Terrific Things To Do In And Near Brisbane This July

The Brisbane Gin Festival is returning for a fifth year, and it’ll be better than ever! Get in the spirit because you’re in for a weekend of exploration, with over 40 of Australia’s best distillers showcasing their most delicious and innovative creations. Eleven of the distillers are even making their festival debut, so you’ll be first in lime— err, line!

Candlelight Concerts are always a special time, but this one you really won’t want to miss. Sofitel Brisbane Central’s Le Ciel space is playing host to Candlelight: La Fête de la Musique, a uniquely atmospheric performance, featuring a string quartet playing under the glow of thousands of twinkling candles.

This is one of France’s most beloved traditions: every year on the longest day of the year, the whole country opens up to live music in all its forms, so say ‘oui’ to this one-night-only Candlelight Concert!

If you couldn’t make it overseas for the Euro summer this year, not to worry: Le Festival will be back in town 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.

Be transported into another world through this 2km illuminated trail of AI-interactive installations and holograms at Sirromet Winery.

Beyond — Every Path Leads Elsewhere is a new after-dark light journey featuring 25 immersive activations — from AI-interactive gardens to laser fields and large-scale projections! Keep the winter blues away with one of Queensland’s most captivating nights out this year.

Festival-goers of all ages, get ready enjoy 10 days of unmissable entertainment to the heart of the bayside. This year’s Fringe is bringing everything from crowd-drawing performers like Arj Barker and Mel Buttle to high-octane Highway To Hell: The Rock ‘N’ Roll Circus — and even an adults-only magic show and unique markets! Read all about it here.

GreazeFest is back bigger than ever! Celebrating its 26th year with three unforgettable days of vintage cool, classic cars, and rip-roaring live music, you truly won’t want to miss this festival.

Between the hot rods, rockabilly riffs, pin-up perfection and hairspray, you’ll be transported to the most effortlessly cool era thanks to what has become Australia’s longest-running and most iconic Rockabilly and Kustom Kulture festival.

If you’ve ever argued over who gets to be Monica, Rachel or Phoebe, this one’s for you. The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in Brisbane will be in our city starting in April, bringing a fully immersive, walk-through celebration of the sitcom we’ve all quoted for decades.

Think meticulously recreated sets, real props and costumes, and enough photo ops to fill your camera roll faster than Joey finishes a pizza. It’s not a sit-back-and-look kind of exhibition—you’ll be stepping inside the moments you know by heart.

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! Enjoy the cityscape with a side of grazing boards, fondue, cocktails, and more.

By popular demand, Customs House’s winter-themed bar is also back in Queen Street, River and Story Bridge views included!

The igloo bar is made up of several spacious igloos, which are decked out with a heater and furnished with comfy chairs covered in gorgeous furry blankets for you to snuggle up to. Once you’re all wrapped up, settle in and sip your way through the afternoon with a glass — or two, or even a bottle — of Veuve Clicquot.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that you can never have too many Pride & Prejudice adaptations. And we’ve got good news: Queensland Theatre Company’s Matilda Award-winning production of Jane Austen’s ultimate work is back. This world-class production returns to the Playhouse for one more glorious “turn about the room” – for a strictly limited season.

Austen’s definitive romantic comedy comes to life on a grand theatrical scale, with an all-star Queensland cast, magnetic chemistry and a love story you’ll fall for all over again.

Get your tickets here!

NOOSA alive! Festival is returning for its 2026 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 for 10 fantastic days!

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.

Come face to face with +40 specimens of terrifyingly realistic moving replicas: T-rex, Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Velociraptors, and many more. Or dive into the depths of the seas and interact with Jurassic sea giants in a unique virtual aquarium as you learn more about the periods when dinosaurs ruled the Earth!

Get your tickets here!

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, with some incredible chocolate shops that’ll cure your cravings.

The James St Food + Wine Trail is back for one day of tantalising dishes. The iconic street will be closed off for its iconic food and drink venues to hit the streets with pop-up stalls. Choose from a stacked lineup including Gerard’s, Same Same, Hellenika, Gelato Messina, and plenty more!

Brisbane Open House is a free annual event that lets locals and visitors alike explore the hidden architectural gems in the River City and, this year is the biggest edition yet!

With no less than 91 structures on the agenda, spanning historical and heritage-listed spots, and even a record-breaking 16 private architect-designed homes, you’re sure to discover amazing spaces that speak to you.

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.

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.

The World Cup is in full swing, and so far it’s been thrilling. Now, some of the games may be tricky to watch due to the time difference, but don’t fret! These amazing venues will screen every Australia game, no matter the time, plus some fixtures and replays.

The small town of Killarney transforms into a luminous spectacle every year, with creative fire drums and a giant bonfire! This year, the town will light up not just with the bonfire but with thrilling fire performances, country rock music, and even fireworks!

Have you got what it takes to outsmart the imposters? The heart-pounding immersive experience, Saboteurs: Crewmates and Imposters — Dark Map is now open, and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Inspired by the viral online game, Among Us, this unique challenge promises to push your strategy and teamwork skills to the limit. Think you’ve got what it takes to survive? Well, it’s time to prove it. Get your tickets now!

If you have always wanted to experience the magic of fluffy white snow without travelling too far from home, you’re in luck! Just in time for the winter school holidays, Snow4Kids is back for another year from June 28 to July 13, and it brings heaps of opportunities to revel in all things snowy and wintery.

Hear ye, hear ye! The Abbey Medieval Festival is coming back for another thrilling edition, bringing history to life this July!

This year’s program is jam-packed with fascinating events and activities, ranging from performances such as re-enactments and jousts, to more hands-on happenings like dancing and crafts workshops!

Wanting to experience the magic of Disney but the cozzie livs is getting you down or simply want to relive fond memories of past trips?

We’re here to make your dreams come true because the Disney Store is coming to Brisbane! Step into a world of imagination as Disney unveils its highly-anticipated Store Pop-Up at Queen Street Mall this winter!

The 6th edition of this city-wide music series is still igniting some of Brisbane’s most iconic venues with over 30 thrilling performances! Open Season is celebrating its fifth anniversary in style through July, taking its star-studded poster all over the city, going beyond its usual Tivoli and Princess Theatre, and adding more venuest to the mix! See the full program here.

Museum of Brisbane and Warwick Art Gallery have snagged a stunning, award-winning art project. Starting in July, you’ll be able to gaze upon the magnificent Red Dress, a globe-spanning garment that perfectly embodies the balance between interconnectedness and self-expression, conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod.

Bookish folk to the front! The massive bi-annual Lifeline Bookfest is coming back this summer, where you can score second-hand books for as little as $2.50.

The event will take place over nine massive days! Books, as well as all other reading material and CDs and DVDs, will be replenished every day for your perusing pleasure.

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.

Once Queensland’s industrial powerhouse, historical and charming Maryborough is the birthplace of P.L. Travers, the woman behind none other than Mary Poppins. Back in 1999, as a way to honour the author on her 100th birthday, a group of women held a Birthday Afternoon Tea to celebrate. The event quickly grew and by 2007 had evolved into an annual and hugely magical Mary Poppins Festival!

For the ultimate wintery vibe, visit Warwick for the cosiest, coolest festival around: Jumpers and Jazz in July. Wrap yourself up in the unforgettable live music and a chunky jumper, and marvel at the 90 or so trees adorned with stunning textile art creations crafted by talented artists from across Australia and beyond!

The Brisbane Showgrounds are getting ready to host the Royal Queensland Awards (RQA)’s Grape Grazing by Night, and you’ll be able to sample some of Australia’s best wines, as rated by professionals and connoisseurs, paired with amazing, drool-worthy food prepared by the Brisbane Showgrounds’ world-class chefs — think cheese boards, antipasto treats, slow cooked lamb, rich desserts and even a bao bar!

Get ready to feel the adrenaline at a massive inflatable adventure with Tuff Nutterz! for an adrenaline-packed adventure that’s about to take your school holidays to a whole new level. The family-friendly event features Australia’s biggest inflatable obstacle course — 300 metres long! — that kids and kidults of all ages get to enjoy. Get your tickets here!

The quirky annual re-creation of Kate Bush’s iconic Wuthering Heights video is happening at Frew Park in celebration of the singer’s birthday. Don your red dress, learn the dance moves and have fun for a great cause at Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever!