So what’s on in Brisbane in October? A whole new slew of activity – featuring Oktoberfest celebrations, Halloween festivities, an immersive Lightscape experience in the city, Mental Health Week, a festival for doggies, a floating cinema and food and wine events to name but a few.
Let’s get amongst it!
Events Running more than one week in October 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in October
Maho Magic Bar & Darkfield
- What – indulge in a Tokyo-style neon bar featuring ‘mischief, amazement, cocktails and laughter’. You can also enter one of the Darkfield shipping containers at the Maritime Museum for immersive audio experiences in complete darkness.
- Where – Queensland Maritime Museum.
- When – Oct 3 – 31.
Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon
- What – a full-length narrative ballet of the life of Coco Chanel, ‘steeped in fashion and beauty’.
- Where – Playhouse, QPAC.
- When – Oct 4 – 19.
Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival
- What – a celebration of local thoroughbred racing talent featuring fine food and entertainment. This carnival features the Queensland Cup race day, Ladies’ race day and the Cox Plate race day.
- Where – Eagle Farm & Doomben racecourses.
- When – Oct 12 – 31.
Brisbane Theatre of Magic
- What – a night of ‘magic, illusion and mystery’ inside one of Brisbane’s oldest buildings.
- Where – Rydges Fortitude Valley.
- When – Oct 12, 19 & 26.
Sandgate Art Society Creative Trail
- What – a big art trail with works from over 40 local artists across 22 locations, which includes local galleries, creative businesses and home studios. Find out more here.
- Where – various locations in Sandgate.
- When – Oct 19, 20 & 26, 27.
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 5 – 13.
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 – 12.
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 – October 16 – 31.
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 16 – 31. Wed – Fri – 4:30 – 9pm & Weekends – 3- 9pm.
Australia in Space – Earth and Beyond
- What – an exhibition on Australia in space, on how our location and expertise give us a unique advantage. The event features a virtual telescope, stories of Australian innovators, tackling the problem of space junk through a computer game and a simulated Mars rover mission.
- Where – Redcliffe Museum.
- When – all of October.
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, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in October
Curtains
- What – Curtains, the musical is in town – from the same team who created Chicago and Cabaret. Billed as a ‘hilarious musical theatre parody of whodunnit classics featuring a live orchestra.
- Where – Iona Performing Arts Centre, Wynnum West.
- When – Oct 1 – 5.
Plied and Prejudice
- What – a live theatrical telling of Jane Austin’s classic, featuring a ‘hilariously inappropriate’ cast.
- Where – The Shed, Dock C, Hamilton.
- When – Oct 4 – 5, 6:30 & 8:30pm.
Rorschach
- What – Choreographed by Riley Baldwin and Jacob Watton, Rorschach allured viewers into a cerebral realm or inner complexities. Featuring a youthful cast and original score.
- Where – The Thomas Dixon Centre, West End.
- When – Oct 6 – 1pm, 3:30pm & 6pm.
Recovered Futures Art Exhibition
- What – an enormous art exhibition in the city featuring 270 works from over 180 artists with lived mental health experience as part of Queensland Mental Health Week.
- Where – King George Square.
- When – Oct 4 – 10.
October 8 – 15, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in October
Brisbane Emergency Services Expo
- What – a free, fun and informative family day out featuring representatives from Get Ready Queensland, the State Emergency Service, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Queensland Fire Department and the Queensland Ambulance Service. Information includes how to prepare your home for severe weather events and entertainment includes Paw Patrol, jumping castles, live music, food trucks and more.
- Where – 7th Brigade Park, Chermside.
- When – Oct 12.
Barktoberfest 2024
- What – Carseldine Markets are putting on one for the pooches and pooch lovers! The event features workshops, entertainment, market stalls, arts & crafts and gourmet treats.
- Where – 133 Dorville Road Carseldine.
- When – Oct 12, 6am – 12pm.
The Old Rugged Cross
- What – a concert of soul, gospel and country, ‘where memories and melodies intertwine’. The night features acclaimed pianist Paul Grabowsky, along with an ensemble of jazz musicians and the ‘rich and evocative’ voice of Emma Donovan.
- Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
- When – Oct 13, 6pm.
October 15 – 22, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in October
Sydney Dance Company +Twofold
- What – the Sydney Dance Company is visiting the city’s Powerhouse Theatre this October in a ‘visceral and thrilling exploration of the juxtaposition of beauty and devastation’. The event also features Twofold with renowned choreographer Melanie Lane.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
- When – Oct 17 – 19.
Herbie Hancock
- What – legendary jazzman Herbie Hancock is coming to little ole Brissie!
- Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
- When – Oct 17.
Bowies Down Brunswick
- What – revellers and diehard Bowie fans can dress up in Bowie theme and walk down Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley.
- Where – Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.
- When – Oct 19.
Oktoberfest in the Gardens
- What – A celebration of Oktoberfest, featuring German beers, wine, cider, dancing, entertainment and a celebration of all things German! Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Showgrounds.
- When – Oct 19.
October 22 – 31, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in October
Roaring Twenties Cinema
- What – a spooky night of old cinema with drink options at the bar and a range of dinner options. The event features films from the ’20s – The Love of the Little Dancer’s Life, The Cat and the Canary and Dante’s Inferno (made in 1911).
- Where – The Garden Bar in Arcana, Moorooka.
- When – Oct 23, 7pm.
Island Vibe Festival
- What – a reggae, soul and dub festival celebrating music and culture on the world’s second largest sand island. This three-day event features live music, art, cultural workshops, incredible food and kids’ activities.
- Where – Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
- When – Oct 25 – 27.
Discovering Ancient Egypt
- What – an exhibition at the Queensland museum featuring ‘the mysteries, artistry and rituals from one of the world’s most captivating civilisations’. The event features 3D light projections, ornate sculptures and designs and excerpts of sacred ceremonies from the Book of the Dead.
- Where – Queensland Museum.
- When – Oct 25 – 31.
Australian Independent Film Festival
- What – films that begin in Queensland before travelling around the world, featuring some of the best international short films, before returning home again. Drinks are available in the onsite bar.
- Where – Metro Arts, West End.
- When – October 25.
Halloween Ghost Train
- What – the historic ‘Mary Valley Rattler’ is getting geared up in spooky garb on a journey from Gympie to Amamoor and back again. This four-hour journey features scary entertainers, a Halloween dress theme, trick or treat, dinner options and bar facilities.
- Where – departs from Gympie station at 5pm.
- When – Oct 26.
Valley Fiesta
- What – a free street party in Fortitude Valley’s Brunswick Street featuring 20 local and national acts set up over four stages. Check out this website for more info.
- Where – various locations in Fortitude Valley.
- When – Oct 26.
Float in Cinema: Halloween Edition
- What – what Halloween-themed flics in a floating pool cinema! Films include Hocus Pocus, the 202 version of The Witches and the ’90s take on the Adams Family. Tickets cost $130 per person and include a floating bed, snack box, unlimited popcorn and either a glass of bubbly or cocktail upon arrival.
- Where – 81 North Quay, Brisbane City.
- When – Oct 28 – 30.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
- What – an orchestra playing scores from films such as Psycho, Beetlejuice, Donny Darko and the Rocky Horror Picture Show, along with songs such as Thriller, all by candlelight.
- Where – St John’s Anglican Cathedral.
- When – Oct 31.
That’s a wrap for what’s on in Brisbane in October 2024. 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!
