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What’s On in Brisbane This Weekend (2-3 May 2026)
Our pick of all the events happening this weekend in Brisbane.
This weekend in Brisbane (2-3 May 2026), we’re set for a mild one with a spot of drizzle on Saturday. Our editors are planning to enjoy the sunshine with some outdoor markets, a sunset paddle and free live music, and to check out the plethora of exhibitions when the rain clouds take over.
Ready to plan? Read on for all the details you need to know…
In This Guide
Editor’s Picks
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: Tickets available from $20
Best For: Comedy fans; Festivals; Nightlife; Live music fans
Head Out for a Sunset Paddle
Whether you’re a visitor or long-time local, seeing the city from the river at twilight is a fantastic way to round out the week. This relaxed, guided tour will take you on a 90-minute paddle as the colours of the day shift and change atop the reflections of the water.
Where: Brisbane River
When: Fridays & Saturdays, 5:30pm
Cost: $99
Best For: Outdoor enthusiasts; Couples; Group catch-ups; Visitors; Weekend plans
Need to Know: This is a guided 90-minute paddle, ideal for beginners with basic fitness.
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
Arts & Culture
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 April and May
Cost: TBC
Best For: Exhibitions; Film buffs; Visitors; Group catch-ups; Fans
Olafur Eliasson: Presence
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
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 available throughout April and May
Cost: From $40
Best For: Cultural experiences; Exhibitions; Education; Families; Visitors
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Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose
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.
Live Music & Shows
City Sounds
This city initiative supports emerging and local artists and also provides hours of free entertainment to anyone looking for a soulful serenade. All genres are covered with musical acts popping up across some of Brisbane’s most iconic civic spaces. This weekend, we’re spoilt for choice with performances by Maira, Maddison Kate, Dublin Rose, Chloe Styler & Jazzy Brissy.
Where: Inner City
When: Friday 1st May to Sunday 3rd May
Cost: Free
Best For: Free events; Live music fans; Community events; Locals; Weekend plans
Need to Know: Concerts take place weekly so if you can’t make these be sure to check the schedule for next weekend’s program
Shopping & Markets
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.
Where: Portside Wharf
When: Saturday 2nd May, 9am to 1pm
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Families; Couples; Markets; Community events; Free events
The 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
Outdoor & Active
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
Free Things to Do
Enjoy a Free City Tour
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.
Coming Soon
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
What’s On This Weekend in Brisbane: FAQs
This weekend in Brisbane is packed with standout experiences. The Brisbane Comedy Festival is running through until 24th May with tickets from $20, while the immersive Olafur Eliasson: Presence exhibition at South Brisbane is a must-see for art lovers. For something truly memorable, the guided Sunset Paddle on the Brisbane River departs Fridays and Saturdays at 5:30pm for $99.
C’est Bon in Woolloongabba is offering an exceptional Autumn/Winter tasting menu, available Thursday through Saturday evenings. Chef Andy Ashby presents a unique concept where guests receive illustrated icons in place of a traditional menu, with the full menu revealed only at meal’s end. Choose from five courses at $125 per person or seven courses at $155 per person.
Brisbane has an impressive line-up of exhibitions on right now. Olafur Eliasson: Presence at Stanley Place runs until 12th July and features major installations and sculptures from $14, with 50% off on the first Tuesday of every month. Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at City Hall is free to visit until 5th October and explores First Nations wearable art and storytelling. The immersive VR experience Horizons of Khufu in Fortitude Valley and The FRIENDS™ Experience on Queen Street Mall are also running throughout May.
The Brisbane Comedy Festival continues this weekend with performances from The Umbilical Brothers, Josh Thomas, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare and more, with tickets from $20. City Sounds is also bringing free live music to inner-city spaces this Friday through Sunday, with performances by Maira, Maddison Kate, Dublin Rose, Chloe Styler and Jazzy Brissy.
The Mother’s Day Market at Portside Wharf on Saturday from 9am to 1pm is free to enter and a lovely family outing, with over 20 stalls and free pilates classes running throughout the day. The Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema at New Farm Park screens children’s movies among its programme, Thursdays through Sundays, at $20 per person. Olafur Eliasson: Presence also offers a family-friendly, interactive experience from $14.
City Sounds brings free live music to inner-city Brisbane this Friday to Sunday, covering all genres across iconic civic spaces. Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at City Hall is completely free to visit. The Mother’s Day Market at Portside Wharf on Saturday is also free to enter, and Brisbane’s free guided city tours are available on an ongoing basis, covering eight different tour options in up to 20 languages.
The Water Lantern Festival is heading to Raby Bay Foreshore Park on 23rd–24th May, offering a beautiful evening of lantern releases, live music and food stalls, with tickets from $46.99. The Affordable Art Fair also kicks off at Brisbane Showgrounds from 7th–10th May, with over 54 independent galleries and tickets from $30
Looking for more fun things to do in Brisbane this weekend? See what’s happening on the foodie scene with our food news, or explore what’s on around our beautiful river city.
