December is a busy month. We’re all trying to get work finished before the end of the year while at the same time trying to get our Christmas shopping done, making our Christmas plans, prepping our Christmas meals and trying to enjoy the warm weather as well as all the awesome things that are going on in town.
1. Marvel at Brisbane’s spectacular Christmas light displays
Every year there are some neighbourly neighbours that go above and beyond with their Christmas lights, meticulously planning their displays days, weeks or even months in advance as the best designers do, and when the time strikes they get to work setting up and decorating. In Brisbane, we also have our city Christmas lights to look forward to.
We love it as much as we love this time of year, when we can marvel at all the bright lights flashing and twinkling in the night. But, to save you from searching for bright beacons of light in the distance, we’ve done a bit of digging to find some truly special setups that are well worth the visit. Take a look at some of the confirmed displays in Brisbane and add them to your Christmas light tour for 2023.
2. Catch an outdoor flick at Moonlight Cinema
The December program for Moonlight Cinema features heaps of Christmas classics to get you in the holiday spirit, including Love Actually, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Die Hard, Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Elf.
And if you’ve been as excited about Barbie as we have, look forward to a full weekend of “Pink Party” screenings on December 8 and 9. All Barbies and Kens are encouraged to dress up in rose, pastel or bright pink, and enjoy this hilarious movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
Moonlight Cinema – December program
3. Send off 2023 in style at one of these New Year’s Eve parties
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, so if you’re looking for something fun to do, here are 14 fantastic New Year’s Eve parties to choose from in Brisbane, most of which are serving up front-row seats to the fireworks, or are close to the displays at least. Almost all of these parties include food and drinks as well, to take away the hassle of pretty much everything on the night. So gather the gang and step into 2024 in style at one of these awesome events.
4. Enjoy the school holiday fun
As any parent will be able to tell you, finding ways to keep your little ones occupied can be a difficult ask. Thankfully though, Brisbane is home to all manner of activities and experiences that even the toughest little critics will love these school holidays, including an NBA Exhibition, craft days, arcades, farm experiences and more.
9 super fun activities and events for kids in Brisbane
5. Take a stroll along an enchanted garden trail
Lighting up Roma Street Parkland for another year, The Enchanted Garden is open to visitors in the lead-up to Christmas, until Wednesday, December 20. The spectacular sensory experience envelops the plants, trees and gardens in a kaleidoscope of colours and light for an incredible trip.
6. Check out the highly-anticipated fairy tales exhibition
This enchanting exhibition explores the key themes utilised in fairy tales throughout history, such as coming-of-age tales, gender and otherness, bravery and justice, loyalty and humility, as well as cunning and aspiration.
You can expect to see these topics showcased through mesmerising art pieces. Giant tree sculptures, magical animals, wicked witches, mirrors, castles and pumpkins, just to name a few.
The fascinating exhibition will take over GOMA from December 2, 2023 to April 28, 2024, with tickets on sale now.
7. See a glitzy cabaret show at The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub
Since its opening on the Gold Coast in 2019, The Pink Flamingo has gone on to show that pink is more than just a colour—it’s an attitude. And come December, they’re bringing their sexy smorgasbord of cabaret, burlesque and cirque performances to Brisbane.
8. Sip a cocktail with a view at Brisbane’s desert-themed rooftop bar
Rooftop bars are god-tier when it comes to summer sipping in Brisbane, especially when our warmer months deliver one incredible sunset after the next.
For front-row seats to nightfall with a drink in hand, it’s hard to go past the appropriately named Sunsets, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city, refreshing tequila-based cocktails such as coconut margaritas and palomas, as well as Mediterranean-inspired eats like grilled tiger prawns, custard tarts and more.
11 of Brisbane’s best new bars for summer sipping
9. Take a dip at these Brisbane swimming pools for just $2
If you’re looking for somewhere to go swimming this summer, but don’t want to leave Brisbane or go to Streets Beach, then look no further, because Brisbane City Council is launching $2 summer dips at their 22 public pools around the city.
From Friday, December 1 to Thursday, February 29, entry prices will be slashed across Brisbane’s public swimming pools, from $6.40 per person to just $2.
10. Satisfy your sweet tooth with gingerbread and pavlova dessert baos
Harajuku Gyoza is getting into the holiday spirit with their new festive dessert baos, which come in three drool-worthy flavours: Rum Balls, Gingerbread and Pavlova. Yum!
Available at both their Brisbane City and South Bank stores.
11. Get festive at a Christmas market around the city
There are more than a couple on in the lead-up to the big day, with the first ones starting starting weeks ago. You’ll be able to grab plenty of presents, festive trinkets and more amongst a range of locally-made goods. You might even hear some carols, see Santa himself, or find the perfect pressie for yourself.
Christmas markets in Brisbane you can get festive at
12. Find the festive tiny doors in the city
In case you missed it, Brisbane is full of whimsical tiny doors that have been built in unassuming places around town.
In the city this year, there will be six Christmas-themed tiny doors to find from December 1, with locations in King George Square, Queen Street Mall, Burnett Lane, Edward Street and Elizabeth Arcade.
13. Explore the world’s largest subtropical rainforest
Queensland is an expansive state with a multitude of hidden gems to discover. In fact, the Sunshine State is home to five World Heritage areas that remind us just how much diversity lies on our doorstep, from K’Gari, the world’s largest sand island, to the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland. But there’s one World Heritage area less than two hours from Brisbane that gets comparatively overlooked, one dating back 180 million years: the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, which just so happens to be the largest areas of subtropical rainforest in the world.
14. Check out this new pop art-inspired shop
If you’re looking for a new hyper-local shop to check out – perhaps for your Christmas shopping – look no further than A Boy Named Aaron, a brand new store in Gaythorne selling everything from art to stationary, homewares and plants.
15. Cool down at Brisbane’s only swim-up pool bar
Now that the warmer weather is approaching, the search begins for a place to cool down, preferably one with swimming involved. Thanks to The Westin Brisbane‘s Mediterranean-inspired pool bar, we don’t have to travel too far to relax by the pool with a cocktail this spring and summer.
16. … and with self-serve frozen yoghurt
Yo-Chi has opened its third Brisbane store, right on cue with the warmer weather. Their Paddington outlet has the same self-serve frozen yoghurt machines as its predecessors, though this time with an exclusive acai blend, which can be topped with fresh fruits, nuts, chocolate drizzle, Biscoff spread, and peanut butter. Yum!
17. Make your own gingerbread cathedral at a Christmassy workshop
The legends at WillowWood Studio are running build-your-own gothic gingerbread cathedral workshops, complete with edible stained glass windows. The sessions are also BYO booze, so gather the gang for a unique and fun event in Brisbane.
18. Dine at Brisbane’s best vegetarian restaurant
Hands down, Fortitude Valley’s Za Za Ta is home to some of – if not the – best vegetarian and vegan eats in Brisbane. In fact, it was named as Queensland’s best vegetarian restaurant by Delicious in 2022. With good reason too! Za Za Ta’s dishes are creative, the dining atmosphere is immaculate, and the wine and cocktail list is curated almost perfectly. Trust us when we say, you need to try their haloumi doughnuts!
19. Get your floral fix at a flower exhibition
A stunning flower exhibition has opened at the Museum of Brisbane, where you can take a look at a lush collection of paintings, textiles, sculptures, ceramics and new media from more than 20 established and emerging local artists.
It’s free entry too!
20. Pick up your Christmas lunch haul from these fresh seafood shops
In the mood for a seafood dinner at home or stocking up on prawns for Christmas lunch? Whatever the occasion, Brisbane is home to a number of places to get fresh seafood – some straight from sea to esky. Here are our favourites.
21. Skipper you and your mates down the Brisbane River on these BYO electric boats
GoBoat have become the easiest way for you and your friends to enjoy time on the water. The boats—constructed from fibreglass, which uses recycled PET bottles instead of virgin glass—are powered by an electric motor and have a top speed of seven kilometres per hour.
This means that you don’t need a license to skipper them and anyone over the age of eighteen can be captain for a day.
22. Putt your way through this Christmas-themed mini golf course
Get into the festive spirit at Christmas Putt Putt, a themed mini golf course that’s popped up for the festive season. The course has undergone a merry makeover, decked out with tinsel, giant candy canes, Christmas trees, reindeer, lights and of course a massive Santa statue.
This is a perfect Christmas-themed activity for the whole family, which you can pair with lunch or dinner at the Victoria Park Bistro.
Open until January 3, 2023.
23. Explore these magical swimming holes near Brisbane
Summer is here and so is the humidity that comes with it. Just outside of the city, you’ll find some of the best swimming holes in Australia. After all the rain we’ve had, these natural freshwater pools should be filled up—ready for you to take a dip.
24. Embark on a road trip to a hidden beach
Fortunately here in Brisbane, we’re only a short drive to some of the Sunshine State’s most stunning beaches, from the Gold Coast to Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and beyond. Some of the more popular beaches can get quite crowded, though, so we’ve rounded up our favourite hidden beaches near Brisbane.
25. Eat breakfast from a floating platter in the pool
In true Maldivian style, Nautilus Beach Club is hosting a luxe floating breakfast experience, served in the pool with a choice of hot breakfast items, fresh slices fruit, pastries, juice, tea or coffee and a bottle of Mumm Champagne.