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.
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.
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, Home Alone, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Elf.
If you’re more of a Grinch, don’t worry, there’s plenty of other hits and new releases to enjoy like Bugonia and Wicked: For Good coming to the big outdoor screen.
See the full program and get your tickets here.📍Roma Street Parkland, 1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane CBD
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 exhibitions, craft days, arcades, farm experiences and more.
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 Sunday, December 1 to Friday, February 28, entry prices will be slashed across Brisbane’s public swimming pools, from $6.40 per person to just $2. All the info here!
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. This year, from December 1, there will be Christmas-themed tiny doors to find, designed and created by local artist Mace Robertson.
Once you’ve had a few days of this whimsical hunt, you can drop by the Queen Street Mall Stage to make your very own festive tiny door, in the weekends leading up to Christmas starting on December 7. Fun has come knocking!
If you don’t mind spoilers, find all the locations here.
Run (or walk) for a good cause
Starting from November 25 until December 10, walk, run, swim or roll to support UN Women programs in over 100 countries worldwide that work to provide support to survivors, prevent gender-based violence, among other initiatives every day.
You can register for the Safe. Everywhere. Always Challenge here — either on your own, with friends, or even organise your school or workplace — and get moving for 30, 60 or 100 kilometres in support of a worthy cause.
Grab some nifty Twixmas deals
Twixmas, if you didn’t know, is that odd period between Christmas and New Year when life seems to slow to a trudge as the year winds down. To brighten it up, Fever are offering some neat discounts on their most popular experiences, so book now and enjoy in 2025. Here’s the rundown:
🍽 Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience at C’est Bon
🩰 Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show
🪔 Mindful Glow: Candlelit Sound Bath
🕯 Candlelight: A Tribute to Ed Sheeran
🕯 Candlelight: A Tribute to Phil Collins
🕯 Candlelight: 90’s Unplugged on Strings
Avoid the hard-knock life and go see Annie
The beloved tale of Annie is coming to QPAC from December 27 to January 31 to charm Brisbanite audiences with its timeless tale of optimism and belonging. A celebration of hope, family and friendship, this small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more, and you’ll want to be seated for it!
Get your tickets here.
📍Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Or catch a Christmas show
Whether it be a bold cabaret performance or a fabulous show, there are plenty of laughs and entertainment to be enjoyed over the Christmas season in Brisbane, including Cirque du Sleigh, the cheeky festive musical, running from November 28 to December 22, and The Christmas Spectacular, for a tamer option, on December 13 and 14.
Test your musical knowledge at Not On Your Rider
Brisbane’s very own live cult music trivia night is coming to The Triffid on December 18. Play along to win heaps of prizes or simply watch and enjoy the laughs and songs! Hosted by Aimon Clark and with team captains Patience Hodgson and Jeremy Neale, it’ll be a night full of melodies, mini games and surprises. Buzz in for your tickets!
📍Felons Barrel Hall, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane CBD
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 starting November 21 and until December 20. The spectacular sensory experience envelops the plants, trees and gardens in a kaleidoscope of colours and light for an incredible trip. Don’t miss out on the magic and get your tickets here!
📍1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane CBD
Rock out to Furnace & The Fundamentals
This silly season nothing makes more sense than seeing these outrageously fun musical chameleons perform the greatest songs and holiday hits of all time in an amazing show with special effects, theatrics and more. Their A VERY FURNACE CHRISTMAS tour is coming to Brisbane on December 16, and is set to be something to remember, featuring photos with Santa (the real one, of course), best dressed competitions, raffle prizes and more. Get your tickets here!
📍The Tivoli, 52 Costin St, Fortitude Valley
Sip a cocktail with a view at Brisbane’s newest rooftop bar
Recently-opened Above Rooftop Pool & Bar is Ovolo’s Mediterranean-inspired open-air bar high over Brisbane. Its jaw-dropping views offer captivating sunsets, and its beautiful décor and lighting installation take inspiration from Brisbane’s majestic summer storms.
With a focus on classic cocktails with surprising twists, an array of sharing plates, and DJ sets four times a week, Above is on its way to becoming a must-visit for anyone who wants to feel like the city’s their oyster.
📍Sky Deck, Level 23, 33 William St, Brisbane CBD
Get festive at a Christmas market around the city
There are more than a couple of Christmas markets 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.
16. 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.
Cool down at this 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.
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.
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.
Putt your way through this Christmas-themed mini golf course
Victoria Park has brought back its Christmas Putt Putt to get you keen for the silly season. If the festive-themed course is anything like last year’s, you can expect everything from giant candy canes to winter wonderland vibes. Get your tickets to make a ho-ho-hole in until January 4!
📍309 Herston Rd, Herston
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.
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.
Or go on a little summer getaway
From Big Things, to picturesque beaches and charming historical towns, there are plenty of gorgeous places within driving distance of Brisbane, if you’re looking to travel while avoiding big crowds and without breaking the bank!
Go on a multi-sensory journey with Olafur Eliasson: Presence
Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson invites us from December 6 to engage our sense of perception through a primordial landscape spanning the artist’s three-decade career. Across GOMA’s ground floor galleries, the exhibition includes important early works and expansive site-specific installations, many developed especially for Presence.
Grab your tickets here!
📍QAGOMA, Stanley Pl, South Brisbane