Things to do in Brisbane on the King’s Birthday long weekend

By Nick Dent

October 1, 2024 — 4.30pm

While the ascension of King Charles III has left many people pondering how they feel about Australia’s monarchy, we’re not about to say no to a day off on Monday.

The long weekend is the perfect opportunity for a short getaway out of town. But if you are staying put, there’s no shortage of events happening close to home – here are some suggestions.

Samantha Bremner of the Roosters scores a try during the NRLW semi-final match between Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.Credit: Getty Images

The Roosters take on the Sharks at 3.55pm, and then the Storm confront the Panthers at 7.30pm. Pubs with big screens and great atmosphere include the Caxton Hotel, the Lord Alfred, the Normanby, the Plough Inn, the Alliance and the Royal George. Sun, 3.55pm (NRLW) & 7.30pm (NRL).

Listen Out

The hip-hop, R’n’B and electronica festival arrives at the Brisbane Showgrounds headlined by 21 Savage, Skepta, Tyla, Lil Tjay, Flo Milli, John Summit and Sub Focus. Sat, 12pm-10pm, $219.90-$300.90.

Seven Samurai

One of the greatest movies of all time is screening in a 4K restoration at Dendy Coorparoo. Kurosawa’s 1954 epic Seven Samurai, starring Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura, is utterly engrossing and wildly entertaining. Sat & Mon, 10.30am; Sun 10am; $15-$19.50.

Netherlandish artist and designer Iris van Herpen.Credit: Courtesy of the artist

Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses

October 7 is the last day to see Dutch avant-garde fashion designer Iris van Herpen’s futuristic garments for Beyonce, Bjork, Cate Blanchett, Lady Gaga and Tilda Swinton. About 100 pieces are displayed with contemporary artwork, natural history specimens and cultural artefacts. Sat-Mon, 10am-5pm, $12-$30.

Brisbane Portrait Prize

Top artists have created paintings, photographs and experimental works that put Brisbane people in the picture. The exhibition in the SLQ Gallery at the State Library is free and well worth a look. Sat-Sun, 10am-5pm; Mon 9am-5pm, free.

Joker: Folie a Deux

Joaquin Phoenix reprises his Oscar-winning role as everyone’s favourite scary clown, and he’s joined by Lady Gaga as psychiatric patient Harley Quinn in this musical film sequel. In cinemas from Oct 3.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra: Vignettes

Saxophonist Nick Russionello joins the QSO to perform Debussy, Ravel, Mussorgsky, Gershwin and Satie in a morning of classical music’s jazziest moments in the Concert Hall at QPAC. Sun, 11.30am, $76-$109.

A cabin from the Titanic, recreated for Titanic: The Human Exhibition.Credit: Fever

Titanic: The Human Story

View real relics and full-size recreations of cabins from the doomed ship. Curated by renowned Titanic expert Claes-Goren Wetterholm, the exhibition is running at Uptown, on the Queen Street Mall. Sat-Mon, 9am-7pm, $31-$45.

Dinosaurs Unearthed at the Queensland Museum

The museum’s free permanent dinosaur display has been reimagined with touchscreens, 3D-printed maquettes and 4k animations alongside original fossils and more. Sat-Mon, 9.30am-5pm.

Former Australian of the Year, Grace Tame.Credit: Jason South

Lightening the Load with Grace Tame

Tame is a heroic fighter for survivors of child sexual assault. At this inspiring talk at the Brisbane Powerhouse, she’ll share her experiences navigating the public eye, establishing the Grace Tame Foundation, and combating child abuse. Sat, 7.30pm, $59-$74.

Browse Brisbane’s best markets

Markets take place across Brisbane and surrounds on Saturdays and Sundays. Among the most exciting are the Towri Growers Market on the Scenic Rim (Sat, Oct 5, $5) for locally grown, and the Global Food Markets in Logan Central for Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian, Sudanese and Islander produce and cuisine (Sun, Oct 6, free).

Wicked

A spectacular musical packed with earworms, this Wizard of Oz prequel is also a powerful portrayal of the insidious impact of fake news. Who truly is the wicked one? Find out at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC. Sat, 2pm & 7.30pm; Sun, 1pm & 6.30pm, $75-$230.

Brisbane Bullets v Sydney Kings

The Bullets are expecting their biggest season ever and this National Basketball League clash at Boondall will have them up against last year’s champions, the Kings. Sat, 8pm, $15-$740.

Plied and Prejudice

After three months of boozy shenanigans at Northshore Hamilton, this “drunken” version of Jane Austen’s Regency romance is finally closing. Sat, 1pm, 4pm & 7pm; Sun, 1pm & 4pm; $39-$59.

Limbo: The Return at the West End Electric

Strut and Fret’s fire-breathing, tightrope-walking circus burlesque has toured the world and now finds a home at this Boundary Street venue that has been refitted as a permanent cabaret-style venue. Sat, 5pm & 7.30pm; Sun 5.30pm, $63-$155.

Belinda Carlisle

Heaven is a place on earth, and that place is the Tivoli, where Go-Go’s legend and solo star Carlisle is doing two long-awaited shows on her Decades tour. Saturday is sold out, but be quick for Sunday. Sat-Sun, 7pm, $95.

Candee Flip

The Triffid’s big celebration of ’90s old-skool underground club and rave will feature Pee Wee Ferris, Bexta Live and Archie and Matt Nugent. Sat, 2pm-12am, $61.61.

Escape Hunt is one of the longest-running escape-room businesses in Brisbane.Credit: Nick Dent

Escape Hunt Escape Rooms

These West End escape rooms are operating the entire long weekend with one-hour challenges such as Blackbeard’s Treasure, Aladdin and the Magic Vault, The Jewel Thief and Bomb at Government House. Sat-Mon, 10.30am-7.30pm, $42-$48pp.

Cirque du Soleil – Luzia

This journey through Mexican culture by the famous Cirque du Soleil team features colourful costumes, stirring music and high-flying feats. It’s all happening under the Big Top at the Royal Queensland Golf Club until November 10. Sat, 4.30pm & 8pm; Sun-Mon, 1.30pm & 5.30pm, $76-$402.

A mini that appears in the Small and Compact exhibition at the Brisbane Motor Museum.Credit: Brisbane Motor Museum

Small and Compact at Brisbane Motor Museum

A new exhibition opening this weekend at Banyo’s automotive museum brings together delightfully small cars. See a Honda S600, a 1930s Morris Minor, a 1949 Fiat 500 Topolino, several classic Minis, and many more. Sat-Mon, 8am-3pm, $10.65-$25.

Riverlife Kayak Tour

Experience the city from water level with one of Riverlife’s Kayak Adventures. View the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, the Myora Shipwreck, Howard Smith Wharves and more on a 90-minute guided twilight or day tour. Sat-Sun, 9am, 11am, 1pm & 3pm, $75.

Out of town

Here and Now: Gold Coast Triennial plays at HOTA in Surfers Paradise, with art from 42 local practitioners, and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers continues with floral displays across the Garden City until October 7.

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