Drag queens, science smackdowns and Dead Sailors – what’s on in Brisbane this weekend
As we bid March a fond adieu there’s still plenty to see and do in Brisbane this weekend. The World Science Festival Brisbane continues apace with scholarly debates, intimate chats and quantum exploration. There are sad songs to hear, drag drama to see and royal fare to eat. It’s all here, and more, in our guide to the best things to do this weekend from March 27-30
Concerts on in Brisbane this weekend
Flameo hotman! Catch Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday March 30. The live orchestral rendition of the series’ iconic soundtrack will be paired with a two-hour special recap of the animated series’ three seasons displayed on a full-size cinema screen.
Thanks to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred you have one more chance to see Toby Wren’s Songs for Dead Sailors at Brisbane Powerhouse. Rescheduled to Saturday March 29, experience a psychological exploration of love and loss in the era of tall ships, performed by extraordinary vocalist Merinda Dias-Jayasinha and a sextet of Brisbane’s finest improvising musicians.
Charming crooner Mia Wray is bringing her debut album hi, it’s nice to meet me to the Brightside Brisbane on Thursday March 27. Known for her live performance, Mia is a force to be reckoned with. She has supported Maisie Peters, DMA’S, Vance Joy, The Rubens and The Teskey Brothers.
Theatre and live events on in Brisbane this weekend
Kenneth MacMillan’s romantic masterpiece Romeo & Juliet returns to set hearts alight. MacMillan’s stunning and much-adored Shakespearean ballet is brought to life by Queensland Ballet with passionate choreography, elegant costumes, striking sets, and Prokofiev’s iconic score.
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Peter and the Starcatcher flies into Brisbane until April 6. Originally developed by Disney Theatrical Group and written by renowned playwright and four–time Tony Award nominee Rick Elice, this thrilling tale of pre-Peter Neverland has been reimagined for Australian audiences by David Morton, Helpmann Award-nominated director and co-founder of Brisbane’s very own Dead Puppet Society.
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey into the world of Relic.This groundbreaking collaboration between the Australasian Dance Collective and Urban Art Projects is a boundary-pushing reimagining of Jack Lister’s celebrated Still Life film trilogy, and examines the interplay of mortality, fragility, youth and spirit.
It’s time to turn up and turn out as The Official Drag Race Down Under Season 4 National Tour stops off at The Princess Theatre for a kiki. Join all ten dazzling queens of the brand new season, plus fabulous judge Rhys Nicholson as your fierce host for the night. Expect all the juicy behind-the-scenes tea, jaw-dropping performances, lip-syncs that’ll leave you gagged and death drops that’ll make you goop.
Art and exhibitions on in Brisbane this weekend
Outer Space invites you to explore Fair Dinkies by Sam Harrison, the second exhibition of its 2025 Main Gallery Exhibition Program. Within the frame of the Fair Dinkies store, you are invited to participate in the parody of ‘the great Australian mixing pot’ to explore and question the motivations and mechanics of Australia’s unique form of social conformity.
Head over to Brisbane Powerhouse to catch its Contemporary Australian Photographers Exhibition, in partnership with Michael Reid Gallery. See some of the most important and influential image-makers working today, including the return of globally acclaimed multidisciplinary Bidjara artist Dr Christian Thompson AO whose epic photographic installation, Maya Barbadi, was the centrepiece of his citywide outdoor exhibition for the 2024 Melt Festival.
QAGOMA’s fiercely anticipated flagship event The Asia Pacific Triennial continues 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.
Art appreciation takes to the streets with Museum of Brisbane’s newly-curated immersive walking tour through The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane. Explore the art, history, and architecture within Brisbane’s visionary new lifestyle and cultural precinct. This bespoke 45-minute walking tour is free for a limited time, giving you a rare opportunity to explore Brisbane’s newest multi-million-dollar public outdoor art gallery as well as visit key heritage sites in the precinct.
Fun events in Brisbane this weekend
World Science Festival Brisbane will celebrate its 10th anniversary from Friday March 21 to Sunday March 30. The festival will once again fill Brisbane with a world-class line up of interactive activities, thought-provoking discussions, and spectacular performances. This weekend you can see World Science Festival co-founder Professor Brian Greene take to the stage to unveil the mysteries of quantum, see Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb chat with an ensemble of local and international scientists about their passions for life and for unravelling the mysteries of the universe; and witness Science Smackdown: The Ultimate Debate where host Natasha Mitchell will turn science into an uncensored Saturday night showdown.
Micro Museum invites visitors to the Museum of Brisbane to get hands on. Pint-sized curators are encouraged to create their own collections from a huge range of vintage treasures, inspired by MoB’s upcoming Precious exhibition with a series of colour-filled, creative series of immersive experiences and interactive activities.
Eat Like A King returns to Bowen Hills’ King St precinct this March, bringing a feast of exclusive food offers designed to satisfy every craving. With a line-up of mouth-watering deals across breakfast, lunch and dinner, King St’s renowned dining destinations are rolling out irresistible specials fit for royalty.
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!
Celebrate Margarita Month at Poca Madre in Brisbane. The team is rolling out an unmissable series of Cointreau-fuelled Margarita Masterclasses every Thursday this month. Guests will be guided through the art of making the perfect Margarita by tequila aficionado Carlos Hurworth of Church of Agave. The night kicks off with a classic Cointreau Margarita, followed by a hands-on guacamole-making session, a guided tasting of The Rock’s Teremana tequila range and the chance to shake up your own signature creation.
Markets on in Brisbane this weekend
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 this weekend.