May is looking like an exciting month. There’s plenty of art popping up around the city, as well as food festivals and markets, new bars and restaurants to check out, and more. So, here are our top recommendations on where to go, what to see, and what to look forward to this month in Brisbane.
1. Be dazzled by the multisensory Dopamine Land experience
Dopamine Land is a new immersive experience heading to Uptown in Brisbane this May. After its major success in the UK, the experience is going global and Brisbane is its first stop with the new set. Get ready to boost your dopamine levels through interactive spaces, incredible decor and fun games.
2. Dine in an igloo
Enjoy champagne and bites inside an igloo from May 14 when Brisbane’s alpine-themed bar returns by the river for the winter season.
3. Browse this Italian food market by the river
Over two weekends in May and June, Howard Smith Wharves is set to become a hub for all things Italian. Whether it be pasta, vino, classic aperitivos, you name it, you’ll find it at Festa Italiana.
4. Check out Brisbane Street Art Festival
Returning to its roots in 2024 with its ninth edition, Brisbane Street Art Festival kicks off on Saturday, May 4 and will continue through until Sunday, May 19.
You can expect live murals, workshops, special events, and a few artist talks as well.
Brisbane Street Art Festival 2024
5. Relax at a Candlelight Concert
Listen to talented musicians play alongside the glow of Candlelight Brisbane’s iconic sea of candles.
See the upcoming Candlelight Concerts in Brisbane
6. Rejuvenate yourself at this stunning new wellness spa
With salt therapy, float therapy, saunas, mineral soaks, ice baths, steam room, red light therapy and more, you’ll be spoiled for choice at this new wellness sanctuary.
Contro Wellness offers entirely private wellness sessions, too, so you can relax and rejuvenate in peace.
18 super relaxing day spas in and near Brisbane to find your peace at
7. Have a laugh at Brisbane Comedy Festival
Across the three weeks of Brisbane Comedy Festival, there will be over 300 events that promise plenty of belly laughs.
8. Spoil your mum for Mother’s Day
From rooftop spa sessions to a boat picnic and pink-themed high tea, there are plenty of unique things you can treat your mum to for Mother’s Day this year.
Here’s our guide to the unique Mother’s Day plans around Brisbane
9. Eat your way through Australia’s biggest cheese festival
Say cheese! Australia’s largest cheese festival is coming back this May, taking over Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Mould: A Cheese Festival is promising a delightfully mature and smelly line-up, with around 30 cheese producers to discover. Explore textured and earthy flavours, raw milk varieties and more types of delicious homegrown cheese. Mould will take over John Reid Pavilion at Brisbane Showgrounds from May 24 to 26.
10. Live out your Greek fantasies at Paniyiri
Want to live out your Greek fantasies without a passport? Well, you’re in luck, because Paniyiri Greek Festival is returning to Brisbane over the weekend of May 18 and 19, showcasing the Euro country’s best food, entertainment, music, mythology, and more.
11. Cheer on your favourite team at the NRL Magic Round
The NRL Magic Round returns to Brisbane for the weekend of May 17 – 19, where 16 teams will battle it out across eight games.
All the action takes place at Suncorp Stadium.
12. Get your live music fix at Stones Corner Festival
Choose from 19 different brewers and have a boogie to The Potbellez at one of Brisbane’s biggest street parties.
13. Throw paint in this pop-up splatter room
A pop-up paint splatter room is heading to Portside Wharf for the whole of May as part of the Portside Wharf Art Month. Here, you’ll be able to throw, splatter, and drip paint on canvas in an all-white room.
14. Feast on bottomless tacos or pasta
All-you-can-eat nights have been popping up around Brisbane, and they’re good value for money if you’re a big eater. You can get bottomless pasta for $25 three nights a week at VICI in South Bank, and $25 bottomless tacos at Mucho Mexicano on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
15. Taste the Scenic Rim at this riverside market
Some of the Scenic Rim’s best producers will gather at the Farm Gate to City Door Market at Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct on Saturday, May 18.
16. Indulge at one of Brisbane’s prettiest restaurants
Both the food and interiors play their part in the dining experience whole. So we’ve rounded up some of the prettiest restaurants around Brisbane you can book a table at, whether it be for date night, special occasions, or just a new spot to check out with your crew – from pink hued eateries to green rooftop jungles and more.
17. Find some striking autumn colours near Brisbane
Sure, autumn might be the time we start wearing our warmer gear as temps start to fall. But it’s also without question that one of the best quirks about autumn is the leaves of trees changing colour and falling to the ground.
There’s nothing like taking a stroll and snapping photos of the reds, yellows, and more.
6 striking places to see autumn colours near Brisbane
18. Meet some amazing authors at Brisbane Writer’s Festival
The 2024 edition of Brisbane Writers Festival will run from Thursday, May 30 until Sunday, June 2, with a stacked lineup of events including author talks, panel discussions, special events and workshops.
19. Tuck into fresh seafood and steak at the revamped Fatcow
In May, James Street will welcome the new and improved Fatcow, which has had a glow-up and relocation from its original Eagle Street setting. The restaurant now boasts a solid marble bar, two private dining rooms, Brisbane’s only live oyster tank, and more.
20. Trek the most scenic hiking trails 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
21. Embark on a mystery picnic in New Farm
This self-guided food adventure by Amazingco is the perfect way to explore New Farm’s hidden gems and escape the crowds.
Starting with a picnic basket, have fun solving clues and riddles sent to your smartphone that’ll take you on a journey to collect your special gourmet picnic food. Each clue you solve will lead you closer to your next picnic food pickup and even closer to your final stunning secret picnic spot.
New Farm Mystery Picnic Date: Self-Guided Foodie Adventure
22. Satisfy your sweet tooth with free Gelato Messina on Mates Day
Snapchat is teaming up with Gelato Messina to serve up a limited-edition flavour. Oh Snap! is inspired by the classic vanilla slice, with vanilla custard gelato layered with passion fruit puree and crunchy caramelised puff pastry pieces.
To score your free scoop, head into Gelato Messina on May 8 from 12pm, and simply flash the Snapchat app.
23. Enjoy free live music on the lawn at Howard Smith Wharves
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. Take the kids to a dazzling circus show
The Pink Flamingo Spiegeland has been bringing pops of colour to our evenings since it opened at Northshore Brisbane in late 2023. Up until now, though, their cabaret and burlesque-inspired shows at the Brisbane and Gold Coast venues have only been geared toward adults. Circus Fun House, on the other hand, is a kid’s circus show, and it’s taking over the pink Spiegel Pavilion every Saturday morning.
25. Plan a winter holiday
Now that the cooler months are rolling in, winter getaways are on the radar, whether it’s seeking warmer climates or heading to the snow. Airbnb’s recent data unveils the most popular destinations booked by Australians from June to August 2024, with Queensland spots such as Cairns, Port Douglas and Sunshine Coast named among the top locations.