It’s time for another monthly round-up. If you’re wondering what’s on in Brisbane in August, here are 40 great ideas to get you going. This month hosts the annual iconic Brisbane Ekka, and there are art and food exhibitions galore – ranging from vegan to bacon festivals! This month’s also the month for wedding expos, and there’s lots of theatre, live music and the old-fashioned ball is making a comeback. Lost of winter fun to be had!
Events Running All of August, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
MAMMA MIA! The Musical
- What – musical featuring 22 of ABBA’s greatest hits.
- Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
- When – August 6 – August 31.
Two Irresistible Exhibitions
- What – exhibition of two highly regarded Australian artists – Ex de Medici and Michael Zavros.
- Where – Gallery of Modern Art (QGOMA).
- When – August 1 – August 31.
Hollywood Screwballs
- What – a selection of Hollywood films in 35mm format focusing on the ‘screwball comedy’ – discussing the origins and evolutions of this genre. Tickets are $10. Find out more on this website.
- Where – Gallery of Moden Art & Cinema A.
- When – August 1 – August 31.
World Press Photo Exhibition (finishes August 20)
- What – an exhibition of the best photojournalism from around the world.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse Museum.
- When – August 1 – August 31.
Meze & Mimosa
- What – Middle Eastern bottomless brunch featuring a chef’s selection of plates, river views, live music and drinks. Tickets are $70 per person. Find out more here.
- Where – Meze & Mimosa
- When – August 5 – August 27
August 1 – 8, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
Brisbane Fresh Futures Market
- What – an event showcasing a range of pathway options for school leavers. The Deaf Choir is performing and interpreters are available to support your experience. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane City Hall – Main Auditorium.
- When – August 2.
Paco Pena – Flamenco in Concert
- What – Spanish flamenco composer and guitarist Paco Pena – along with a singer, flamenco dancers and musicians – will light up the stage with the sounds and culture of Andalucia, southern Spain. Find out more here.
- Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
- When – August 3rd.
Montecarlo by Moonlight – International Ball, 2023
- What – a city hall ball, featuring performances and an ‘endless measure’ of food and drinks. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane City Hall.
- When – August 4.
Walanbaa Yulu-gi
- What – A world-renowned ballroom dance company, Burn the Floor, teams up with First Nation’s Mitch Tambo to create a new dance production. The production will feature Australian rock classics and indigenous music/culture mixed with Latin and ballroom dance styles. You can purchase tickets from here.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse Museum
- When – August 3 – August 4.
Palate Play – Nosferatu Gin
- What – Palate Play are hosting a gin-tasting session from makers Nosferatu Gin. Tickets, which are $40 per person, include a 20ml sampling of each gin type and a 200ml mixer with each gin, paired with food from the Cloudland kitchen.
- Where – Cloudland.
- When – August 4, 6pm – 8pm.
Roald Dahl The Twits
- What – stage adaption of Roald Dahl’s story, The Twits. Tickets are $21 – $32. Find out more here.
- Where – Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) Concert Hall.
- When – August 4, 10:30am & 6pm.
Greazefest – Kustom Kulture Festival
- What – a rockabilly & hotrod weekend featuring cool cars, rockabilly bands, DJs, markets, shows, competitions and hot rod paraphernalia. Find out more here.
- Where – Redland Showgrounds.
- When – August 4 – August 6.
Paddington Now & Then Festival
- What – a free outdoor event that encourages visitors to walk, explore, shop and eat along Given and Latrobe Terraces. It’s a celebration of the past and present, of the historic character of the area. The event will feature music, art and street festival activities. Find out more here.
- Where – Given and Latrobe Terraces, Paddington.
- When – August 5.
True Grit
- What – a physical endurance event involving a 10km course that covers 30+ obstacles. There’s also a True Grit Half course, which features a 5km course and 15+ obstacles. Find out more here.
- Where – Kooralbyn.
- When – August 5 – August 6.
Meadowbrook Handmade Market
- What – a monthly pop-up market featuring handmade crafts, local artisans and a variety of small businesses. Find out more here.
- Where – Meadowbrook Shopping Centre
- When – August 5.
Viva Violin
- What – A night of music by the Queensland Chamber Orchestra featuring music by Mendelssohn and Rossini and featuring Queesland’s own prodigious violinist, Catherina Lee. Find out more here.
- Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Hall.
- When – August 5.
August 8 – 15, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
World of Cultures Logan ’23
- What – a premiere multicultural event set in the iconic Kingston Butter Factory. The event includes a variety of live artists on an outdoor stage, food stalls from around the world, DJs, poetry slam, rock climbing and taekwondo demonstrations, magic shows, face painting and more! Find out more here.
- Where – Kingston Butter Factory Multicultural Precinct.
- When – August 12.
Regatta Winter Feast
- What – a winter feast which features a seasonal menu, wine, beer and soft drinks. Tickets are $185 per person. Find out more here.
- Where – Regatta Hotel, Toowong.
- When – August 12.
World Science Festival Queensland: Ipswich Open Day
- What – The Workshops Rail Museum hosts a family-friendly event with a rocket launch, virtual reality station, silly science shows and more. Entry is free. Find out more here.
- Where – The Workshops Rail Museum. Ipswich.
- When – August 12
The 2023 Australian Aviation Exhibition
- What – this two-day event features three seminar stages discussing challenges and opportunities related to commercial airlines, business aviation, GA operations, the military, government, airplane manufacturers and a whole lot more. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
- When – August 12 – August 13.
2023 SEQ (Brisbane) Property Expo
- What – an expo that offers great deals, advice, discussion panels, investment seminars and exclusive offers for property developers or those interested in owning their own home. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 2.
- When – August 12 – August 13
Fleay’s Wedding Showcase
- What – free wedding showcase event, featuring fully-styled ceremony and reception spaces and an event team to answer any question you might have. Find out more here.
- Where – Burleigh Heads.
- When – August 13.
Bottomless Brunch Paint and Sip Brisbane
- What – bottomless margarita and taco Sunday Mexican brunch, while you paint. Painting session guided by local artists. Find out more here.
- Where – Hungry Hose Mexican by Paint Jucy, Milton.
- When – August 13.
Rest Easy Expo
- What – expo aimed at restoring health through better relaxation. Features yoga, guided meditation and stalls about sleep, relaxation and self-care. Find out more here.
- Where – Burnie Brae Auditorium, Chermside.
- When – August 13, 10am – 3pm.
The EKKA 2023
- What – Queensland’s iconic annual festival is back for the 144th Ekka. Bringing the city and the country together, this show features woodchopping, over 10,000 animals, food and wine, live music, a fun fair with rides, family shopping, educational activities and much more. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Showgrounds.
- When – August 12 – August 20.
August 15 – 22, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
The EKKA 2023
- What – Queensland’s iconic annual festival is back for the 144th Ekka. Bringing the city and the country together, this show features woodchopping, over 10,000 animals, food and wine, live music, a fun fair with rides, family shopping, educational activities and much more. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Showgrounds.
- When – August 12 – August 20.
Rose Tattoo
- What – Australian rock group icon Rose Tattoo are performing live in Brisbane. Find out more here.
- Where – Hamilton Hotel
- When – August 18.
Up Late
- What – experience live music under the stars while exploring the artworks of two renowned Australian artists, Ex de Medici and Michael Zavros. Featuring food, pop-up bars and DJs. Find out more here.
- Where – Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).
- When – August 18 – August 19.
Park Vibes
- What – this all-day event features live music, food trucks and colouring-in for kids. Entry is free. Find out more here.
- Where – Victoria Park.
- When – August 19.
Vegan, Vego & Gluten Free Market
- What – dedicated food trucks and specialty market stalls catering to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets. Find out more here.
- Where – Woolloongabba.
- When – August 19.
Kingaroy BaconFest
- What – a three-day food festival that celebrates bacon and pork. Featuring competitions, live music, fashion parades, cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, and markets. Best leave your pig at home for this one. Find out more here.
- Where – Kingaroy.
- When – August 18 – August 20.
Walkabout Creek Wedding Showcase
- What – Wedding showcase, featuring various ceremony and reception areas in forest surrounds to give you inspiration for your big day. Find out more here.
- Where – Enoggera Reservoir.
- When – August 20, 3pm – 5pm.
August 22 – 31, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
Emporium Hotels Wedding Showcase
- What – a wedding showcase featuring stylists, photographers and entertainment. Find out more here.
- Where – Emporium Hotel South Bank.
- When – August 24.
Gympie Music Muster
- What – the Gympie Music Muster features over 100 artists in six venues over four days. This is widely regarded as Australia’s best music and camping experience. There’s also bush poets, workshops, a kid’s club and more. Find out more here.
- Where – Amamoor State Forest.
- pWhen – August 24 – August 27.
Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas!
- What – a live performance about Tae’s journey – from loss to adventure, success and love. Featuring fairy godmothers, drag queens and glittery gold. Find out more here.
- Where – Cremorne Theatre.
- When – August 25.
Legally Blond Drag Show
- What – a spectacular stage production that features “an explosion of pink, laughter and fabulousness that will have you up dancing in your seat.” Find out more here.
- Where – Hungry Hose Mexican, Milton.
- When – August 25th.
Technicolour Multicultural Festival
- What – a festival that brings people together from different ethnographic communities and embraces the multicultural spirit through live performances, international cuisine and much more!
- Where – Newmarket.
- When – August 26, 9am – 4pm.
A Celebration of Jeff Buckley’s Grace – Featuring John Dixon
- What – a night dedicated to Jeff Buckley, performd by John Dixon. Find out more here.
- Where – 48 Montague Road, South Brisbane.
- When – August 26, 7:30pm – 10pm.
Bottomless Brunch Paint and Sip Brisbane
- What – bottomless margarita and taco Sunday Mexican brunch, while you paint. Painting session guided by local artists. Find out more here.
- Where – Hungry Hose Mexican by Paint Jucy, Milton.
- When – August 27.
Double Vision
- What – A night of audiovisual art and electronic music with local and international acts Max Cooper and The Kite String Triangle. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
- When – August 31.
