Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival, dreamy ballet and design markets – what’s on in Brisbane this weekend
The weather might have been gloomy this week but it is surely clearing away for the weekend. Whether you’re cruising out to Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, marvelling at the ballet dancers of Sleeping Beauty at QPAC or shopping for some handmade knickknacks at the Old Museum in Bowen Hills – there’s plenty to see and do around Brisbane from August 22-24. Check out our top picks below …
Concerts on in Brisbane this weekend
The SXS Chamber Music Festival marks its 21st edition with three days of world-class performances at Shambala Estate on Tamborine Mountain this weekend. Curated by Grammy-winner Tim Munro, the program spans nine concerts featuring 12 acclaimed musicians from Australia and abroad. Audiences can expect everything from intimate piano solos and luminous soprano recitals to candlelit performances by Slava and Sharon Grigoryan, moving quartets and contemporary works. With the Scenic Rim as its backdrop, the festival blends artistry, atmosphere and connection in an unforgettable winter celebration. Grab your last-minute tickets here.
On Friday, Felons Barrel Hall cranks up the chaos with Duelling Pianos – a night of singalongs, anthems and jaw-dropping piano battles. From 8:30 pm, two powerhouse players go head-to-head with a wild setlist, belting out everything from guilty pleasures to big crowd favourites. Grab a beer and get ready to sing!
Central Coast indie-pop outfit The Moving Stills hit The Brightside on Friday with breezy new EP Half Moon Bay. Expect surfy textures, warm melodies and feel-good energy as the band deliver fan favourites alongside fresh tracks in a night of pure, sun-soaked nostalgia.
The ultimate blues showdown hits Lefty’s Music Hall this Saturday. From 1:00 pm, eight powerhouse acts battle it out for the chance to represent South East Queensland in Memphis. Doors swing open at noon – expect riffs, rhythm and serious soul.
Over at The Tivoli on Saturday, Melbourne duo SHOUSE will bring its anthemic dancefloor magic to the stage. Best known for global hit Love Tonight, the pair mix soaring vocals, choir-fuelled beats and euphoric energy, promising a big night of dancefloor magic. Doors swing open at 8:00 pm.
Head back to Felons Barrel Hall on Sunday for Soul Energy. From 4:00 pm, Dan Wolsner and Soulergy bring a free, family-friendly show that blends soul, funk, RnB, hip hop and jazz into slick pop grooves, promising an afternoon of smooth sounds and feel-good energy by the river.
Keen for some country-soaked glam rock? This Sunday afternoon, Cosmic Cowboy & The Incognitos hit The Triffid Beer Garden with their time-travelling mix of country, rock’n’roll and glam. Joined by The Kunins and The Melancholics, it’s set to be a fun, all-ages afternoon of live music and good vibes. The tunes kick off from 2:00 pm.
Theatre and live events on in Brisbane this weekend
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Julia is currently being staged at QPAC’s Playhouse until Sunday August 30. Presented by Queensland Theatre, written by Joanna Murray-Smith and directed by Sarah Goodes, this critically acclaimed production traces the personal and political journey of Australia’s first female Prime Minister. Tickets are on sale here.
David McAllister’s opulent production, The Sleeping Beauty, returns to QPAC to whisk you away into a magical realm of fairies and spells. Accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score, The Sleeping Beauty is a dreamlike vision, evoking ballet’s golden era with traditional choreography and extravagant designs. Tickets are on sale here
Art and exhibitions on in Brisbane this weekend
Wonderstruck is currently exhibiting works from over 70 Australian and international artists at GOMA. This free exhibition explores the vibrant world of colour, creativity and curiosity.
Don’t miss the opening weekend of Vipoo Srivilasa exhibition, Iconic Figures: Devas, Deities and Divas at the Edwina Corlette Gallery in New Farm. Featured in a commercial exhibition for the first time, Vipoo incorporates terracotta clay into his signature colours to create a range of ceramic sculptures which draw on spiritual traditions as well as embracing contemporary pop stars and drag queens.
QPAC is currently showcasing art exhibition Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s–1950s until January 25, 2026. This thrilling exhibition displays the work of Queensland artists and those working in the state in the middle decades of the twentieth century, exploring the connections and development of modernist sensibility.
Outer Space gallery will be hosting Cambodian-Australian artist Allison Chhorn’s exhibition Reflections in the Water until September 6. Using fragments of archival material and recreated documentary footage, Allison invites viewers to witness the memory of her great-grandparents’ Cambodian house, no longer standing due to the continuing erosion of the Mekong.
From August 9 to November 2, Da Vinci Machines: Inventions brought to life brings Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions to life across the City of Moreton Bay’s vibrant museums. The free exhibition will be showcased across Bribie Island Seaside Museum, Pine Rivers Heritage Museum and Redcliffe Museum, inviting visitors to get up close with Da Vinci’s work through hands-on models and informative displays.
Artist Mandy Quadrio brings fun and creativity to QAGOMA’s Art Box for Kids, running until October 26. As part of the ‘Art Box for Kids‘ project, Mandy’s activity Paper Treasure Carrier invites children to create their own unique paper treasure carrier to hold their cherished objects, secret finds and tiny keepsakes. No bookings needed.
Desire is a Machine is currently exhibiting until Saturday September 20 at The Institute of Modern Art. Curated by Institute of Modern Art Adjunct Curator Stephanie Berlangieri, the new show navigates schizoanalysis, hybridisation of the human and the machine and cyberfeminism.
Check out photographic exhibition All Shades by Kamilaroi artist Dean Saffron at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Dean travelled many kilometres to capture images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all walks of life. This mesmerising collection reflects 32 large-scale portraits, each image created in collaboration with the subject, location and story behind it.
Multidisciplinary artist Danie Mellor is showcasing historical ‘truths’ in a new light through a profound and visually arresting body of work at QAGOMA. Titled marru | the unseen visible, Mellor invites audiences to experience and reflect on the relationship between First Nations people, culture and Country, and the environmental and social impact of colonial history.
Discover the depths of a dark forest with Harry Potter A Forbidden Forest Experience now on at Sirromet Winery. Come face-to-face with magical creatures as you explore and interact across the outdoor trail. Tickets are on sale now.
Museum of Brisbane’s major exhibition Precious showcases a stunning assemblage of items generously loaned from around 30 remarkable collections and collectors. Explore Brisbane through more than 3000 precious objects that reveal intriguing stories of culture, place, family and tradition, travel and trade.
Get hands-on at Micro Museum in the Museum of Brisbane open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Pint-sized curators are encouraged to create their own collections from a huge range of vintage treasures, inspired by MoB’s Precious exhibition with a series of colour-filled, creative series of immersive experiences and interactive activities.
Stroll through Museum of Brisbane’s New Light: Photography Now + Then free photography exhibition. The collection features a mesmerising display of photographs (spanning from 1890 to 2024) by amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954). These extraordinary images laid dormant for decades until they were discovered in 1983, stored in cedar cigar boxes beneath a home in Red Hill.
Journey back thousands of years and uncover the mysteries of one of history’s most iconic civilisations at Discovering Ancient Egypt, now open at Queensland Museum. Featuring over 250 rare artefacts from the renowned Dutch National Museum of Antiquities, the exhibition brings to life the rich culture, beliefs and daily rituals of Ancient Egypt.
Fun events in Brisbane this weekend
Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival is back this weekend from August 22–24 with a bigger and more delicious program than ever. The event, in its seventh year, will return to the Woody Point foreshore with an expanded event space, a star-studded line-up of chefs and producers, and a wide array of new experiences. Click here for more information.
Every Friday and Saturday throughout August, Fiume Rooftop Bar is serving up a limited-time $3 natural oyster special. Complete with a line-up of indulgent toppers including Shellies Gin topper with a house-made trio of ponzu lime, white wine mignonette and chilli ginger dressing. Each shell will also be donated to OzFish’s Shellfish Recycling Centre to help regenerate oyster reefs in Moreton Bay. Click here for more information.
Head out to the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival this weekend to experience the festival’s first-ever pop-up restaurant strip. Perched right on the water’s edge, The Oasis Club will showcase top culinary names from Brisbane and the Bayside. This is your chance to experience Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival in true VIP style – be quick to book your tickets.
Transport from a sophisticated French lounge to a pumping nightclub party at Blanc de Blanc Encore. Adding more dates to its show-stopping run at The West End Electric Theatre, get ready to be amazed at the world’s finest acrobatic talent, great tunes, big laughs, lots of skin and more than a few surprises. To find out more and buy tickets head to Blanc de Blanc’s website here.
As part of the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival program, The Cellar Door will host 20-plus wineries pouring everything from boutique Queensland blends to celebrated names like Oakridge and The Lane. This experience is included in your general admission ticket, this seaside tasting trail will have you discovering new favourite drops, one generous pour at a time
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!
Discover the elegance of Cuvee Brut and more at the Piper-Heidsieck Masterclass this weekend at Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival. Presented by RIEDEL, this add-on experience will explore the legacy, innovation and irresistible charm of Piper-Heidsieck. Click here to secure your ticket.
Go beyond the cheeseboard at Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival with this guided tasting that teaches you to assess cheese like a pro. Using a structured flavour wheel, you’ll explore texture, aroma and finish across three boutique varieties – and walk away with a sharper palate and the language to match. Tickets are $35, head here to book.
Markets on in Brisbane this weekend
The Handmade and Conscious Shopping Design Market will be on this Sunday August 24 at 10:00 am at the Old Museum in Bowen Hills. Shoppers will have the opportunity to shop, meet the creators and learn the heartfelt stories behind their small businesses.
Fresh-local produce, bespoke goodies and street food snacks all await at Brisbane’s weekly markets. 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. Want to discover more Brisbane markets? Click here.