On the first day of spring, Brisbane Festival kicks off three weeks of entertainment, art, music and culture across the city. But as much as we love our city-wide festival, there’s more to September in Brisbane than installations, concerts, and Riverfire.
1. Join in on the Brisbane Festival fun
There’s not much like a city-wide festival to awaken us from our winter slumber and get us moving again. This year, The Brisbane River and city landmarks will once again be transformed into a stage for an explosion of arts and performance to occur between September 1 – 23 for Brisbane Festival. Whether it be watching on in wonder at a multicolour drone show, seeing a mindblowing circus act inside St John’s Cathedral, or getting a good spot for Riverfire, there’s something for everyone this year.
2. Experience a Candlelight Concert
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Brisbane. Get your tickets now to rediscover the music of Whitney Houston at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church this September, under the gentle glow of candlelight.
3. Experience the fun and frivolity of Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
From the legends behind super fun Brisbane experiences such as Hijinx Hotel, Holey Moley and B. Lucky & Sons comes an exciting new arcade venture. After closing their Toombul venue due to the 2022 floods, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is returning to Brisbane this September, moving to a new home in Bowen Hills.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in Bowen Hills
4. Admire some of Australia’s most impressive LEGO displays at this huge expo
Unleash the kidult within at this huge two-day LEGO expo, returning to Brisbane on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10. The BrisBricks LEGO Fan Expo is back and ready to showcase the country’s biggest, most jaw-dropping displays.
5. Head to Toowoomba for its annual spring flower festival
For the whole month, this Insta-worthy flower festival will take over Queens Park in Toowoomba, which is around 1.5 hours west of Brisbane. In previous years, the celebration has attracted massive crowds, and with good reason – the flower displays are magnificent and the events are guaranteed to put a spring in your step.
6. … and also to Roma Street Parkland for more flowery fun
Roma Street is coming alive this month with 10,000 flowers in bloom alongside musical acts, plant markets, food trucks, kid’s activities and more.
Celebrating Spring at Roma Street Parkland
7. Discover new musicians at BIGSOUND
More than 140 artists are set to perform over four massive nights at this year’s BIGSOUND Festival in the Valley. Now in its 22nd edition, the festival will showcase some of Australia’s best rising musical talent.
8. Wander around GOMA’s latest exhibition
Two awesome new exhibitions have popped up at GOMA, showcased side by side. ‘eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness’ and ‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’ both feature a slew of breathtaking artworks, and will be up until October 2.
9. Putt your way around spooky props at this Halloween-themed mini golf course
Get into the Halloween spirit at Spooky Putt Putt when it returns to Victoria Park this September. The course is getting a haunted makeover, decked out with giant props such as wicked witches, spiders, zombies, skeletons, and pumpkins.
10. Grab a feed at West End’s new steak and seafood restaurant
West End is set to score a new restaurant this month, which specialises in sizzling steak and succulent local seafood. Menu highlights will include tomahawk steak cooked over an open flame, oysters ‘opened on order’, live lobster as well as Mooloolaba swordfish steak on the bone.
11. Kick back at this Korean film festival
The Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) returns to cinemas this year with a number of excellent films lined up. Taking place in Brisbane from September 14 to 17, the festival will feature a number of commercially and critically acclaimed movies from the Korean film industry. KOFFIA promises an exciting time for film aficionados from all backgrounds and ages with English subtitles available for each film.
12. Check out the newly revamped GPO building
The Valley’s newly revamped GPO precinct has three exciting new venues to enjoy. This includes contemporary restaurant TAMA, as well as The Gatsby, an upscale lounge bar, and island bar The Tax Office.
The Tax Office has unveiled their spring music lineup and on Saturday, September 9, Havana Brown will play at the new venue.
13. Escape to this new glamping experience in the Scenic Rim
A new glamping experience has just opened up for stays in the Scenic Rim. Moogie Glamp is an eco retreat suitable for couples looking for a country escape.
14. Enjoy bottomless tacos and margs whilst painting
Milton’s new entertainment venue Hungry Jose has launched two new offerings on select Fridays and Sundays:
- Friday Fiestas – from 4 – 6 pm, sip on bottomless margaritas and savour a selection of delectable tacos for $65 per person.
- Bottomless Brunch Sundays – as you unleash your inner artist at a paint and sip session starting at 11am, let the fiesta continue. Immerse yourself in creativity for up to 3 hours, while savouring bottomless margaritas and tacos, all for $99 per person.
15. Watch a new theatre show
don’t ask what the bird look like is an exciting new theatre production from First Nations writer Hannah Belanszky. The story follows a young First Nations woman from the city who travels to remote Australia to reconnect with her estranged father and learn about her family, their history and the undiscovered aspects of identity.
The show will make its world premiere at Billie Brown Theatre this Saturday and is set to run until September 9.
16. Try out Lumber Jacks Axe Throwing
The team at Lumber Punks are no slouches when it comes to hurling hatchets. They’ve got real axeperience nailing their targets and they’ll be on hand to help you spin the primaeval tool. Soon, you too will be hitting your target 100% of the time—hopefully.
Each axe-throwing session begins with a brief safety induction & training on how to best throw the SOG Tomahawks before you get to have a go yourself. After much experimentation, you’ll hopefully start to get the hang of things and then you’ll move on up to the large Estwing Camp Axes.
17. Embrace the weird at the immersive night market, Westoria
Thanks to the return of West End’s weird and whacky market Westoria, Fridays and Sundays are now a lot more fun.
Your senses will be taken on a journey the moment you walk into the themed spaces, from interactive roving entertainers to live music, fire twirlers, and stilt walkers to set the scene.
18. Indulge in a three-course lunch on the Brisbane River
Brisbane’s favourite super yacht The YOT Club is serving up a 3-course seafood feast on select Sundays, where you can enjoy a meal and live music whilst cruising the Brisbane River.
19. Relax at a Brisbane day spa
Brisbane certainly isn’t lacking in the day spa department, so it’s easier than ever to find a haven of relaxation in the city and beyond. Relax your worries away at one of these wellness hubs, whether it be soaking at a bathhouse or getting a well-deserved massage and facial.
12 super relaxing day spas around Brisbane to find your peace at
20. Sip at this sensory cocktail experience
In collaboration with Loose Collective, W Brisbane has transformed its Living Room Bar into an immersive cocktail and light installation space. On the new Sensory Sips menu, you’ll find an OTT smoke-infused cocktail that can only be unlocked via a code (check under your coaster), as well as a bright pink number topped with an edible white chocolate ticket.
21. Catch a sizzling performance at Magic Men
Get ready to experience the ultimate night out with Australia’s rated #1 male revue show. Magic Men “FEEL THE MAGIC” features the hottest hunks bringing the heat to town with their sizzling performances.
22. Go hiking amongst the wildflowers
If you’re an outdoor adventure lover, then you’ll know spring is a wonderful time in and near Brisbane. The surrounding hiking trails start blooming with colour. The wattle and jacaranda flowers begin popping up around the city. And there’s even a month-long flower festival in Toowoomba, perfect for a weekend getaway. Here are some of the best places to see wildflowers around Brisbane this spring.