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What’s On in Brisbane: May 2026
Find out what’s on in Brisbane this month in our May events guide.
This month in Brisbane (May 2026) is about settling into a slower pace as the days cool down, and we embrace autumn fully. We’re all about the lingering warmth and a sun with less bite, autumn picnics and balmy evening strolls. On our May schedule, you’ll find everything from seasonal markets to immersive exhibitions, and loads of festivals, alongside our editor’s top pick — an imaginative Autumnal degustation. Ready to make the most of May?
Read on for all the details you need to plan the perfect May in Brisbane.
In This Guide
Editor’s Picks
Paniyiri Greek Festival
The largest Greek festival in Australia is back and this year is its 50th year, so expect big things! On top of a lineup of incredible food vendors, performances and stalls of goodies, there will be a few extra special surprises that will be revealed all in good time.
Where: Musgrave Park
When: Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 24th May
Cost: From $16.85
Best For: Families, Food & drink lovers, Cultural experiences, Festivals, Community events
Fur Mother’s Day at 27 South Brewing
Because fur mums deserve to be celebrated too! 27 South Brewing are going all out for the fur mums out there with the dog-friendly celebration of the year. Furry friend illustrator Ba Pet Portraiture will be on the scene, turning your pets into signature “delightfully bad” portraits, whilst Run Florist Run will be selling gorgeous bouquets. Naturally, you’re sorted for drinks. As for eats, Food Baby and their delicious burgers have you covered. What a day out!
Where: 3/44 Milsom Street, Coorparoo
When: Saturday 9th May, 1pm to 5pm
Cost: Free to attend
Best For: Dog lovers; Animal lovers; Community events; Food & drink lovers; Weekend plans
Festivals & Major Events
Brisbane Comedy Festival
Spread across 8 days, Brisbane’s Comedy Festival is back for another year of laughs. Expect a stacked line-up of performances from the likes of The Umbilical Brothers, Best of the Edinburgh Fest, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare and Josh Thomas.
Where: Venues across Brisbane
When: Friday 24th April to Sunday 24th May
Cost: From $20
Best For: Comedy fans; Festivals; Nightlife; Live music fans
Water Lantern Festival
We’re big fans of this wholesome festival that exists to facilitate the sharing of hopes and wishes. A beautiful chance to gather with friends and family, the lantern release is a meaningful and picturesque way to spend an evening. To round out the atmosphere, there will also be tunes and food stalls.
Where: Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Masthead
When: Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 24th May
Cost: From $46.99
Best For: Families; Couples; Group catch-ups; Community events; Festivals
Dog Lovers Festival
Dog-lovers assemble because Brisbane’s biggest dog festival is back. Across two days, you’ll be spoilt with plenty of action, from displays of speed, skill and teamwork to one of the biggest doggie supermarkets you’ll ever have the pleasure of browsing. There will also be a breed showcase, adoption zone and a slew of expert presenters sharing their expertise.
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds
When: Saturday 16th May to Sunday 17th May, 9am to 5pm
Cost: From $38.66
Best For: Families, Dog lovers, Festivals, Community events, Kids
Need to know: You will need two separate tickets if you’d like to attend both days
Reggae By The River
Soak up some Autumn sun and soulful tunes at Distillery Road Market this month. A mix of local and national talent will be taking to the stage at this family-friendly music festival. There will be drinks from Perentie Brewing Co as well as plenty of food options from Distillery Road Market.
Where: Distillery Road Market
When: Saturday 30th May, 3pm to 9:30pm
Cost: Free entry (pre-register via Oztix)
Best For: Families; Family-friendly; Free events; Live music fans; Food & drink lovers
Eat & Drink
Sample C’est Bon’s Autumn/Winter Tasting Menu
It’s clear from the get-go that this tasting experience is something special. For the Autumn/Winter tasting menu, Chef Andy Ashby has settled on something a little different. In place of a traditional menu, guests will be handed a series of illustrated icons, with the complete menu revealed on completion of the meal. Available as both five and seven courses, the C’est Bon tasting menus have been designed to encourage guests to trust the chef and savour the moment. Such a great idea!
Where: 609 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
When: Available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Cost: Five Courses, $125 per person at 6pm & Seven Courses, $155 per person at 8pm
Best For: Couples; Premium experiences; Food & drink lovers; Wine lovers; Weekend plans
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Art, Culture & Performance
Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema
Head down to New Farm Park this month to experience Brisbane Powerhouse’s newest draw — the Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema. Each Thursday to Sunday evening, you’ll find a schedule of arty films, theatre productions, children’s movies and cult classics.
This new, permanent outdoor cinema features 350 outdoor lounge chairs and wireless Dendy earphones for each customer. Order snacks to your chair via the QR codes and enjoy bigger bites from Byron Bay wood-fired pizza.
For the fur parents out there, there will also be dog-friendly screenings every Sunday!
Where: New Farm Park, New Farm
When: Thursdays to Sundays throughout May
Cost: $20 per person
Best For: Film buffs; Families; Couples; Dog lovers; Food & drink lovers
Horizons of Khufu
There’s no need to jump on a plane to have an almighty adventure this Autumn. The immersive VR experience Horizons of Khufu is touching down late March, inviting 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: Level 1, 123 Gotha Street, Fortitude Valley
When: Sessions throughout May
Cost: From $40
Best For: Cultural experiences; Exhibitions; Education; Families; Visitors
Affordable Art Fair
Looking for something a little fancier than the same old prints doing the rotation on Pinterest? This four-day art fair offers the unique opportunity to purchase art from real-life artists at accessible prices. 2026 could well be the year you become a collector!
There will be plenty to feast your eyes upon, with over 54 independent galleries in attendance, plus drinks available to purchase. A wholesome day out if ever we’ve seen one.
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
When: Thursday 7th May to Sunday 10th May
Cost: Tickets from $30
Best For: Art lovers; Exhibitions; Markets; Cultural experiences
Olafur Eliasson: Presence, South Brisbane
Don’t miss this immersive exhibition by Berlin-based artist Olafur Eliasson, challenging viewers’ perceptions via major installations, sculptures, photo series and more. Exclusive to Brisbane, the interactive exhibition is designed to be a collaboration between viewers and the artist, commenting on how we give shape to our experience of the world and how that differs person to person. The one directive? Be present.
Highlights include Riverbed 2014, a recreation of a rocky stream with running water, and The Cubic Structural Evolution Project 2004, an all white lego city that is built and rebuilt by viewers as the exhibition progresses.
Where: Stanley Place, South Brisbane
When: Until 12th July 2026
Cost: From $14 per person
Best For: Art lovers, Cultural experiences, Exhibitions, Family-friendly, Interactive experiences
Need to know: You can score 50% off tickets on the first Tuesday of every month
The FRIENDS™ Experience
FRIENDS™ fans, it is the moment you’ve been waiting for. You’re invited to take a seat on the orange sofa and relive some of this iconic show’s most beloved moments in an immersive experience. Curated by Original X Productions in collaboration with Warner Bros, Discovery Global Experiences and Fever, it will be the first The FRIENDS™ Experience has popped up in Queensland.
You can expect replica costumes, interactive recreated sets, exclusive merch, and, of course, a trip to Central Perks.
Where: 91 Queen Street Mall, Brisbane
When: Sessions throughout May
Cost: From $26
Best For: Exhibitions; Film buffs; Visitors; Group catch-ups; Fans
Markets & Shopping
Mother’s Day Market
Nip down to Portside Wharf to pick up a gift for mum, or, better yet, invite her to join you! There will be over 20 stalls with all kinds of goodies for sale, from handmade ceramics to artisan treats — all the things mums love. On top of in-store promotions and offers, you’ll also find free pilates classes running all day long. Plus, one lucky shopper will score a Mother’s Day hamper worth over $1000. The winner will be announced on Thursday prior to the market. Enter here.
Where: Portside Wharf
When: Saturday 2nd May, 9am to 1pm
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Families; Couples; Markets; Community events; Free events
Outdoors & Active
Enjoy a Free City Tour, Brisbane CBD
Brisbane is full of passionate locals and this free city service is proof. Whether you’re looking to orient yourself on a trip to the city, or are a local keen to dive a little deeper and glean some new tips, the 8 tours on offer all deliver. Opt to uncover a new suburb or get the lowdown on the city of Brisbane itself, learn about penal history or 21st century Brisbane. They even have tours available in 20 different languages!
Head here for details on available tours.
Where: Brisbane CBD
When: Ongoing
Cost: Free
Best For: Free things to do, Cultural experiences, Visitors, Local insights, Walking tours
Need to know: Choose from eight tour options covering Brisbane’s history, suburbs and modern city stories, with tours available in 20 different languages.
Free Things To Do
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Wildlife photography is amazing as is, but comedy wildlife photography? Even better. After collecting submissions from all over the world, the 60-image showcase will feature a range of winning images and finalists from across the years, as well as this year’s winner.
Where: Redcliffe Museum
When: 30th May 2026 to 16th August 2026
Cost: Free
Best For: Families; Family-friendly; Art lovers; Cultural experiences; Exhibitions
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 5th October 2026
Cost: Free of charge
Best For: Art lovers, Cultural experiences, Exhibitions, Fashion, Education
Need to know: Curated in collaboration with Aboriginal-owned label Magpie Goose, the exhibition spotlights First Nations creatives, with a focus on South East Queensland, exploring wearable art, sustainability and storytelling.
Coming Soon
Sake Festival
For lovers of Japanese culture, and, of course, sake, the annual Sake Festival is a must. With vendors flying in directly from Japan, this unique opportunity will let you chat to the best in the business, as well as sample a choice of over 100 varieties. On top of sake tasting, you’ll get the chance to shop from food stalls and Japanese craft stalls and engage in free talks and seminars.
Where: The John Reid Pavilion, Brisbane Showgrounds
When: 19th June to 21st June 2026
Cost: From $59
Best For: Food & drink lovers; Cultural experiences; Festivals; Group catch-ups; Weekend plans
What’s On This Month in Brisbane: FAQs
May in Brisbane is stacked with standout experiences. The Paniyiri Greek Festival celebrates its 50th year at Musgrave Park on 23–24 May, making it a genuine milestone moment for the city. Elsewhere, the immersive Olafur Eliasson: Presence exhibition runs until July at South Brisbane, and The FRIENDS™ Experience has landed in the CBD for fans of the iconic show.
Food lovers are well catered for this month. C’est Bon in Woolloongabba is offering a special Autumn/Winter tasting menu, with five or seven courses designed to be a surprise reveal at the end of the meal. Reggae By The River at Distillery Road Market on 30 May also brings food stalls and drinks from Perentie Brewing Co alongside free live music.
The Affordable Art Fair at Brisbane Showgrounds runs 7–10 May, bringing together over 54 independent galleries with accessible price points. The immersive VR experience Horizons of Khufu continues through May, taking visitors on a virtual journey to the Giza pyramids. Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at the Museum of Brisbane is also well worth a visit, connecting audiences with First Nations wearable art and storytelling — and it’s completely free.
The Brisbane Comedy Festival wraps up on 24 May with performances from acts including The Umbilical Brothers, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare and Josh Thomas across venues citywide. Reggae By The River on 30 May brings local and national talent to Distillery Road Market for a free, family-friendly afternoon and evening of music. The Water Lantern Festival at Raby Bay Foreshore Park on 23–24 May also features live tunes alongside its signature lantern release.
The Dog Lovers Festival at Brisbane Showgrounds on 16–17 May is a brilliant outing for families, with breed showcases, an adoption zone, displays of speed and skill, and a huge doggie supermarket. The Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema in New Farm Park runs Thursday to Sunday with children’s movies on the schedule, plus dog-friendly screenings every Sunday. The immersive Horizons of Khufu VR experience is another great option for curious young minds.
Reggae By The River on 30 May offers free entry with pre-registration via Oztix, making it a brilliant no-cost day out. The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition opens at Redcliffe Museum on 30 May, showcasing 60 images from submissions around the world — also free. The Mother’s Day Market at Portside Wharf on 2 May is free to enter, and Brisbane’s free city walking tours run on an ongoing basis across the CBD, covering history, suburbs and modern Brisbane in up to 20 languages.
The Sake Festival is heading to The John Reid Pavilion at Brisbane Showgrounds from 19–21 June, with over 100 varieties to sample, vendors flying in directly from Japan, and free talks and seminars alongside food and craft stalls. Tickets start from $59.
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.
