Things to do during your summer holiday in Brisbane

While many people abandon the city over the holidays, Brisbane is also a great place to stay put. From international exhibitions to big-name concerts, movies under the stars to must-see sports, here is your guide to a summer of fun in the River City.

Got children to amuse? You can also check out our guide to the summer’s kid-friendly things to do.

Settlement Cove in Redcliffe is one of the region’s free public pools.Credit: City of Moreton Bay

1. Cool off at a public swimming pool

Brisbane City Council pools are just $2 entry again for everyone from now until the end of February. But there are also several spectacular free pools and waterholes around town worth a visit: namely Streets Beach (South Bank), Orion Lagoon (Springfield Central), Settlement Cove (Redcliffe), Wynnum Wading Pool (Wynnum) and Enoggera Reservoir (The Gap).

2. Polish off your Christmas shopping at a night market

Find unique gifts, handmade decorations and festive food at markets across town and beyond. Kids are well catered for with Santa Clauses, elves and other performers. Across SE Qld, until Dec 21.

God bless us, every one: A Christmas Carol returns for an incredible seventh season.Credit: David Fell

3. Get Scrooged again with A Christmas Carol

Not even the ghost of Christmas future could have predicted the staying power of this local stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ yuletide novella, which returns to QPAC for its seventh record-breaking season. Local acting great Eugene Gilfedder stars as always as Ebenezer Scrooge. Playhouse, QPAC, until Dec 24, $65-$75.

4. See cool cars of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s

Brisbane Motor Museum is bringing together famous cars from three different decades spanning the categories of muscle, sports and luxury, all lovingly restored by local owners. Brisbane Motor Museum, 959 Nudgee Road, Banyo, until Feb 23, daily 8am-3pm. Closed Dec 25-26 & Jan 1.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is part of the official Tolkien movie canon despite being an animation. Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

5. Catch new epic, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Tolkien returns to the big screen in this old-school anime directed by Kenji Kamiyama. Miranda Otto reprises the role of Eowyn to narrate the film, which is set 183 years before the original film trilogy. In cinemas from Dec 12.

6. See ballsy Oscar favourite Anora

Pretty Woman gets a gritty reboot with this comedy-drama about a Brooklyn sex worker (Mikey Madison) who becomes involved with the son of a Russian oligarch. Sean Baker’s film won the Palme D’Or at Cannes. In cinemas Dec 26.

Brisbane International takes place at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson.Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

7. Catch all the tennis action at the Brisbane International

Novak Djokovic leads the line-up of heavy hitters at Pat Rafter Arena when the Brisbane International returns. Book now for the opportunity to see Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Holger Rune, Frances Tiafoe and many more. Queensland Tennis Centre, Dec 29-Jan 5, $15-$515. Buy tickets.

8. Bliss out at the Woodford Folk Festival

More than 2,000 artists and musicians will perform over the six days – Alex the Astronaut, Baker Boy, Tia Gostelow, Meg Washington and Bic Runga are among the headliners. Come for the day, or camp for the duration – it’s one of Australia’s biggest events. Woodfordia, 87 Woodrow Road, Woodford, Dec 27-Jan 1, $35-$745. Buy tickets.

Ice Spice (seen here accepting an MTC Video Music Award last year) is performing at Wildlands NYE.Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

9. Do New Year’s Eve in style at Wildlands NYE

See in the New Year at this dance, electronic, indie and hip-hop music festival, featuring Fisher, Ice Spice, Chase & Status, and many more. Brisbane Showgrounds, $241.90, Tue Dec 31, 2.30pm-12.30am. Buy tickets.

10. Watch the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve fireworks

The best vantage points for the two big pyrotechnical displays are from Kangaroo Point Cliffs, South Bank Parklands, Wilson’s Outlook Reserve and Victoria Bridge. Venues across the city are putting on parties (rooftop bars are a hot ticket), and public transport running extra services. Tue Dec 31, 7.45pm & Wed Jan 1, 12am.

Emma Corrin stars as Anna Harding in director Robert Eggers’ remake of Nosferatu. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

11. Get your teeth into the new Nosferatu movie

Bill Skarsgard (It’s Pennywise) is the vampire in the new film from the director of The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman, Robert Eggers, whose unique feel for historical authenticity should mean the film should have all the aromas of blood and brimstone. In cinemas Dec 31.

12. Beat the clock and escape from an escape room

The door isn’t actually locked but the excitement is for real at Brisbane’s top escape rooms. For the uninitiated, an escape room is an airconditioned room(s) containing puzzles that must be solved by two to six players to achieve an ultimate goal. Find out more.

Umbrellas along the boardwalk at Howard Smith Wharves.Credit: Brisbane EDA

13. Have a sunset drink at Howard Smith Wharves

If you truly want to feel like you’re on holiday in the best city in Oz, get down to Felons or one of its sister venues to enjoy a beer or a savvy b under the Story Bridge while the ferries go by, the sun gets low and the city lights come up. Perfect. Find out more.

14. Have a picnic in the park

Sometimes the simple pleasures are the best. Why not find a cabana or shady spot and invite friends for a picnic or barbecue lunch? We love the Sherwood Arboretum and New Farm Park, but you can find one near you here.

Cylinder Beach on Stradbroke Island made the list of top beaches in Australia.Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

15. Take a day trip to North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) has great surf beaches and much more. Your safest swimming option is the patrolled Cylinder Beach, but there is good swimming to be had at Flinders Beach, Home Beach, and the epic, 32-kilometre Main Beach (stay in the patrolled areas). Don’t forget to do the Gorge Walk at Point Lookout. Find out more.

16. Savour a quality drop at a winery

Holiday times are wine times, so you may as well go straight to the source. Sirromet Winery in Mount Cotton, Cedar Creek Estate on Mount Tamborine and O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards are your closest options with cellar doors and restaurants – check ahead as bookings are often required.

The 2024 Australian production of Six The Musical plays in Brisbane in early 2025.Credit: James Morgan

17. Celebrate girl power with Six the Musical

The six wives of Henry VIII rewrite herstory in a vibrant musical that reimagines the queens as a truth-talking girl group. Playhouse, QPAC, Jan 2-Feb 9, $75-$189.50.

18. Visit the Museum of Brisbane

Head up the lift at City Hall to one of the city’s best free museums of art and artefacts. Frequent Clocktower Tours show how the famous clock works; and there are holiday activities for kids. Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, Brisbane. Daily 10am-5pm. Closed Dec 25-26 & Jan 1.

Haus Yuriyal’s Garpa (ground) paintings at the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Queensland Art Gallery.Credit: C Callistemon © QAGOMA

19. Witness the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

QAGOMA’s flagship show has work by 200 artists from 30 countries spanning painting, sculpture and installation. The exhibition is fascinating, free and a great way to spend hours in air-conditioned comfort. Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art, until Apr 27, free. Closed Dec 25-26.

20. Watch a movie outdoors

Brisbane has a permanent outdoor cinema in the Dendy Powerhouse Cinema, with a program of edgy new flicks and classic cinema. Moonlight Cinema’s latest season is well under way in Roma Street Parkland (lasting until February 16). South Bank is hosting a free Christmas Open Air Cinema December 14-21. And let’s not forget the Yatala Drive-In – Brisbane’s only permanent daily drive-in.

Danny (Fabian Andres) and Sandy (Annelise Hall) in Grease.Credit: Jeff Busby

21. Spend a summer night at Grease, the musical

The original high school musical, made into a 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, features classic songs like Greased Lightnin’ and You’re the One That I Want. Local legends Marcia Hines and Patti Newton join the cast for the limited four-week run. Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Jan 4-Feb 1, $69.90-$189.90.

22. Take your mummy to see Discovering Ancient Egypt

Five sarcophagi 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. Closed Dec 25-26.

New Jersey singer Natalie Jane is performing at The Tivoli.Credit: 10K Projects/Capitol Records

23. Get hit right in the feels with Natalie Jane

The vocal powerhouse from New Jersey is one of 2024’s breakthrough artists and she’s coming to Brisbane for her Sick to My Stomach Tour, playing bangers like AVA, Seven, Mentally Cheating, Do or Die and Intrusive Thoughts. The Tivoli, Wed Jan 8, $79.90.

24. Experience Finneas live

Billie’s big bro brings his considerable hitmaking skills to town on his For Crying Out Loud Tour. Fortitude Music Hall, Thu Jan 9, $97.

Actor and musician John Waters will play classic hits of the 1960s with his band.Credit: Jason South

25. Hear John Waters play 1960s hits of the British Invasion

Well known for his renditions of John Lennon Beatles tracks, Waters now presents a show of hits by the Kinks, the Who, the Moody Blues and other great UK guitar bands of the Radio Luxembourg era. Princess Theatre, Sat Jan 11, $69.90.

26. Say a little prayer with Dionne Warwick

Her versions of Walk on By, Anyone Who Had a Heart and I Say a Little Prayer are just the tip of an astonishing career. Warwick will be 84 when she steps on stage at QPAC for her One Last Time Tour, so we’re guessing she means it. Concert Hall, QPAC, Tue Jan 14, $119.90-$189.90.

Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore play old friends who reconnect in The Room Next Door. 

27. See Swinton and Moore, together at last in Almodovar’s The Room Next Door

Pedro Almodovar’s first English-language feature stars acting legends Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore as friends reunited in the face of mortality. In cinemas Dec 26.

28. Raise a glass of bubbles to Blanc de Blanc Encore

The purpose-built West End Electric is the memorable new venue for cabaret, circus and burlesque such as the outrageous Blanc de Blanc Encore. Take your seats, order some champagne, and live the vie boheme. West End Electric, 125 Boundary Road, West End, until Feb 16, $100-$156.

This tattoo machine was confiscated from HM Prison, Boggo Road in 1986 and donated to Queensland Museum.Credit: Queensland Museum

29. Uncover Secrets: Object of Intrigue at Queensland Museum

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, from Dec 14, Mon-Sun 9.30-5pm (closed Dec 25-26).

30. Take a full circuit with the 360 All Stars

This urban circus spectacular centres on all things that rotate: basketballs, BMX bikes, breakdancers and acrobats of all kinds. Brisbane local Gene Peterson leads a cast of world record holders and top musicians. Concert Hall, QPAC, Jan 10-19, $49-$59.

Kangaroo Point Bridge.Credit: Nick Dent

31. Take a walk across the new Kangaroo Point Bridge

Kangaroo Point Bridge offers a new and spectacular way to get from Kangaroo Point to the City Botanic Gardens by foot, bike or scooter. Stop for a coffee at Mulga Bill’s, or continue on and explore the whole suburb.

32. Pay a visit to Queen’s Wharf

That futuristic bunch of buildings by the river opened in August and it’s now home to restaurants, cafes, bars, and The Star casino and hotel. The Sky Deck observation platform is open 24 hours – grab a drink from the bar and experience a brand new view of Brisbane. William Street.

The Neon exhibition at the State Library of Queensland runs until FebruaryCredit: Joe Ruckli

33. See the bright lights of yesteryear at the Neon exhibition

Stefan’s rainbow, the Jo-Jo’s sign and Mr Fourex all feature in the State Library’s free Neon show. 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. Closed Dec 25-26.