Spring is here and with it comes an excellent lineup of warmer weather festivities. So what’s on in Brisbane in September? This month the main news is the Brisbane Festival, which features a huge lineup of events and runs for almost the entire month. We’ve also got a few multicultural and food festivals in town, free events in the city’s parks, a Lego festival, a Harry Potter-inspired luncheon, a Korean film festival and much more. Let’s get amongst it!
Events Running All of September 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in September
Brisbane Festival
- What – the Brisbane Festival is a massive Spring event in Brisbane that runs for almost all of September (23 days). So what’s there to do? It’s really what is there not to do! There’s art, lighting, theatre dancing, family activities, live music, riverfire events, grand concerts and much more! Check out this year’s program here to get acquainted.
- Where – Various locations around Brisbane.
- When – Sept 1 – 23.
Lightscape
- What – Lightscape is actually a part of the Brisbane Festival. This ‘multisensory experience’ illuminates Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens in a kaleidoscope of light and sound. Click here to find out more.
- Where – City Botanic Gardens.
- When – Sep 1 – 30.
September 1 – 8 – What’s on in Brisbane in September
Pinot Wars
- What – a wine-tasting extravaganza, where you’ll sip five glasses of pinot noir while savouring wood-fired bread and dips.
- Where – Cloudland.
- When – Sept 1.
Rupert Guenther: New Letters to Esterhazy
- What – ‘a set of exquisite improvisations’ on the violin, by Vienna-trained musician/composer Rupert Guenther. His performances are typically highly-personalised, bespoke sessions. Find out more here.
- Where – Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.
- When – Sept 1.
Stuck in a moment – The U2 & INXS story
- What – a high-energy tribute performance of two bands whose lead singers formed a close bond. Featuring visual effects and the two bands’ biggest hits performed by their respective tribute bands. Tickets from $59.
- Where – The Princess Theatre.
- When – Sept 1.
Double Vision – The Kite String Tangle
- What – part of the Brisbane Festival, this performance includes 2 nights of audiovisual art and electronic music. Vocalist, producer and instrumentalist The Kite String Tangle – also known as Danny Harley – collaborates with audiovisual artists for a great kick-off to the Brisbane Festival. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
- When – Sept 1 – 2.
Bangarra Dance Theatre – Yuldea
- What – professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers, storytellers and firemakers. This is a performance of the history and heritage of the Anangu people of the Great Victorian Desert which explores the collision of traditional and industrial life. The performance features original music by Leon Rodgers, who collaborates with a duo performing electronic pop. Find out more here.
- Where – Meanjin – Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
- When – Sept 1 – 9.
Galvanized – A Festival of Heritage
- What – the Ipswich Festival of Heritage, which includes iconic venues, historic sites, workshops, tours and demonstrations. The festival includes a performance by the First Nation People, colonial dance and music, steampunk workshops and a recreated heritage village featuring rail and road. Find out more here.
- Where – Various locations around Ipswich.
- When – Sept 1 – Sept 10.
Riverfire Cruises, MV Baroness
- What – a cruise on the Brisbane River during the Brisbane Festival’s Riverfire event. The cruise includes several hours of food, music and drinks accompanied by the sights of the flyover jets, a drone display and fireworks. Find out more here.
- Where – Northshore Hamilton Public Pontoon.
- When – Sept 2, 4pm – 9pm.
Victor Valdes: Viva Mexico Tour 2023
- What – a performance by Mexican singer, harpist and dancer Victor Valdes with his mariachi band, which includes trumpets and violins. The performance includes Mexican favourites and a trip down ‘Mexico’s musical landscape’. Find out more here.
- Where – Thomas Dixon Centre, West End.
- When – Sept 2, 8pm.
The Wizards Brunch
- What – a dining experience that includes learning spells, drinking magic potions and eating a wizard’s lunch in the tradition of Harry Potter. It’s an immersive experience event for all lovers of magic and fantasy. Tickets are $99. Find out more here.
- Where – La Costa Restaurant, Fortitude Valley.
- When – Sept 2.
Bell Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
- What – a fresh retelling of Shakespeare’s romantic story in comedic, dark illustration of ‘hidden identities and unrequited love’. Featuring music by Sarah Blasko. Find out more here.
- Where – Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland.
- When – Sept 2, 7:30pm.
The Sound Society
- What – free live music featuring a variety of artists – including jazz, funk, soul and much more. There are also picnic hampers designed for two on offer at the Garden Room Café, which also sells alcohol. Dogs are also welcome.
- Where – Roma Street Parkland.
- When – Sept 3.
Father’s Day – Walkabout Creek
- What – Walkabout Creek Restaurant is serving a Father’s Day buffet breakfast by Enoggera Creek this Sunday. Lunch is also available. Bookings are essential and the price for the breakfast buffet is $44 for adults and $25 for children aged 2 – 12. Click here to find out more details.
- Where – Walkabout Creek Restaurant/Café, Enoggera Reservoir.
- When – Sept 3.
SpringFest 2023
- What – a celebration and promotion of the Philippines -Australia Multicultural Association (PAMA) featuring food, culture, music, art and dance. Information stalls are also available on the day. Find out more here.
- Where – Robelle Domain Parklands in Springfield.
- When – Sept 4.
Yes, Yes, Yes
- What – theatre that is ‘part confession, part documentary and part open conversation that explores respectful relationships, consent and sex in an impactful and humorous way. Admission is $30.
- Where – La Boite Theatre, Kelvin Grove.
- When – Sep 4 – 6.
National Band of New Zealand
- What – the National Band of New Zealand – one of the world’s finest brass bands – and guest soloist Phillip Cobb perform as part of their Australian tour. Tickets are $40 or $35 concession price.
- Where – The Salvation Army Church, Brisbane City.
- When – Sept 8, 7pm – 10pm.
Cheers to Cheese
- What – a celebration of cheese of all flavours, smells and pungency matched with wine and fruit or savoury condiment. Tickets are $30 + booking fee, which gets you three 30-gram pairings of cheese with matachin wine, honeycomb, crackers and gluten-free wood-fired bread. Find out more here.
- Where – Cloudland.
- When – Sept 8, 5 -7pm.
September 8 – 15 – What’s on in Brisbane in September
Galvanized – A Festival of Heritage
- What – the Ipswich Festival of Heritage Festival, which includes iconic venues, historic sites, workshops, tours and demonstrations. The festival includes a performance by the First Nation People, colonial dance and music, steampunk workshops and a recreated heritage village featuring rail and road. Find out more here.
- Where – Various locations around Ipswich.
- When – Sept 1 – Sept 10.
Festival of Food and Wine
- What – as part of the Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba is putting on a food and wine festival with flavours from the region. The three-day event features live music such as Hoodoo Gurus, the Eurogliders and John Stevens. There are also workshops such as Farm to Fork, there’s tasting rooms and much more! Check out this website to find out more.
- Where – Toowoomba.
- When – Sept 8 – Sept 10.
Sip Happens Wine Festival
- What – taste over 100 wines from some of Australia’s most renowned winemakers, with a focus on sustainability, organic, biodynamic and minimal intervention wines. The event features live music and ‘expert wine education’.
- Where – The Triffid, Newstead.
- When – Sept 9, 12pm.
BBX 2023: Lego Fan Expo
- What – massive Lego expo featuring over 100 exhibitors from around the country in what will be Queensland’s largest Lego expo to date. Features food and drink, the world’s longest great ball contraption module and much more. Find out more here.
- Where – The Exhibition Building, Bowen Hills
- When – Sept 9 – 10
The Sunshine Club
- What – a musical that tells the story of Aboriginal soldier Frank Doyle who finds that, after returning to Brisbane from WWII – while the world may have changed, prejudices at home remain the same. Frank desires to change things and starts The Sunshine Club – a place where all people are welcome. Tickets are $39 – $42. Find out more here.
- Where – RPAC Concert Hall.
- When – Sept 13, 7:30pm.
The Making of Pinocchio
- What – ‘a tale of love and transition told through the story of Pinocchio’. The description is a bit too wild to summarise in my own words, so if you’re interested just take a look here.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
- When – Sept 13 – 16.
September 15 – 22 – What’s on in Brisbane in September
Camerata Cinematheque
- What – described as a family-friendly concert that’s both spooky and surreal, Camerate Cinematheque delivers a ‘cross genre’ performance featuring a live orchestra accompanied by short films. Find out more here.
- Where – QPAC Concert Hall.
- When – Sept 15, 7pm.
Koffia
- What – Korean film festival. Find out more here.
- Where – Elizabeth Picture Theatre.
- When – Sept 14 – 17.
Monster Jump
- What – a ginormous inflatable obstacle course stretching over 280 metres in length. Recommended for all ages. Booking necessary. A 2hr pass is $40. Free entry for spectators.
- Where – Sandstone Point Hotel.
- When – Sept 16.
Redcliffe Kite Fest
- What – one of Australia’s best kite festivals, featuring the Paw Patrol gang, live music, activities, workshops, markets, food and loads more. Find out more here.
- Where – Pelican Park, Clontarf.
- When – Sept 16-17.
MOSAIC Festival
- What – a festival celebrating multicultural Queensland through dance, live music, poetry, storytelling, arts and crafts, family activities, and food and cooking demonstrations. Find out more about this cool event here.
- Where – Roma Street Parkland.
- When – Sept 17, 10am – 5pm.
1954: Ella, Etta and Eartha
- What – Melissa Western celebrates the ‘50s era of Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Earth Kitt’ with a ‘velvet voice and sparkling charisma’. The performance features song, story and dance, paying tribute to this fabulous era. Find out more here.
- Where – Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) Concert Hall.
- When – Sept 20.
Undercover Artist Festival
- What – part of the Brisbane Festival – Australia’s premier disability-led performing arts festival includes over four days of theatre, comedy, poetry, dance, cabaret and more. Find out more here.
- Where – Queensland Theatre.
- When – Sept 20 – 23.
Brisbane Festival at Westfield, Chermside
- What – as part of the Brisbane Festival, Westfield Chermside will host a night of music, an 80s dance party, workshops on how to play kazoo, make festival masks and more! Find out more here.
- Where – Westfield, Chermside Shopping Centre.
- When – Sept 21, from 5pm.
Dirty Dancing in Concert
- What – pretty much as the title says! It’s the film’s ‘first live film-to-concert experience’. Featuring the film playing on the big screen accompanied by a live band and singers performing the songs. The band and singers will throw a party after the film. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southbank.
- When – Sept 22, 8pm.
September 22 – 30 – What’s on in Brisbane in September
Spooky Putt Putt
- What – a spooky-themed putt putt course featuring ‘boo-ze slushy’ margaritas for purchase at the Putt Putt Kiosk. Find out more here.
- Where – Victoria Park.
- When – Sept 15 – 30.
The John Lennon Songbook
- What – a tribute to John Lennon by John Walters and Stewart D’Arrietta with the Liverpool Band. Find out more here.
- Where – The Princess Theatre.
- When – Sept 24.
The Music Man
- What – a musical about a conman who falls for the town librarian, who turns the rascal into a respectable town citizen. Tickets are $52 for adults. Find out more here.
- Where – Iona Performing Arts Centre.
- When – Sept 23 – Sept 30.
Bananaland
- What – a musical comedy about a 21-year-old idealist who accidentally becomes a music sensation to young children. Find out more here.
- Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
- When – Sept 16 – Sept 30, 7pm.
Gaming, Hobby & Model Expo
- What – an event dedicated to gaming, hobbies and model building. The event includes free model-building areas, stage panels, workshops and live dungeons and dragons matches. Find out more here.
- Where – Exhibition Centre, Bowen Hills.
- When – Sept 30.
That’s a wrap for what’s on in Brisbane in September 2023. If there’s anything I’ve missed or you’d like me to list here, get in touch via email or the comments below.
Enjoy September!
