Iconic British bands and sleighs of festive fun – here’s what’s on in Brisbane this weekend
This weekend promises oodles of festive fun, live music, art and theatre to get you ready to charge full steam ahead into silly season. With some sun finally on the forecast, this weekend marks the perfect opportunity to get out and about. From iconic British bands and side-splitting comedians to enchanting light displays and twilight markets, there’s plenty to do this weekend, November 21–24.
Concerts on in Brisbane this weekend
Iconic new-wave London band The The is performing two shows at The Fortitude Music Hall. After four decades of making music, The The is sharing its legacy for the first time in Brisbane in more than 30 years. Expect favourites you know and love, such as ‘This Is The Day’ and ‘Uncertain Smile’, as well as some newer material. The The has shows on Saturday November 23 and Sunday November 24 – limited tickets are available via The Fortitude Music Hall website.
Get gooey with Glass Animals at Riverstage on Friday night. Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling British band Glass Animals is set to send heat waves across the prestigious Riverstage with their beloved brand of alt-pop. Expect to hear your favourite tracks, as well as new music from the band’s fourth studio album, I Love You So F***ing Much.
Reggae royalty The Original Wailers is playing The Triffid on Thursday November 21. The Jamaican-born band will be performing Bob Marley & The Wailers greatest hits, guaranteed to have you swaying and singing along to much-loved tracks such as ‘Is This Love’, ‘Three Little Birds’, ‘No Woman No Cry’ and ‘Buffalo Soldier’. Join the band as they continue to carry Bob Marley’s message of love and unity.
Film buffs unite – Cinematic is returning to QPAC! Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s homage to film favourites is back for its fifth year, taking over the Concert Hall from November 22–23. Led by conductor and host Nicholac Bruc, the orchestra will take audiences on a journey through silver-screen classics, featuring music from the likes of Batman, Downtown Abbey, Interstellar, Forrest Gump and more.
Two of Australia’s most acclaimed virtuosos are collaborating again at Brisbane Powerhouse. Joining Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp for Volume Two of their Songs of the Southern Skies project, celebrating some of the finest artists and songwriters from across multiple generations of Australian women. The new album features tracks from Aunty Ruby Hunter, Kate Ceberano, Olivia Newton-John, Kylie Minogue and more, which the duo will perform on Thursday night.
Dearest gentle reader – are you ready for a magical evening of Bridgerton music? Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton Strings is taking over St John’s Anglican Cathedral, starting this Friday November 22. The cavernous cathedral will be draped in the soft glow of candlelight as a live string ensemble performs beloved melodies from Netflix’s Bridgerton.
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Theatre on in Brisbane this weekend
La Boite Theatre’s biting-new satire on wellness Yoga Play finishes its run this weekend. Penned by writer Dipika Guha – whose credits include TV comedy icons like Marvellous Mrs Maisel and Black Monday – the play follows a floundering new yoga apparel CEO as she adapts to her new role and this complex industry. What ensues is mediation on the tension between authenticity and enlightenment in today’s age of wellness. Be sure to catch it before the season ends.
After raising a generation with its creative and curious storylines, Round the Twist is back with a brand-new stage adaptation, continuing until December 1. Created by Paul Hodge, the playwright best known for his zany works like Joh for PM and Clinton: the Musical, this new musical experience follows the Twist family as they fight to save their lighthouse home whilst unravelling a 100-year-old magical mystery. Get ready for all of your favourite oddball stories to get musically reimagined and for the show’s earworm theme song (“Have you ever, ever felt like this?”) to be stuck in your head once more.
Live events on in Brisbane this weekend
Pink Flamingo’s popular Circus Fun House transforms into a magical Christmas extravaganza from this weekend. Santa Claus is coming to town and he will be bringing a bunch of festive friends from the North Pole. Pink Flamingo’s jaw-dropping circus acts, daring aerial stunts, acrobatics and dazzling costumes are getting a holiday twist, featuring Christmas tunes, mischievous elves and festive surprises. Kicking off on Saturday November 23, the Christmas edition will only run for a limited season and, as a special holiday treat, adult tickets have been dropped to kids’ prices.
For even more fun, Pink Flamingo is ringing in the festive season with a fresh new deal. Experience the pavilion’s awe-inspiring antics with an evening romp at Vegas-style comedy Suave from only $79. Be wowed by a night of naughty-and-nice aerial spectacles and captivating cirque acts.
Ever wondered if you’re friends with a psychopath? Ever wondered if you’re a psychopath? Jon Ronson is headed to QPAC on November 24 to help find the answers with Psychopath Night 2024. It’s been 15 years since he published his best-selling work The Psychopath Test, and now the renowned journalist, filmmaker and author is reopening the case with fresh reflections, taking you on a thrilling adventure to explore the enigmatic world of psychopaths and the perplexing concept of normalcy.
Join Bill Bailey for a night of extraordinary music and thought-provoking ideas. The eccentric comic presents his Thoughtifier show at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Saturday and Sunday, demonstrating our human instincts for harmony, melody and rhythm to brilliant effect. Using a plethora of instruments, screens and AI, Bill proves we can transcend the pesky algorithms, while offering heartfelt philosophical takes.
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Blanc de Blanc Encore continues at Brisbane’s bespoke new theatre and bar The West End Electric. The stage show is a riotous revue of acrobatic talent, great tunes, big laughs and lots of skin. Choreographed by Kevin Maher (whose past clients include Madonna and Britney Spears) and scored by Danish electronic artist Kenneth Bager, Blanc de Blanc Encore boasts an international cast of world-class performers. Running into the new year, Blanc de Blanc Encore invites you to escape the ordinary for a captivating night of circus cabaret.
Arj Barker returns to answer all of life’s biggest questions with The Mind Field. The renowned comedian is heading to Brisbane Powerhouse on Friday November 22 and Saturday November 23, this time considering the concept of reality within our own minds. Pondering everything from ‘are we alone in the universe?’ to ‘why does it hurt when we pee?’, Arj is guaranteeing a night of learning and laughter.
Art and exhibitions on in Brisbane this weekend
Spend an evening with Ben Quilty at The Calile Hotel on Friday. The celebrated Australian artist will be in conversation with the National Gallery of Australia’s (NGA) Nick Mitzevich. Famous, and some would say infamous, for not shying away from harsh truths, for tackling difficult topics head on, for championing the marginalised and putting issues on display unflinchingly, Ben’s reputation precedes him. Discover the emotion, vulnerability and humour that drives Ben’s practice, then head to Jan Murphy Gallery this weekend to witness his 20-year retrospective exhibition.
Discover fledgling contemporary artists at the churchie emerging art prize finalists exhibition. Sixteen emerging artists have been selected from a pool of more than 500 entrants as this year’s finalists, set to be considered for over $40,000 in prizes. Witness an exhibition showcasing diversity, innovation and uniqueness at Metro Arts from November 22–30.
Museum of Brisbane’s New Light: Photography Now + Then continues this weekend. Stroll your way through a mesmerising display of photographs spanning from 1890 to 2024. The collection features the remarkable tale of amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954), whose extraordinary images lay dormant for decades until they were discovered in 1983, stored in cedar cigar boxes beneath a home in Red Hill.
Festive fun in Brisbane this weekend
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas in Brisbane officially begins this Friday. Over the coming weeks, the city will come alive with a program of festive cheer for all ages. This weekend will see the launch of The Enchanted Garden and Uptown’s festive window displays in Queen Street Mall (more on these below), with plenty more festive fun unfolding as we lead up to the big day.
Be dazzled by the return of Roma Street Parkland’s magical light display, The Enchanted Garden. Launching this weekend, this year’s story follows Willow and Marigold on Enchanted Eve, a magical night where dreams come true and the spirit of Christmas shines bright. Throughout the multi-sensory journey, park venturers can expect to experience twinkling lights, stunning soundscapes, dazzling lasers and night-time projections. The Enchanted Garden is here until December 21 but usually sells out – be sure to book in advance!
Marvel at Uptown’s Christmas LEGO Brick Window Display. The Queen Street Mall shopping centre is bringing the holiday magic this November and December, decking the halls with a brick-load of festive fun, creative joy and tiny toys. Experience Christmas frivolity with LEGO brick window displays, charitable initiatives, workshops and free activities for all ages. Makers from age 18 months and above can also enjoy free family-friendly activities from 10:00 am daily across two LEGO Brick Play Zones, including DUPLO, crafting Christmas cards and contributing to an oversized LEGO bricks by numbers artwork.
Putt your way through a tee-rific Christmas adventure at Victoria Park. Brisbane’s much-loved Christmas Putt Putt is back until January 2 and is sure to get you in a holly, jolly holiday mood! Both the young and young at heart will be dazzled as you wander through a festive fairway decorated with a sleigh’s worth of bells, bows, tinsel, snow and twinkling lights.
Markets on in Brisbane this weekend
Shop small and support local at the BrisStyle Twilight Market. The one and only Brisbane-based marketplace selling 100 percent locally handmade goods returns to King George Square this Friday November 22. Satisfy your thirst for sustainable shopping with all kinds of treasures from local designers and artists. Whilst you shop, hit up the market’s food trucks to keep your tummy satisfied with yummy treats alongside live musical entertainment to keep the whole family entertained.
Stock up on fresh-local produce, bespoke goodies and street food snacks at one of the weekly markets as well. Kelvin Grove Village Market, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Nundah Farmers Markets, West End Markets, Riverside Markets and the Redcliffe Markets are open and trading this weekend.