The festival opens with Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust on Saturday 5 September, featuring a RAAF flyover followed by fireworks launched from bridges, barges and rooftops across Brisbane. At South Bank, Festival Village will offer live entertainment, family activities, dance workshops, Indigenous-led contemporary circus, talks, wellbeing sessions and the nightly Bright Nights by ANZ river spectacle.

Other highlights include free outdoor concerts in local parks through the Brisbane Serenades series, the Quandamooka Festival celebrating the living culture, stories and traditions of the Quandamooka people of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), and family programming such as Fijian Flying Circus. Theatre, music and arts events will also be held at venues including Brisbane Powerhouse, Roma Street Parkland and GOMA.

Program details, dates, venues and booking requirements vary. Check the Brisbane Festival 2026 program before making travel plans.

Source: Must Do Brisbane.

It runs from Saturday 5 September 2026, 9.30am to Sunday 27 September 2026, 12.30pm, with free entry at 23 Robert Street. The exhibition features work by centre members across multiple art media.

The annual exhibition has been held for the past six years, with this year’s theme selected from suggestions put forward by members. The event is presented by RICArts, a membership-based organisation for local artists.

Event details

• When: Saturday 5 September 2026, 9.30am to Sunday 27 September 2026, 12.30pm
• Where: RIC Arts Arthouse & Gallery, 23 Robert Street, Russell Island
• Cost: Free
• Contact: [email protected]

Source: The Community Leader event listing.

The exhibition is described as exclusive to Brisbane and forms part of QAGOMA’s program of contemporary and historical exhibitions. It offers a substantial viewing window across spring, summer and the first part of autumn, making it suitable for planning ahead around school holidays or a weekend visit to South Bank.

Admission is listed as ticketed. Check the QAGOMA exhibitions program for the full exhibition details, current visitor information and ticket access before travelling.

When: 12 September 2026 – 18 April 2027
Where: GOMA, Brisbane
Admission: Buy tickets

Source: QAGOMA exhibitions program.

The production runs from Friday 18 September 2026 to Sunday 27 September 2026. Bay FM presenter Georgia Phillips will make her stage debut as Lexie, a confident and flirtatious character who is different from her own personality.

The play follows five women whose friendship began on a college swim team and continued for more than 30 years. It explores marriage breakdown, parenting, ageing and mental health through the characters’ long-running friendship.

• What: The Sweet Delilah Swim Club
• When: Friday 18 September 2026 to Sunday 27 September 2026
• Where: Birkdale School of Arts Hall, Birkdale
• Bookings: Tickets are available through Humanitix

Tickets can be booked online through Humanitix.

Source: The Community Leader.

Daily activities include Pop Badges, where children can make wearable designs from 10am to 1pm for $2 for one badge or $5 for three. Fun with Ferns will also run daily from 10am to 1pm and is free. Both are drop-in activities with no bookings required.

A two-hour workshop for teenagers aged 10 to 15 will also run during the program. Participants will use paint, collage, texture and drawing to create artwork. Tickets cost $30 plus a booking fee, and bookings are required.

• When: Saturday 19 September 2026 to Monday 5 October 2026
• Where: Museum of Brisbane
• Cost: Free Fun with Ferns; Pop Badges cost $2 for one or $5 for three; the teen workshop costs $30 plus a booking fee
• Bookings: No bookings are required for the daily drop-in activities. Bookings are required for the teen workshop through the event information and bookings page.

Families should check the booking information before planning for the teen workshop.

Source: Must Do Brisbane.

The beginner run squad runs from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Accredited coaches will cover running technique, speed and endurance, with all ability levels welcome.

Participants must be aged 16 or over. No booking is required, making the session a straightforward option for anyone who wants to try a coached running activity without committing to a program.

Check the details with Brisbane City Council before attending in case arrangements change.

Source: Brisbane City Council event listing.

The weekly event is part of the Wynnum-Manly area’s recurring community program, alongside markets, sailing activities and other local events. Its waterfront Wynnum starting point makes it a convenient option for people looking to include a regular Saturday activity in their weekend plans.

The available listing does not include an exact starting time, street address, course information or participation requirements. Check the latest details before attending, particularly if you are planning your first visit or travelling to the event.

For updated local event information, visit the Events & Festivals page.

Source: Visit Wynnum Manly.

The markets run every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, beginning Sunday 6 September 2026. Visitors can browse artisan wares, arts and crafts, plants, fashion and pet items, with coffee, entertainment and massage also available.

The markets provide an alternative retail outlet for creative small businesses and makers. Christmas Day exceptions apply when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.

For further details, visit the Manly Harbour Village website.

Source: Manly Creative Markets event listing.

The class runs from 8:30am to 9:15am at Manly Pool, 1 Fairlead Crescent, Manly. Pool entry fees apply, and bookings are not required.

Aqua aerobics can provide a gentle way to exercise in the water, making this session a local option for people looking to add low-impact movement to their weekend.

For further event information, visit the Brisbane City Council Facebook page.

Source: Brisbane City Council event listing.

The group welcomes men and women of varied ages and discusses a selected book at each meeting. Conversations may cover the book’s style, appeal and content, with fiction, non-fiction and classic works included in the reading mix.

The series begins on Thursday 27 August 2026 and continues monthly at Wynnum Library, 145 Florence Street, Wynnum. The first meeting runs from 6.30pm to 7.55pm.

No bookings are required, and the activity is suitable for all ages. It offers a regular opportunity to talk about books and meet other local readers in a library setting.

Check the Brisbane City Council event listing for the latest details before attending.