Brisbane Archives - Page 2 of 22 - Fortitude Valley News

Fortitude Valley Gets a Taste of the Viral Dirty Soda Craze

Local entrepreneurs Madi and Will have transformed a quirky American beverage trend into Australia’s first permanent dirty soda shop, bringing customisable soft drinks to the vibrant streets of Fortitude Valley.

A Fresh Take on Soft Drinks

Originating in the United States over a decade ago, dirty soda is a unique twist on standard carbonated drinks. The concept involves taking a basic soft drink, such as cola or sparkling water, and mixing it with flavoured syrups, fresh fruit purées, and a splash of cream. Originally created as a sweet substitute for coffee and alcoholic beverages, the drinks recently gained global attention through American reality television.

Seeing the trend grow overseas, business owner Madeline Holthe wanted to bring the experience to her local community. After a successful run operating out of a brightly coloured pop-up trailer at various Brisbane markets in early 2024, she and co-founder Will expanded the operation into a permanent storefront.

Retro Vibes and Custom Flavours

Located in California Lane, the new shop called What’s Poppin’ offers a highly visual and nostalgic experience. The founders designed the space themselves, decorating it with pink splash walls, bright blue tiles, and neon signs. While there is not much seating inside, the scenic laneway provides a great place for visitors to walk and enjoy their drinks. The menu features 30 signature options using bases like Coke Zero, Mountain Dew, and energy drinks.

A crowd favourite is the signature drink called Sodies, which blends Coca-Cola with fresh lime, coconut, and coconut cream. Another popular choice is the Ocean soda, made with Blue Curacao, passionfruit, and coconut creamer. Customers can also completely customise their orders, a feature Holthe believes allows adults to feel the childhood excitement of visiting a lolly shop. Alongside the drinks, the store serves cookies in flavours like Nutella and Biscoff, with plans to add hot toasted sandwiches soon.

A Nationwide Beverage Shift

Starting the business was not completely smooth at first. Holthe noted that Australian consumers are sometimes slow to adopt new trends, initially making the early months of the business challenging. However, she observed that once locals tasted the unique flavour combinations, they quickly became regular customers. The success of What’s Poppin’ has sparked a wider movement across the country.

Similar independent shops are now appearing in Sydney and Melbourne. Even major fast-food chains are taking notice, with McDonald’s testing a range of iced dirty sodas in Queensland and Victoria, while Hungry Jack’s recently introduced a dirty cola mixed with coffee-style creamer and coconut syrup.

Planning a Visit

For those wanting to try the dessert-style drinks, the shop is located at 22 McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley. The store operates Tuesday through Sunday, offering daytime service throughout the week along with extended late-night hours until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to cater to the busy weekend laneway crowd.

Published Date 25-May-2026

Brisbane’s Golden Triangle Welcomes Its Newest Commercial Tower

Investa

The $700 million 360 Queen Street tower has officially opened in Brisbane’s Golden Triangle, bringing a 33-storey premium office building to the CBD that will hold the title of the city’s newest commercial tower until Dexus’ North Tower at Waterfront Brisbane completes in late 2028, a gap of more than two and a half years.

The joint venture between Charter Hall and Investa, developed through the Charter Hall Prime Office Fund and Investa Commercial Property Fund, marked the official opening on 1 May 2026 after a build that ran approximately 12 months beyond its original schedule, navigated through a period Carmel Hourigan, Charter Hall’s Office CEO, describes simply as “one of the hardest periods working in office.”

“Going through the Covid pandemic, cyclones, flooding, a massive cost escalation and productivity issues was challenging for the joint venture partners,” Hourigan said.

The building is 95 per cent pre-committed and currently half full, with tenants progressively completing fit-outs and relocating across the coming months.

From a 40-storey plan to a 33-storey building

The tower that opened bears only a partial resemblance to what was first proposed. The original concept was a 40-storey building, and scaling it back to 33 storeys was, by Investa CEO Pete Menegazzo’s own account, not a smooth internal process.

“When decisions were made we were just coming out of Covid and so there were still a lot of questions about what was going on in the office market in the longer term and higher levels for precommitments were a risk,” Menegazzo said. “It was a healthy debate we needed to have.”

The decision proved well-calibrated. By the time the building reached completion, the Brisbane office market had moved firmly in its favour, with the newest tenants paying a net effective rent approximately 40 per cent higher than HopgoodGanim Lawyers and BDO, who both signed in early 2022 as the first tenants committed to the building.

Hourigan acknowledged the early commitment to those businesses: “The early birds certainly got the worm.”

Inside 360 Queen Street

Designed by Blight Rayner Architecture and built by Hutchinson Builders, 360 Queen Street delivers premium office floors alongside a suite of amenities built around the direction that workplace design has been moving.

A dedicated wellness centre, a multi-functional conference and business hub, a curated retail laneway, cafes and an activated ground plane bring a mix of uses to the building that reflects the contemporary expectation that premium offices need to be destinations rather than simply places to sit at a desk.

Positioned within the Golden Triangle, the 360 Queen Street tower sits right on the CBD’s northern gate, putting both Fortitude Valley and the major law and finance hubs within arm’s reach.

The joint venture intends to hold the asset long-term.

“I think we’ll just enjoy it,” Hourigan said.

Brisbane’s premium pipeline is thin from here

The significance of 360 Queen Street for Brisbane’s office market extends beyond the building itself. With its completion, Brisbane effectively exits its current pipeline of premium office supply for more than two years.

The next major addition will be Dexus’ North Tower, the taller of the two towers in the $2.5 billion Waterfront Brisbane development on the northern edge of the CBD, which is due for completion at the end of 2028.

For tenants seeking large-floor-plate premium space in Brisbane between now and late 2028, the choices are effectively fixed. That supply constraint, combined with the continued migration of tenants from older-stock buildings to premium assets, underpins the rental growth trajectory that has already made 360 Queen Street’s newest leases substantially more expensive than its founding ones.

For leasing enquiries at 360 Queen Street, click here.

Published 7-May-2026

Historic Treasury Building to Become Griffith’s New AI and Cyber Security Hub

COX Architecture

Griffith University’s School of Information and Communications Technology, home to Queensland’s top-ranked artificial intelligence programme, will move from its Nathan campus into the heart of Brisbane’s CBD from 2027. The move establishes the heritage-listed Treasury Building as the state’s most significant urban technology and AI learning hub.

The transformation of the Treasury Building—formerly operated as a casino by The Star Entertainment Group and acquired by Griffith for $67.5 million—marks a major milestone in the adaptive reuse of Queensland’s heritage architecture. COX Architecture is leading the design and fitout of the iconic landmark.

The campus will welcome its first intake of students in 2027, eventually accommodating roughly 6,000 students and 200 staff members at full operation.

A building that has always shaped Queensland’s story

The Treasury Building on Queen Street is one of Brisbane’s most significant heritage-listed structures, its ornate Baroque Revival sandstone façade remaining a fixture of the CBD skyline for more than a century. It began life as Queensland’s colonial treasury, transitioned through phases as a public service building, and most recently served as a casino.

Now, it begins its next chapter as a purpose-built learning environment.

The decision to bring Griffith’s ICT school into this central space is a deliberate strategy to bridge academia and industry. Professor Ernest Foo, who leads the school, noted that the central location offers unmatched opportunities for collaboration.

“Bringing ICT students together in the Treasury Building will offer so many opportunities to build connections that they’ll take into their future careers,” Professor Foo said. “The Treasury Building will allow us to build on the work we currently do to connect students from across disciplines to collaborate and work with industry partners in real-world scenarios.”

AI and cyber security at the centre of the vision

The ICT school’s relocation anchors the Treasury’s identity as a technology hub focused on two critical disciplines: artificial intelligence and cyber security. Professor Foo explained that AI sits at the core of the school’s teaching and research initiatives.

“Artificial intelligence is one of those big disruptors in the modern world,” Professor Foo said. “It’s changing the way we work. And it’s not one of those things to be feared so much, but it’s one of those things that we can take advantage of.”

Griffith was the first university in Queensland to offer a dedicated Bachelor of Cyber Security degree, alongside its master’s programme. Professor Foo highlighted that industry demand for specialist cyber security professionals continues to outpace the supply of graduates.

“From listening to industry, we’ve found that there’s a big need for more people with that specialist knowledge. Being located in the Treasury Building in Brisbane will help us to meet that need.”

The university will run its signature industry simulation events and tech hackathons directly from the CBD campus. These practical intensives bring together students from IT, business, law, and criminology to tackle real-world digital threats, delivering the exact cross-disciplinary experience modern employers demand.

Students who are already thinking about what it means

Master of Cyber Security student Henry Ng said the Treasury Building’s combination of heritage and technology makes the move unique.

“I think it’s really interesting to see a historic building like the Treasury Building being used for a future-focused field like IT,” Ng said. “That contrast between heritage and technology makes it quite unique.”

For Ng, the CBD location changes the texture of student life by lowering the barrier to professional networking.

“Being in the CBD also means we’re closer to industry, so it creates more opportunities to connect what we learn with what’s happening in the real world,” he said. “Being in the city also means more people will see and interact with Griffith students, which builds a stronger presence and makes the experience feel more dynamic.”

This perspective reflects how modern universities are integrating directly into city infrastructure. Griffith’s teaching framework is guided by an Industry Advisory Board—a panel of sector experts who align curriculum with current industry needs to ensure graduates possess highly targeted, hirable skills.

What opens alongside ICT

The Treasury Building will not function exclusively as an AI and technology hub. The campus will also house undergraduate and postgraduate business and law degrees, alongside postgraduate and executive education programmes.

By drawing thousands of local and international students directly into the heart of the city, the central hub will inject significant economic activity into the Brisbane CBD.

The new Brisbane City campus will complement Griffith’s existing presence at South Bank, home to the Queensland College of Art and Design, the Griffith Film School, and the Queensland Conservatorium.

Construction is currently underway, and the Treasury Building campus will officially open to students in 2027.

Published 6-May-2026

What QUT’s CBD Campus Could Look Like by 2050

Queensland University of Technology

A 25-year vision for Queensland University of Technology‘s riverside Gardens Point campus in Brisbane’s CBD proposes purpose-built science and engineering precincts, a new business and law faculty building co-located with a conference centre, hotel and student accommodation, and dramatically improved connections to the City Botanic Gardens and the Brisbane River.

Released in March, the 2026 to 2050 Campus Master Plan outlines the most ambitious redevelopment of the Gardens Point campus since QUT’s establishment as a university in 1989, positioning the site as a genuine city-shaping precinct in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Gardens Point campus sits in Brisbane’s city centre beside the river and the City Botanic Gardens. At its centre stands a heritage building dating to 1862. The masterplan leverages this riverside setting to better connect the campus with the surrounding city.

Science, Engineering and a Whole New Precinct for Business and Law

The most structurally significant proposals for Gardens Point involve the creation of dedicated, purpose-built precincts for science and engineering. These proposals consolidate and upgrade facilities currently spread across the campus, giving the university’s technical and research disciplines a more coherent physical home.

The plan also delivers a new building for QUT’s business and law faculties, co-located with a conference centre, hotel and student accommodation in a mixed-use development that activates the campus beyond typical university hours. QUT’s architecture and built environment, business, engineering, information technology, law, mathematics and science students are based at Gardens Point, right in the centre of Brisbane, and the new building would serve as a landmark focal point for that community.

Getting the River Connection Right

One of the consistent themes to emerge from five years of community and staff engagement that shaped the masterplan was the sense that Gardens Point has never fully capitalised on its extraordinary location beside the Brisbane River and the City Botanic Gardens.

*Arrival points will be reimagined as clear, welcoming gateways that strengthen QUT’s presence and invite the community and public in. Photo Credit: QUT*

The plan addresses this directly, proposing better pedestrian walkways to connect the campus to the gardens and the riverfront. These connections would allow students, staff and visitors to move fluidly between the academic precinct and some of Brisbane’s best public spaces, making Gardens Point feel less like an island and more like an extension of the city.

*Courtyards and plazas link the campus to nearby parklands, creating a more open, welcoming and connected space for the public. Photo Credit: QUT*

The Campus Master Plan positions the Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses as vibrant, collaborative hubs that foster innovation, creativity and real-world impact, while ensuring QUT’s physical environment remains people-centred, flexible and future-focused.

A Plan Decades in the Making

QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil said the vision had been shaped by genuine consultation. “By aligning with Brisbane’s broader growth and development strategy, the Campus Master Plan ensures QUT remains accessible, future-ready and central to the city’s economic, social and cultural life,” she said.

The masterplan reflects five years of engagement with staff, students, industry partners and the broader community, highlighting recurring themes including the need for more collaborative spaces, better connections to the surrounding city and a campus environment that supports both academic excellence and student wellbeing.

The full document spans both the Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses and provides a high-level framework to guide development, investment and renewal across the next decade and beyond. Expressions of interest for the first elements of the plan, focusing on student accommodation at Kelvin Grove, are already underway, signalling that the university is moving from vision to action.

The full Campus Master Plan is available to download at here. Enquiries can be directed to masterplan@qut.edu.au.

Published 13-April-2026

Two 15-Storey Co-Living Towers Planned for Constance Street in Fortitude Valley

DA A006972487

A development application for two 15-storey towers containing 312 co-living units has been lodged for 24-26 and 26A Constance Street in Fortitude Valley, proposing one of the suburb’s largest purpose-built co-living projects yet in a precinct already transforming rapidly.

The proposal, designed by Rothelowman with planning by Urbis and landscaping by LatStudios, would deliver 312 self-contained one-bedroom rooms across two podium-and-tower buildings on a site of approximately 1,551 square metres. The application was lodged on 27 February 2026 under reference A006972487. Each room includes a private living area, kitchenette and bathroom, with shared facilities including a swimming pool, gym, indoor dining areas, barbecue and outdoor dining spaces, communal seating and landscaped recreation areas distributed across the buildings.

Ground level activation is a prominent feature of the design. A publicly accessible but privately maintained laneway would run through the site, lined with small retail kiosks, a town-square style open space, concierge and resident lounge areas, landscaped seating and planting. The laneway concept connects through from Constance Street and is intended to add a pedestrian dimension to what is currently an underutilised block directly opposite the BMW dealership, about 250 metres from The Wickham hotel.

What Co-Living Means in Practice

Co-living sits somewhere between a traditional apartment and a serviced residence. Each unit in the Constance Street proposal functions as a self-contained room with its own bathroom and kitchenette, but residents share a significantly broader suite of communal amenities than a typical apartment building provides. The model is particularly popular with young professionals, students and short-term residents who prioritise location and community over space, and it typically comes at a lower price point than a comparable standalone apartment.

Two 15-Storey Co-Living Towers Planned for Constance Street in Fortitude Valley — *Photo Credit: DA A006972487*

The application classifies the units as rooming accommodation and short-term accommodation under Brisbane’s planning scheme, reflecting the flexible way the operator intends to use the building. Urbis notes in its planning report that the proposal is consistent with the planning intent of the Principal Centre Zone and the Fortitude Valley Neighbourhood Plan, both of which support high-density residential development in a location well served by surrounding amenities and public transport.

No on-site car parking is proposed, with 30 bicycle spaces planned instead. The application notes that parts of the block may be susceptible to flooding, a detail that will form part of the formal assessment process.

Fortitude Valley’s Co-Living and Build-to-Rent Boom

The Constance Street proposal arrives in a Valley already thick with development activity. Arklife, the developer behind the current application under the “Arklife Little Constance” branding, previously lodged plans for a 31-storey build-to-rent development nearby on Constance Street with 327 units alongside retail and office space. A separate development application for two build-to-rent towers directly above The Zoo music venue on Ann Street was lodged in 2023. Earlier this year, plans emerged to redevelop the historic former Keating’s Bread Factory between Warry and Kennigo streets with 100 units across 17 storeys.

Together, these projects point to Fortitude Valley as one of the most active apartment development corridors in south-east Queensland, driven by its central location, excellent transport links and the strong demand from young professionals and students who want to live close to the inner city without the price tag of New Farm or Teneriffe.

Fortitude Valley sits within Brisbane’s Principal Centre Zone, which explicitly supports high-density residential development, and the suburb’s relative affordability compared to adjoining inner-city precincts continues to attract both developers and renters in large numbers.

Why This Matters to the Fortitude Valley Community

For residents of Fortitude Valley and the surrounding inner-city suburbs, the Constance Street proposal raises questions that are worth engaging with now, before the assessment process concludes. Co-living development at this scale brings genuine benefits, including more housing supply in a high-demand area, ground-level activation through the public laneway and the kind of rooftop and communal amenity that enlivens a streetscape. It also raises practical questions about pedestrian flow through the laneway, the absence of on-site parking in a street with existing congestion pressures and the flooding risk flagged in the application documents.

No public submissions have been received on the application at the time of writing, which means the window for community input remains open. Residents, nearby businesses and anyone with an interest in how the Constance Street block develops can lodge a submission through the development application portal. Submissions should be based on planning grounds and address specific aspects of the proposal such as built form, traffic, flooding, amenity or neighbourhood character.

The application reference is A006972487 and can be viewed in full through this link. The submission period is open and residents are encouraged to engage with the proposal while the formal assessment is underway.

Published 18-March-2026.

Brisbane Crime Thriller Fortitude Valley Heads to ABC in 2027, With Filming Beginning in April

Brisbane’s most colourful inner-city precinct will provide the backdrop for a major new six-part ABC crime drama, with Queensland production company Moving Floor Entertainment set to begin filming Fortitude Valley in the suburb from April 2026 ahead of its 2027 national premiere on ABC TV and ABC iview.

The announcement confirms that one of Brisbane’s most cinematically distinctive and culturally loaded neighbourhoods is finally getting the screen treatment many have long argued it deserves. The series places Fortitude Valley at the centre of a crime thriller that moves through family secrets, underground power structures and the moral compromises that accumulate in a precinct where extremes of wealth and poverty have always coexisted within a few city blocks of each other. For residents and regulars of the Valley, the prospect of seeing their suburb rendered on screen with the full weight of a prestige Australian drama behind it carries a particular kind of significance.

The Series and the Story

Fortitude Valley is a six-part crime thriller exploring underground crime syndicates, family secrets, corruption and power plays set in the Queensland capital. The series stars AACTA Award-winning First Nations actor Hunter Page-Lochard, known for Reckless and The Newsreader, alongside acclaimed actress Kat Stewart, whose credits include Offspring, Black Snow and Five Bedrooms.

ABC crime drama Fortitude Valley starts filming in Brisbane in April 2026 and will air on ABC in 2027. — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Page-Lochard is not only the lead actor but one of the series’ three co-writers, sharing writing credits with Moving Floor Entertainment co-founders Stephen M. Irwin and Leigh McGrath. Direction falls to Sian Davies, with Andy Walker producing and Ross Allsop serving as co-producer. Executive producers are Irwin, McGrath, Greg Sitch and Page-Lochard, with ABC executive producers Brett Sleigh and Rachel Okine overseeing for the national broadcaster. International distribution is handled by DCD Rights.

The series carries major production investment from Screen Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Screen Queensland, and will film and complete post-production entirely within Queensland.

The Company Behind It

Moving Floor Entertainment was founded in 2020 by Brisbane-based writer-producers Stephen M. Irwin and Leigh McGrath, who had previously collaborated for seven years across productions including Harrow, Tidelands and Secrets and Lies. The company launched with a clear commitment to produce high-end drama from Queensland for international audiences, and Fortitude Valley marks its most significant project to date.

The pedigree behind the series is substantial. Irwin co-created the forensic crime series Harrow for the ABC, created and wrote Secrets and Lies, which the ABC Network later remade in the United States, and co-created the Tidelands for Netflix. McGrath co-created and co-executive produced all three seasons of Harrow and co-created Five Bedrooms, which now airs on Paramount Plus, Peacock and BBC One. Both have worked extensively with major broadcasters in the United Kingdom and the United States. Fortitude Valley marks the first project they have brought to screen where Brisbane’s streets are not merely a backdrop but the explicit subject of the story itself.

McGrath graduated from Griffith University in 1994, and his return to produce a landmark series set in his home city represents the kind of career arc that the Queensland screen industry has spent decades working to make possible.

Why Fortitude Valley

The Valley’s particular geography of contrasts, the Chinatown precinct, the heritage-listed Art Deco facades, Brunswick Street’s strip of venues and late-night trade, the social services concentrated along its edges and the significant levels of disadvantage that persist alongside recent gentrification, gives the series a built-in visual and thematic richness that few Australian suburbs can offer. It is a place where multiple Brisbanes overlap: the tourist precinct and the struggling community, the developer’s vision and the street-level reality.

Those contrasts have made Fortitude Valley fertile ground for storytelling across its history. The suburb’s real-world story includes the Fitzgerald Inquiry into police and political corruption that ran from 1987 to 1989 and fundamentally changed the relationship between law enforcement, vice industries and civic power in Queensland. The inquiry’s findings emerged largely from the Valley itself. A crime drama set in contemporary Fortitude Valley carries the weight of that history whether it addresses it explicitly or not, and it gives the series a depth of local cultural memory that purely fictional settings cannot replicate.

What It Means for Queensland Screen

The Fortitude Valley production joins a growing slate of work that positions Queensland as a serious force in the Australian drama landscape. Screen Queensland’s current supported productions include Muster Dogs, Dance with Tom, Troppo Season Two and the upcoming Dustfall. Fortitude Valley, backed by both Screen Australia and Screen Queensland through the Screen Finance Fund and the Post, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive, represents the largest locally created drama production the state has supported in recent years.

Every cast and crew position, every day of location shooting through the Valley’s streets and laneways, every post-production hour completed in Queensland contributes to an industry infrastructure that needs exactly this kind of sustained, high-profile investment to retain and develop the talent pipeline that makes future productions possible.

Filming begins in Brisbane in April 2026. Fortitude Valley airs on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2027.

Published 1-March-2026.

This Week in Brisbane: Horror Icons and Arthouse Classics from 26 February to 4 March 2026

Cinemas across Brisbane light up this week with the terrifying return of a horror icon and a brand-new drama. Whether you’re ready to face Ghostface once again or looking to dive into international cinematic masterpieces at GOMA, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.

Opening This Week

Scream 7

In cinemas from 26 February

Do you like scary movies? Ghostface is back to terrorize a new set of victims in the highly anticipated seventh installment of the iconic slasher franchise. Catch it at Event Cinemas (City, Carindale, Chermside, Indooroopilly, Mt Gravatt), Palace, Dendy, Five Star Cinemas, Cinebar, Angelika, Reading, Cineplex, and HOYTS.

Solo Mio

In cinemas from 26 February

A fresh new drama hits the screens this week. Catch it at Event Cinemas (City, Carindale, Chermside, Indooroopilly, Mt Gravatt), Angelika, Cinebar, Cineplex (Balmoral, Victoria Point, Redbank), Reading, HOYTS, and United Eldorado.

GOMA: Cinema Masterpieces

Special screenings at the Gallery of Modern Art

Days of Heaven (1978) – 27 Feb
Querelle (1982) – 27 Feb
Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965) – 28 Feb
The Colour of Pomegranates (1969) – 28 Feb
The Lighthouse (2019) – 4 Mar

Still Showing

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

The King’s immersive concert experience continues to rock major cinemas across Brisbane.

Fackham Hall

The hilarious British period drama spoof is still delivering laughs at Event, Palace, Dendy, and Five Star Cinemas.

Crime 101

Chris Hemsworth’s gritty heist thriller continues its run at Event, Palace, Dendy, and HOYTS.

Wuthering Heights

Margot Robbie’s modern take on the gothic romance is still showing across the city.

From edge-of-your-seat slashers to visually stunning art-house classics, Brisbane’s cinemas are packed with incredible stories this week. Grab some popcorn and enjoy a screening near you.

Weekend Arts Edit: Nell Gwynn Premiere and Candlelight Concerts on 27 February to 1 March 2026

This is a massive weekend for the arts in Brisbane. The blockbuster Art of Banksy exhibition enters its final days in the CBD, while QPAC is buzzing with everything from the lush cinematic sounds of The Music of John Williams to the lavish stage production of The Great Gatsby. For art lovers, Saturday offers a rare chance to hear directly from contemporary painters like Carlos Barrios and Helle Cook at their respective gallery talks.

The Art of Banksy “Without Limits” Chapter Two

20 February – 1 March 2026 | Uptown, Brisbane City
Get Tickets

Do not miss your last chance to experience the underground energy of the world’s most elusive street artist. This unprecedented new chapter features over 300 artworks—including more than 100 original pieces—alongside cutting-edge holograms, sculptures, and immersive installations.

The Music of John Williams

27 – 28 February 2026 | Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Experience the cinematic magic of the world’s greatest film composer. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra brings the iconic, sweeping scores of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter to life in a spine-tingling live performance.

The Great Gatsby

12 February – 8 March 2026 | Playhouse, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Step into the roaring twenties. Queensland Theatre’s lavish production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece continues its dazzling run. Expect glitz, glamour, and tragedy as Jay Gatsby tries to win back his lost love in a world of excess.

Blanc de Blanc Encore

19 February – 19 April 2026 | The West End Electric, West End
Get Tickets

The champagne-soaked party is back in West End! Blanc de Blanc Encore serves up a hedonistic blend of vintage French cabaret, jaw-dropping circus acts, and cheeky comedy. It’s a high-energy, adults-only night out.

Nell Gwynn

28 February – 7 March 2026 | New Benner Theatre, Metro Arts, West End
Get Tickets

Travel back to 17th-century London in this vibrant, award-winning comedy. Nell Gwynn tells the story of an unlikely heroine who goes from selling oranges in the West End to becoming Britain’s most celebrated actress (and the King’s mistress).

Institute of Modern Art (IMA) Events

28 February 2026 | IMA, Fortitude Valley Immerse yourself in contemporary discussions and live art this Saturday at the IMA:

Platform 2026 Performances: Experience bold new performance art from emerging creatives pushing boundaries. More Info
Are the Arts for Everyone?: A thought-provoking panel discussion tackling accessibility, inclusion, and the role of art in modern society. More Info

The Other Side of Me

27 – 28 February 2026 | Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Catch this compelling theatrical exploration of identity, culture, and connection. It is a deeply personal and physically dynamic performance playing for two nights only in the intimate Cremorne Theatre.

Live Jazz at the Brisbane Jazz Club

27 February – 1 March 2026 | Kangaroo Point

Emma Pask Quartet (Fri 27 & Sat 28): One of Australia’s favourite jazz vocalists brings her effortless charm and swing to the riverside. Tickets
Andy Cowan Band (Sun 1 Mar): Wind down your weekend with some premier blues and roots piano. Tickets

Candlelight Concerts

27 – 28 February 2026 | Grand on Ann, Brisbane City

Experience the magic of live music illuminated by thousands of candles in a stunning heritage venue:

Tribute to Taylor Swift: Classical renditions of the pop icon’s biggest eras. Tickets
Tribute to Queen & The Beatles: A string quartet takes on the greatest hits of British rock royalty. Tickets

Gallery Exhibitions & Artist Talks

Various Locations

Carlos Barrios | ‘Heart Songs’ (Artist Talk: Sat 28 Feb, 2pm): Mitchell Fine Art, Fortitude Valley. Hear Barrios discuss his life-affirming, expressive paintings informed by his upbringing in El Salvador. More Info
Helle Cook | Nature of Light (Artist Talk: Sat 28 Feb): Jan Manton Gallery, Teneriffe. Engage with the artist on her luminous, atmospheric works before the exhibition closes this weekend. More Info
Fiona Omeenyo | Night & Day: FireWorks Gallery, Bowen Hills. Explore striking contemporary Indigenous works from the celebrated Lockhart River artist. More Info

Hush

1 March 2026 | Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

The Southern Cross Soloists present Hush, a sublime Sunday afternoon concert featuring exquisite chamber music designed to soothe the soul and showcase breathtaking virtuosity.

British Film Festival Premiere: Midwinter Break

1 March 2026 | Palace Barracks & Palace James St Cinema
Get Tickets

Get a sneak peek at the Russell Hobbs British Film Festival with this special preview screening of Midwinter Break, a touching and beautifully acted drama about a couple reflecting on their long marriage during a trip to Amsterdam.

This weekend is a pivotal one for Brisbane’s arts scene. With the blockbuster Art of Banksy exhibition finally closing its doors, this is your absolute last opportunity to experience its immersive installations. Meanwhile, theatregoers are spoiled for choice with the opening of the lively comedy Nell Gwynn in West End and the ongoing spectacle of The Great Gatsby at QPAC. Whether you are losing yourself in the sweeping cinematic scores of John Williams or exploring contemporary conversations at the IMA, there is a profound depth of culture to experience before autumn officially arrives.

Cultural Fun: Holi Festival and Lunar New Year Rooftop Party on February 27 to March 1, 2026

This weekend offers some truly spectacular, once-a-year experiences for families. From getting gloriously messy at the Brisbane Festival of Colour (Holi) in Mount Gravatt to exploring the dinosaur skeletons after dark at A Night at the Museum, there is plenty of magic to be found. It is also your absolute last chance to play the artist-designed mini-golf course at the Powerhouse.

Brisbane Festival of Colour – Holi

28 February 2026 | Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, Mount Gravatt
Get Tickets

Get ready for a vibrant, messy, and joyous Saturday. Celebrate the traditional Indian festival of Holi with music, dancing, and the iconic throwing of coloured powders. It is a wonderfully inclusive, high-energy event that kids absolutely love (just make sure everyone wears an old white t-shirt!).

A Night at the Museum

27 February 2026 | Queensland Museum Kurilpa, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Have you ever wondered what happens in the museum after the doors close? Grab your torch and find out! This special Friday night event offers exclusive after-hours access to exhibits, hands-on activities, and a rare chance to explore the galleries in a thrilling, low-light atmosphere.

Lunar New Year Rooftop Party

28 February 2026 | Sunnybank Plaza – Cinema Rooftop, Sunnybank
More Info

Sunnybank wraps up its Lunar New Year celebrations with a massive rooftop party. Expect a bustling evening filled with incredible Asian street food, traditional lion dances, cultural performances, and a festive atmosphere perfect for the whole family to enjoy together.

Swingers – The Art of Mini Golf

10 January – 1 March 2026 | Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Get Tickets

Time is up! This is your final weekend to putt your way through this unique, artist-designed mini-golf course set up around the Powerhouse. It is a fantastic, interactive art experience that doubles as a fun, competitive game for the family.

Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs: The Smurfs

28 February 2026 | Regent Park, Cannon Hill
More Info

Pack a picnic rug and some snacks for a free movie under the stars. Regent Park is hosting a family-friendly screening of The Smurfs. Arrive early to grab a good spot on the grass and enjoy the community atmosphere before the film begins at sundown.

UQ Alumni Book Fair 2026

27 February – 1 March 2026 | UQ Centre – St Lucia Campus, St Lucia
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Build your home library on a budget! The famous UQ Book Fair is a treasure trove for families. Spend a few hours hunting through thousands of high-quality, pre-loved children’s books, educational materials, and young adult fiction at bargain prices.

Library STEAM & Museum Science Sessions

27 February – 1 March 2026 | Various Locations

Ignite your child’s curiosity with these free educational sessions:

Little Sparks (Fri 27 Feb): The final day of the Museum’s play-based STEM program for 3-5 year olds. Info
Family STEAM Morning (Sat 28 Feb): Science, tech, and art activities for families at Carina Library. Info
STEAM Sundays (Sun 1 Mar): Weekend science fun at Indooroopilly Library. Info

First 5 Forever & Storytime in the Park

27 February 2026 | Various Locations

Friday morning is all about early literacy and outdoor fun for the littlest Brisbanites.

Babies, Books and Rhymes: Held at Corinda, Wynnum, Annerley, Mt Gravatt, Kenmore, Stones Corner, Bracken Ridge, Sandgate, Carina, and Mitchelton libraries. Info
Storytime in the Park: Enjoy fresh air and a good book at Dorrington Park, Ashgrove. Info

Vipoo Srivilasa: Express Yourself

Until 13 September 2026 | Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), South Brisbane
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If you need an indoor, air-conditioned activity, the Children’s Art Centre at GOMA continues to host this delightful, interactive exhibition where kids can engage in creative, hands-on art-making centered around themes of joy and kindness.

This weekend is a brilliant mix of education and pure celebration. A Night at the Museum is an unforgettable way to kick off Friday evening, while Saturday is dominated by massive cultural parties with Holi on the southside and the Lunar New Year closing party in Sunnybank.

Hip-Hop to House: De La Soul, Kerser, and Basement Jaxx Live on February 27 to March 1, 2026

This weekend brings massive outdoor parties and heavy-hitting comedy to Brisbane. The Riverstage hosts double headliners with G Flip on Friday and dance legends Basement Jaxx on Sunday, while Eagle Farm gets drenched for the S2O Australia music festival. For a laugh, Aussie icon Carl Barron kicks off a massive residency at QPAC, joined by international comic Chris D’Elia hitting the Valley.

G Flip

27 February 2026 | Riverstage, Brisbane City
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One of Australia’s most dynamic live performers takes over the Riverstage. G Flip’s high-energy show—featuring their signature drumming, powerful vocals, and infectious pop-rock anthems—is guaranteed to be a massive, crowd-pleasing start to the weekend.

Basement Jaxx

1 March 2026 | Riverstage, Brisbane City
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Where’s your head at? UK dance music pioneers Basement Jaxx bring their legendary live show to the Riverstage to close out the weekend. Expect a euphoric, colourful spectacle packed with classic house and electronic anthems from the late 90s and 2000s.

S2O Australia – Brisbane 2026

28 February 2026 | Royal Queensland Golf Club, Eagle Farm
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Prepare to get wet. The famous “Songkran Music Festival” arrives in Brisbane, transforming Eagle Farm into a massive outdoor dance party. Combining world-class EDM and hardstyle DJs with 360-degree water cannons, it is a uniquely high-energy summer festival experience.

Droppin’ Science: De La Soul with Oddisee & Good Company

1 March 2026 | Cultural Forecourt, South Brisbane
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Hip-hop royalty graces South Bank. Legendary trio De La Soul brings their Native Tongues flavor and iconic daisy-age rap to the Cultural Forecourt, supported by the soulful sounds of Oddisee and rising star Miss Kaninna.

Carl Barron: Just Wondering Why

28 February – 15 March 2026 | Lyric Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane
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Australia’s most popular stand-up comedian kicks off a massive two-week run at the Lyric Theatre. Carl Barron returns with his trademark observational humour, blending deadpan delivery with hilarious musings on everyday life.

Black Country, New Road

28 February 2026 | The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
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Critically acclaimed UK experimental rock band Black Country, New Road makes their highly anticipated return to Brisbane. Known for their sprawling, emotive instrumentation and deeply affecting live performances, this is a must-see for indie music fans.

Ty Segall

27 February 2026 | The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba
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The prolific king of modern garage rock and psychedelic fuzz, Ty Segall, tears up the Princess Theatre. Expect face-melting guitar solos, frantic energy, and a setlist pulled from his vast and eclectic discography.

Kerser

28 February 2026 | The Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley
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The king of Australian underground hip-hop hits the Valley. Kerser’s raw, unfiltered storytelling and massive cult following ensure that his shows are always loud, rowdy, and unforgettable.

Chris D’Elia

1 March 2026 | The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
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American stand-up comedian and podcaster Chris D’Elia brings his highly physical, off-the-cuff brand of comedy to The Tivoli for a Sunday night special.

Clare Bowditch with Iain Grandage: What Was Left Reimagined

28 February 2026 | Powerhouse Theatre, New Farm
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ARIA Award-winning artist Clare Bowditch teams up with acclaimed composer Iain Grandage for a deeply intimate performance. They will be reimagining Bowditch’s beloved songs with lush new arrangements in the beautiful setting of the Powerhouse.

Hothouse Flowers

27 February 2026 | The Triffid, Newstead
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The beloved Irish rock band brings their fusion of traditional folk, gospel, and rock to Newstead. Decades into their career, their live shows remain a joyous and soulful celebration.

The 046 – Legacy In Motion Tour

27 February 2026 | The Brightside (Outdoors), Fortitude Valley
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Western Sydney rap group The 046 bring their G-Funk inspired hip-hop to the Brightside’s outdoor stage, proving why they are one of the most exciting acts in the current Aussie drill and rap scene.

Choirboys – Great Australian Rock N Roll Stories

28 February 2026 | The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba
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It’s not just a gig; it’s a history lesson with guitars. The Choirboys play their classic hits while sharing the wild, untold stories of the 80s Australian pub rock scene.

Brisbane FITC 2026 (Turf Games)

28 February – 1 March 2026 | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
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If you prefer lifting over moshing, the BCEC hosts a massive functional fitness competition. Watch athletes push their limits across the weekend in a high-adrenaline arena environment.

More Weekend Live Music

27 Feb – 1 Mar 2026 | Various Venues

Aaradhna (Sat 28): The award-winning NZ R&B and soul singer plays Mansfield Tavern. Tickets
The Australian Van Morrison Show (Fri 27): Classic hits at Royal Quarters, Nundah. Tickets
Bradley McCaw in 52nd Street (Sat 28): A stunning Billy Joel tribute at The Old Museum. Tickets
Frost Children (Sun 1): Hyperpop and glitchy electronic chaos at the Crowbar. Tickets
Rise and Vibe (Sat 28): A morning social and music meetup at Queen Amann Bakery. More Info

This is an incredibly strong weekend for outdoor events before autumn truly sets in. Whether you want the pop-rock energy of G Flip at the Riverstage, the classic hip-hop vibes of De La Soul on the South Bank forecourt, or the absolute sensory overload of the S2O Water Festival, make sure you plan your transport early.