What's on this week
Celebrate Christmas in Brisbane
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
It’s time to deck Queen Street Mall and light up Brisbane City as the countdown to Christmas kicks off! The 2025 Christmas in Brisbane program is jam-packed with festive favourites with something for everyone to enjoy.
View the Christmas Program here.
LORD MAYOR'S LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE | 28 NOV
Join Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to celebrate the start of the festive season, as Brisbane’s iconic Christmas Tree lights up King George Square with dazzling performances for the whole family. Bring along your loved ones to enjoy a jolly evening with Santa and his helpers as they dance around the tree, spreading festive joy. Plus, don’t miss a special performance by Dylan Wright.
CHRISTMAS AT BLUEYS WORLD | NOW - 4 JAN
Celebrate Christmas at Bluey’s World Brisbane as the Heeler home sparkles with festive decorations, the Neighbourhood bursts with holiday cheer, Bluey and Bingo greet you in their Christmas crowns, delicious treats and joyful carols fill the air, and a magical light-and-sound show brings the whole precinct to life for a truly merry family adventure.
THE ENCHANTED GARDEN | 21 NOV – 20 DEC
Brisbane’s most magical light experience, The Enchanted Garden, transforms Roma Street Parkland into a glittering wonderland of light, sound, and festive magic. This reimagined experience brings the garden to life with playful storytelling, dazzling illuminations, and a hint of mischief from guardians Marigold and Willow. Stroll through glowing trails, enjoy delicious bites from food trucks, and unwind with a drink on Celebration Lawn as Brisbane’s summer nights sparkle with enchantment.
WYNNUM WONDERLAND | 28 NOV - 22 DEC
Wynnum Wonderland is a brand-new celebration of music, comedy, cabaret and circus, transforming Bay Terrace, Wynnum into a joyful hub of festive entertainment. At its heart sits the iconic Augathella Spiegeltent, a revitalised performance venue blending traditional Belgian craftsmanship with the nostalgic charm of an Australian shearing shed. From cheeky cabaret to family fun, the Wynnum Wonderland program twinkles with festive delight.
LORD MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS CAROLS | 6 DEC
Get ready to sing, sparkle and celebrate at the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols! Hosted by the fabulous Naomi Price, this festive spectacular lights up the season with show-stopping performances, big voices and plenty of holiday cheer. Gather your friends and family, pack a picnic or feast from delicious food trucks, and soak up the starry summer night vibes!
SONO LUMO | 10 – 21 DEC (excluding 15 - 16 DEC)
Blending Christmas traditions with cutting-edge technology, Sono Lumo illuminates Queen’s Wharf Brisbane in a spectacular celebration of light, sound, and festivity. Across ten dazzling nights from 10–21 December (excluding 15–16), the precinct will transform into an immersive wonderland filled with vibrant audiovisual shows, roving performers, interactive installations, curated bars, food trucks, and more!
Celebrate New Years Eve in Brisbane
The countdown to 2026 is on, and the promise of parties, fireworks and new beginnings is on the horizon! Catch the New Years Eve fireworks on the Brisbane River to send you into 2026 the right way or here’s where to party the night away in style from riverside to rooftop in Brisbane.
Arts & cultural events
UNDER A MODERN SUN | NOW - 26 JAN 2026
Under a Modern Sun, QAGOMA’s free, sun-kissed exhibition showcases over 140 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and decorative works capturing life in Queensland from the 1930s to 1950s. Featuring celebrated Brisbane artists like William Bustard, Vida Lahey, and Margaret Olley, alongside regional luminaries Kenneth Macqueen and Joe Alimindjin Rootsey, the exhibition offers a light-filled vision of Queensland while revealing the early stirrings of experimental expression.
PRECIOUS | NOW - AUTUMN 2026
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.
QUEENSLAND BALLET'S THE NUTCRACKER | 5 - 13 DEC
Step into a sparkling winter wonderland as Queensland Ballet presents Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker. This beloved festive tradition returns to enchant audiences with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Join Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy on a magical Christmas Eve adventure in this heartwarming family favourite.
OLAFUR ELIASSON: PRESENCE | 6 DEC - 12 JUL 2026
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.
SWEET CHARITY: A HOPELESSLY ROMANTIC MUSICAL | 11 - 14 DEC
Sweet Charity is a dazzling, feel-good musical that follows Charity Hope Valentine, a dance hall hostess in 1960s New York City, brought to life with wit, heart, and plenty of groove. Featuring an onstage 16-piece band and timeless hits, this reimagined classic combines sharp choreography, vibrant energy, and unforgettable charm for an unmissable production of musical theatre.
ANNIE THE MUSICAL AT QPAC | 27 DEC - 31 JAN 2026
The beloved musical, Annie, returns to QPAC’s Lyric Theatre this December for a strictly limited season. This inspiring family musical has captured hearts for generations, celebrating hope, family, and friendship through the story of a small but mighty young girl who proves that brighter days are always just around the corner.
Festivals & live shows
WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL | 26 DEC – 1 JAN 2026
The vibrant arts and cultural Woodford Folk Festival is back for another year of sensational performances, great food and new experiences. You won't want to miss a second with a program that is filled with music, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, workshops, street theatre, films, a children’s program and specialty presentations.
STRADDIE OYSTER FESTIVAL | 29 NOV
Join in a celebration of local and fresh oysters and prawns at North Stradbroke Island/ Minjerribah, at Straddie Oyster Festival where live entertainment, market stalls, mud crab races, face painting and entertainment for the kids makes for a great family day out.
Sporting showdowns & endurance events
BMW AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP | 27 - 30 NOV
The BMW Australian PGA Championship returns to Brisbane this November at the iconic Royal Queensland Golf Club. From 27–30 November, witness world-class Australian and international players battle it out for the prestigious Joe Kirkwood Cup in one of the country’s premier golfing events.
ASHES SERIES | AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND: NRMA INSURANCE ASHES TEST TWO | 4 - 8 DEC
The most iconic series in world cricket is coming, the NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes Series heads to the Gabba for an unmissable day-night Test. As Australia takes on England in this legendary rivalry, fans can expect five days of gripping action, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments. The Ashes remains one of the most historic and hotly contested events in world sport and you won't want to miss a ball.
BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL | 4 - 11 JAN 2026
The Brisbane International is one of the city’s premier sporting events, bringing world-class tennis action to the Queensland Tennis Centre. Featuring top-ranked international players from both the ATP and WTA tours, the tournament delivers high-energy matches, thrilling rallies, and an electric summer atmosphere as fans gear up for the tennis season ahead.
WOMEN’S ODI SERIES VS INDIA | 24 FEB 2026
The series kicks off at Allan Border Field as Australia takes on India in the opening One Day International. Don’t miss the world’s best cricketers going head-to-head in this unmissable clash.
Family fun
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.
MONSTER TRUCK MAYHEM | 27 DEC
Monster Truck Mayhem Thrill and Stunt Show Caboolture brings huge horsepower and high-flying action to the whole family! Watch giant monster trucks roar to life with wheelstands, car crushes and jaw-dropping stunts, alongside non-stop entertainment that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. With up-close thrills, epic motorsport moments and plenty of family-friendly fun, it’s a turbo-charged experience that creates unforgettable memories for fans of all ages.
Coming Soon
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO | 12 - 15 FEB 2026
For the first time ever, the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will march into Brisbane in February 2026, celebrating its 75th anniversary with an unforgettable spectacle at Suncorp Stadium. The full-scale production, The Heroes Who Made Us, will feature over 1,000 elite performers, including the iconic Massed Pipes and Drums, in a powerful display of music, military precision, and pageantry.
MJ THE MUSICAL | 27 MAR – 26 APR 2026
Experience the magic of one of the greatest entertainers of all time in MJ The Musical, the multiple Tony Award-winning production celebrating Michael Jackson’s unparalleled artistry. Set during the creation of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, this electrifying musical goes beyond the iconic moves and hits to reveal the creative genius and collaboration behind the legend. MJ The Musical is a must-see celebration of music, movement, and the making of a global icon.
THE LAST SHIP FEATURING STING | 9 APR - 3 MAY 2026
Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural moment as music icon Sting stars in The Last Ship, making its Southern Hemisphere debut exclusively at QPAC’s stunning Glasshouse Theatre. This moving musical blends folk roots and heartfelt ballads to tell a story of resilience, pride, and connection inspired by Sting’s own childhood in a shipbuilding town. With unforgettable songs including Island of Souls, All This Time and When We Dance, this Australian-exclusive production is an unmissable chance to see a legend perform his most personal work live on stage.
TOUR DE BRISBANE | 12 APR 2026
Get ready to roll through the city like never before at Australia’s ultimate Sunday ride, the Tour de Brisbane! Take on over 120 kilometres of fully closed city roads in this unmissable cycling event. With multiple distances and challenges to suit every rider, from family cruisers to podium chasers, it’s the perfect way to ride for fun, fitness, and the thrill of the open road.
UCI BMX RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 | 16 – 25 JUL 2026
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.
