A swell party: The best things to do in Brisbane this week

With Brisbane Festival in full swing, there’s a wealth of great theatre and music to experience in the city, including several theatrical world premieres.

Plan your home beautiful with The Home Show, and discover the nation’s up-and-coming music acts at BIGSOUND.

If you’re looking for a daytrip out of town, the annual Swell Sculpture Festival is returning, with spectacular art on the beach at Currumbin, while parks and gardens in Toowoomba offer an extravaganza of floral arts with the annual Carnival of Flowers.

Monday, September 4

Shakira Clanton (foreground) steals scenes as Pattie in Don’t Ask What the Bird Look Like.Credit: Queensland Theatre

Theatre: Don’t Ask What the Bird Look Like ★★★★
It’s the final week of Hannah Belanszky’s evocative and funny play about a young urban woman searching for her Aboriginal roots and finding something supernatural down at the river.
Bille Brown Theatre, 7.30pm, $35-$97. Buy tickets.

Theatre: Yes Yes Yes
Coinciding with the introduction of consent education across Australia’s curriculum, Kiwis Karin McCracken and Eleanor Bishop present a show for teens on issues of consent.
La Boite Theatre, Sep 4-6, $30. Buy tickets.

Tuesday, September 5

BIGSOUND shines a light on up-and-coming acts such as Brisbane singer-songwriter Hallie, who played at last year’s event.Credit: Simon Gorman-Clark

Music: BIGSOUND
Centred on Fortitude Valley, the huge five-day conference and concert calendar showcases up-and-coming acts and innovation in popular music.
Various venues, Sep 5-8. Find out more.

Theatre: Unconditional
This innovative Brisbane Festival show, performed by its playwrights, portrays a couple going through one partner’s gender transition.
Brisbane Powerhouse, until Sep 9, $35-$40. Buy tickets.

Wednesday, September 6

The high-octane Brisbane Festival show Stunt Double.

Theatre: Stunt Double
This high-octane dance-theatre piece takes audiences onto the 1970s set of a Mad Max-like Aussie action flick for a clash between actors and their stunt-performing stand-ins.
Brisbane Powerhouse, Sep 6-9, $39-$45. Buy tickets.

Festivals: Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
Toowoomba has come alive with its annual floral displays, tours, food and wine events, concerts and much more.
Toowoomba, Sep 1-30.

Thursday, September 7

Food & Drink: Sake Masters
If you’re partial to rice wine and fine Japanese cuisine, book now for Yoko Restaurant at Howard Smith Wharves, which is offering a Japanese feast matched to premium sakes.
Yoko Upstairs, 6pm, $110. Buy tickets.

Concerts: There’s Something about Music
Australian musical theatre stars sing songs from romcom movies like Notting Hill, Bridesmaids, Pretty Woman and Bridget Jones’s Diary in this crowd-pleasing Brisbane Festival concert.
South Bank Piazza, until Sep 10, $3-$40. Buy tickets.

Friday, September 8

Matt Turley’s sculpture On Reflection, from the Swell Sculpture Festival 2022.Credit: PBR Images

Art: Swell Sculpture Festival
Head down to Currumbin to view more than 75 large sculptures by the water, plus additional pop-up exhibitions around the Gold Coast.
Currumbin Beach, Sep 8-17, free.

Theatre: West End Stories: Meanjin Recovered
Jessie Lloyd, Aunty Dawn Daylight, Uncle Adam Hopkins, Uncle Barry Tanner, Auntie Chantay Link, Kylie Deen and more present a historical timeline of Meanjin/Brisbane through a First Nations lens.
The Norman Price Theatre, TAFE Queensland, Building C, 66 Ernest St, South Brisbane, 5pm, free.

Saturday, September 9

The Lions take on The Power at the Gabba on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images

Sport: Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide
The Brisbane Lions will take on Port Adelaide in what is set to be an epic AFL second qualifying final. The Lions are ready to pounce, but Alberton’s finest are not about to give up without a fight.
The Gabba, first bounce 7.25pm, various prices. Book tickets.

Concerts: Moorooka Block Party
First Nations and World Music musicians headline a joyous and funky free concert afternoon for Brisbane Festival.
Peggs Park, 160 Vendale Avenue, Moorooka, 3-7pm, free.

Sunday, September 10

An indicative design created for Natalya Hughes: The Castle of Tarragindi.Credit: Natalya Hughes

Kids: Natalya Hughes: The Castle of Tarragindi
Artist Natalya Hughes invites kids to get hands-on creating “grotesques” – designs informed by Australian fauna and the traditions of decorative and ornamental arts.
Children’s Art Centre, GOMA, Sep 9-Jul 14 2024, free.

Expos: The Home Show
Hundreds of home-improvement businesses come under the one roof for an expo covering green living, pools and spas, home inspiration, cooking, and much more.
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sep 8-10, 9am-5pm, free (bookings essential).

Need more ideas? What about one of Brisbane’s best high teas?

Discover more highlights of Brisbane Festival 2023.