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What’s On in Brisbane This Weekend (25-26 April 2026)
Our pick of all the events happening this weekend in Brisbane.
This weekend in Brisbane (25-26 April 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
Bottomless Frites and Jazz at C’est Bon
Settle into the cosy embrace of C’est Bon for an evening of jazz and steak frites by candlelight. This fortnightly ritual is just the ticket to break up a boring week. The best part? Your booking includes bottomless chippies.
Where: 609 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
When: Every second Tuesday, 6pm to 9pm
Cost: $55 per person
Best For: Food & drink lovers; Live music fans; Date night; Nightlife
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
Arts & Culture
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 Harry Kidd, Echoes of Cirque, Chelsea Costar, Hayley Marsten and Ella Harwtig.
Where: Inner City
When: Friday 24th April to Sunday 26th April
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
Riverside at The Gardens Market
These popular Brisbane markets have been operating for over thirty years, bringing early birds and keen shoppers together to explore art and fashion by the water in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
As you stroll through the stalls you can enjoy international food and delicious coffee while live music sets the scene for a perfect Sunday morning.
Where: Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Brisbane
When: Every Sunday, 8am to 3pm
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Markets; Food & drink lovers; Live music fans; Families; Weekend plans
Need to Know: Arrive early for the best stall selection and a relaxed riverside stroll.
Outdoor & Active
Explore The Secret Garden
Looking for somewhere to take the kids for a few hours? Woolloongabba has just scored its very own Secret Garden, offering a chance for imaginative play with a backdrop of sensory-rich installs, in place of traditional equipment.
Carved timber sculptures of native animals meet with an abundance of plants and trees, wooden log stepping stones, interactive glass panels and a dry creek bed. 600 individually controlled LED lights meet five rotating soundscapes once the sun has set, making it the perfect place for expelling the last of the day’s energy.
Where: Woolloongabba
When: No opening hours
Cost: Free
Best For: Lights and soundscapes activate after sunset
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
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
What’s On This Weekend in Brisbane: FAQs
Brisbane is packed with great options across 25–26 April. Highlights include the Brisbane Comedy Festival, running across venues citywide with tickets from $20, and the immersive Olafur Eliasson: Presence exhibition at South Brisbane’s QAGOMA precinct. If you’re after something more active, a guided sunset paddle on the Brisbane River on Friday or Saturday evening is a standout way to round out the weekend.
C’est Bon in Woolloongabba is running its fortnightly Bottomless Frites and Jazz evenings, pairing jazz music with steak frites and bottomless chips by candlelight for $55 per person. For something a little more pop culture, The FRIENDS™ Experience has landed at 91 Queen Street Mall, offering fans an immersive walk through the show’s most iconic sets — though pricing is yet to be confirmed by the editor.
Olafur Eliasson: Presence at South Brisbane is a must, offering immersive installations that play with perception and invite audience participation, with tickets from $14. Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at the Museum of Brisbane is a free exhibition exploring wearable art and storytelling through a First Nations lens. The VR experience Horizons of Khufu in Fortitude Valley also deserves a spot on your list, transporting visitors inside the Giza pyramids from $40.
The Brisbane Comedy Festival is in full swing, with performances from acts including The Umbilical Brothers and Josh Thomas across venues citywide, running until 24th May. City Sounds is also bringing free live music to Brisbane’s inner-city civic spaces this weekend, with performances by Harry Kidd, Echoes of Cirque, Chelsea Costar, Hayley Marsten and Ella Hartwig across Friday to Sunday.
Woolloongabba’s new Secret Garden is a wonderful free option, with carved timber sculptures of native animals, interactive glass panels, log stepping stones and a dry creek bed perfect for imaginative play. After dark, 600 individually controlled LED lights and five rotating soundscapes bring the space to life. The Olafur Eliasson: Presence exhibition is also family-friendly, with its hands-on installations including a life-size rocky riverbed and a collaborative Lego city.
City Sounds is delivering free live music performances across inner-city Brisbane all weekend, covering a range of genres across some of the city’s most iconic civic spaces. The Secret Garden in Woolloongabba is free and open without set hours, while Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at the Museum of Brisbane is also completely free to attend. Brisbane’s free city tour program is also ongoing, offering eight tour options across the CBD and suburbs, available in 20 different languages.
The Affordable Art Fair is heading to Brisbane Showgrounds in Bowen Hills from 7–10 May, bringing together over 54 independent galleries with art available to purchase at accessible prices. Tickets start from $30, making it a great opportunity for first-time collectors and seasoned art lovers alike.
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.
