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What’s On in Brisbane This Weekend: 19-20 September 2026
Our pick of all the events happening this weekend in Brisbane.
This weekend in Brisbane (19-20 September 2026), we’re expecting glorious spring sunshine. Our editors will be heading outdoors to soak up live music at Night At The Parkland, Italian goodies at FestItalia and planning day trips to Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and SWELL Sculpture Festival.
Ready to plan your weekend? Read on for all the details you need to know…
In This Guide
- Editor’s Picks For This Weekend in Brisbane
- Things to Eat & Drink in Brisbane This Weekend
- Art & Culture in Brisbane This Weekend
- Live Music in Brisbane This Weekend
- Outdoor and Active Things to Do This Weekend
- Free Things to Do in Brisbane This Weekend
- Coming Soon
- What’s On in Brisbane This Weekend: FAQs
Editor’s Picks For This Weekend in Brisbane
Night At The Parkland
A starlit concert series is coming to Roma Street Parklands, with an absolutely star-studded program, to boot. Night at the Parkland spans two massive weekends from Friday 11 September, featuring acts like The Cruel Sea, The Temper Trap, Human Nature, Icehouse, PNAU and finishing with Missy Higgins. There’ll be a full bar and food trucks in tow, so grab the gang and make a night of it.
Where: Roma Street Parklands
When: Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September 2026
Cost: From $89
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Live music
Things to Eat & Drink in Brisbane This Weekend
FestItalia
Treat yourself to la dolce vita at FestItalia this September at the Brisbane Showgrounds. Brissie’s official annual Italian festival promises all-day entertainment, plenty of regional cuisine, and cannoli galore. Perfect for couples and families looking for a wholesome day out experiencing the best of Italian food, fashion, music and culture, or for anyone nursing a post-Euro summer return to reality.
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds
When: Sunday 20 September 2026, 10:30am to 5:30pm
Cost: $24 per person
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Food lovers, Cultural experiences
Art & Culture In Brisbane This Weekend
Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company
Take a step back in time at GOMA and experience 70 years of creativity and innovation at this Brisbane-exclusive exhibition, Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company. Exploring the journey from puppetry to animatronics and digital innovations, the exhibition spans hundreds of objects including puppets, props, costumes, original drawings and moving clips, as well as a world-first display of the Great Hall set from Emmy Award-winning television series Fraggle Rock.
Where: QAGOMA, South Brisbane
When: From Saturday 12 September 2026 to Sunday 18 April 2027
Cost: From $22 per person
Best For: Families, Weekend plans
Horizons of Khufu
There’s no need to jump on a plane to have an almighty adventure this winter. The immersive VR experience Horizons of Khufu invites 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: Fortitude Valley
When: Sessions available throughout September 2026
Cost: From $40
Best For: Cultural experiences, Locals, 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 5 October 2026
Cost: Free
Best For: Art lovers, Cultural experiences, Free events
Live Music in Brisbane This Weekend
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’ve got multiple performances by Avalon Swing, The Date Brothers, Rodrigo Santiago, Ian Date, Mimi & The Cats & John Reeves.
Where: Queen Street Mall
When: Friday 18 September to Sunday 20 September 2026
Cost: Free
Best For: Free events, Live music, 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 and Active Things to Do This Weekend
SWELL Sculpture Festival
Take the opportunity to enjoy the truly phenomenal Spring weather we’re currently revelling in with a day trip to SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast. This annual not-for-profit celebration of art, culture and creativity takes over the coastline with installations, artwork and experiences the whole family can enjoy.
Where: Gold Coast
When: Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September 2026
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Cultural experiences
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
Spring is blooming in the Garden City! The Carnival of Flowers showcases incredible floral displays, garden tours, live music and of course, the grand parade. Whether you’re a green thumb or simply an admirer of beautiful things, it’s the best time of year to visit Toowoomba and soak up the food, florals and culture that come to life.
Where: Toowoomba
When: Friday 18 September to Tuesday 5 October 2026
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Food lovers, Wine lovers
Free Things to Do in Brisbane This Weekend
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 events, Cultural experiences, Visitors, Locals
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
Cirque Du Soleil Kooza
There’s nothing quite like a night at Cirque du Soleil, watching on as performers in sparkly costumes showcase their incredible skills. This year’s tale is told through the eyes of an innocent character who has been transported to an exotic kingdom and must navigate a maze of comic characters along the way. The two-hour show explores the themes of fear, identity, recognition and power through unicycle acts, contortion, teeterboard, highwire and more.
Where: Eagle Farm
When: Thursday 1 October until Sunday 4 October 2026
Cost: From $79
Best For: Families, Kids, Unique experiences
What’s On in Brisbane This Weekend: FAQs
Brisbane’s spring line-up this weekend is packed. Catch the final nights of Night at the Parkland at Roma Street Parklands, featuring Missy Higgins, or wander FestItalia at the Brisbane Showgrounds for regional cuisine and cannoli. Art lovers can explore Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company at QAGOMA, while free City Sounds performances pop up around Queen Street Mall. For a day trip, head to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers or SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast.
Plenty of Brisbane’s best experiences this weekend cost nothing. City Sounds brings free live music to Queen Street Mall from Friday to Sunday, with acts including Avalon Swing and Mimi & The Cats. At the Museum of Brisbane, the Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose exhibition of First Nations wearable art runs until 5 October. You can also join one of eight free guided city tours, available in 20 languages, or make the trip to SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast, where entry is free.
Live music fans have two standout options this weekend. Night at the Parkland wraps up its starlit concert series at Roma Street Parklands, closing with Missy Higgins on Sunday 20 September, with tickets from $89 and a full bar and food trucks on site. For a free alternative, City Sounds hosts multiple performances across Queen Street Mall from Friday to Sunday, spanning all genres. Expect sets from Avalon Swing, The Date Brothers, Rodrigo Santiago, Ian Date, Mimi & The Cats and John Reeves.
Two events cater to food and wine lovers this weekend. On Thursday 17 September, Wild Legs Wine Room in Newstead hosts a meet-the-winemaker dinner with Borachio, pairing four preservative-free wines with three courses for $119 per person — booking is essential, as the last event sold out. On Sunday 20 September, FestItalia takes over the Brisbane Showgrounds from 10:30am to 5:30pm, serving regional Italian cuisine, cannoli and all-day entertainment. Entry is $24 per person, making it a wholesome day out for couples and families.
Two scenic day trips are within easy reach of Brisbane this weekend. Head to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in the Garden City, where floral displays, garden tours, live music and a grand parade run from Friday 18 September to Tuesday 5 October — entry is free. Alternatively, drive to the Gold Coast for SWELL Sculpture Festival, a free, not-for-profit celebration of art and creativity along the coastline, on until Sunday 20 September. Both are family-friendly and perfect for making the most of the spring weather.
Brisbane’s cultural calendar is rich this weekend. At QAGOMA in South Brisbane, Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company celebrates 70 years of creativity, from puppetry to animatronics, including a world-first display of the Fraggle Rock Great Hall set — tickets from $22, running until 18 April 2027. In Fortitude Valley, the VR experience Horizons of Khufu transports you to the Giza pyramids from $40. The Museum of Brisbane’s free Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose exhibition of First Nations wearable art runs until 5 October.
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.
