What’s On In Brisbane This Weekend: Here’s What’s Hot & Happening
Weekend warriors
By Style Journos | 6th August 2025Another week down — and guess what? We made it. Mid-year slump? Not happening on our watch. Winter’s sneaking in, but the weekend’s about to blow up. We’ve rounded up the best things to do to keep your vibe strong and your plans even stronger.
This weekend, the iconic Ekka returns with all the fun, animals, Strawberry Sundaes, and dagwood dogs you love, plus a bunch of cultural experiences to dive into. Keep scrolling for your ultimate weekend playbook.
Eagles Nest | Saturday 9 August
The Ekka is coming to town and Eagles Nest is putting on a show – one night, one rooftop, and a whole lot of Queensland flavour. On Saturday 9 August, Eagles Nest is serving sky-high vibes with a five-course tasting menu that heroes the best local produce – we’re talking Moreton Bay bug, Brisbane Valley quail, and a cheeky twist on the classic Caboolture strawberry sundae. Each course is paired with premium Aussie wines, the city skyline is putting on a show, and the live tunes? Chef’s kiss. It’s elegant, elevated, and oh-so-Ekka – minus the crowds and dagwood dogs. This one’s for the foodies, the romantics, and anyone who’s overdue for a fancy night out. From 6 to 8 PM, secure your spot for $150 per person. Limited seats, big flavour – don’t miss it. Secure your spot here.
What: Eagles Nest Exclusive Ekka Dining 2025When: Saturday 9 August, 6PM– 8PMWhere: The Point Brisbane Hotel
Ekka | All weekend
This weekend, the iconic Ekka makes its grand return to the Brisbane Showgrounds, weaving the rich tapestry of Queensland’s rural heritage into the city’s vibrant pulse. From August 9 to 17, the Royal Queensland Show promises a heady mix of nostalgia and modern flair, with an electric atmosphere that captures the essence of both country charm and urban energy. Picture this: jaw-dropping avant-garde fashion parades, culinary delights from across the state, grand animal displays and fireworks that light up the night sky – all against a backdrop of exhilarating rides and the classic allure of show bags. Whether you’re there for the spectacle or the sense of community, Ekka is an unmissable invitation to experience the best of Queensland’s past, present and future.
What: EkkaWhen: August 9th – 17thWhere: The Brisbane Showgrounds
Clancestry Festival | Friday 8 August & Saturday 9 August
This weekend, immerse yourself in the luminous world of Illume, the captivating new theatrical experience at the Clancestry Festival. Presented by Bangarra Dance Theatre, this show is a masterclass in artistry, blending dance, visual arts and music to explore the relationship between light and indigenous culture. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring beauty and urgency of Illume, playing until August 9 at the Playhouse QPAC. It’s an unmissable fusion of art, culture, and the very essence of our planet’s survival.
What: The Clancestry FestivalWhen: 1-9 AugustWhere: The Playhouse, QPAC
Da Vinci Machines: Inventions Brought to Life | All Weekend
This August, step into the world of Leonoardo da Vinci like never before. Da Vinci Machines: Inventions Brought to Life comes to the city of Moreton Bay Museums, offering a rare chance to experience the genius of one of history’s most extraordinary minds. Running from 9 August 9 to 2 November, the exhibition spans Bribie Island Seaside Museum, Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, and Redcliffe Museum. Featuring 60 stunning replicas of da Vinci’s iconic inventions, each piece has been meticulously crafted from his original sketches. It’s an immersive jounrey into the brilliance of the Renaissance, blending science, art, and nature in a way that feels as relevant now as it did 500 years ago.
What: Da Vinci Machines: Inventions Brought to LifeWhen: 9 August – 2 NovemberWhere: Across Bribie Island Seaside Museum, Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, and Redcliffe Museum
World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 | All weekend
The World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 is rolling into Brisbane this July — and trust us, it’s set to be iconic. More than just a display of striking images, this annual showcase offers an unfiltered window into the most powerful, heart-wrenching, and jaw-dropping stories from around the globe. Each photograph is part of a curated collection of the year’s most impactful photojournalism — work that will pull you in and leave you immersed in the raw emotion and compelling narratives behind every frame. This isn’t just an exhibition. It’s a cultural moment where art meets activism, and where storytelling has the power to move, challenge, and inspire.
What: World Press Photo Exhibition 2025When: 19 July – 17 August 2025Where: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
BLEACH | All weekend
Bleach is returning for the 11 day cultural festival from July 31 to August 10, highlighting art, music, theatre, and food across multiple venues on the Gold Coast. Curated by artist Michael Zavros, it celebrates local and international creativity and diversity through immersive performances and exhibitions.
What: BLEACHWhen: Thursday 31 July – Sunday 10 AugustWhere: Gold Coast
WONDERSTRUCK at QAGOMA | All month
The countdown is officially on — and GOMA is about to bring the vibes. This Saturday and Sunday, roll up for a free weekend packed with all the good stuff: hands-on workshops, live performances, storytelling, artist talks, film faves, face painting, and so much more. It’s fun for kids, teens, and anyone who’s still a big kid at heart. You’ll also get to dive into the brand-new Wonderstruck exhibition and (drumroll, please) the return of Yayoi Kusama’s cult-fave Obliteration Room. Plan your day, grab your crew, and get ready to be seriously wonderstruck.
What: WONDERSTRUCK at QAGOMAWhen: Now until 6 OctoberWhere: QAGOMA
COMING UP…
Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival | 22 to 24 August
Want to rub shoulders with star-studded celebrity chefs, tuck into some gourmet eats, and soak up the sparkling seaside? Well, gather your mates and raise a glass, because Moreton Bay is serving up its gourmet foodie festival, and it’s the biggest, boldest, most delicious program yet! If you’re into cheese, wine, and good vibes, now’s your moment, because tickets will sell out faster than you can say ‘cheers’.
Imagery: Ekka
