What's on in Brisbane in October

So what’s on in Brisbane in October? A whole new slew of activity in the city, featuring the Oktoberfest celebrations, which are huge! The Brisbane German Club is putting on four weekends of celebrations for that, just so you don’t miss out. There are also two Halloween-themed putt putt golf courses on offer as we head into the spooky season, an immersive Lightscape experience in the City Botanic Gardens, Mental Health Week, and loads of food and wine festivals.

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Let’s get amongst it!

Events Running more than one week in October 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in October

4107 Bayside Open Studios

What – Meet and watch Brisbane Northside artists in their studios and participate in workshops.
Where – Various studios at Bracken Ridge, Brighton, Deacon and Sandgate. Check out this website to find out more.
When – Oct 14-15 & Oct 21-22.

Brisbane Oktoberfest

What – A celebration of Oktoberfest, featuring a keg tapping ceremony, dancing, entertainment and a celebration of all things German!
Where – The Brisbane German Club, East Brisbane.
When – Oct 7 – 29, over four weekends.

Confessions of a Serial Killer

What – After-dark immersive, theatre experience. Viewers will have a chance to join in and solve the mystery or perhaps become another victim.
Where – Minnippi Parkland, Tingalpa.
When – Oct 6-9 & Oct 31.

Discover Racecourse Road

What – Racecourse Road will showcase a variety of events, such as dinner events, shopping, children’s workshops & more. Find out more here.
Where – Racecourse Road, Hamilton.
When – Oct 1 – Oct 17.

Frankenstein

What – Live theatre version – featuring mind-blowing production – of the famous story.
Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
When – Oct 14 – 28.

Halloween at TopStroke

What – 18-hole mini-golf course transformed for Halloween. There’s also free candy for kids, a jumping castle and beverages and hot food, which are available until 10pm on weekends.
Where – Oxley Golf Club.
When – All of October.

My son getting into the Halloween spirit a few years back!

Night Feast

What – Spring explosion of food stalls accompanied by music and immersive art. Featuring some of Brisbane’s leading chefs amidst the magical setting of the riverside Powerhouse.
Where – Brisbane Powerhouse precinct.
When – Oct 4 – 29. Wed – Fri – 4:30 – 9pm & Weekends – 3- 9pm.

Sea World Spooky Nights

What – Family fun featuring ‘spooktivities’, shows & presentations, rides & exhibits.
Where – Sea World, Gold Coast.
When – Oct 13 – 28.

Spooky Putt Putt

What – Victoria Park Golf Course transforming for Halloween. Find out more here.
Where – Victoria Park Golf Course, Herston.
When – All of October.

October 1 – 8 – What’s on in Brisbane in October

Albion Antique and Collectibles Fair

What – Quality furniture, jewellery, banknotes and coins, collectibles for sale.
Where – Kedron Wavell Services Club, Chermside.
When – Oct 6 – 8.

An Evening with Phil

What – A night of comedy, stories and culinary exploration with award-winning creator, director (Everybody Loves Raymond) producer and writer, Phil Rosenthal.
Where – The Fortitude Music Hall.
When – Oct 1^st.

Creative Glass Showcase

What – Handmade glass expo including live demonstrations, talks and viewings.
Where – Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens Auditorium.
When – Oct 7 – 8.

Gaming, Hobby & Model Expo

What – The title says it all really! Huge gaming, hobby and model expo. It features model building, tabletop card games, live demo matches of dungeons and dragons, RC Racing track and interactive model trains.
Where – Brisbane Showgrounds.
When – Oct 1^st.

Infamous the Show

What – Adults-only circus extravaganza, featuring ‘naughty comedy’, ‘jaw-dropping stunts’ and ‘sexy numbers’. Stunts include a flying trapeze. Patrons can enjoy a well-stocked bar during the show. This is strictly 18 and above!
Where – Big Top, North Lakes.
When – Oct 1 – 7.

Lightscape

What – Immersive light show integrated into the natural landscape of the city’s gardens. Visitors will be taken on a journey of light, colour and sound along a two-kilometre path through the city’s botanical landscape in darkness.
Where – City Botanic Gardens.
When – Oct 1 – 8.

The City Botanic Gardens lit up at night

Long String Instrument

What – A show that immerses the audience in a sonic landscape, featuring Ellen Fullman’s Long String instrument, with 56 metallic strings, spanning up to 30 metres in length. It takes up to five days to install!
Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
When – Oct 5.

Mount Eerie

What – Phil Elverum (Mount Eerie) performing live music.
Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
When – October 8.

Park Vibes

What – Free live music, food trucks, colouring and lawn games for kids.
Where – Victoria Park.
When – Oct 7.

Rose and Champagne Garden Pop-Up

What – Enjoy premium wine, bread and dips. Tickets are $35 plus booking fee. You enter, head to some tasting placemats and wait for the staff to come around and top you up! Wood-fired bread and dips will also be delivered to your table. Find out more here.
Where – Cloudland.
When – Oct 6.

The Pearl Jam Experience

What – Pearl Jam Tribute experience featuring live music of the band’s greatest hits. This marks the 30^th anniversary of the band’s iconic album, VS.
Where – The Triffid.
When – Oct 6.

The Sound Society

What – Lots of live music on the expansive Roma Street Parklands.
Where – Roma Street Parklands.
When – Oct 1^st.

October 8 – 15 – What’s on in Brisbane in October

Academy of St Martin in the Fields

What – World-famous orchestra- Academy of St Martin in the Fields – is playing for two nights in Brisbane.
Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Hall.
When – Oct 11 – 12.

Armakeggon Craft Beer Fest

What – A ginormous celebration of Aussie craft beer, featuring limited edition beers, festival kegs, DJs, a comedy show, games, raffles and giveaways.
Where – Corner of Boundary and Russell Street, West End.
When – Oct 14.

Big Band Dinner & Cabaret Show

What – A burlesque bonanza featuring a three-course menu and three-hour drinks package with entertainment from big bands and vocal supremes.
Where – Cloudland.
When – Oct 13.

Motel with Tim Ross

What – Comedian Tim Ross takes you on a riotous journey through Aussie hotels of the past.
Where – The Workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich.
When – Oct 8.

Pia Miranda

What – Actress Pia Miranda shares her life story from ballet dancer, to actress and world traveller through the eyes of an Italian Australian woman.
Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
When – Oct 10.

Pinot Wars

What – An ‘epic wine tasting battle’ involving ‘generous serves’ of pinot along with wood-fired bread and dips. Tickets are $30 plus booking fee.
Where – Cloudland.
When – Oct 13.

Queensland Mental Health Week

What – QLD communities come together to raise awareness and promote good health and wellbeing. This year’s theme is ‘awareness, belonging and connection’. You can get involved by attending an event, hosting an event and/or joining in the conversation.
Where – Brisbane City. Check out the Queensland Mental Health Week website here to find out more.
When – Oct 7 – 15.

Reception This Way – Curators Tour

What – A sentimental journey with Tim Ross covering the history of Australian motels with images and objects from the National Archive Collection.
Where – The Workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich.
When – Oct 8.

Silverchair Talk

What – Learn about the pressures and the journey of the world-famous rock band Silverchair from two of its members, Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou.
Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
When – Oct 9.

October 15 – 22 – What’s on in Brisbane in October

Ebo Taylor

What – Performance from 87-year-old Ghanaian guitarist Ebo Taylor, featuring West African music and Afrobeat, as part of the Brisbane International Jazz Festival.
Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
When – Oct 20.

Jelena Dokic

What – Former world number four women’s tennis player Jelena Dokic discusses the physical, emotional and financial abuse she suffered through her father, and her many comebacks after dealing with numerous trials.
Where – Powerhouse Theatre.
When – Oct 18.

Oktoberfest at Brookhaven

What – A family-friendly celebration of Oktoberfest featuring quality German beer, German food and a celebration of all things German.
Where – Brookhaven’s Fig Tree Park.
When – Oct 21^st.

Spinifex Gum

What – Choir of young indigenous singers from Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait singing about the issues of our time. Features choreography, storytelling and vibrant rhythms.
Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
When – Oct 20.

The Hunt

What – Live theatre depicting a twisted and mysterious tale involving friends, secrets and shadows.
Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
When – Oct 20 – 21.

October 22 – 31 – What’s on in Brisbane in October

Best of British Anthems

What – One of Australia’s premiere brass ensembles, the Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band performs renowned compositions and beloved British Anthems.
Where – Redland Performing Arts Centre.
When – Oct 27.

Cecile Mclorin Salvant

What – Jazz vocalist, charismatic storyteller and dynamic performer Cecile Mclorin Salvant is putting on a live performance. She has won the Grammy Award for best Jazz Vocal Album three years in a row so jazz lovers won’t want to miss this!
Where – QPAC.
When – Oct 24.

Ms Moonlight Walk

What – Raising funds for multiple sclerosis, MS Moonlight Walk is celebrating 25 years and this year its annual lantern walk will head through the city at sunset. There are options to walk 3, 5 or 10km to raise money and participants have access to refreshment stations.
Where – Check out the Ms Moonlight Walk website here to find out more.
When – October 28.

Robyn Davidson

What – Internal bestseller Robyn Davidson in conversation about her memoir, Unfinished Woman. In 1977 this woman embarked on an adventure with a dog and four camels across 1,770 miles of Australian desert towards the sea.
Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
When – Oct 25.

That’s a wrap for what’s on in Brisbane in October 2023. If there’s anything I’ve missed or you’d like me to add, get in touch via email, social media or in the comments section below.

Happy October!

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