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
Get ready for a place where all your childhood daydreams come to life: mucking around in a giant ball pit, creating melodies by hopping on musical tiles, and throwing pillows in a dedicated pillow fight room. Dopamine Land is here in Brisbane with the mission to boost your happiness levels, using sight, sound, touch and smell to engage visitors and leave them feeling elated. Tickets can be found here.
đź“ŤÂ Level Q, Uptown, 91 Queen St, Brisbane CBD
2. Check out Brisbane Street Art Festival
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Brisbane Street Art Festival kicks off on Saturday, May 10 and will continue through until Sunday, May 18. You can expect live murals, workshops, special events, and a few artist talks as well, and you can stay updated by checking their website for this year’s program.
3. Relax at a Candlelight Concert
Float away on the comforting glow of countless candles as professional musicians perform everything from gorgeous classical pieces and genre-defining songs, to chart-topping pop hits.
Enveloped by the touching music and surrounds by some of the most historic and imposing buildings in Brisbane, Candlelight is an experience not to be missed! Grab your tickets for this and all Candlelight concerts here!
4. 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.
SEE MORE: Super relaxing day spas in and near Brisbane to find your peace at
5. Have a laugh at Brisbane Comedy Festival
Get ready for your sides to ache from laughing because the highly anticipated annual Brisbane Comedy Festival is coming back with more than 300 events from April 23 to May 25, spanning four iconic Brisbane venues: The Brisbane Powerhouse, The Tivoli, The Fortitude Music Hall, and The Princess Theatre.
6. Spoil your mum for Mother’s Day
From rooftop spa sessions to a boat picnic and scrumptious high tea, there are plenty of unique things you can treat your mum to — or, if you’re a mum, send to your loved ones as as subtle hint — for Mother’s Day this year.
MORE ON THIS: Our guide to the unique Mother’s Day plans around Brisbane
7. Eat your way through Australia’s biggest cheese and wine festival
If you love to relax with a glass of wine, or indulge in a bit of fromage, then we’ve got the perfect event for you. The tasty cheese festival is pairing up with the popular pinot party, Pinot Palooza. Expect over 50 varieties of artisan cheese and over 50 types of pinot noir from Australia and beyond. Mould x Pinot Palooza will take place from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25.
Get your tickets here!
đź“ŤJohn Reid Pavilion, Bowen Hills
8. 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 17 and 18, showcasing the Euro country’s best food, entertainment, music, mythology, and more.
Get your tickets here!
đź“ŤMusgrave Park and The Greek Club, Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane
9. Cheer on your favourite team at the NRL Magic Round
The NRL Magic Round returns to Brisbane for the weekend of May 1 – 4, kicking off kicks off with Game I of the Ampol Women’s State of Origin Series, and having 16 teams will battle it out across eight games. Catch all the action taking place at Suncorp Stadium and get your tickets here!
đź“ŤSuncorp Stadium, 40 Castlemaine St, Milton
1o. Get your live music fix at Stones Corner Festival
Choose from a range of different brewers and have a boogie to Busby Marou, plus tributes to some of the world’s most beloved musicians at Greenslopes’ beloved icon and staple of free local music, now in its milestone 10th year on Sunday, May 4! Best of all, it’s free entry!
đź“ŤStones Corner Hotel, 346 Logan Road, Greenslopes
11. Create your own masterpiece in this splatter room
This paint splatter room has set up shop in Fortitude Valley, and you have to give it a try! On May 2 and May 3, his unique and exciting space will allow you to unleash your creativity and create art in an uninhibited way. You’ll be able to throw, splatter, and drip paint on canvas in an all-white room without worrying about the mess!
đź“ŤBell Bros Building, 57 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
12. 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 $40 on Wednesdays at VICI in South Bank, and $25 bottomless tacos at Mucho Mexicano Monday to Thursday!
13. Turn Into A Beekeeper For A Day At This Roma Street Parkland Experience
On Sunday, May 4, create your own beeswax wraps, beeswax candles and other eco-friendly treasures to take home! If that didn’t already sound straight out of a cosy game, while you craft, you can enjoy a relaxing tea or coffee, making it the perfect time to connect with others and unwind in the idyllic parkland setting. Get your tickets here!
đź“ŤRoma Street Parkland, Brisbane CBD
14. 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.
15. 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 golds. Here are some of the most stunning places.
16. 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
17. Embark on a mystery picnic in New Farm
This self-guided food adventure 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. Book your basket here!
18. Enjoy a purrfect weekend at the Oz Feline Fair
Australia’s very first National Cat Convention,Oz Feline Fair & CATstravaganza is kicking off from Saturday, May 3 to Sunday, May 4 at the Brisbane Showgrounds. Cat owners and lovers of all ages are welcome to this celebration of all things feline, a spectacular cat pop culture event showcasing cats of all breeds, from fancy show felines to adorable rescue kitties!
Get your tickets here!
đź“ŤBrisbane Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
19. Wave hello to Flotsam Festival
Bringing together surfers, filmmakers, photographers and ocean lovers, the Gold Coast’s very own Flotsam Festival is returning for the fourth year in a row, running for two weeks, from May 1 to May 14. The Festival at once pays homage to and is inspired by the Gold Coast’s world-class surf breaks and iconic coastline through a maelstrom of short films, workshops, in-depth discussions with filmmakers and photographers, live music, and photo exhibitions.
More info and tickets here!
20. 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. Some of the most popular destinations booked by Australians from June to August include Queensland spots such as Cairns, Port Douglas and Sunshine Coast named among the top locations.
21. Target your boredom at Open Season
The 5th edition of this city-wide music series will ignite Brisbane’s most iconic venues with over 30 thrilling performances! The Tivoli Group’s curated program of music and arts has unveiled its line-up and venues for this year, and it’s bound to be a special one. Fatefully born in 2020, Open Season is celebrating its fifth anniversary in style starting May 25, and is taking its star-studded poster all over the city, going beyond its usual Tivoli and Princess Theatre, and adding QPAC to the mix!
Full program and tickets here!
22. Go green at Sustainable BNE Festival
On Sunday, May 25, Roma Street Parkland turns green with Sustainable BNE Festival: a free, family- and dog-friendly day out packed with inspiration, entertainment, and practical ways to live more sustainably. Soak up live music, artisanal market stalls, delicious food trucks, and thrift shopping. Plus, don’t miss your chance to become a plant parent and collect a free native plant!
đź“ŤRoma Street Parkland, Brisbane CBD
23. Pick sunflowers at Kalbar Festival
Kalbar Sunflower Festival is set for another lap around the sun(flowers), which means you’ll be able to get up close to these bright beauties. Held in the Scenic Rim, about an hour and fifteen-minute drive southwest of Brisbane, the sixteen-acre sunflower field will be in full bloom with over a million sunflowers, ready for all the camera snaps you can imagine, from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4.
Find more info here!
đź“Ť56 Warumkarie Rd, Kalbar