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What’s On in Brisbane This Weekend: 17-18 October 2026
Our pick of all the events happening this weekend in Brisbane.
This weekend in Brisbane (17-18 October 2026), we’re expecting a spot of drizzle and cooler temps. Our editors will be making a beeline for the Jocelyn’s Provisions collab and chowing down on tropical lobster at Midtown. When the drizzle sets in, it’s straight to The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company for the family-friendly Brisbane-exclusive exhibit and when it clears, we’ll be hitting up the bi-monthly suitcase rummage at Reddacliff Place Place.
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
- Shopping & Markets 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
Supernormal x Jocelyn’s Provisions Limited Edition Sauso Rolls
We do tend to revolve our weekend around baked goods so naturally, this collab is set to be a highlight for us. Part of Brisbane institution Jocelyn’s Provisions 30th birthday celebrations, they’ve teamed up with Supernormal to craft the ultimate limited-edition sausage roll. Inspired by Asian dumplings, you can expect a pork sausage roll, jazzed up with spring onion and sesame and, of course, Supernormal’s chilli sauce for dipping. You can even score a jar of sauce to take home for a limited time.
Where: All Jocelyn’s Provisions branches
When: Friday 16 October to Sunday 18 October 2026
Cost: $13.90
Best For: Foodies, Weekend plans, Budget-friendly
Things to Eat & Drink in Brisbane This Weekend
House of Lobster at Midtown
What could be a better celebration of spring than half a tropical lobster? Midtown has brought back the beloved House of Lobster event for a good time, not a long time, and you’ll want to snag a seat. This 26-seat small bar will be serving up a four-course lobster feast with XO lobster cups, lobster mornay croquettes and one very pretty tropical lobster tagliatelle awaiting hungry fans.
Where: Midtown, Fish Lane, South Brisbane
When: Throughout October 2026
Cost: $125 per person
Best For: Food lovers, Date night, Locals
Need To Know: Limited lobster quantities mean bookings are recommended.
Art & Culture In Brisbane This Weekend
Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company
Take a step back in time at QAGOMA 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: Until Sunday 18 April 2027
Cost: From $22 per person
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Film lovers
Horizons of Khufu
There’s no need to jump on a plane to have an almighty adventure this spring. 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: Fever Immersive Center, Fortitude Valley
When: Sessions available throughout October 2026
Cost: From $40
Best For: Cultural experiences, Locals, Visitors
Loving Our Edit of the Best Things to do in Brisbane This Weekend? Find More Here…
A European-Style Photobooth Is Coming to New Farm
A New, Ambient Hidden Bar Has Arrived in Brisbane
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 performances by Liam Higgins, Harry Heart & Flavio Correa to look forward to.
Where: Queen Street Mall
When: Saturday 17 October to Sunday 18 October 2026
Cost: Free
Best For: Live music, Weekend plans, Budget-friendly
Shopping & Markets in Brisbane This Weekend
Suitcase Rummage
A favourite amongst fashionistas, the Suitcase Rummage is the spot to secure a bargain! Hugely popular amongst Brisbane’s thrifty and environmentally conscious shopaholics, there’s always someone new selling their wares.
Take your time poking through overflowing luggage at these Brisbane markets and don’t be afraid to have a chat (or a haggle) with the seller, you might just make a new and like-minded friend.
Where: Reddacliff Place, Queen Street, Brisbane City
When: Sunday 18 October 2026, 12pm to 5pm (Bi-monthly)
Cost: Free
Best For: Markets, Free events, Weekend plans, Budget-friendly
Outdoor and Active Things to Do This Weekend
Take a Wander
October is a great time to get in a couple more weekend walks before the weather heats up too much. Make a day of it and pack a picnic, or maybe go on a colour walk. Choose a colour and use that as your focal point as you wander about, taking a mental note of spots of your chosen shade, soaking in this peaceful, mindful task.
Discover our edit of the best walks in Brisbane.
Free Things to Do in Brisbane This Weekend
Free Outdoor Fitness at South Bank
Looking to get outdoors and exercise for free this month? Feel Good South Bank is back with its free riverside gym! Hosted by Goodlife Health Clubs instructors, there will be eight classes taking place per week with Zumba, Pilates, and yoga just a selection of what to expect. You can register for free here, with access to exclusive local discounts unlocked for all of your refuelling needs.
Where: Flowstate, South Bank
When: Saturday 10 October to Sunday 28 November 2026
Cost: Free
Best For: Budget-friendly, Wellness seekers, Free events, Outdoor activities
Coming Soon
Celebrate the Season at Melt Festival
This month-long celebration of queer arts and culture will be taking over the city with 100+ events spread across over 70 venues. You’re going to want to clear your calendar, with highlights spanning public art, world premieres, concerts, drag and plenty of parties. We’re talking famed public artist Florentijn Hofman’s giant pink duck floating down the Brisbane River, Brisbane’s biggest-ever river pride parade and a full-scale Dolly Parton celebration night. Keep an eye out for more fun from local restaurants and bars embracing the season with limited-edition menus and events.
Where: Across the city
When: Wednesday 21 October to Sunday 8 November 2026
Cost: Free & ticketed events
Best For: Free events, Budget-friendly, Group catch-ups, Cultural experiences, Festival season
What’s On in Brisbane This Weekend: FAQs
Brisbane’s best free things to do this weekend are City Sounds, the Suitcase Rummage and Feel Good South Bank. City Sounds brings free performances from emerging and local artists to Queen Street Mall across Saturday and Sunday, with Liam Higgins, Harry Heart and Flavio Correa on the bill. On Sunday from 12pm to 5pm, the Suitcase Rummage at Reddacliff Place on Queen Street is free to browse, with bargains spilling from overflowing luggage. For a free workout, Feel Good South Bank runs riverside classes like Zumba, Pilates and yoga at Flowstate, with free registration.
The Suitcase Rummage is the market to know this weekend in Brisbane. It takes over Reddacliff Place on Queen Street in Brisbane City on Sunday 18 October from 12pm to 5pm, and entry is free. A favourite with fashion lovers and environmentally conscious shoppers, it sees sellers fill suitcases with their wares, so there’s always someone new to discover. Take your time poking through the luggage, chat with the sellers and don’t be shy about a friendly haggle. It’s one of the city’s best spots to secure a bargain.
Two food events lead the weekend in Brisbane: a limited-edition sausage roll collab and a lobster feast. To mark its 30th birthday, Brisbane institution Jocelyn’s Provisions has teamed up with Supernormal on a dumpling-inspired pork sausage roll with spring onion and sesame, served with Supernormal’s chilli sauce. It’s $13.90 at all Jocelyn’s Provisions branches from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October. Over at Midtown on Fish Lane, House of Lobster is back throughout October with a $125 four-course menu at the 26-seat small bar. Book ahead, as lobster quantities are limited.
The top pick for kids in Brisbane this weekend is Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company at QAGOMA in South Brisbane. This family-friendly, Brisbane-exclusive exhibition celebrates 70 years of creativity, tracing the journey from puppetry to animatronics and digital innovation. Kids can explore hundreds of puppets, props, costumes, original drawings and moving clips, plus a world-first display of the Great Hall set from Fraggle Rock. Tickets start from $22 per person, and it makes an easy indoor plan if the forecast drizzle sets in. The exhibition runs until Sunday 18 April 2027.
This weekend’s cultural highlights in Brisbane are the Jim Henson exhibition at QAGOMA and the Horizons of Khufu VR experience. Make, Believe, Magic. The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company spans 70 years of creativity across hundreds of objects, including a world-first display of Fraggle Rock’s Great Hall set, with entry from $22 per person. At the Fever Immersive Center in Fortitude Valley, Horizons of Khufu takes you to the Giza pyramids, where you can journey into secret chambers and sail along the Nile in a shared virtual space. Sessions run throughout October 2026, from $40.
Plan your Brisbane weekend around the weather, with a spot of drizzle and cooler temperatures expected on 17–18 October. Start with the limited-edition Supernormal x Jocelyn’s Provisions sausage roll, available at all branches until Sunday. If the drizzle sets in, head indoors to the Jim Henson exhibition at QAGOMA or a Horizons of Khufu VR session in Fortitude Valley. When it clears, browse the Suitcase Rummage at Reddacliff Place on Sunday between 12pm and 5pm. For a special dinner, book ahead for House of Lobster at Midtown, as lobster quantities are limited.
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.
