The Coolest Things Happening This Weekend In & Around Brisbane

If you’re finding yourself at a loss for weekend plans – look no further.

We’ve curated the best events happening across Brisbane and the Gold Coast this weekend to fill up your social calendar. From life drawing to warehouse sales, open-air art exhibitions to picnics, these events are calling your name.

Here’s what’s on in Brisbane this weekend.

Discover looks for less at SABO’s Brisbane Warehouse Sale

Renowned local fashion brand SABO is opening its doors for its Brisbane Warehouse Sale this weekend, where you can find signature styles from SABO for under $50 and sister label ZACO under $100, alongside samples, unreleased pieces, photoshoot stock, shoes, and accessories. With a coffee van on site from &:30am to fuel your shopping trip, head to John Reid Pavilion from 8:30am until 3pm (or until sold out) to grab a bargain. Plus, the first 200 customers will receive a complimentary gift with purchase from either Frank Body or Naked Sundays, or if early mornings aren’t your thing, line up from 12:30pm for your chance to win a SABO voucher of up to $300.

What: SABO Brisbane Warehouse Sale When: Saturday, 19 September Where: John Reid Pavilion, RNA Showgrounds

QAGOMA’s ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ 

Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) will transform into an enchanting realm where your disbelief will be willingly suspended, as Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company arrives in Brisbane. Marking 70 years of boundary-pushing creativity from the studio that taught so many generations to think outside the box, this is an invitation to trace the architecture of imagination created by Jim Henson. A Brisbane exclusive, the exhibition is opening this weekend as part of Brisbane Festival.

What: Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company When: Now until 18 April 2027 Where: Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)

Stroll Along Seaside Artwork at Swell Sculpture Festival

Take a stroll down Currumbin’s picturesque beach and breathe in that fresh sea air as you dive into Queensland’s art scene at the annual Swell Sculpture Festival. From dawn until dusk, these immersive sculptures set against the natural landscape are guaranteed to take your breath away. Head to the coast this weekend, grab a coffee, and feel the sand beneath your toes as you engage with this vibrant celebration of people, art, and culture.

What: Swell Sculpture Festival When: 11–20 September Where: Currumbin Beach

Fountainhead House Winehouse Women in Wine Masterclass

Discover the wonderful creations of women in wine this Sunday as Fortitude Valley’s fave underground wine bar, Fountainhead Winehouse, puts on a masterclass for the matriarchs. Priced at $110 per ticket, sip your way through 9 women-made wines guided by in-house wine expert Chardonné. Great wine and female empowerment? We’ll toast to that.

What: Women in Wine Masterclass When: Sunday, 20 September, 12pm Where: Fountainhead Winehouse, Fortitude Valley Tickets: Available here.

Movement meets form at Studio Maverick’s life drawing workshop

As part of their collaborative exhibition with one of West End’s favourite bars, Flying Colours, Studio Maverick is hosting a live life drawing session focusing on movement. The model will slowly dance through the space as you sketch, and with all materials provided, all you have to do is let your inner artist run free. After your one-hour drawing session, head downstairs to continue the good vibes with pizza, refreshments, DJs and light projection to close out the event.

What: Studio Maverick Life Drawing Class When: Sunday, 20 September, 5-6pm, followed by a closing event from 6pm-9pm Where: Flying Colours, West End Tickets: Available here

Brisbane Festival 

Yes, it’s finally that time; Brisbane Festival is officially upon us. A full month of all-out artistic celebration, an innovative program spills out into the city with free and ticketed events for the whole family to enjoy. For more info on the full program, read here.

What: Brisbane Festival 2026 When: Now until 26 September Where: Multiple locations

Unpack the digital world at Jon Rafman: Memento Hikikomori

Canadian artist Jon Rafman unpacks our relationship to the contemporary digital world with an immersive exhibit in Fortitude Valley’s Institute of Modern Art. Works featured include his ongoing project Nine Eyes (2008–), where billions of Google Street View photographs are used to demonstrate moments of humanity, as well as Main Stream Media Network (2025–6), an evolving, AI-generated TV channel where curiosity about brainrot is put front and centre.

What: Jon Rafman: Memento Hikikomori When: Now until 27 September Where: Institute of Modern Art, Judith Wright Arts Centre, Ground Floor/420 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

Immerse yourself in Koreaboo at La Boite Theatre

Discover the story of Hannah, an Australian-Korean woman who travels to Seoul to reconnect with her birth mother, in the tender yet hilarious production of Koreaboo. An original work from the mastermind who’s worked on The Newsreader, Utopia, and Play School, Michelle Lim Davidson, the production, which is part of this year’s Brisbane Festival, navigates culture, language, and the peculiar distance between who we hope someone will be and who they actually are. This is the last leg of their season run, so book those tickets before this production jets off for good.

A stacked weekend of music, markets, and art at Echo & Bounce

Woolloongabba’s fave multi-purpose community hub, Echo & Bounce, always puts on a show on the weekend. From live music and late-night antics to good food, local artists, and their signature makers market, there’s always plenty happening. Whether you’re stopping by for a bite, settling in for some tunes, or seeing where the night takes you, there’s always something going on. Honestly, if you’re stuck for plans this weekend, Echo & Bounce is the place to be.

What: Echo & Bounce’s weekend events and gigs When: All weekend; check out the full program here Where: Echo & Bounce, 596 Stanley St, Woolloongabba

Central 中環 Dim Sum Club