This month, there are a bunch of things happening around Brisbane to interest and intrigue you as well as add some colour and festivity to your winter.
1. Unravel the true story behind the Titanic at this new exhibition
After successful seasons in the UK and US, “Titanic: The Human Story” is sailing into Brisbane on July 26. This exhibition offers a glimpse into the Titanic’s history through personal artifacts, archival photos, and genuine relics carefully curated for display.
2. Immerse yourself in the multisensory Dopamine Land experience
Get ready for a glitzy adventure at Dopamine Land in Uptown. After a successful launch in the UK, this immersive experience has expanded globally, with a first Australian stop in Brisbane. Prepare to be dazzled as you explore interactive settings, admire vibrant decor, and participate in exhilarating games.
Secure your spot here
3. Let the music whisk you away at 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.
Check out the lineup of July shows
4. Get a taste of a Euro holiday without leaving Brisbane at this French festival
If you couldn’t make it overseas for the Euro summer this year, not to worry; Le Festival will be back in town this July to give you a taste of France without the long-haul flight. And without leaving Brisbane at all.
Over three massive days, this iconic rendezvous will showcase all things French, from the music and food to the lifestyle and more.
5. Have a soak at Albion’s new European-inspired bathhouse
The Bathhouse Albion will feature hot and cold pools, a traditional sauna, several infrared saunas, a Finnish sauna with a fireplace, a tiered steam room, a float room, and more.
So pretty much the next best thing to the gorgeous bathhouses in Europe!
6. Grab dessert at Crumble Cave
Newstead’s Crumble Cave, which recently opened, offers customisable tubs of hot or frozen custard with crumble and various fruits like apple or berry.
If you’re craving a sweet treat in July, this is a place to have on your radar.
7. Indulge in fondue and cocktails at this rooftop igloo dining experience
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.
8. Sip mulled wine by a fire at this winter night market
Sip mulled wine by the fire and browse 250-plus artisan stalls at this European-inspired winter night market popping up on the northside this July.
There will also be live music across two stages, a slew of food trucks serving up gourmet comfort eats, and roving entertainment such as stilt walkers and fire twirlers.
9. Dine at a new Brisbane restaurant
Brisbane has been graced with some awesome new restaurants lately, including a fiery Argentinian-inspired steakhouse, an upmarket Thai spot with a giant moon installation hanging over the bar, and plenty more.
See our guide to Brisbane’s newest restaurants
10. Head north for a 10-day seaside festival
NOOSA alive! Festival is returning for its 2024 edition with a packed program of special events and premiere performances, from live music to comedy and ballet.
The festival will take over various venues and locations in Noosa from July 19 to 28.
11. Head south for farm-to-table dining
One of the many perks of living in Brisbane is that we’re not too far from charming country towns. If you drive around an hour and a half south — just below the border into New South Wales — you’ll find the stunning Tweed Coast region, where stretches of ocean meet lush farmland. If frolicking amongst sunflowers and paddock-to-plate dining sounds up your alley, be sure to visit Farm & Co.
12. Satisfy your sweet tooth for World Chocolate Day on July 7th
Satisfying your sweet tooth is a necessity sometimes. And there’s nothing quite like a bite of moreish chocolate that just melts in your mouth. Ditch the supermarket for your next choccy haul. Brisbane has a selection of specialty chocolate ready for you to indulge in.
Brisbane chocolate shops that will cure your cocoa cravings
13. Check out Brisbane’s newest riverside market
This new vibrant farmers and artisan market will feature over 150 stalls, from makers to bakers, and growers from the South East Queensland region and Northern New South Wales.
14. Feast at a foodie festival
Roma Street Parkland will become home to a foodie festival for a whole weekend this July 13 and 14.
Providore Park showcases makers and creators for two days, alongside live music and curated activations such as pop-up picnic soirees, masterclasses and more.
15. Relax by the fire at this Mount Cotton winery
Indulge in a cosy evening under the stars with your very own firepit and picnic hamper at Sirromet Wines in Mount Cotton.
16. Eat a meal while blindfolded at ‘Dining in the Dark’
Imagine stepping inside a restaurant blanketed in darkness and being served a sublime three-course meal – the flavours and textures of which are intensified by your remaining senses. Sounds a little bit incredible, right?
An experience that’s been backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, the enticing ‘Dining In The Dark’ could just be the perfect way to spice up your date night.
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. Try your hand — and appetite — at Australia’s biggest nachos
After becoming a go-to Mexican joint on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, California Tacos has opened in Brisbane, bringing with it Australia’s biggest nachos.
Gather your nacho-loving pal(s), head over to the West End eatery and opt for the $59 share size on the menu. After you demolish this huge plate of nachos, you can say that you’ve eaten Australia’s largest.
19. Putt your way through this glow-in-the-dark mini golf course
During June and July, St Lucia Golf Links will light up after dark with a luminous putt-putt course. Complete with glow-in-the-dark golf balls to hit down twinkling pathways, GLOW Mini Golf is set to be a dazzling way to spend a night during the cooler months.
The illuminated course plays host to glistening features and lights at each hole, bringing ambiance and difference to the game we know and love — all the while being a choice backdrop for photos.
20. Watch the State of Origin from one of these local pubs
Game three for the State of Origin is set to take place on the evening of Wednesday, July 17.
If you don’t want to watch the game at home, head to Brisbane pubs such as Regatta Hotel, The Crown Hotel, The Boundary Hotel, Port Office Hotel, Cleveland Sands Hotel, Koala Tavern and Salisbury Hotel to join in on the atmosphere.
21. Hit the trails for some winter hiking 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.
22. Listen to live music for free
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.