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What’s On in Brisbane: September 2026
Find out what’s on in Brisbane this month in our September events guide.
This month in Brisbane, Brisbane Festival spreads across the city from 4–26 September with theatre, music, dance, free performances and Riverfire blazing across the river on 5 September. Then, from 12 September, GOMA gets wonderfully nostalgic with Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company, bringing 70 years of Muppets, Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock and glorious puppet ingenuity to Brisbane. Between it all are new places to eat, reasons to head outside and several excellent excuses to surrender an entire weekend to the city.
Read on for our editor’s September picks for what’s on this month in Brisbane.
In This Guide
Editor’s Picks
Trade Brisbane for Broadbeach for the Weekend
There is a point in September when Brisbane starts feeling just warm enough to warrant an escape south, and Dorsett Gold Coast makes a very easy one of it. The hotel sits in the middle of Broadbeach, close to Kurrawa Beach, Pacific Fair and the G, which now runs all the way to Burleigh, but the temptation is equally strong to stay exactly where you are: swimmers on, book abandoned beside the lounger, afternoon disappearing into the warm water at Isoletto Pool Club. Executive guests can take breakfast, evening drinks and canapés up on Level 19, while Dorsett – Your Rewards members currently save an additional 12% on eligible direct bookings. A Friday-night decision, perhaps, that ends with Sunday morning still smelling faintly of sunscreen.
Book your stay with Dorsett GC
Where: Broadbeach
Cost: From $271 per night
Best For: Weekend plans, Visitors, Couples
Festivals & Major Events
Night at the Parkland
A starlit concert series is coming to Roma Street Parklands, with an absolutely star-studded program, to boot. Night at the Parkland spans two massive weekends from Friday 11 September, featuring acts like The Cruel Sea, The Temper Trap, Human Nature, Icehouse, PNAU and finishing with Missy Higgins. There’ll be a full bar and food trucks in tow, so grab the gang and make a night of it.
Where: Roma Street Parklands
When: Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September
Cost: From $89
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Live music fans
Brisbane Festival
The festival that celebrates our city, Brisbane Festival, will be taking over throughout September, with events spanning dance, theatre, exhibitions, fireworks and drone shows, kicking off with everyone’s favourite event, Riverfire.
View our full edit of best Brisbane Festival events to book this year.
Where: Across the city
When: Throughout September
Cost: Free & ticketed events
Best For: Families, Festivals, Weekend plans, Locals
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
Spring is blooming in the Garden City! The Carnival of Flowers showcases incredible floral displays, garden tours, live music and of course, the grand parade. Whether you’re a green thumb or simply an admirer of beautiful things, it’s the best time of year to visit Toowoomba and soak up the food, florals and culture that come to life.
Where: Toowoomba
When: Friday 18 September to Tuesday 5 October
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Food lovers, Wine lovers, Regional travel
Eat & Drink
Meet the Winemaker, a Wild Legs Wine Room x Borachio Collaboration
Local Newstead favourites Wild Legs Wine Room are bringing another unique collaboration to life this month, in partnership with Borachio. Known for thoughtfully made, preservative-free and small-batch wines hand-bottled in McLaren Flat, Borachio bottles are unfussy and utterly drinkable. This Brisbane exclusive meet-the-winemaker event pairs four wines with three delicious courses whipped up by the Wild Legs kitchen. The last event sold out quickly, so make haste to book your spot and be sure to arrive hungry.
Where: Newstead
When: Thursday 17 September, 6pm to 9pm
Cost: $119 per person
Best For: Couples, Wine lovers, Locals, Unique Experiences, Food lovers
FestItalia
Treat yourself to la dolce vita at FestItalia this September at the Brisbane Showgrounds. Brissie’s official annual Italian festival promises all-day entertainment, plenty of regional cuisine, and cannoli galore. Perfect for couples and families looking for a wholesome day out experiencing the best of Italian food, fashion, music and culture, or for anyone nursing a post-Euro summer return to reality.
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds
When: Sunday 20 September, 10:30am to 5:30pm
Cost: $24 per person
Best For: Families, Weekend plans ,Food lovers, Cultural experiences
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Art, Culture & Performance
Rachel Burke – Powerhouse Artist in Residence Program
Local Brisbane maximalist and creator of all things colourful, bejewelled and whimsical, artist Rachel Burke is transforming the Brisbane Powerhouse as part of their Artist in Residence program. Hosting a variety of crafty workshops and a selection of Rachel’s handmade works now available to purchase at the Powerhouse Store, it’s the perfect opportunity to reignite your crafternoon obsession.
Where: Brisbane Powerhouse
When: Until February 2027
Cost: Tickets from $15
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Food lovers, Wine lovers
SWELL Sculpture Festival
Take the opportunity to enjoy the truly phenomenal Spring weather we’re currently revelling in with a day trip to SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast. This annual not-for-profit celebration of art, culture and creativity takes over the coastline with installations, artwork and experiences the whole family can enjoy.
Where: Gold Coast
When: Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Cultural experiences, Regional travel
Horizons of Khufu
There’s no need to jump on a plane to have an almighty adventure this spring. The immersive VR experience Horizons of Khufu invites you to take a trip to the Giza pyramids. Journey underground into secret chambers and sail along the Nile, as you move about freely, exploring the shared virtual reality space.
Where: Fortitude Valley
When: Sessions throughout September
Cost: From $40
Best For: Cultural experiences, Families, Locals, Visitors, Weekend plans
Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company
Take a step back in time at GOMA and experience 70 years of creativity and innovation at this Brisbane-exclusive exhibition, Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company. Exploring the journey from puppetry to animatronics and digital innovations, the exhibition spans hundreds of objects including puppets, props, costumes, original drawings and moving clips, as well as a world-first display of the Great Hall set from Emmy Award-winning television series Fraggle Rock.
Where: QAGOMA, South Brisbane
When: From Saturday 12 September 2026 to Sunday 18 April 2027
Cost: From $22 per person
Best For: Families, Weekend plans
Markets & Shopping
Suitcase Rummage
A favourite amongst fashionistas, the Suitcase Rummage is the spot to secure a bargain! Hugely popular amongst Brisbane’s thrifty and environmentally conscious shopaholics, there’s always someone new selling their wares.
Take your time poking through overflowing luggage at these Brisbane markets and don’t be afraid to have a chat (or a haggle) with the seller, you might just make a new and fellow-minded friend.
Where: Redcliffe Place, Queen Street, Brisbane City
When: Sunday 20 September, 12pm to 5pm
Cost: Free
Best For: Markets, Free events, Weekend plans, Budget-friendly
Free Things To Do
Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose, Brisbane City
Exclusive to the Museum of Brisbane, this exhibit connects audiences with the world’s oldest living culture through wearable art. Curated in collaboration with sustainable and Aboriginal-owned label Magpie Goose, the collection features First Nations creatives from across the country, with a particular focus on South East Queensland. Journey through the stories, textures and processes of different communities, whilst learning more about sustainability and fashion in Australia.
Where: Level 3, City Hall
When: Until 5 October 2026
Cost: Free
Best For: Art lovers, Cultural experiences, Budget-friendly, Free events, Families
Coming Soon
Cirque Du Soleil Kooza
There’s nothing quite like a night at Cirque du Soleil, watching on as performers in sparkly costumes showcase their incredible skills. This year’s tale is told through the eyes of an innocent character who has been transported to an exotic kingdom and must navigate a maze of comic characters along the way. The two-hour show explores the themes of fear, identity, recognition and power through unicycle acts, contortion, teeterboard, highwire and more.
Where: Eagle Farm
When: Saturday 1 October until Sunday 4 October
Cost: From $79
Best For: Families, Kids, Unique experiences
What’s On This Month in Brisbane: FAQs
September is one of Brisbane’s biggest months. Brisbane Festival takes over the city throughout September with dance, theatre, exhibitions and fireworks, opening with the ever-popular Riverfire. Music lovers are spoilt with BIGSOUND in Fortitude Valley (1–4 September) and the Night at the Parkland concert series at Roma Street Parklands (11–20 September), while GOMA’s Brisbane-exclusive Jim Henson exhibition, Make, Believe, Magic, opens from 12 September.
Wild Legs Wine Room in Newstead is hosting a meet-the-winemaker event with Borachio on 17 September, pairing four wines with three courses from the Wild Legs kitchen — and the last one sold out fast. Over at the Brisbane Showgrounds, FestItalia brings a full day of regional Italian cuisine, cannoli and culture on 20 September.
GOMA’s Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company is the one to book, spanning 70 years of puppetry from the Muppets to a world-first Fraggle Rock set (from 12 September). For something immersive, Horizons of Khufu offers a shared VR journey to the Giza pyramids in Fortitude Valley, while local maximalist Rachel Burke transforms the Brisbane Powerhouse as its current Artist in Residence. Art lovers can also head south for SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast (11–20 September).
Live music fans are well looked after this September. BIGSOUND takes over Fortitude Valley from 1–4 September, followed by the Night at the Parkland concert series at Roma Street Parklands (11–20 September), with a line-up including The Temper Trap, Icehouse, PNAU and Missy Higgins. Brisbane Festival also runs throughout the month, threading music, theatre, dance and fireworks across the city.
Families have plenty to choose from. GOMA’s Make, Believe, Magic Jim Henson exhibition is a nostalgic hit for all ages, while SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast fills the coastline with installations the whole family can enjoy (11–20 September). FestItalia at the Brisbane Showgrounds (20 September) is another wholesome day out, with food, music and culture for couples and families alike.
There’s no shortage of free things to do. Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at the Museum of Brisbane is a standout, connecting audiences with First Nations wearable art (until 5 October). You can also hunt for a bargain at Suitcase Rummage on Queen Street (20 September), take in the free installations at SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast, or catch the free performances woven through Brisbane Festival.
Looking ahead, Cirque du Soleil returns with Kooza at Eagle Farm from 1–4 October. Told through the eyes of an innocent character transported to an exotic kingdom, the two-hour show explores fear, identity and power through unicycle acts, contortion, teeterboard, highwire and more.
Looking for more fun things to do in Brisbane this month? See what’s happening on the foodie scene with our food news, or explore what’s on around our beautiful river city.
