemporary music. 

HILARY DUFF | 22 OCTOBER
Multiplatinum pop icon Hilary Duff is coming to Brisbane for the first time in 18 years with her Lucky Me tour, bringing nostalgia, new music, and all the millennial feels to Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The face of a generation raised on Lizzie McGuire, low-rise jeans and emotionally formative mall pop, Duff is celebrating her sixth studio album with a full-scale global arena tour that's been nearly two decades in the making.

LILY ALLEN | 23 OCTOBER
British pop maverick Lily Allen returns to Australia this year for a one off show at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, making her biggest Australian headline show in seven years. In support of her most recent record, which has received global praise, the British icon will be performing West End Girl in full and in order. 

LOUIS TOMLINSON | 24 OCTOBER
Former One Direction member and chart-topping artist in his own right Louis Tomlinson is finally bringing his 'How Did We Get Here?' world tour to Australian shores, with a massive performance lined up for the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in October.

FOO FIGHTERS | 5 NOVEMBER
One of the biggest and most beloved rock bands of all time returns to Suncorp Stadium for a stadium-shaking night of pure rock power. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Foo Fighters bring their Take Cover World Tour to Brisbane, delivering the marathon, career-spanning performances they're legendary for.

JACK JOHNSON | 6 – 8 NOVEMBER 
For the first time since 2022, iconic acoustic-roots performer Jack Johnson returns to Australia for three massive headline shows in Brisbane, supported by fellow music icons John Butler and Ben Harper. In addition to showcasing hits from his extensive back catalogue, Johnson’s upcoming shows in Brisbane will also feature brand new tracks from his laid-back new record.

JOJI | 11 NOVEMBER 
For this first time in since appearing on stage at Laneway Festival in 2023, Japanese-American singer Joji will land in Brisbane, armed with a brand-new album and a back catalogue filled with his unique brand of lo-fi, emotionally crushing tunes.

KHALID | 11 NOVEMBER
Six years since his last tour, R&B-pop superstar Khalid brings the full-circle moment to Riverstage this November, with his first Brisbane performance since 2019.

IRON MAIDEN | 18 NOVEMBER 
After fifty years of galloping basslines, dual guitar harmonies, and pure on-stage chaos, Iron Maiden return to Brisbane. Celebrating their 50th anniversary, the British metal icons will take the stage in Brisbane at the Entertainment Centre with thrash titans Megadeth in tow.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS | 20 NOVEMBER
Global pop phenomenon Robbie Williams brings his authentic, emotionally intelligent, and refreshingly honest energy back to Brisbane in 2026 for a massive show at Suncorp Stadium. For the first time since 2018, Robbie Williams will take the stage in Brisbane, performing a mixture of iconic hits from his back catalog as well as tracks from his brand new album Britpop.

J. COLE | 25 NOVEMBER
Hip hop royalty returns to Brisbane Entertainment Centre for his first solo headline tour in five years - and his first full global arena run in nearly a decade. Grammy-winning rapper and producer J. Cole brings The Fall-Off Tour in support of his seventh and final studio album The Fall-Off.

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB | 25 NOVEMBER
Northern Irish indie charmers Two Door Cinema Club bring the nostalgia train to Riverstage in Brisbane this November, where they'll be performing their era-defining 2010 debut Tourist History in full for the first time since it's release over a decade ago.

GUNS N’ ROSES | 5 DECEMBER 
Having completed a massive run of dates across Europe, Asia and Latin America in 2025, global rock superstars Guns N’ Roses will land in Brisbane on 5 December at Suncorp Stadium, marking their first Australian performance in more than four years.

WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL | 27 DECEMBER – 1 JANUARY 
One of Australia's most iconic and beloved gatherings, Woodford Folk Festival brings together more than 2,000 performers across six days and nights of music, dance, theatre, comedy, debate and ceremony. Spanning over 30 stages and performance spaces, Woodford is as much a way of life as it is a festival, drawing tens of thousands of attendees into a temporary city built entirely around creativity, community and culture. 

Sporting showdowns & endurance events

BRISBANE MARATHON FESTIVAL | 7 JUNE 
Lace up your joggers and get ready for one of Australia's oldest and most beloved running events, as the EVA Air Brisbane Marathon Festival returns for its 35th year. With two massive days of events, this human endurance event is the ultimate day out for runners. 

UCI BMX RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 | 16 - 25 JULY
Get ready for high-speed action as Brisbane welcomes the UCI BMX Racing World Championships! Thousands of the world’s best riders will go head-to-head, tackling heart-stopping jumps, tight turns, and lightning-fast sprints in a battle for global glory. Whether you’re a die-hard BMX fan or just love world-class sport, this is your chance to experience the thrill and energy of BMX racing at its best. 

STATE OF ORIGIN - GAME 3 | 8 JULY
Australia's biggest and most intense sporting rivalry lands at Suncorp Stadium this July for game three of the State of Origin. With over 52,000 passionate supporters descending on Suncorp Stadium each year, this ultimate match up marks one of Australia’s most important sporting moments.

THE NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP TEST: WALLABIES VS FRANCE | 11 JULY 
Rugby union fans unite! This July the Nations Championship lands on Brisbane soil as the the mighty Wallabies go head-to-head with the French Les Bleus. Part of the countdown to the 2027 Rugby World Cup on in Brisbane, this blockbuster showdown is the perfect chance to sample what’s set to come in 2027.

THE GUZZLER ULTRA | 18 – 19 JULY 
It’s time to break out your best trail shoes, your camel pack and a handful of energy gels, because The Guzzler Ultra is set to return to Brisbane this July. As one of Australia's biggest, most popular and most competitive trail races, The Guzzler Ultra is your chance to truly test yourself in this annual endurance race.

BINGHAM AND AMANDA MARK CUP | 19 - 23 AUGUST
Making its Brisbane debut in 2026, The Bingham Cup delivers world-standard inclusive rugby union, bringing international squads together for a competition honouring sport's capacity to bring communities together, break down obstacles, and demonstrate rugby's universal appeal.

RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP FINAL | 15 NOVEMBER 
Grab your crew, book your tickets and prepare for the ultimate day of NRL this November as one Men's and one Women's team become victorious across two epic final showdowns at Suncorp Stadium. It’s one day, two games and a lifetime of memories made in Brisbane.

T20I - AUSTRALIA VS ENGLAND | 27 NOVEMBER 
Grab your sunscreen, grab your mates and get ready to experience one of the most highly anticipated games on the cricket calendar in 2026, as Australia takes on England at The Gabba for the T20I. 

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2027 | 2 - 31 OCTOBER 2027
The world's greatest rugby tournament is coming to Brisbane for a once-in-a-generation celebration at Brisbane Stadium. Discover 10 of the most heart stopping matches across the month of October, featuring a once in a lifetime chance to see the Wallabies go head-to-head with some of the world’s toughest opponents on home soil.

Family fun

FESTIVAL OF HORSEPOWER | 1 - 30 JUNE 
Calling all motorheads, adrenaline junkies and families with a thirst for excitement, the annual Festival of Horsepower returns to Ipswich in 2026, bringing a month’s worth of high-octane fun with it. Taking place in June, the annual festival features some of Australia's signature racing and motorsports events, from the glitz and glamour of the Ipswich Cup to the raw and adrenaline fuelled action at the Winternationals, Australia's largest drag racing event. 

THE WIGGLES LIVE IN CONCERT | 12 - 14 JUNE 
It’s time to jump in the big red car and head to Brisbane, as Australia's iconic skivvy-wearing superstars return to Queensland Performing Arts Centre for a spectacular adventure that'll have the whole family singing, dancing, and laughing along. Join Anthony, Simon, Lachy, Tsehay, John, Lucia, Caterina, and Evie, plus all your favourite friends Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword, and the Tree of Wisdom, for a colourful celebration of music, movement, and mischief, all brought to life by a full live band. 

LIFELINE BOOKFEST | 27 JUNE - 5 JULY 
Lifeline Bookfest Brisbane is back this June and July, with over a million pre-loved books on sale over five massive days. With free entry, book prices starting at just $2.50, and a range that includes fiction, non-fiction, biographies, textbooks, magazines, sci-fi, games, CDs, DVDs, special rare finds and a comic book section with over 10,000 comics, there’s no better place on earth, whether you’re a bookworm, or just a casual reader.

DISNEY ON ICE | 26 - 29 JUNE
Grab your woolen jumpers and mouse ears, and prepare to take a magical journey with Mickey, Minnie, and friends through the timeless stories of Cinderella, Aladdin, Toy Story, and Cars, and today’s favorites including Encanto, Frozen 2, and Moana as the global phenomenon ‘Disney On Ice’ lands in Brisbane this June. 

SPARK ARTS FESTIVAL | 8 - 12 JULY 
SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival returns once again from 8 to 12 July, packed with a program full of arts, music, theatre and vibrant experiences that celebrate and reimagine the city of Ipswich. Designed for the entire family to enjoy, SPARK invites you to discover interactive installations, live music, street theatre, hands-on experiences and exhibitions that will SPARK your curiosity. 

ABBEY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL | 10 – 12 JULY 
The Southern Hemisphere's largest medieval festival returns to Brisbane's northside for three days of knights, combat, pageantry and living history on a grand scale. Now in its fourth decade, Abbey Medieval Festival transports more than 30,000 visitors back to the Middle Ages with hundreds of authentically costumed performers, artisans and traders bringing the era vividly to life. From jousting tournaments and archery to period craft markets and feasting, Abbey Medieval Festival is a genuinely immersive experience for all ages and one of Brisbane's most beloved annual traditions. 

MICRO MUSEUM | ON NOW
For maximum fun for mini museumgoers, the curators of tomorrow are invited to bring their imagination to life at Museum of Brisbane’s Micro Museum, offering immersive and interactive experiences. Little art lovers of all ages are encouraged to get hands-on and create their own 'Micro Museum' where children can select, sort and arrange their own curated collections from a huge range of vintage treasures. 

BLUEY’S WORLD | ON NOW
Bluey’s World is a one-of-a-kind immersive experience at the Northshore Pavilion in Brisbane, Queensland, where you can play the Bluey way - for real life! Embark on a brand-new immersive journey with Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad in their iconic Queenslander home, backyard and beyond. Explore your favourite rooms, play interactive games, and keep your eyes peeled for surprises around every corner…and maybe even a Longdog or two!