This month, there are a bunch of things on around Brisbane to interest and intrigue you as well as add some colour and festivity to your weeks.
1. Dine in a rooftop igloo with cheese fondue and mulled wine
Lina Rooftop’s winter igloo dining experience is coming back to South Brisbane, giving you the chance to luxe out in style during the cold season.
From Wednesday, June 28, you’ll be able to enjoy the cityscape with a side of cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, mulled wine, grazing boards, and bubbly. There will also be live entertainment to immerse you in the evening, as well as light shows and artificial snow that falls onto the rooftop.
Lina Winter Wonderland Igloo Experience
2. Join the LUMINOUS Lantern Parade
Now in its 16th year, Brisbane’s LUMINOUS Lantern Parade event is returning to the streets to light up the night with hundreds of lanterns of various sizes in order to celebrate our state’s culture and heritage, as well as its people, places and industries.
Taking place on June 9, the LUMINOUS Lantern Parade is the perfect opportunity for Queenslanders to come together especially after a time of such strong disconnect.
3. Eat a meal while blindfolded at ‘Dining in the Dark’
Imagine stepping inside a restaurant blanketed in darkness and being served a sublime three-course meal – the flavours and textures of which are intensified by your remaining senses. Sounds a little bit incredible, right?
An experience that’s been backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, the enticing ‘Dining In The Dark’ has arrived in Brisbane with plenty more dates this month so you can find out for yourself.
4. Illuminate your winter evenings with glow-in-the-dark mini golf
In June and July, St Lucia Golf Links is set to light up after dark with a luminous putt-putt course. Complete with glow-in-the-dark golf balls to hit down twinkling pathways, GLOW Mini Golf is set to be a dazzling way to spend a night during the cooler months.
The illuminated course plays host to glistening features and lights at each hole, bringing ambiance and difference to the game we know and love — all the while being a choice backdrop for photos.
5. Check out this massive Monet exhibition
From the team behind the immersive Van Gogh Alive exhibition comes a new multi-sensory experience celebrating Claude Monet and other renowned artists of the Impressionist era.
Making its worldwide debut in Brisbane, this must-see exhibition features awe-inspiring installations that sees art and technology joining forces as Monet’s iconic pieces are projected on a giant scale.
Coming to Northshore Hamilton on June 7.
10 thought-provoking art exhibitions to see around Brisbane in 2023
6. Pick up bargain books from the Lifeline Bookfest
Bookish folk to the front. The massive bi-annual Lifeline Bookfest is back this June, where you can score secondhand books for as little as $2.50.
Be spoilt for choice, with several rows of book tables to browse from. Don’t forget to bring your bags and backpacks to fill with books (or a suitcase depending on how big you expect your haul to be).
7. Spend a night under the stars at this winter market
A trip to Milton Markets is a wholesome way to spend a Sunday. And come June, the legends behind the weekly markets are throwing a massive twilight shindig to celebrate the winter season. Complete with street food, live entertainment and plenty of stalls to browse, Milton by Moonlight is set to be a choice Saturday night out.
It’s all going down Saturday, June 3 from 4pm – 10pm, which means you’ll even get to see the sun go down if you get there early. Held at their usual market venue on Cribb Street in Milton, this special winter edition has over 140 stalls for you to browse from.
8. Escape the city to a farm stay with an outdoor bath and cinema
Love Lane is set on a picturesque permaculture-focused farm in the Tweed Valley, 1.5 hours south of Brisbane.
Feed the sheep with the food provided, set up a picnic in the orchard, pick some fresh fruit, soak by sunset with the fire raging beside you (yes, there’s a fireplace right next to the bath), and get the projector going for your very own outdoor cinema moment.
9. Try a ‘Bugs Bunny Margarita’ at this new SoCal-inspired bar and restaurant
From the team that brought comic book-inspired bar 1st Edition to the Valley comes their newest venture.
Viva La Cali brings Latin-fusion fare to the Valley, with plenty of tacos, empanadas, smoked wagyu, even a Bugs Bunny Margarita, mixed with house-made sour carrot juice.
10. Enjoy the Pride Month festivities at Moreton Bay PrideFest
Pride Month is back for the whole of June, and you can celebrate in style at the first-ever Moreton Bay PrideFest.
For one massive day on Saturday, June 10, you’ll get to dance to a huge lineup of artists, attend a drag brunch or drag afternoon tea, and more.
Among the musicians lined up is Brisbane’s very own Thelma Plum, as well as Sneaky Sound System, Courtney Act, Havana Brown, Harry K + the Fluffy All Stars, and supporting acts such as Dusty Band, Karlou, and BEKS.
11. See an incredibly important First Nations stage show
The critically acclaimed First Nations play At What Cost? is now showing at Billie Brown Theatre until June 10.
See a powerful story come to life as intergenerational trauma and displacement of Tasmania’s First Nation’s population is explored, shedding light on modern-day challenges faced by their people.
12. Score discounted clothes and more at this half-price Vinnies sale
Vinnies is throwing a massive 3-day sale across their Queensland stores.
Get half-price off clothing and accessories on the racks from Thursday, June 1 to Saturday, June 3. So if you were wanting to go op shopping for some good finds, this is your sign.
Feel Good Finds: 50 Percent-Off Sale
13. Enjoy new dining offerings from the Valley’s 90s Paris-inspired bistro
90s Paris-inspired bistro Mr. Vain has launched a bunch of new offerings to tantalise your taste buds during the week, including Jazz Club Thursdays.
The Fortitude Valley venue has teamed up with JMI Music School to bring live jazz performances to diners every Thursday from 7 – 9pm.
On Wednesdays, Mr. Vain also offers a Wine and Dine set menu, with food and wine for just $69 per person.
14. Watch the State of Origin at one of these Brisbane pubs
Game two of the NRL State of Origin will take place on the evening of Wednesday, June 21.
Instead of watching the game at home, you can head to Brisbane pubs such as Regatta Hotel, The Crown Hotel, The Boundary Hotel, Port Office Hotel, Cleveland Sands Hotel, Koala Tavern and Salisbury Hotel to join in on the atmosphere.
15. Taste the Scenic Rim at this month-long festival
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is back from June 2 – July 2 with 139 foodie events across the month of June, located from Beaudesert to Beechmont, Kerry to Kalbar, and Mount Alford to Tamborine Mountain.
This month-long festival showcases all the flavours of the Scenic Rim, all the while celebrating paddock to plate dining.
Choose from 37 long lunches, degustations and dinners, as well as 43 workshops and classes including gin blending, spirit distilling, edible flower picking, cupcake decorating and floral tea blending.
16. Hit the trails for some winter hiking near Brisbane
Brisbane is home to some of the most breathtaking hikes in the country, there’s no denying it. Just a short drive from the city, you’ll find national parks galore full of trails and walking tracks that you can tackle: a lot of them boasting spectacular views and nature therapy. So what are you waiting for? Pack the car and get outdoors for leg day on one of these epic hiking spots in and around Brisbane.
See Also: 5 Short Walks In Brisbane
17. Experience a Candlelight Concert
These Candlelight concerts invite everyone to relive the greatest works of classical music, from Vivaldi to Mozart to Bach, in an intimate atmosphere. So, calm your mind this June and prepare yourself to experience classical music in a new light with these sensational concerts by candlelight such as tribute evenings to Queen, The Beatles, Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, Anime, Swan Lake, and more.
18. Be dazzled by the Banksy exhibition
After its previous global success the event is finally opening to Australian audiences, and it’s pulling out all the stops.
The Art of Banksy: Without Limits is now open at Queens Plaza, bringing with it over 150 pieces that have been sourced and collected from around the world.
These include Banksy’s original art, prints on different kinds of materials, photos, sculptures, installations and murals.
Find your tickets to The Art of Banksy: Without Limits here.
19. Taste your way through Australia’s biggest beer festival
If you love all things craft beer, you’ll be spoilt for choice at this awesome festival in Brisbane. GABS Festival, A.K.A The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, is back to bring together the best breweries from Australia and New Zealand.
It’s a place where tasting paddles become the new buffet. Where you can treat your palate to a huge selection of brews from local and interstate brands, all the while enjoying some epic eats and live entertainment.
GABS Festival will head to South Bank on Saturday, June 10, with two five-hour sessions to choose from: 11am – 4.30pm or 6pm – 11.30pm.
20. Attend a free group wellness session
The Medibank Feel Good Program is bringing a heap of free group wellness sessions to South Bank Parklands.
This Wednesday’s sessions include pilates and a dance-based babywearing workout.
You can check out the full program here.
21. Satisfy your sweet tooth at this souffle pancake pop up
When it comes to authentic Japanese souffle pancakes, Fluffy Japancakes does not disappoint. Their fluffy and seriously Instagrammable creations have appeared at plenty of iconic Brisbane markets such as the city markets, Carseldine, Nundah, and more. So it’s warmly welcome news that the pancake stall has now taken up permanent residency at Eat Street.
22. Enter a world of splendour and red velvet at Moulin Rogue! The Musical
In what is definitely one of the most anticipated musical theatre openings for 2023, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is gearing up to make a grand entrance at QPAC in May this year. And you can expect all the drama, fireworks, glitz, glamour and everything in between as this mesmerising transformation of Baz Luhrmann’s original film hits the stage.
23. Listen to live music for free
Sometimes some mid-week entertainment is a must, and The Triffid is the perfect place to get that. On Wednesdays, there’s free live music in the evening from local musicians.
Then every Saturday and Sunday from 3-6pm, the lawn at Howard Smith Wharves is home to free live music. So come down and grab a bite and a bev at one of the many waterfront venues on offer down there.
24. Head north for this Donut Festival
When it comes to decadent donuts, Kenilworth Bakery in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is a hot favourite, and one that’s totally worth travelling for. So naturally, we’re excited that the popular bakehouse is teaming up with Sunshine Coast beer brewers Tarella Brewing to launch a Donut Festival this June.
In celebration of National Donut Day, this event will hit the North Arm brewery for one day only on Saturday, June 3.
25. Treat yourself to a bottomless brunch
Bottomless brunches are great.
They’re great because they allow you time to sit, eat, drink and converse with your friends, which is what sharing a meal is all about.
Also, eating is not supposed to be rushed and weekends are meant to be enjoyed, so what better way to do so than by celebrating life and friendships by eating and drinking, and then ordering another round for the table at no extra cost?
So, to help you do that, here’s our pick of some of Brisbane’s best brunch offerings.