Festivals add excitement and variety to any city’s cultural calendar – and Brisbane is lucky to host some of the best. From family-friendly celebrations like Buddha Birthday Festival and Riverfestival to all-encompassing events like the biennial Brisbane Festival, there’s something for everyone. And within two hours’ drive of the city are some not-to-be-missed regional festivals that celebrate food, drink, music, film and dance. So make a note in your diaries now, and don’t miss South East Queensland’s biggest and best festivals.
Buddha Birthday Festival – May
The three-day Buddha Birthday Festival is a cracker of a birthday party. Held each year at South Bank Parklands, the festival is open to everyone, and has become one of Brisbane’s most popular family events. There’s always heaps to see and do with performers, a children’s amusement area, lots of delicious vegetarian food stalls, and various workshops.
Highlights include the very popular Bathing Buddha Ceremony, watching the energetic lion dances, seeing multicultural performances or admiring the traditional Chinese arts and crafts demonstrations. Riverfront fireworks displays cap each day’s activities.
Noosa Long Weekend Festival – July
Noosa’s beautiful beaches and chic village-style atmosphere are the inspiring backdrop for the Noosa Long Weekend Festival. Taking place over 10 days, the festival presents a broad program of events including theatre, literature, music, dance, film, visual arts, food, and thought-provoking forums. Plus there’s an extensive community program of free and low-cost events and activities for young and old.
Whether you’re a lover of live performance, a foodie wanting to taste the delights from Noosa’s fabulous local restaurants, or have a secret desire to learn how to sing in harmony a cappella style, you’ll find an event to suit.
Queensland Music Festival – July
The Queensland Music Festival (QMF) is Australia’s largest biennial music festival. Celebrating the world of music in all its forms, the festival is a statewide event, bringing the new, the skilled, and the cutting edges of music creation, interpretation and appreciation to the whole of Queensland.
From classic to contemporary, from new forms to old styles, from the sublime to the outrageous, the festival ranges from internationally acclaimed music makers in concert halls to members of the community making music that reflects their particular district and its differences.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival – August
Timed to coincide with the arrival of Queensland's strongest fashion season - Spring/Summer - the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival takes place over six days and features top international, national and local designers, lavish events and parades. It's a major fashion event and fashionistas worth their salt wouldn't dream of missing it. A word of warning for MBFF first-timers: the parades sell out fast, so plan ahead and book early.
Valley Fiesta – September
The annual Valley Fiesta enjoys a reputation as Brisbane’s biggest street party. Held across multiple outdoor stages in the Valley precinct, the event is a celebration of food, fashion, dance, art and, most importantly, music. During the fiesta, the Valley’s live music scene comes under the spotlight as scores of national and local acts descend on the area for three days of free outdoor entertainment.
Brisbane Writers Festival – September
This festival possibly should be renamed the Brisbane Readers Festival because it really is about the joy of reading. Book lovers can see their favourite authors, hear discussions of literary topics, browse the tempting book stalls and attend poetry readings and other evening events. Immerse yourself in five days of reading and writing nirvana.
The Brisbane Writers Festival is concentrated at the Cultural Centre forecourt but events also take place at QPAC, Brisbane Powerhouse and some bookshops.
Brisbane Festival - September
Brisbane Festival is one of Australia's leading international arts festivals.
For three weeks extraordinary international and Australian artists and productions, free world-class events, emerging fringe theatre, spectacular fireworks, inspiring conversation and debate will fill the theatres, parks and suburban streets for Brisbane Festival.
2009 will be one of the most exciting years in the festival's history as it will be presented in its new annual format and coincide with celebrations to mark the sesquicentenary of Queensland's foundation. The festival combines with the former annual Riverfestival to make it one of the most inclusive and diverse arts festivals in Australia.
Brisbane Cabaret Festival – October
A “must-see” in Brisbane’s cultural diary, the Brisbane Cabaret Festival takes place over four nights each October in the Brisbane Powerhouse. The festival serves as a platform for musical acts (which would not normally be billed together) to get up close and very personal with their audience. It’s a festival about rich music, scrumptious food and decadent wine, but above all it’s about entertainment.
Woodford Folk Festival - December
The Woodford Folk Festival is the largest and most diverse folk festival in Australia. Taking place over six days and nights, lose yourself in the world that becomes Woodford, on a forested site about an hour north of Brisbane. Go feral by camping onsite for the entire week or turn up for a day or night (or two). You’ll see more than 2000 performers and 400 events, with concerts, dances, workshops, forums, street theatre, writers’ panels, film festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, an entire children’s festival, art and craft workshops and late night cabarets. Despite the crowds and often extreme weather, there’s an atmosphere of acceptance and kindness you won’t find anywhere else.
Brisbane’s film festivals
Brisbane’s cultural calendar is studded with film festivals that present the best local and foreign cinematic offerings, from award-winning feature films and inspiring documentaries to an eclectic mix of short films and animation. Check out what’s happening in our month-by-month guide to Brisbane’s film festivals.
Food festivals in Brisbane
Decadent, delicious, delightful - celebrate good times with great food, fine wine, music and more! Read our round-up of the best food festivals Brisbane has to offer.
