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What’s On in Brisbane This Weekend (16-17 May 2026)
Our pick of all the events happening this weekend in Brisbane.
This weekend in Brisbane (16-17 May 2026), we’re set for a spot of rain. Our editors are planning to use this chance to spend some time indoors, soaking up a spot of culture at GOMA After Dark and the various touring exhibits in town. And when it clears? It’s straight to the outdoor cinema and out to enjoy the city’s free music scene.
Ready to plan? Read on for all the details you need to know…
In This Guide
Editor’s Picks
Darvella and Joy Restaurant Team Up to Craft the Limited-Edition Joy Mont Blanc Croissant
Joy Restaurant, known for its delicious and creative degustations, is teaming up with cult Bulimba bakery Darvella for a one-time treat and its worth planning your weekend around. Inspired by Joy’s Mont Black dessert, a seven-year favourite on the menu, the croissant creation offers a rare chance to sample a taste of Joy without the months long waitlist. Fine dining and pastry in a little pocket of heaven? Don’t miss it!
Where: Darvella, 37 Oxford Street, Bulimba
When: Saturday 16th May to Sunday 17th May
Cost: TBC
Best For: Food lovers; Food & drink lovers; Weekend plans; Locals; Budget-friendly
Need to Know: This one is bound to tell out so get in quick!
GOMA After Dark
Looking for something a little different to do on Friday nights? GOMA Friday Nights have just launched with an intimate vinyl listening bar, Japanese-inspired cocktails, DJs, pop-up performances and a chance to catch the current major exhibition ‘Olafur Eliasson: Presence”. This immersive and interactive exhibit includes the impressive Presence 2026, a huge, and mesmerising sun-like sphere that pulses and glows. A very fun photo op.
Kick off your weekend with some creative energy and you never know where the rest of it will take you!
Where: Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Stanley Place, South Brisbane
When: Every Friday, 1 May – 26 June 2026, 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: Adult $39 Concession $35 Youth (13–25) $30 Child (5–12) $20 Child under 5 free QAGOMA Member $33 Group of 8+ $34 per person
Best For: Art lovers; Cultural experiences; Exhibitions; Live music fans; Group catch-ups
Need to Know: Drink service concludes at 8:15pm. Timed tickets recommended — book in advance via the QAGOMA website to guarantee entry. QAGOMA Members can use a free ticket voucher; Premium Members receive complimentary entry for themselves and a guest.
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
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 May
Cost: From $26
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 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 Christian Patey, Pat Tierney, Serendipiti, The Wet Fish, Jessica Madhu, Ruby Gilbert, Tropical Soul Trio and James Davies.
Where: Inner City
When: Friday 15th May to Sunday 17th 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
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, from the newly launched GOMA Friday Nights — featuring a vinyl listening bar, DJs and the immersive Olafur Eliasson: Presence exhibition — to the tail end of the Brisbane Comedy Festival. If you’re after something more laid-back, free live music through City Sounds is popping up across the inner city all weekend, and the Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema is running nightly in New Farm Park.
For a truly special dining experience, C’est Bon in Woolloongabba is serving its Autumn/Winter tasting menu across Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings — choose from five or seven courses, with the full menu revealed only once you’ve finished eating. GOMA Friday Nights also offers Japanese-inspired cocktails alongside its cultural program, and the Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema lets you order snacks to your chair, with Byron Bay wood-fired pizza on offer.
Olafur Eliasson: Presence at GOMA is the must-see exhibition right now, running until 12 July 2026 — highlights include the enormous pulsing sun-like sphere and a recreated rocky riverbed. The FRIENDS™ Experience at Queen Street Mall offers interactive sets and replica costumes for fans of the iconic show, while Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at the Museum of Brisbane is a free exhibit connecting audiences with First Nations wearable art and storytelling. For something truly transporting, Horizons of Khufu in Fortitude Valley takes you on a VR journey through the Giza pyramids.
City Sounds is delivering free live music across Brisbane’s inner-city civic spaces this Friday through Sunday, with performances from Christian Patey, Serendipiti, The Wet Fish, Jessica Madhu, Ruby Gilbert, Tropical Soul Trio and more. The Brisbane Comedy Festival runs until Sunday 24 May, with acts including The Umbilical Brothers, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare and Josh Thomas still to come. GOMA Friday Nights also features DJs and pop-up performances as part of its weekly evening program.
The Olafur Eliasson: Presence exhibition at GOMA is a wonderful family outing, with interactive installations including an all-white LEGO city that visitors help build and rebuild. The Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema in New Farm Park screens children’s movies as part of its weekly program, and the immersive Horizons of Khufu VR experience in Fortitude Valley is a fascinating adventure for curious young minds.
City Sounds is the pick of Brisbane’s free weekend entertainment, with live music performances spanning all genres popping up across iconic inner-city spaces. Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at the Museum of Brisbane is also completely free, offering a beautifully curated look at First Nations wearable art and sustainability. Brisbane’s free city tours are another great option, with eight itineraries available covering history, suburbs and modern city stories — even in 20 different languages.
The Water Lantern Festival is heading to Raby Bay Foreshore Park on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, bringing an evening of lantern releases, live music and food stalls — a lovely one for families, couples and groups.
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.
