Sensual circus, award-winning musicals and The Roots – here’s what’s on in Brisbane over the festive season
Friends, we’ve made it. Summer holidays are finally here. For those of us lucky enough to get some time off, we’ve got two weeks of freedom ahead of us to do, pretty much, whatever we want. With that in mind, we’ve collated an extra-special what’s on list that will take you the whole way through the festive season. From tongue-in-cheek burlesque to hip-hop royalty, there’s plenty in store for you from December 19 to January 5.
Concerts on in Brisbane from December 19 to January 5
Dive into a bowl of Custard at The Princess Theatre. The Brisbane-born indie group will be taking to the stage on Saturday December 21, playing tracks from their ninth studio album, Suburban Curtains.
Caribou returns to Brisbane with his four-piece ensemble on Thursday January 2. His ethereal sounds will be filling The Fortitude Music Hall, promising to deliver a night of unforgettable music and energy.
Bow down to hip-hop royalty The Roots on Friday January 3. The Grammy Award-winning collective will be hitting the Eatons Hill Hotel stage with a full band, wowing the crowd with hits including ‘You Got Me’, ‘What They Do’ and ‘The Seed (2.0)’. The group will be joined by special guests Talib Kweli and Nai Palm, ensuring an unforgettable night of hip-hop beats.
Prepare to get too lost in the Sugababes on Sunday January 5. The chart-topping trio is returning to Australia, taking over The Fortitude Music Hall with their much-loved modern pop. The original line-up is back and in full force – expect all of their greatest hits including ‘Round Round’, ‘Push The Button’ and ‘About You Now’.
Theatre and live events on in Brisbane from December 19 to January 5
If this festive season has you fighting against your inner Scrooge, you’re in for a treat. A Christmas Carol continues at QPAC until Christmas Eve, bringing with it lashings of laughter, festive joy and Christmas magic. The Dickens masterpiece has been adapted for the stage by Shake & Stir Co with the help of live music, yuletide carolling, innovative video design, lavish costumes and even snow. Ring in the season with this timeless tale from Thursday to Saturday.
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Speaking of Christmas classics, the sensational holiday ballet, The Nutcracker will grace the QPAC stage until December 21. The dazzling show is perfect for the whole family, transforming the Lyric Theatre stage into a winter wonderland. Follow the epic tale of young Clara as her toys awaken one frosty Christmas Eve night in a mesmerising ballet from Queensland Ballet.
A little less classic but equally Christmassy, A Cracker Kransky Christmas is back at QPAC until December 22. Very limited tickets remain to witness the adventures and misadventures of the Kransky Sisters, as they travel down in their trust Morris from their hometown of Esk. This is an off-the-wall Christmas experience not to be missed.
In the case that you’re feeling more naughty than nice this Christmas season, Blanc de Blanc Encore promises a night of laughs and lots of skin. Performing at Brisbane’s latest theatre and bar The West End Electric, this riotous revue of acrobatic talent and great tunes has been choreographed by Kevin Maher (whose past clients include Madonna and Britney Spears) and scored by Danish electronic artist Kenneth Bager. Running into the new year, Blanc de Blanc Encore invites you to escape the ordinary for a captivating night of circus cabaret.
If cabaret is the mood, Pink Flamingo has two risque shows that are sure to tickle your tinsel. Signature show SUAVÉ’s Christmas Special packages continue until December 21, or you can catch the magical Christmas version of the popular Circus Fun House show until December 21 as well. Expect Christmas tunes, mischievous elves and festive surprises.
Award-winning circus sensation Blush returns to QPAC this summer for a non-stop celebration of the surprising, the subversive and the supremely sexy. From Saturday December 28, this outrageous brand of adult circus promises to shock and scandalise with a decadent evening of sensational acrobatics, operatic cabaret and tongue-in-cheek burlesque.
Lose your head when SIX the Musical returns to the QPAC stage from January 2. The globally celebrated and multi-award winning high-octance musical sees feisty Tudor queens boldly rewrite five hundred years of history. Last season was a sell out so don’t delay in booking tickets!
You’d better shape up – GREASE is the word and its back from January 4! The much-loved musical is returning to the QPAC stage with an all-new multimillion-dollar production, promising to be slicker, sexier and more electrifying than ever before. Sing along as you watch Patti Newton as the much-loved Miss Lynch, Bobby Fox as Vince Fontaine and the incomparable Marcia Hines as Teen Angel.
Art and exhibitions on in Brisbane from December 19 to January 5
QAGOMA’s fiercely anticipated flagship event The Asia Pacific Triennial is back for its 11th year with more than 500 artworks by artists from over 30 countries. Exhibition attendees can expect to discover a vibrant multi-part project from Haus Yuriyal (a collective of 28 artists from Papua New Guinea), a three-dimensional installation of suspended tunnels, cascading curtains and towering scrolls from leading Thai artist Mit Jai Inn, portraits of everyday life in Hong Kong by senior painter Yeung Tong Lung as well as plenty more installations, paintings, sculptures and multi-disciplinary projects.
Museum of Brisbane’s New Light: Photography Now + Then continues into the new year. 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.
Fun events in Brisbane from December 19 to January 5
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas in Brisbane continues until December 24. The final weekend will see the City Hall Lights and the Christmas Tree illuminate King George Square, more fairy-lit fun at The Enchanted Garden, Uptown’s festive window displays in Queen Street Mall and more in The City. Over at South Bank, you can catch the Nightly Christmas Parade, the magical Christmas Maze, festive flicks at the Open-Air Cinema and a whole lot more. Head to the Visit Brisbane website for all of the festive fun!
Tee up your pals for Christmas Putt Putt at Victoria Park. This festive-themed fairway will be sticking around until January 2, so you can keep the spirit of Christmas alive right into the new year.
Dendy Powerhouse has a stellar summer program lined up for flicks under the stars. Its Outdoor Cinema Christmas Classics end on Friday December 20 with a screening of Love Actually, but you can continue to catch classics and new releases all summer long, with screenings of Gladiator II, Wicked, Moana 2 and more.
You’re spoiled for choice with open-air cinemas this summer, with Moonlight Cinemas screenings happening at Roma Street Parkland. You can catch festive flicks such as How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Die Hard and Home Alone up until Monday December 23. New releases take over from Boxing Day – catch the likes of Better Man, Paddington in Peru and more, as well as a special screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on Friday January 3.
The summer season means $2 swims are back. The popular initiative lets you swim more for less this summer with $2 pool entry to Brisbane public pools. Available at the 22 swimming pools across the city, visit a Council pool to cool off, relax, enjoy water play or improve your fitness with a lap this weekend.
Step inside Bluey’s World – for real life! Bluey’s iconic Queenslander is calling Northshore Hamilton home until September 2025, allowing fans of the show to immerse themselves in the Heeler home they know and love. With innovative set designs, interactive games, and activities for children and adults alike, Bluey’s World has been carefully curated to mirror the spirit of the series, encouraging creative play and connection. A must visit for the young and young at heart!
Markets on in Brisbane from December 19 to January 5
Grab last-minute locally made Christmas gifts at the BrisStyle Twilight Markets on Friday December 20. The one and only Brisbane-based marketplace selling 100% locally handmade goods returns to King George Square. Take a wander through the stalls and discover the best of locally based designers, showcasing their artisanal hand-crafted goods underneath the gorgeous glow of City Hall. 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.
Tote bag at the ready – fresh-local produce, bespoke goodies and street food snacks all await at Brisbane’s 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 over the break – just be sure to check individual market’s social pages for when!
Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
Still yet to make plans for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve? Check out our round-ups of where to dine on Christmas Day (if they’re not already sold out) as well as the top spots to ring in the New Year.
APT11 image: Dawn Ng / Singapore b.1982 / WATERFALL VIII (still) 2023 / 4K video: 16:9 (landscape) and 9:16 (portrait), 27:06 minutes / Courtesy: The artist and Sullivan+Strumpf / © Dawn Ng