This was published 8 months ago
Fireworks, festivals and Boxing Day blockbusters: Things to do in Brisbane this week
By Nick Dent
The tradition of the Boxing Day movie is one that makes a lot of sense for the holiday season in Queensland. With the weather almost always steamy, retreating to a cinema is an easy way to chill out and recover from the indulgences of Christmas Day.
As always, this year’s films offer something for every demographic. For the superhero crowd, there’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. For fans of edgy cinema, there’s Poor Things. For the nostalgia set, there’s the reassuring presence of Anthony Hopkins in One Life. Romcom enthusiasts can select Anyone But You, while children are spoilt for choice with animated features Migration and Wish.
Say goodbye to 2023 at an end-of-year festival, or simply find yourself a great vantage point and settle in for the annual fireworks.
Monday, December 25
Settlement Cove in Redcliffe is one of the region’s free public pools.Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Outdoors: Cool down with a swim
Council pools are closed today but if you fancy a dip, head down to Streets Beach at South Bank, Wynnum Wading Pool, Settlement Cove in Redcliffe, Orion Lagoon in Springfield, or Enoggera Reservoir.
Exhibitions: The NBA Exhibition
Yes, it’s open on Christmas Day! Basketball aficionados can bounce into this exhibition of jerseys, sneakers, balls, trophies and more, or test their skills on interactive exhibits.
Queens Plaza, until Feb 4, $23-$32. Buy tickets.
Tuesday, December 26
Mark Ruffalo plays womanising lawyer Duncan Wedderburn, who runs off with Emma Stone’s Bella in Poor Things.
Film: Poor Things
Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite) has delivered what’s been described as his best film yet – with help from Aussie screenwriter Tony McNamara. Emma Stone again stars, this time as a woman-child emerging from the lab of a mad scientist (Willem Dafoe) to discover the world and herself.
In cinemas from Dec 26.
Film: Wish
Marking 100 years of Disney, this animated fantasy concerns an idealistic teenager, Asha (voiced by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose), in a fantastical kingdom where wishes are tightly controlled by a seemingly benevolent wizard-king (voiced by Chris Pine).
In cinemas from Dec 26.
Wednesday, December 27
The six-day Woodford Folk Festival involves more than 2000 performers and 438 events.
Festivals: Woodford Folk Festival
More than 2000 artists and musicians will perform over six days in concerts, dances, street theatre, writers’ panels, a film festival, comedy sessions, jams, debates, kids’ shows, workshops, circus, cabaret, parades and special events.
Woodfordia, 87 Woodrow Road, Woodford, Dec 27-Jan 1, $20-$725. Buy tickets.
Sport: Brisbane Bullets vs New Zealand Breakers
The formidable Breakers were finalists in March, and the Bullets face strong opposition in this round 12 game.
Nissan Arena, 6.30pm, $11-$560. Buy tickets.
Thursday, December 28
Loosely based on Much Ado About Nothing, Anyone But You hits all the familiar rom-com sweet spots.Credit: Brook Rushton/Sony via AP
Film: Anyone But You
Your highbrow excuse: it’s based on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Your real reason: Sydney Sweeney from Euphoria stars in this rom-com set in the exotic location of Sydney, Australia.
In cinemas from Dec 26.
Art: Fairy Tales
GOMA’s amazing exhibition of art, movie costumes and installations inspired by European storytelling traditions has works by Del Kathryn Barton, Gustave Dore, Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama, Ron Mueck, Tracey Moffatt and more, plus costumes from Jim Henson’s Labyrinth.
GOMA, until Apr 28, $0-$28. Buy tickets.
Friday, December 29
Under the sea: Jason Momoa in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Film: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Australia’s James Wan returns as director of the Aquaman sequel, with Jason Momoa in the title role and Nicole Kidman, Patrick Wilson and Amber Heard as various members of the Atlantean royal family.
In cinemas from Dec 26.
Cabaret: Suave
Roll up, roll up: the Pink Flamingo brings comedy, burlesque and acrobatics to a permanent home at Hamilton Northshore.
Pink Flamingo Spiegeland, Tue, Fri & Sat, $88.00-$218.00. Buy tickets.
Saturday, December 30
Meet the cast of Bluey’s Big Play at QPAC.
Kids: Bluey’s Big Play
Parents will be nagging their kids to go and see Bluey, Bingo, Chilli and Bandit in the flesh via this 50-minute theatrical presentation from Bluey’s creators.
Playhouse, QPAC, Dec 30-Jan 20, $44-$84. Buy tickets.
Film: One Life
Anthony Hopkins plays the elderly Nicholas Winton in a film that looks back on Winton’s humanitarian efforts rescuing refugee children from Czechoslovakia in 1938 and settling them in the UK. Helena Bonham Carter co-stars.
In cinemas from Dec 26.
Sunday, December 31
Polish star Iga Swiatek in action at Pat Rafter Arena earlier this year.Credit: Getty
Sport: Brisbane International
Pat Rafter Arena will be the scene of world-class racqueteering when the Brisbane International is held for the first time since 2020. Book now for the chance to see big hitters Rafael Nadal, Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka and Andy Murray.
Queensland Tennis Centre, Dec 31-Jan 7, from $29. Buy tickets.
Festivals: Wildlands NYE
See in the new year at this electronic and hip-hop-slanted music festival, with headliners Central Cee, Peggy Gou, A$AP Ferg, Rufus du Sol, The Jungle Giants, G Flip and many more.
Brisbane Showgrounds, $219.90-$269.90, 2.30pm-12.30am. Buy tickets.
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