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Brisbane is absolutely buzzing right now! If you’re wondering what to do this month and next, you’re in for a treat. The city’s packed with everything from massive festivals to intimate cultural experiences, world-class entertainment, and those uniquely Brisbane events that make living here so special.
August 2025: The Month That Has It All
The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka)
The biggest event on Brisbane’s calendar is back, and it’s as popular as ever. The Ekka brings that perfect mix of agricultural displays, carnival rides, showbags, and way too much dagwood dog consumption. It’s been running since 1876, but somehow it never gets old. Whether you’re there for the woodchopping competitions or just want to see the prize-winning cattle, it’s peak Brisbane culture.
CLANCESTRY Food & Wine Festival
This is huge news for food lovers. CLANCESTRY is being described as a “mega food & wine festival” and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest culinary events Brisbane has seen. Local chefs, international guests, wine tastings, and probably enough cheese platters to feed half of Queensland.
Lord of the Dance Returns
Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance is performing on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August 2025 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. If you’ve never seen Irish step dancing on this scale, you’re missing out. The precision, the energy, the costumes – it’s quite a spectacle.
Cabaret Season Heats Up
August is turning into quite the month for intimate entertainment. The cabaret scene is thriving, with venues across the city hosting everything from classic jazz nights to modern burlesque shows. It’s that perfect winter entertainment when you want something a bit more sophisticated than your usual night out.
Cultural Collision at The Calile
Something really interesting is happening this week at The Calile Hotel. They’re hosting an immersive collision between fashion and dance, celebrating the 40-year history of the Australasian Dance Collective and the 20th anniversary of homegrown designer label Gail Sorronda. It’s exactly the kind of creative event that makes Brisbane’s cultural scene so distinctive.
September 2025: Festival Season Goes Into Overdrive
Brisbane Festival Takes Centre Stage
September means Brisbane Festival, and this year’s lineup is looking incredible. The festival brings together iconic spring festivals, music concerts, and stunning art exhibitions across the entire month. It’s when the city really comes alive culturally – every venue from QPAC to small galleries gets involved.
The best part about Brisbane Festival? So much of it is free. You can catch world-class performances in King George Square, discover new artists in South Bank, and stumble across pop-up events in places you’d never expect.
Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run
Bridge to Brisbane is back, and if you’re into running (or just want an excuse to cross the Story Bridge on foot), this is your chance. Even if you’re not participating, the atmosphere around the city during the run is pretty special. Plus, there’s usually a great after-party.
Entertainment Centre Gets Busy
The Brisbane Entertainment Centre has a packed September schedule. LeAnn Rimes is performing on Wednesday 3rd September, followed by Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo on Thursday 11th September.
Cirque du Soleil is always a big deal when it comes to Brisbane. Corteo runs from Thursday 18th through Sunday 21st, then again from Thursday 25th through Sunday 28th September. If you’ve never seen a Cirque show, this is your chance – they don’t visit Brisbane that often.
Sports Season Kicks Off
Brisbane Bullets memberships for the 25/26 season are now available, which means basketball season is just around the corner. The Bullets have been building a solid fanbase, and games at the Entertainment Centre have become quite the social event.
What Makes These Events Special
Brisbane’s event scene has really matured over the past few years. We’re seeing more diverse programming, better international acts choosing to include Brisbane on their tours, and a real focus on supporting local talent alongside the big-name imports.
The food and wine scene, in particular, has exploded. Events like CLANCESTRY show that Brisbane is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a serious food destination. We’re not just the city you stop in on your way to the Gold Coast anymore – we’re the destination.
Getting Around and Getting Tickets
With so much happening, transport and ticketing become important. Most major venues are well-connected by public transport, but if you’re planning to hit multiple events in one weekend, it’s worth planning your route in advance.
For the bigger events like Brisbane Festival and the Ekka, book early. Brisbane might not be Sydney or Melbourne in terms of size, but when something good comes to town, tickets can sell out pretty quickly.
The Weather Factor
August and September in Brisbane are perfect event months. Winter is winding down, so you’re not dealing with the humidity and storms of summer, but it’s still warm enough for outdoor events. Pack a light jacket for evening events, but you probably won’t need it during the day.
Looking Ahead: October Preview
If you’re already planning ahead, October is shaping up nicely too. Lil Baby is performing on Saturday 4th October, and Teddy Swims follows on Saturday 11th October at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Both shows will probably sell out quickly, so keep an eye on ticket release dates.
Brisbane in August and September 2025 is offering something for everyone. Whether you’re into high culture, family fun, live music, food and wine, or just want to experience what makes this city tick, you’ve got plenty of options.
The best part? Many of the best events are still affordable or free. Brisbane Festival, in particular, prides itself on accessibility – you can have an incredible cultural experience without breaking the bank.
So get out there and make the most of it. Brisbane’s event scene has never been better, and with spring just around the corner, there’s no better time to explore what your city has to offer.
Remember to check individual event websites for the latest updates and ticket information. Some events may have changed dates or details since this guide was written, and you don’t want to miss out because of outdated information!
What events are you most excited about? Brisbane’s got such a great mix happening right now – there’s definitely something for everyone to enjoy.