We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do around the city this August, and it’s shaping up to be a busy month — in the best way possible!
1. Join in on the EKKA celebrations
Queensland’s favourite and biggest celebration, the EKKA, is back in Brisbane from August 9 to August 17, so get ready for another round of agricultural celebration, mind-blowing competitions, thrilling rides and unique entertainment — and plenty of strawberry sundaes, of course!
2. Experience a Candlelight Concert
Listen to talented classical musicians play against the glow of candlelight at one of these special shows in Brisbane. From heartfelt tributes to beloved artists like Taylor Swift and Adele, to soul-stirring performances honouring music maestros like Vivaldi, Brisbane welcomes a candlelit performance tailored to every music enthusiast’s taste. Check out upcoming Brisbane Candlelight Concerts here!
3. Or rock out at a concert
From indie acts like Bloc Party to icons like The Hives or arena-filler Tyler, The Creator, Brissy’s amazing venues are always welcoming some of the world’s biggest artists, and August is set to bring music to our ears!
CHECK THIS OUT: Heart-Thumping Concerts Happening In Brisbane In 2025
4. Walk the runway at Brisbane Fashion Festival
The 20th edition of the Brisbane Fashion Festival, Queensland’s Premier Fashion Event, is strutting its stuff from August 24 to August 29.
With an undeniable place on the Australian fashion calendar as the seasonal debut for Spring/Summer collections, this chic celebration showcases everything from favourite local designers to leading industry names and most highly anticipated emerging talents.
See the full program and snag your tickets here!
5. Light up at Technicolour Multicultural Festival
Brisbane’s annual Technicolour Multicultural Festival is on this month on Saturday, August 30.
Held in Newmark, entry is free and everyone is invited to come along and enjoy a day out with food trucks, stalls, live cultural performances and rides as well! A day for the whole family to experience and appreciate different cultures, this event really highlights the importance and wonders of diversity.
Stay updated through their Facebook event page.
6. PYO juicy strawberries
August is prime strawberry season! And if you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, you’ll find plenty of charming farms near Brisbane that will allow you and your friends, family or that special someone to pick your own delicious fruits!
7. Meander through this wonderful market
The Handmade + Plant Based Market is headed back to Brisbane on Sunday, August 24 with a focus on slowly-made and sustainable goods. Invest in quality pieces and support the small businesses that aim to tread lightly on the planet with sustainable and ethical practices.
8. Celebrate 25 years of chrome and culture at GreazeFest
Mark your diaries for August 1, 2 and 3 for three unforgettable days of vintage cool, classic cars, and rip-roaring live music at GreazeFest! Celebrating its 25th year of putting the cool in cruise and rock into retro, GreazeFest is a full-throttle celebration of all vintage, with fashion, market stalls, art displays, automobilia and more!
9. Come face to face with giant holograms at a futuristic indoor animal park
Cannon Hill Shopping Centre is home to an immersive entertainment centre for animal lovers (dinosaurs included). Billing itself as the world’s most futuristic indoor animal theme park, Hologram Zoo is a fun way to get up close to animals, both prehistoric and living, without the creatures actually being there.
PREFER THE REAL DEAL? Cuddle Koalas, Feed Kangaroos And Pose With Giraffes At These Amazing Zoos Near Brisbane
10. Warm up in style at The Reserve Wine Bar
From richly spiced mulled wine infused with honey to a trio of hot toddies, if you’re looking for warmth and cosiness this winter, The Reserve is serving up this season’s most comforting sips with a refined twist throughout the whole month.
11. Have a magical winter at Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Now’s your chance to embark on a magical, after-dark adventure like no other. After mesmerising over 2 million fans across the globe, this one-of-a-kind immersive experience has finally made its debut in Brisbane. Expect spellbinding sights, interactive moments, and a journey deep into the heart of the Wizarding World.
12. Celebrate Ukraine at a lively festival full of tradition
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 23, because the Ukrainian Community of Queensland is delivering a free day of food, art and culture!
Held the day before Ukrainian Independence Day, the festival offers the opportunity for Queenslanders to soak up everything that this special culture has to offer, such as traditional folk-dance performances and market stalls where you can shop unique Ukrainian goods, including handmade jewellery, intricate hand-painted Pysanky Easter eggs and more!
13. Sit back and relax at this doggo-inspired film fest
If you’re a pet owner or just a dog lover, there’s a mega adorable event coming to town and it’s all about dogs. Celebrating the special bond between dogs and humans, the film festival is set to tour the country and coming to Brisbane on August 23 with a variety of heartwarming and adorable films on the program. The Top Dog Film Festival has previously featured everything from a dog-powered sports flick to dogs in space, dogs out on a hike and more.
14. See the powerful images that have defined our reality at the World Press Photo Exhibition 2025
Until August 17, appreciate the power and importance of photojournalism at the World Press Photo Exhibition 2025, which is coming to Brisbane Powerhouse as part of its world tour. The exhibition is free entry and even extends to the Brisbane Airport!
15. Stop and smell the flowers at Brisbane Quarter
Until August 16, don’t miss internationally-recognised Matthew Aberline’s joyful, larger-than-life art installation. The piece, titled Love Follows a Line, is a vibrant, oversized inflatable flower garden, all about sparking moments of wonder and connection, and is free to admire!
16. Find the magic and awe in the everyday at Wonderstruck
QAGOMA is gearing up for another major exhibition, showcasing jaw-dropping installations and captivating small treasures that will serve as a reminder of the wonder hidden in everything around us. Presented across six chapters until October 6, Wonderstruck will include more than 100 works by international and Australian artists that’ll leave you with a new appreciation for the mundane.
17. Escape to an off-grid cabin
We’ve rounded up some fabulous places where you and your favourite person/people in the world can go to escape, relax and refresh. Some of these picturesque cabins, cottages and chalets near Brisbane have wood fires where you can throw on another log to hear it crackle and hiss as it burns throughout the colder winter months, others are surrounded by lush rainforest and a few more have vistas that make waking up a breeze.
18. Or do some whale-watching
Humpbacks, killers, minkes and more: witnessing the majesty of whales is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and August is an excellent time to try to catch a glimpse! Every year, thousands of gentle giants — including around 25,000 awe-inspiring humpback whales — make the trek along the Gold Coast of Queensland, and there are plenty of spots that pretty much guarantee you a sighting!
19. Head down to the Gold Coast for this music, arts and culture festival
BLEACH* Festival is returning to the Gold Coast this August, bringing with it a jam-packed program of river concerts, outdoor performances, immersive experiences and more. One of Australia’s most unique contemporary arts and culture festivals, the festival is bringing a revitalised direction under a guest Artistic Director and a powerful lineup of 100+ events spanning 11 days, from July 31 to August 10.
20. Relax by the fire at this Mount Cotton vineyard
Indulge in a cosy evening under the stars with your very own firepit and picnic hamper at Sirromet Wines in Mount Cotton. As part of the experience, you’ll get to enjoy a hamper filled with locally sourced meats, cheese, crackers, and delectable sweets. And to wash it down, mulled wine.
21. Satisfy your appetite at the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival
Popping up on the foreshore from Friday, August 22 until Sunday, August 24, this feastival for the foodies will not only please your palate – you’ll also be treated to ocean views and a spectacular sunset over the water. Tickets are on sale now.
22. Lace up for one of these hiking trails near Brisbane
Feature image via Shutterstock
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.
23. Be dazzled by the jaw-dropping light and sound show, Enlightenment
After captivating audiences across Europe, the breathtaking immersive experience Enlightenment is making its Australian debut in the heart of Brisbane. Set within the historic St Stephen’s Cathedral, this 30-minute spectacle combines cutting-edge projection mapping with the timeless beauty of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, creating a multi-sensory journey through the cycle of life. Grab your tickets here so you don’t miss out.
24. Find your peace at a Brisbane day spa
Image: @soak.bathhouse
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.