The best festivals not to miss in Brisbane
Event
By Taneil Thornberry
Brisbane doesn’t do boring. As Australia’s third-largest city, it’s a buzzing hub of culture, creativity, and big ideas - and its festival calendar? Absolutely stacked.
From fashion to food, music to art, and sport to the downright quirky, Brisbane serves up events as diverse as the city itself. And it’s not just in the heart of town -the action spills out to the coast and hinterland, where some of Queensland’s most unique festivals take centre stage.
So, ready to fill your calendar? Here are the best festivals in Brisbane you won’t want to miss.
World Science Festival Brisbane
World Science Festival Brisbane
When: 21 - 30 March 2025
Science, but make it fun. The World Science Festival Brisbane is where big ideas, mind-blowing discoveries, and hands-on experiments take over the city. From South Bank to the CBD, expect brilliant minds, interactive displays, and eye-opening talks that’ll leave you questioning everything (in the best way possible).
A festival favourite, Curiocity is back - blurring the lines between science and art in the most visually stunning way. Think giant interactive installations dotted across South Bank, sparking curiosity in everyone from little learners to lifelong thinkers. If you love to explore, experiment, or just have your mind blown, this is one for the calendar.
CMC Rocks QLD
CMC Rocks QLD, Brisbane
When: 21 – 23 March 2025
If your love language is three chords and the truth, this is your kind of festival.
Thousands of country music fans are dusting off their boots and heading to CMC Rocks QLD - just an hour from Brisbane.
It’s Australia’s biggest international country music festival, so if you’ve got a Nashville state of mind, CMC Rocks QLD should be top of your bucket list.
Brisbane Comedy Festival
When: 23 April – 25 May 2025
From glitzy stand-up sets to off-the-cuff improv, the Brisbane Comedy Festival delivers the laughs - and it just keeps getting bigger. Every year, top comedic talent from around the world takes over Brisbane’s best venues, including the Brisbane Powerhouse, The Tivoli and The Fortitude Music Hall.
Expect belly laughs, unexpected punchlines, and a festival vibe that’s electric. Ready to giggle, snort, and maybe even cry? Here’s your guide to the Brisbane Comedy Festival.
NRL Magic Round
NRL Magic Round, Brisbane
When: 1 - 4 May 2025
The NRL Magic Round is back in Brisbane for 2025, bringing three days of non-stop footy action to Suncorp Stadium this May. Every team, every game, one massive weekend - it’s a must for league fans.
There’s nothing like the buzz of Magic Round, from the roar of the crowd to the electric atmosphere around town. Planning to be part of it? This go-to guide has everything you need - where to stay, how to get around, top spots to eat and drink, and the best of Brisbane to explore while you’re here.
It’s a footy-fuelled long weekend where rivalries ignite, legends are made, and fans get a front-row seat to every single match. Game on!
Brisbane Marathon Festival
When: 1 June 2025
Marathon regulars, aspiring runners, sporting elite, and charity fundraisers alike all flock to the Queensland capital to participate in the annual Brisbane Marathon Festival. Tackle the run with one seriously attractive backdrop; the iconic Story Bridge, South Bank and Riverstage.
Participants can choose between the full marathon, the 21.1km, 10km, 5km or 2km fun run, and be treated to a host of free entertainment and food stalls at the race’s finish line.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month
Rosewood Estate, Beechmont, Brisbane
When: 1 - 30 June 2025
Think long lunches in paddocks, secret cellar door tastings, twilight markets, and pop-up foodie events scattered across this stunning region. A month-long celebration of local flavours, Scenic Rim Eat Local is a feast for the senses.
The festival wraps up with its signature event, the Winter Harvest Festival—a must-do for families and food lovers alike. Stroll through the markets, graze on tasting plates, sip local wines, catch a cooking demo, and stock up on fresh produce straight from the farm.
Why stop at just one day? Stay a little longer with this 48-hour guide to the Scenic Rim and discover the best things to see, do, and (of course) eat in this breathtaking pocket of South East Queensland.
Ekka
When: 9 - 17 August 2025
Get a taste of farm life (and plenty more) as one of Queensland’s favourite events rolls into town. The Royal Queensland Show - better known as the Ekka -is where the country meets the city in a whirlwind of competitions, carnival rides, and classic show traditions.
This is Queensland at its best. Enjoy live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, hands-on activities, and show bags galore. And you can't forget the real star of the show - the famous Ekka strawberry ice cream.
Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival
Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival, Brisbane. Photo by @visitmoretonbayregion
When: 22 - 24 August 2025
With Moreton Bay as your backdrop, feast your way through the Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival. Eat. Sip. Dance. Shop. What's not to love about this festival?
Stroll along the Redcliffe Parade Foreshore, where pop-up food and drink stalls serve up fresh local flavours or dive into workshops, special events, and exclusive menus at top restaurants around town.
Brisbane Festival
Brisbane Festival
When: 3 - 13 September 2025
Weird, wacky, and totally wonderful, the Brisbane Festival is the largest festival in Queensland, and it is dedicated to the arts. A celebration of the city, there's something to see every day and night throughout the month of September, bringing Brisbane to life in a glorious display of performance art and culture.
From the festival’s infamous Spiegeltent in the heart of South Bank to roving performances, plays and performance art at QPAC, Brisbane Festival is the beating heart of Queensland’s burgeoning arts hub. You won’t want to miss an act, so plan your stay at one of Brisbane’s dazzling new hotels.
Explore everything there is to do at Brisbane Festival here.
Looking for more things to do in Brisbane? Check out these must-do exhibitions.
Woodford Folk Festival
Woodford Folk Festival, Brisbane
When: 27 December 2024 – 1 January 2025
Bringing 37 years of fantastical festival tradition to 2023’s event, there's nothing quite like the Woodford Folk Festival. One of the biggest and best festivals in Brisbane, each year more than 130,000 people attend this six-day, not-for-profit event bursting with music, art, culture, and community spirit.
See over 400 acts perform across Woodford’s dedicated festival village, comprising of music concerts, writers’ panels, movie nights, debates, workshops as well as an entire festival program dedicated to kids. Whether you come as a day-tripper or camp on site for the full six days, this is one Brisbane festival you cannot miss.
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