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Subscribe The May Event Guide to What’s on in Brisbane This Month & Beyond
The Sitchu scoop on the best events in May is here! Find out what’s on in Brisbane by scrolling through our jam-packed events guide.
April’s short weeks and festivities have drawn to a close, but May doesn’t bring any less adventure. It’s time for foodies, festival-goers and day-trippers to shine. This month, you have your pick of food festivals, restaurant events and more to keep you on your toes.
Whether you’re planning a long weekend escape, or adding to your bucket list of places to eat in 2025, we’ll be right by your side every step of the way.
Scroll on and discover what’s on in Brisbane this month and beyond!
What’s on in Brisbane: Eat & Drink
GABS Beer Festival
Sample beers beyond your wildest dreams at the GABS Beer Festival this May, with over 100 new and exclusive brews on offer. Building the longest bar in Australia (at 30 metres), you can try out Vegemite Toast Beer, Rainbow Ice Cream Cone Beer, Sav Blanc Beer, Cherry Cola Beer and so many more weird and wonderful flavours.
World-renowned German brewery Schlenkerla, one of only two breweries left in the world who dry their malt with an open fire, will also be in attendance! If you’ve ever wanted to try their iconic “Smoke Flavoured Beer”, this is your chance.
If you’re not into beer, there will also be wine, food, music and entertainment to keep you occupied through the festival.
Friday 23rd May to Saturday 24th of May
From $42 per person
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Merivale Street, South Brisbane
Lina Rooftop’s Igloos Return
Brisbane’s most popular rooftop bar is once again transforming into a chic winter wonderland, with the return of their iconic Igloos in partnership with Grey Goose! Cosy up in a private igloo that accommodates up to eight guests, with sweeping views over the Brisbane city skyline.
The menu delivers a decadent and warming share style feast, including house-made focaccia, baked Camembert tartiflette, served with kaiser Fleisch potatoes, and gorgonzola croquettes, served with roasted pumpkin cream and salsa verde. Finish with succulent roasted porchetta stuffed with fennel, sage, and garlic, complemented by a wild mushroom velouté.
From $99 per person
Thursday 22 May to Sunday 27 July
74/80 Tribune Street, South Brisbane
Luxury Rooftop Fire Pit Dining
Along with the return of Lina Rooftop’s Igloos, comes a brand new Fire Pit Dining Experience!
Enjoy the same warming menu available in the igloos, or upgrade to the Gold Package. This decadent feast includes warmed pretzels with truffle mustard Gruyère fondue, baked brie with truffled honey and walnuts, grilled prawn skewers with saffron aioli and toasted almonds and a winter paélla with chanterelles and confit Aylesbury duck, topped off with a classic French Quarter beignet dusted with powdered sugar for dessert.
Want to take things even further? Add on the fondue upgrade to receive coconut marshmallows, sweet brioche and fruits to dip into chocolate fondue and toast over the fire pit.
From $89 per person
Thursday 22 May to Sunday 27 July
74/80 Tribune Street, South Brisbane
Noosa Eat & Drink Festival
Noosa has a reputation for a top-notch food and beverage scene, and what better way to taste test that claim than the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival?
This seven-day culinary extravaganza returns with more long lunches, restaurant events, sundowner beach events, and Festival Village experiences than you can shake a fork at.
With a fresh new look for their Festival Village, a new long lunch destination, beach events and more restaurant events than you can shake a fork at, this year is shaping up to be an unmissable moment.
Some of the highlights include:
- The Opening Party, presented by Chandon Garden Spritz
- The Beachside Italian Long Lunch, presented by Ferrari
- The Catalina Lunch Afloat, presented by Minuty
Be sure to check out the full program to book in for the events that call to your taste buds the most. See you there for sundowners on the beach!
Thursday 29th May – Thursday 1st June 2025
Multiple Locations
Festa Italiana
The Italian foodie event not to be missed returns to Howard Smith Wharves this month!
Renowned Chef Orazio will again collaborate with HSW to satisfy your comfort food cravings as the weather starts cooling down. A sizzling grill station will take up residence on the main lawn, serving pollo al mattone chicken rolls and porchetta-stuffed focaccia. Chef Orazio’s signature pasta dishes will also be on offer—choose between strozzapreti ai gamberi (twisted pasta tossed with prawns, zucchini and cherry tomatoes) and rigatoni alla vodka.
Festa Italiana runs over two consecutive weekends, so you have plenty of time to devour the delicious fresh pasta, bruschetta and sparkling spritzes on the menu.
Spread out on a picnic rug as you savour your fresh pasta, pizza, and bread. Wash it all down with a classic aperitivo—the iconic Aperol Spritz.
Free entry
Thursday 29th May to Sunday 1st June, hours vary
Thursday 5th June to Sunday 8th June, hours vary
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month
What better way to celebrate our local farmers and food producers than a month-long festival of food?
The Scenic Rim Eat Local Month returns in 2025 to give you an exclusive backstage pass to explore farms, wineries, distilleries, and authentic paddock-to-plate experiences that give you a priceless insight into the Scenic Rim producers.
On the program, you’ll find over 100 events to explore, along with weekend itineraries that will inspire the perfect escape.
Meet some of the people behind the produce, get your hands dirty in workshops and learn from the pros in a masterclass – this festival really has it all.
Various locations
Friday 30th May to Tuesday 29th June
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What’s on in Brisbane: Health & Wellness
Feel Good Program
Get fit for free this season, with an outdoor exercise program that will get your blood pumping! South Bank is continuing its partnership with Goodlife Health Clubs to bring 13 classes per week that suit a range of abilities.
Each class is led by an experienced Goodlife trainer and ranges from mat pilates, Zumba, Body Balance, Abs Butts & Thighs and more.
Plus, Saturday morning participants can enjoy a free coffee to get their energy fix before (or after!) their workout.
Free admission
Saturday 1st March to Thursday 1st May
Flowstate & the Boat Pool, South Bank Parklands
What’s on in Brisbane This Month – Art & Culture
We Call It Ballet: Sleeping Beauty
It’s Sleeping Beauty, like you’ve never seen it before. Fusing classical ballet with modern technology, the dancers will light up the stage with illuminated, glow in the dark costumes.
The combination of their elegant movement, floating through space as they leap across the stage, with the careful costume design, makes for a ballet performance that leaves a lasting impression.
Limited dates
The Princess Theatre, 8 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba
Affordable Art Fair
Returning to Brisbane in 2025 is the Affordable Art Fair, an event that welcomes more than 3.1 million art lovers, and has been known to sell up to 568,000 pieces of art! It’s the perfect opportunity to nab a stunning piece to furnish your home, or find the perfect gift for that person who is impossible to shop for.
Spanning all styles and genres, 50 independent galleries will take part in the Brisbane Fair, selling pieces priced between $100 to $10,000.
Thursday 8th May to Sunday 11th May 2025, 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Brisbane Showgrounds Exhibition Building, 601 Gregory Terrace Bowen Hills
Titanic: The Human Story
Following sold-out sessions in London, New York and DC, Titanic: The Human Story is coming to Brisbane!
Discover the human stories of the Titanic passengers by exploring personal possessions, photographs and relics both from people aboard, and from the ship itself. You’ll also get to view a recreation of the ship’s interior, from the first-class suites to the humble third-class cabins.
From $39 per person
Until 20th May
Level Q, Uptown, 91 Queen Street, Brisbane
What’s on in Brisbane This Month – Fun & Festivals
Queensland Symphony Orchestra: Hans Zimmer
Take a trip down memory lane with the creators of the Art of the Score podcast and conductor Vanessa Scammell, as they take you through the history of the iconic composer Hans Zimmer.
Spanning decades and genres, you’ll hear tunes from The Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda, Pirates of the Caribbean and even some cosy favourites from The Holiday.
Art of the Score: The Music of Hans Zimmer will play at the QPAC Concert Hall for three nights only this month in Brisbane, so make sure you reserve your seats!
From $100 per person
Friday 23 May 2025 to Saturday 24 May 2025, various times
Concert Hall QPAC, Corner Melbourne & Grey Streets, South Brisbane
Brisbane Wedding Expo
Not yet prepared for your upcoming nuptials? The Brisbane Wedding Expo is here to save the day. Gathering the best and most competitive wedding industry professionals under one roof, you can meet with a variety of vendors to help you ensure your day goes off without a hitch.
Be inspired by the latest wedding trends, bride and groom fashion, enter giveaways and more. There’s also a major prize pack up for grabs for all ticket holders!
Free entry
Sunday, 25th May 2025, 10.00am to 3.00pm
The Exhibition Building, 601 Gregory Terrace, Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
DIY Daisy Upcycled Necklace Workshop
Get the girls together for a crafternoon with DIY Daisy herself! During this two-hour Upcycled Necklace Workshop, you’ll craft your very own one-of-a-kind necklace using pre-loved and secondhand beads. Daisy has curated a selection of glass beads, seashells, pearls, wooden beads and colourful plastic cuties, for you to string on a length of your choosing.
$80 per person
Saturday 31st May, sessions from 9:00am
Vacant Assembly, 266 Montague Road, West End
Open Season
Open Season has cemented itself as part of The Tivoli’s annual programming, and we’re giddy with glee about it. This festival is spread across the two venues and spans over thirty performances from local and international acts.
2024’s lineup saw an eclectic mix of live music, performance art and lane way parties come to life, and 2025’s showcase will take it to new heights! Returning for its biggest and boldest season yet, this year’s line-up sees acts like Sigur Rós, Cloud Control, Killing Heidi, Soccer Mommy and Skeggs set to take the stage. Combined with the old-world glamour of two of Brisbane’s most iconic venues, this premier arts festival will be one to add to your calendar year after year.
Sunday 25th May to Friday 31st March
Multiple Locations
Bluey’s World
Make your little ones dreams come true with and interactive Bluey’s World experience at Northshore Pavilion. During your visit, you’ll help bring one of the Garden Gnomes to life, with the help of the mischievous fairies. Then, help the Gnomes have the best day ever by heading into the house to play with Bluey and Bingo!
There are games, puzzles and clues to solve along the way that ensure this experience provides non-stop entertainment, laughs and joy.
$64.90 per person
Until 14 September 2025
Northshore Pavilion, 281 MacArthur Avenue Northshore, Hamilton
What’s on in Brisbane Beyond Next Month – June 2025
Rooftop Harvest: Cantina OK! Comes to The Calile
Normally occupying a 17m² garage in a Sydney alleyway, the talented folk behind Cantina OK! will soon be stretching out at the Lobby Bar. The Calile Hotel and Cantina OK! both made it onto World’s Best lists (Hotels and Bars, respectively), so you simply must jump at this chance to experience some of the globe’s best experiences, joining forces for one night only.
Cantina OK!’s venue manager Jordan Grocock and Creative Lead Jaxon Kite will fly in to concoct their ode to The Calile; Sandia OK! cocktail is a green and pink Margarita, inspired by the colours of The Calile pool, made with fresh lime and cranberry hibiscus leaf direct from the Rooftop Garden combined with makrut lime leaf tequila and topped with fluffy shaved watermelon giving the cocktail colour, character and texture.
And the in-house team will be putting their exemplary skills to work, crafting Marigold Highballs by the Lobby Bar’s cocktail creator, Michael A. Valentine. This twist on a classic highball uses house-made shrub with marigold leaves from the hotel’s own rooftop garden and coconut vinegar, served with Red Mill Coconut Rum and soda water.
To pair with the drinks, you can enjoy curated bar snacks inspired by the rooftop’s June harvest.
Free entry, registration essential
Tuesday 17th June, 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Lobby Bar, Ground Floor, 48 James Street, Fortitude Valley
DRM BBQ Fest Distillery Road Market
Consider yourself the queen or king of the grill? Put it to the test at the Distillery Road Market’s 2025 BBQ Fest! Turning the Market’s outdoor precinct into a meat lover’s paradise and competition area, it will bring together the best of Queensland’s barbecue vendors and pitmasters.
Free entry
Saturday 14th June, 11:00 am to 9:00pm
Distillery Road Market, Eagleby
What’s on in Brisbane Beyond Next Month – July 2025
Gwinganna Genes For Health Retreat
Gwinganna Liifestyle Retreat is taking taking wellness to a whole new (cellular) level, with their ground-breaking new retreat. Led by renowned holistic medical doctor Dr Karen Coates, this seven-night retreat dives into epigenetics in order to create a personalised health and wellness plan that optimises your wellbeing.
How personal, you ask? Well, guests are asked to book no less than six weeks in advance, in order to have time to receive their DNA results, so they can best personalise the program.
Each day, you’ll attend a seminar to unpack the genetic results and learn how to biohack your way to your best health. During your stay, you’ll feast on 100% organic cuisine, enjoy two rejuvenating massages and a facial, opt into nature-based activities, and revel in access to Gwinganna’s wellness facilities, all set in the pristine Gold Coast Hinterland.
From $4,945 per person
Seven nights, starting on Sunday 7th July
192 Syndicate Road, Tallebudgera Valley
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.
Don’t forget to keep us in the loop with what you get up to around the city! Tag @sitchu.brisbane in your foodie and adventure pics as you experience the best of Brisbane.
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