We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do around the city this August.
1. Become awe-inspired at this spectacular open-air light show
After sell-out seasons in Sydney and Melbourne, the gorgeous after-dark experience, Lightscape, is finally coming our way as part of Brisbane Festival, popping up at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.
Wander through the green heart of Brisbane with a new trail that stretches just over two kilometres. As you journey along the path, you’ll discover shimmering lights, large-scale sculptures, soundscapes and more. Lightscape is illuminating Brisbane from 5.45 pm every night Thursday, August 31 to Saturday, October 8.
2. Join in on the EKKA celebrations
The EKKA is back in Brisbane from August 12 – 20, so get ready for another round of agricultural celebration (with plenty of strawberry sundaes, of course).
3. 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 discover the music of Coldplay & Imagine Dragons at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church under the gentle glow of candlelight.
4. Get your seafood fix at this new riverside restaurant
Portside Wharf is set to score a new seafood restaurant this month, serving up decadent eats by the river. At Fosh, think local line caught fish served within 24 hours, as well as oysters, prawns, scallops and Moreton Bay bugs.
5. Technicolour Multicultural Festival
Brisbane’s annual Technicolour Multicultural Festival is on this month on Saturday, August 26.
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.
Technicolour Multicultural Festival
6. Dine in an igloo
Lina Rooftop’s winter igloo dining experience is back in South Brisbane, giving you the chance to luxe out in style during the cold season.
Until August 27, you’ll be able to enjoy the cityscape with a side of cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, mulled wine, grazing boards, and bubbly.
Lina Winter Wonderland Igloo Experience
7. 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.
8. 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 starting this August 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.
9. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a yuzu cheesecake cruffin from Lune
Brisbane pastry favourite Lune Croissanterie has dropped their August specials menu, which includes tasty treats such as a yuzu cheesecake cruffin, cheese and pepper escargot, coco rough, almond and choc orange croissant, and a pain aux raisin.
10. Be wowed by this Bollywood-inspired theatre performance
A bold contemporary take on Bollywood is coming to New Benner Theatre in West End from Thursday, August 17 to Saturday, August 19.
ITEM is a dance theatre show inspired by personal letters, messages and interviews from hundreds of women over the past three years, flipping the script on Indian idealised romance and storytelling tropes through a feminist lens.
11. Dance like it’s the 90s and 00s at these Ministry of Sound laneway parties
Revisit bangers from the 90s and 00s at these Ministry of Sound parties taking over Warner Lane on August 4 and 12.
On the DJ lineup for the 00s Testament gig are electro favourites such as The Bloody Beetroots, Digitalism, Freq Nasty, Stanton Warriors, Goodwill and Groove Terminator as well as Kid Kenobi, Matt Nugent and more.
Ministry of Sound’s Testament 2023
12. Go moongazing
Two supermoons are set to light up Brisbane’s skies this August, including a spectacular blue moon in a rare celestial event. First up is the sturgeon moon which will appear above our skies on August 2, 2023, and the second full moon will be a blue moon which will rise on August 31, 2023.
Contrary to what its name suggests, a blue moon is not actually blue in colour. It simply refers to frequency or the appearance of a second full moon in a single month.
13. Watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup at one of these Brisbane venues
If you want to get some big screen atmosphere of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, there are plenty of Brisbane venues that are showing the games during August, including the Howard Smith Wharves River Garden, Caxton Hotel, Lord Alfred Hotel, Stock Exchange Hotel, and BrewDog Fortitude Valley.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Take a look at the revamped GPO Building
The GPO precinct in Fortitude Valley has undergone a huge $9 million makeover, with 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.
18. 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.
This year, the festival will run from August 3 – 13.
19. 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.
20. Try your hand at 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.
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.
21. Indulge in bottomless tacos and margaritas
Taste the vibrant flavours of Southern California at Viva La Cali with their new SoCal Sundays offering. Every Sunday, you can get two hours of bottomless tacos and margs for $79 per person.
Our favourite taco was the Crispy Pollo with pickled veg, pate, and ranchero. Out of the drinks, the Bugs Bunny Margarita (made with sour carrot), spiced pear margarita and Viva La Margarita are all worth trying.
22. Cruise on Brisbane’s newest floating venue
Imagine being aboard a three-level floating venue on the Brisbane River, dancing the afternoon away. Well, this is now a reality when OASIS sets sail.
Brisbane’s newest river bar is actually a huge lifestyle and cruising boat with three levels, each providing a different visual and immersive experience for guests.
23. Lace up for one of these 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.
24. Party like a 19th century Parisian in Le Grand Palais
If your experience at Monet in Paris has left you feeling inspired, why not continue the adventure? On Friday nights, Le Grand Palais hosts fabulous after hours parties that’ll transport you straight to the glittering salons. Monet by Moonlight is the perfect culmination of art, culture and entertainment. Expect dazzling art activations sponsored by the Mont Marte, incredible DJs, speciality cocktails and unforgettable tales to take home. This incredible experience has been extended until August 27 – don’t wait a moment longer, book your space now!
25. Find your peace 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