Things to do in Brisbane on the Australia Day long weekend

January 26 falls on a Sunday this year, but we’re not missing out on a day off, with Monday, January 27, earmarked as a public holiday.

The three-day weekend is an excellent opportunity to have a trip away to destinations such as a nearby island, a cool Gold Coast hotel, an underrated Sunshine Coast highlight, the Whitsundays or Toowoomba (to name a few).

But if you are staying close to home, here’s our roster of things to do in Brisbane and nearby. Bonus: half of them cost nothing.

Great Australian Bites at South Bank, Brisbane, will feature celebrity chefs Miguel Maestre and Peter Kuruvita and former Olympic swimmer Brooke Hanson.Credit: Queensland Government

Festival: Great Australian Bites

This family fun day features food stalls operated by local restaurants as well as cooking demonstrations, live music, a silent disco and much more for all ages. Riverside Green, South Bank Parklands, Sunday, January 26, 2-7.30pm, free entry.

Event: We Are Australian

This inclusive celebration will have demonstrations of First Nations culture, a giant slide, animal farm, food and music, as well as a citizenship ceremony. Hanlon Park, Stones Corner, Sunday, January 26, 12-4pm, free.

Installation of Haus Yuriyal’s artwork at the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Queensland Art Gallery.Credit: Photography: Chloë Callistemon, QAGOMA

Art: 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art
APT11 has work by 200 artists from 30 countries spanning painting, sculpture and installation. The exhibition is fascinating, free and a family-friendly way to spend several hours in air-conditioned comfort. Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art, daily 10am-5pm, until Apr 27, free.

Art: New Light

Head up the lift at City Hall to one of the city’s best free museums of art and artefacts. The exhibition New Light has vintage photos of Brisbane as well as artists’ responses to the original photos. Don’t forget to ride the ancient lift to take the free Clocktower Tour while you’re there. Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, Brisbane, daily 10am-5pm, free.

Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce play characters who make a mesmerising study in contrasts in The Brutalist.Credit: AP

Film: The Brutalist

Nothing kills time like an epic movie and this Golden Globe-winning drama about an architect rebuilding his life in postwar America clocks in at a cool 3½ hours. Adrien Brody stars, alongside Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce. In cinemas.

Food: A Celebration of Unity and Community at Bait-ul-Masroor Mosque

Join Imam Mohammad Atae Rabbi Hadi and Logan Mayor Jon Raven at this free dinner and celebration. Expect a community barbecue celebrating Australia’s diverse culinary traditions, a flag-hoisting ceremony, and brief speeches including an inspiring personal story. 1 Neville Road, Stockleigh, Saturday, January 25, 4.30pm, free. RSVP required.

Elle Fanning and Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown.

Film: A Complete Unknown

Timothee Chalamet is garnering rave reviews for his portrayal of the young Bob Dylan, in a biopic spanning from the coffee shops of Greenwich Village in 1961 to the stage of the 1965 Newport Festival when Dylan notoriously plugged in an electric guitar. In cinemas.

Museum show: Discovering Ancient Egypt

Five sarcophaguses are highlights of the Queensland Museum Kurilpa’s blockbuster show, which also features light projections of the Temple of Taffeh, sculptures, precious jewellery and artefacts. Corner of Grey and Melbourne streets, South Bank. Daily 9.30-5pm, $15-$29.90.

The Invasion Day Rally in Brisbane last year was well attended.Credit: AAP Image/Jono Searle

Event: Invasion Day Rally: We Have Survived!

If you’re not keen on the date for Australia Day then this event will be for you. It begins at 8am for sign making, followed by the rally at 9am and 10am march to Musgrave Park. Queens Gardens Meanjin (next to the Treasury Building), 144 William Street, Sunday, January 26, 9am, free.

Art: Arriving Slowly

Ipswich Art Museum has borrowed a $116 million masterpiece by Mark Rothko from the National Gallery of Australia. It’s the centrepiece of a fascinating show of abstract art by local and international artists. If you have kids, the gallery also has excellent craft activities they can get stuck into. D’Arcy Doyle Place, Ipswich, daily 10am-5pm, free.

Kimberley Hodgson as Catherine of Aragon in Six: The Musical.Credit: James D Morgan / Getty Images

Theatre: Six: The Musical

Girl power gets a Tudor twist in this show in which the six wives of Henry VIII become a truth-singing girl group. Playhouse, QPAC, until February 9, Sat 3pm & 7pm, Sun 3pm, $100-$189.50.

Event: Australia Day 2025 at Souths Sports Club

This celebration has local and Indigenous entertainment and a morning tea followed by a Citizenship Ceremony. 174 Mortimer Road, Acacia Ridge, 11am-1pm, free.

Ballet Theatre Queensland’s production of Snow White.Credit: Ballet Theatre Queensland

Dance: Snow White

Longstanding youth ballet company Ballet Theatre Queensland has created a new version of the fairytale with original choreography and music. Recommended for ages 6 and over. Concert Hall, QPAC, January 23-26, $74.90-$84.90.

Museum show: Secrets: Object of Intrigue

A free exhibition at the Queensland Museum Kurilpa is showing spy gadgets, sneaky weapons, objects with hidden compartments and those with mysterious histories. Corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, daily 9.30am-5pm, free.

Luke Combs seen at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne last year.Credit: Rick Clifford

Music: Luke Combs

The country music superstar is at Suncorp Stadium for not one but two nights, playing songs like the hilarious Beer Never Broke My Heart. He’s allegedly the first country music performer to headline a stadium tour in Australia. Suncorp Stadium, January 24-25, from $199.

Outdoors: Ipswich Swimming Pools

Not to be outdone by Brisbane’s $2 council pool dips, the City of Ipswich’s four pools are offering free entry to all Ipswich residents on Australia Day. Bundamba Swim Centre, Goodna Aquatic Centre, Rosewood Aquatic Centre and Georgie Conway Leichhardt Community Swim Centre, 10am-4pm, Sunday, January 26, free.

Cabaret performers with the Blanc de Blanc Encore.Credit: Desn Sewell

Cabaret: Blanc de Blanc Encore

The purpose-built West End Electric is the impressive venue for outrageous burlesque circus, Blanc de Blanc Encore. Take your seats, order some champagne, and prepare for some delightful decadence. West End Electric, Boundary Road, West End, January 25, 5pm & 8pm, January 26, 5.30pm, $100-$156.

Sport: Brisbane Bullets v Melbourne United

Intense basketball action is happening at Boondall with the Bullets taking on Melbourne for a momentous Australia Day clash. Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Sunday, January 26, 1pm, $19-$740.

Lifeline Bookfest draws thousands of bookworms to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.Credit: Lifeline Bookfest/Instagram

Shopping: Lifeline Bookfest

The free book fair is selling roughly a million fiction and non-fiction books as well as magazines, games, CDs and DVDs. Items start at $2.50 each and funds go towards the 13 11 14 Lifeline Crisis Support Line. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, January 18-27, 8.30am-6pm (8.30am-4pm January 27), free.

Circus: Blush

“Surprising, subversive, and supremely sexy” – another circus production for adults is running over the summer. Expect fire eating, silk dancing, whips, chains and a dash of nudity. Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, Saturday, January 25, 4pm & 8pm; Sunday, January 26, 6.30pm, $69-$79.

Seven years’ research and experimentation by Einar Selvik (centre) led to his folk project Wardruna.Credit: Morten Munthe

Music: Wardruna

Spend a chilly evening with the glacial sounds of Norwegian folkcore band Wardruna, famous for scoring the series Vikings and for using traditional Norse instruments such as deer-hide frame drums and goat horns. Fortitude Music Hall, Monday, January 27, 7pm, $99.90.

Museum show: Neon

Stop by to find original signs and images of the city from the 1940s to today that celebrate the glitz and glamour of this eye-catching public art form. State Library of Queensland, until February 9, daily 10am-5pm, free.

Museum show: Icons of the 60s, 70s and 80s

Get up close with great cars of yesteryear lovingly restored by local owners, spanning the categories of muscle, sports and luxury. Brisbane Motor Museum, 959 Nudgee Road, Banyo, Nov 30-Feb 23, January 25-27, 8am-3pm, $10.65-$25.

Music: Benson Boone

The 21-year-old Seattle sensation makes his long-awaited debut in Brisbane celebrating nearly 2 billion global streams. Riverstage, Saturday, January 25, $99.90-$149.90.

Entering the Kangaroo Point Bridge from the Kangaroo Point side. Credit: Courtney Kruk

Outdoors: Kangaroo Point Bridge

Your morning walk in Kangaroo Point just took an exciting diversion. Kangaroo Point Bridge offers a new and spectacular way to get to the City Botanic Gardens by foot, bike or scooter. Alice Street, Brisbane and Scott Street, Kangaroo Point.

Music: Dan Bolton and Band

In the mood for some swinging jazz by the river? Singer-songwriter-pianist Dan Bolton performs his original music, in the style of Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, with the help of bass, drums and saxophone. Brisbane Jazz Club, 1 Annie Street, Kangaroo Point, Saturday, January 25, 7.30pm, $11-$46.

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