Valentine’s Day falls this weekend and whether you are all loved up or a strong independent singleton there’s more than enough going on this weekend to entice you out of your sweatpants and off the couch. From scintillating speakers to sensual strings, romance, art and comedy – it’s all here for you in the best things to do this weekend from February 13 to February 16.
With the voice of an angel and the mind of a genius, Kate Miller-Heidke is back in Brisbane at the QPAC Concert Hall this Saturday. From the last day of school to the last day on earth, The Telling Tales Tour will be a celebration of songs old and new, of voice, storytelling, emotion, humour, and music that transports and transcends. Reaching out to the audience, with songs and stories borne out of the many worlds and many disciplines she has travelled. Sung in a voice like no other.
Icelandic blues-rock band, KALEO is blasting Brisbane with its big sound at Fortitude Music Hall on Sunday February 16. Performing the PAYBACK TOUR, the band continues to impress with unforgettable live sets full of emotion, high energy and perfect vocals.
Virtuoso violinist, composer and vocalist Véronique Serret is coming to Brisbane. At It’s Still a Secret on Sunday February 16, Véronique will perform her ARIA-nominated album Migrating Bird in full with a band, and special guest, William Barton on didgeridoo and vocals.
The Australian Youth Orchestra take to the stage of Brisbane City Hall for Striking and Beautiful on Sunday February 16. Under the baton of dynamic young conductor Kerem Hasan, the nation’s brightest young musicians create an evening of enchanting music from the whimsical whirl of John Adams’s The Chairman Dances to Elena Kats-Chernin’s Fantasie im Wintergarten featuring the remarkable Emily Sun.
This Valentine’s Day enjoy a sensual feast with Sacred Sonic at St Stephen’s Cathedral. String quartet, Angel Strings merge forces with the resident organist Dominic Perissinotto and soprano Eva-Marie Perissinotto for this immersive experience. The majestic walls are bathed in stunning light in response to stirring music by John Taverner, Elgar, Ravel, Philip Glass, Max Richter, Sigur Ros and Hans Zimmer.
Don’t miss the final curtain of The Wharf Revue at The End Of The Wharf As We Know It. A joyous yet bitter-sweet send-off to one of the great national theatrical institutions, The Wharf Revue will be returning to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) Playhouse from February 11–16 2025 for its last show ever.
Say Hallelujah! The smash-hit musical sent from above, Sister Act is in Brisbane. Based on the film, Sister Act is set to light up QPAC and lift your spirits with its irresistible energy from February 8. Starring Casey Donovan as Deloris Van Cartier, Genevieve Lemon as Mother Superior and Rhonda Burchmore as Sister Mary Lazarus, the award-winning musical features original music by eight-time Oscar award-winner Alan Menken.
Celebrate the soul of Spanish art and culture with Poemas de Iberia at Brisbane Powerhouse. An extraordinary production that fuses poetry, music, and dance, this electrifying performance features an exceptional lineup of national and international artists who will transport audiences to the heart of flamenco.
If you’re feeling spicy this weekend, Blanc de Blanc Encore promises a night of laughs and lots of skin. Performing at Brisbane’s latest theatre and bar The West End Electric, this riotous revue of acrobatic talent and great tunes has been choreographed by Kevin Maher (whose past clients include Madonna and Britney Spears) and scored by Danish electronic artist Kenneth Bager. Running into the new year, Blanc de Blanc Encore invites you to escape the ordinary for a captivating night of circus cabaret.
Critically acclaimed author, humourist and master of satire David Sedaris will be stopping by the Brisbane Powerhouse February 13-14. Join David for an evening filled with storytelling, observations, unpublished tales, audience Q&As and book signings.
Comedian Milo McCabe brings back his character Troy Hawke for a new show – The Greeters Guild. Troy Hawke is the mustachioed motivator of the high street. An erudite, homeschooled 1930s throwback, Troy is the founding (and currently sole) member of the Greeter’s Guild. His hobbies include Scrabble, conspiracy theories, and referring to Man City’s Erling Haaland as a ‘Tremendous Nordic Meat Shield’.
The internet’s favourite best friend duo and chart-topping podcasters, The Girls Bathroom are touring Down Under. On Saturday February 15, Sophia and Cinzia are bringing The Girls Bathroom to life on-stage, answering juicy dilemmas from their famous inbox as well as with fans in the audience.
Rachel Burke documents her year of loss through her vibrant, raw and honest exhibition, Thanks for Nothing. The multidisciplinary artist and designer has swapped her trademark tinsel for more than half a million melty beads, hand-placed to create this new body of work. Opening at Side Gallery this weekend, Thanks for Nothing explores Rachel’s personal journey with fertility, loss and grief, presented through an unexpectedly inviting and vibrant lens. Catch Rachel in conversation this Saturday February 1 at the gallery from 5:30 pm, followed by the opening night event from 6:00–8:00 pm.
Catch three exhibitions at IMA in Fortitude Valley. The gallery is currently hosting a number of engrossing exhibitions, starting with Archie Moore: Comic Paintings – a collection of large works that emphasise the difference of his childhood experiences — experiencing bullying and abuse; poverty, shame, and low self-esteem — with those of the American white middle-class teen whose name Archie shares.
Get insight into a massive viral sensation Skibidi Toilet with IMA’s new exhibition, Boom, which is running from Saturday January 18 to Thursday April 10. IMA’s screening room will host the first institutional display of the YouTube video series, which has become a Gen Alpha cultural touchstone.
Platform 2025 is the second iteration of IMA’s annual Queensland new-artists project. This year, the exhibition is showcasing work from three artists – Shannon Toth, Jarrod van der Ryken, and Keemon Williams. The exhibition is running until Sunday March 30.
QAGOMA’s fiercely anticipated flagship event The Asia Pacific Triennial continues for its 11th year with more than 500 artworks by artists from over 30 countries. Exhibition attendees can expect to discover a vibrant multi-part project from Haus Yuriyal (a collective of 28 artists from Papua New Guinea), a three-dimensional installation of suspended tunnels, cascading curtains and towering scrolls from leading Thai artist Mit Jai Inn, portraits of everyday life in Hong Kong by senior painter Yeung Tong Lung as well as plenty more installations, paintings, sculptures and multi-disciplinary projects.
Museum of Brisbane’s New Light: Photography Now + Then continues into the new year. Stroll your way through a mesmerising display of photographs spanning from 1890 to 2024. The collection features the remarkable tale of amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954), whose extraordinary images lay dormant for decades until they were discovered in 1983, stored in cedar cigar boxes beneath a home in Red Hill.
Art appreciation takes to the streets with Museum of Brisbane’s newly-curated immersive walking tour through The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane. Explore the art, history, and architecture within Brisbane’s visionary new lifestyle and cultural precinct. This bespoke 45-minute walking tour is free for a limited time, giving you a rare opportunity to explore Brisbane’s newest multi-million-dollar public outdoor art gallery as well as visit key heritage sites in the precinct.
Catch Japanese-Australian artist Elysha Rei’s 静寂 (Seijaku): Serenity art installation at Brisbane Quarter. Part of the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at QAGOMA the installation is a 25m-long, hand-cut, paper Australian tree snake embodying the Wood Snake Lunar New Year. 静寂 (Seijaku): Serenity will be on display at Brisbane Quarter from January 24 to March 8 2025.
Let your creativity bloom at the Museum of Brisbane with its Crafty Party with Paper Hands this Thursday. Spend a night at the museum when Paper Hands artist Holly Neilson hosts a floral-wall hanging workshop on February 13 – complete with bubbles and plenty of beautiful art.
Join the lovers, the dreamers, the storytellers, and the romance enthusiasts at Blussh Romance Festival. Brisbane’s newest festival celebrating films and literature through a romance lens and the first of its kind in Australia, Blussh Romance Festival kicks off Friday February 14.
If you’re looking for ideas to woo you boo this Friday February 14, check out our Valentine’s Day Round-up here.
Need a hit of dopamine? Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience is running at Uptown until Friday February 28. Combining media, technology and play, the event features a series of spaces designed to stimulate touch, sight, smell and even memory.
The summer season means $2 swims are back. The popular initiative lets you swim more for less this summer with $2 pool entry to Brisbane public pools. Available at the 22 swimming pools across the city, visit a Council pool to cool off, relax, enjoy water play or improve your fitness with a lap this weekend.
Step inside Bluey’s World – for real life! Bluey’s iconic Queenslander is calling Northshore Hamilton home until September 2025, allowing fans of the show to immerse themselves in the Heeler home they know and love. With innovative set designs, interactive games, and activities for children and adults alike, Bluey’s World has been carefully curated to mirror the spirit of the series, encouraging creative play and connection. A must visit for the young and young at heart!
Get your movie fix this summer under the starry night sky, with Moonlight Cinemas screenings happening at Roma Street Parkland. This weekend you can catch a Week of Romance presented by Driscoll’s featuring How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 10 Things I Hate about You, The Notebook and We Live in Time.
Celebrate Margarita Month at Poca Madre in Brisbane. The team is rolling out an unmissable series of Cointreau-fuelled Margarita Masterclasses every Thursday this month. Guests will be guided through the art of making the perfect Margarita by tequila aficionado Carlos Hurworth of Church of Agave. The night kicks off with a classic Cointreau Margarita, followed by a hands-on guacamole-making session, a guided tasting of The Rock’s Teremana tequila range and the chance to shake up your own signature creation.
Tote bag at the ready – fresh-local produce, bespoke goodies and street food snacks all await at Brisbane’s weekly markets as well. Kelvin Grove Village Market, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Nundah Farmers Markets, West End Markets, Riverside Markets and the Redcliffe Markets are open and trading this weekend.