The weather in Brisbane has been getting warmer in the lead-up to summer, and there are a whole stack of events, activities and foodie delights to put a spring in your step this November. Take a look through the list to find a bunch of things you can do during the week and on weekends.
1. Attend the first official NBA exhibition
The first official NBA exhibition is all set to begin its tour in Australia, with its first stop in Brisbane. This extensive look into the world of basketball will be held at Queens Plaza this November 2023.
2. Get your live music fix at this huge free music festival
Valley Fiesta and King St Food Fiesta are coming back to town this week with outdoor stages, pop-up dining and a laneway bar trail.
This year, the fiesta features a stellar lineup of artists including Mallrat, Midlife, Hatchie, and heaps more. So if you and the gang want to see some of Brisbane’s best musicians without paying entry, then this one to put on your radar.
3. Grab some early gifts at these fabulously festive Christmas markets
With Christmas fast approaching, our focus will soon shift toward gifts, good times and good food. And some of the best places to get these gifts, have a good time and get your hands on a huge array of good food is at one of Brisbane’s Christmas Markets.
There are more than a couple on in the lead-up to the big day. 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.
4. Enjoy a flick at this new permanent outdoor cinema
Brisbane’s new permanent outdoor cinema opens on Friday, November 10 and is set to showcase evening films from 6.30pm on Thursday to Sunday each week, catering to most cinematic tastes, from blockbusters to arthouse breakouts, concert films, theatre productions and more.
5. Escape to a swimming hole near Brisbane
Summer is nearly here, and so is the humidity that comes with it. Near Brisbane, you’ll find some of the best swimming holes in Australia, perfect to cool off at.
10 of the most magical swimming holes near Brisbane
6. … or a hidden beach if you prefer saltwater
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, most of which you can escape the crowds at.
7. See some awesome queer art at MELT Festival
Brisbane’s annual queer art festival is back at the Powerhouse from November 11 to 26, bringing with it some fabulous exhibitions and performances, including a show from the one and only Rhys Nicholson.
8. Spot nocturnal wildlife at this new immersive experience
This November, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary will launch its newest wildlife experience, where you can spot creatures that go bump in the night.
The nocturnal experience is a 90-minute guided twilight tour through a vast eucalypt plantation, where you’ll take an enchanting one-kilometre stroll spotting the sanctuary’s residents using a non-invasive red torch and picking up their unique heat signature using a handheld thermal imaging device.
9. Run in colour for neurofibromatosis
Conquer NF in Colour is a new fun run which is being held in Brisbane on Sunday, November 19. The event plans to raise funds for the Children’s Tumour Foundation, Australia’s only patient advocacy and support organisation for neurofibromatosis (NF).
Gather the gang, register your team and get ready to run in green and blue for NF.
10. Enjoy the entertainment at Wynnum Fringe
Wynnum Fringe is making a grand return this month as well, which means two massive weeks of music, arts and cultural events on the bayside, from November 15 to December 3.
11. Make your own gingerbread house at this festive high tea
W Brisbane is bringing back their Festive High Tea in the lovely Living Room Bar. Every Thursday to Sunday from November 24 – December 31, you’ll be able to tuck into some delectable Christmas-inspired bites such as raspberry eggnog mousse cake and lamb croquettes alongside a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
12. 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.
See what Candlelight concerts are on this November
13. Pick up some new plant babies at the Tropical Foliage Festival
Taking place at the Belmont Shooting Complex on Saturday, November 25, the Tropical Foliage Festival is bringing together a whole heap of tropical plant growers in one space. You’ll be able to buy as many beautiful foliage plants as you can carry, get advice, and see demos among a whole heap of other things going on.
14. Cool off at a 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.
15. … or with DJs and swimming at Lina Rooftop
To welcome the warmer months, Lina Rooftop is turning their poolside into a go-to Sunday session spot, complete with DJ’s, a Patron Tequila Sorbet cart, Frozen Angel popsicles, a Magnum wine list and a decadent casual French Riviera inspired menu.
16. Dine at a new Brisbane restaurant
Brisbane’s hospitality scene is booming right now. It seems like we can’t go a week in the River City without a hot new restaurant, bar or cafe opening up – and it can feel overwhelming knowing which one to try next. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best with our pick of our fave new Brisbane restaurants of the year so far. Save this list if you need some inspo for your next dining date.
17. Embrace the weird at West End’s immersive night market
The weird and whacky immersive night market Westoria is open every Friday evening and it’s home to plenty of food trucks, market stalls, performances and themed spaces.
Check it out here.
18. Sip prosecco at a Pilates class
Prosecco & Pilates is where sipping and fitness strikes a balance, and you can be part of the fun on Sunday, November 5 in the Valley. Each ticket includes a pink yoga matt to take home, a glass of prosecco as well as a wellness goodie bag.
19. Go for a boogie at Brisbane’s brand-new nightclub
From the team behind Su Casa and Kenjin comes a new nightclub in the Valley. Kommunity is made up of two levels. The first room is dedicated to top 40 hits, R&B, hip-hop, and dance tunes, whereas the second room brings all the pulsating house beats and EDM anthems.
Kommunity is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm – 3am. You can find it at 243 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.
20. Dress up as David Bowie for this annual charity event
The annual Bowies Down Brunswick event is returning to the Valley on Saturday, November 4, so if you’re a David Bowie fanatic, whack on that face paint and join other ‘Bowies’ as you bar hop whilst raising funds for Cancer Council.
21. Tantalise your taste buds at ‘Dining In The Dark’
This dining experience, where you eat at a restaurant blindfolded, has been backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, and you can experience it for yourself to see if it’s true.
22. Book your own private swimming pool
It’s Airbnb but for private swimming pool hire. With the warmer months comes the season for swimming.
Swimply makes this easier than ever, where you can book your very own private swimming pools by the hour, right here in Brisbane. Some, like the mineral pool above in Grange, even have inclusions like lawn games, table tennis and a barbecue to enjoy with your mates.
23. Tap your way around giant Christmas-sy props at a themed putt putt course
Right after taking down their Halloween-themed putt putt course, Victoria Park will bring back 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.
24. Dust off your mask and flippers for a snorkelling session near Brisbane
When summer gets closer, the heat makes us want to spend our days submerged in a body of cold water. And while Brisbane is close to a slew of white-sand beaches and lush swimming holes, snorkelling takes things one step further as a warm weather activity. We get to cool down, all the while spotting an array of fish, as well as turtles, dugongs and dolphins if we’re lucky.
7 of the most stunning snorkelling spots near Brisbane
25. Find some epic plant-based goodies at the QLD Vegan Market
Calling all plant-based pals and curious foodies. QLD Vegan Markets is making its way back to Portside Wharf on Saturday, November 18, with over 30 stalls selling awesome vegan goodies, including lifestyle and beauty items as well as some seriously delicious eats.