Brisbane blockbuster events line-up to light up the month of May

The NRL’s Magic Round is just the start of a massive May for Brisbane’s events sector, with some huge sports events, arts, comedy and more on the horizon. See what else is coming to town.

IT’S not just Magic Round – it’s Magic May, with Brisbane set to reap the rewards of a blockbuster line-up of events.

The NRL’s annual festival of footy is expected to bring almost 50,000 visitors to Brisbane this week, driving an economic boom worth an estimated $50 million, but that’s only the beginning for a month projected to be worth more than $100m for the city economy.

The huge injection of cash would be $20m more than the same month last year and will be welcomed with open arms by the city’s tourism and hospitality operators.

Magic Round alone will see Brisbane hotels at more than 75 per cent occupancy, up almost 30 per cent on a typical event-free weekend for this time of year.

Supported by Brisbane Economic Development Agency, in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland, the packed calendar of events is viewed as a major motivator in luring travellers to the River City during what is traditionally one of the year’s quietest months.

NRL fan Ray Cramm, Torian Pro athlete Belinda Keogh, Camerata Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra -Marian Heckenberg and racing fan Scarlett Young are gearing up for a massive May in Brisbane. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

Game One of the women’s State of Origin series on Thursday night will kick off an extraordinary line-up of events, which also includes Magic Round, a Lions-Suns AFL blockbuster (May 4), the start of horse racing’s Stradbroke Season, the Brisbane Truck Show (May 15-18) and Swan Lake at QPAC (May 31-June 7).

QPAC will also host major performances from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Camerata Orchestra throughout the month.

Queensland will launch the defence of its State of Origin title in May. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Stradbroke Season, which rolls into June, will host several feature race days in May, including Guineas Day (May 3), the Doomben 10,000 (May 17), Doomben Cup (May 24) and Derby Day (May 31).

The mega month draws to a close with events including the artistic gymnastics state championships (May 23-27), the Torian Pro CrossFit competition (May 30-June 1), and Game One in the men’s State of Origin series (May 28).

The Brisbane Comedy Festival, which started this week, runs until May 25.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the line-up of events for the month of May was “world class”.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“We’re ecstatic to see so many world-class events coming to Brisbane and boosting our

economy this May,” he said.

“Our incredible range of events shows why we’re fast becoming globally recognised as a must-visit destination with a reputation for putting on a show.

“It’s going to be an amazing month of entertainment, providing so much to see and do in the lifestyle and events capital of Australia.”

Comedians Melanie Bracewell, Emma Holland, Anisa Nandaula, Geraldine Hickey, Nazeem Hussain, Becky Lucas and Luke McGregor prepare for the Brisbane Comedy Festival. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

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Originally published as Brisbane blockbuster events line-up to light up the month of May