It’s time for another monthly round-up. If you’re wondering what’s on in Brisbane in August, here are 30 great ideas to get you going. This month hosts the annual iconic Brisbane Ekka, and there are art and food exhibitions galore – ranging from vegan to bacon festivals! This month’s also the month for theatre, live music and cultural festivals. Lots of winter fun to be had!
Events Running All of August, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
The Cracked Actor: Bowie on Screen
- What – a screening of David Bowe’s most iconic screen roles, featuring ziggy stardust sparkle and sci-fi splattered androgynous mystery light years ahead of its time.
- Where – The Gallery of Modern Art’s Australian Cinémathèque.
- When – August 17 – 31.
Horizon
- What – a live theatre performance from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that ‘honours their mother countries and the spirit that calls them home’.
- Where – QPAC Playhouse.
- When – August 8 – 17.
New Light: Photography Now + Then
- What – a photographic exhibition, showcasing images from 1890 to today. The exhibition features photos from Albert Henrie Elliott (1870 – 1954), an amateur Brisbane photographer whose images lay dormant until they were discovered in cigar boxes beneath a home in Red Hill in 1983.
- Where – Level 3 City Hall.
- When – August 17 – August 31.
Shape of Water Installation at Brisbane Quarter
- What – final year QUT fashion design students create ‘eight intricate designs inspired by the acclaimed Dutch designer’ Iris van Herpen. The venue features restaurants and cocktails.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse Museum.
- When – August 1 – 27.
Composed Chaos
- What – an exhibition by renowned artist Emma Darrouzet.
- Where – Studio on Brunswick Pop-Up Gallery.
- When – August 1 – 12
Fiery Winter Warmer
- What – experience an evening under the stars with a firepit, hamper and luscious wines. Tickets are $200 for two people. Click here to find out more.
- Where – Sirromet Winery.
- When – Every Saturday and Sunday this August, from 4:30pm.
August 1 – 8, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
Clancestry
- What – a ‘celebration of identity and connection’, where both established and emerging First Nations artists ‘share their stories, perspectives and talents. The event features live music, conversations, creative works and activities for the kids.
- Where – QPAC.
- When – August 1 – 9.
Luminous Festival
- What – a festival celebrating Brisbane’s vibrant cultural diversity, featuring loads of entertainment, food, activities and the renowned lantern festival.
- Where – Southbank Parklands.
- When – August 3rd, 11am – 8pm.
Teddy Bear’s Picnic at the Races
- What – a family fun day of horse racing and entertainment, featuring kid’s activities and food options.
- Where – Doomben Racecourse, Ascot.
- When – August 3.
Sip Happens Festival
- What – Iconic music venue The Triffid is hosting a wine festival featuring Australia’s ‘intriguing small wine producer’ and up-and-coming local musical acts. The festival’s focus is on sustainability and the biodynamic process.
- Where – The Triffid.
- When – August 3.
Government Open House Day
- What – a celebration of everything Queensland in one of Brisbane’s most stately mansions, featuring live music, garden tours, history talks, food trucks and tennis on the lawn.
- Where – Government House, Paddington.
- When – August 4, 11am – 3pm.
Greazefest – Kustom Kulture Festival
- What – a rockabilly & hotrod weekend featuring cool cars, rockabilly bands, DJs, markets, shows, competitions and hot rod paraphernalia. Find out more here.
- Where – Redland Showgrounds.
- When – August 2 – 4.
Ballet International Galla (BIG)
- What – a ballet featuring performers from the world’s biggest ballet companies performing classical ballets with a modern twist.
- Where – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Hall.
- When – August 7.
August 8 – 15, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
Mastering Children’s Mental Health in the Digital Age
- What – a community forum that unites parents, educators and clinicians. The event features a panel with leading experts in the field.
- Where – Performance Centre, Southbank TAFE campus, building C.
- When – August 8, 6 – 8pm.
The Finns Tribute Band
- What – a tribute band celebrating the performances of Neil and Tim Finn, from their journey through Split Enz and Crowded House.
- Where – RPAC Concert Hall.
- When – August 9.
Louder Than Love
- What – homage to ’90s grunge, featuring the world’s number one Nirvana Tribute ban and the Pearl Jam tribute band. Performances will also pay homage to Sound Garden and Alice in Chains.
- Where – Brisbane Theatre.
- When – August 10.
The EKKA 2024
- What – Queensland’s iconic annual festival is back for the 144th Ekka. Bringing the city and the country together, this show features woodchopping, over 10,000 animals, food and wine, live music, a fun fair with rides, family shopping, educational activities and much more. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Showgrounds.
- When – August 10 – 18.
August 15 – 22, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
The EKKA 2024
- What – Queensland’s iconic annual festival is back for the 144th Ekka. Bringing the city and the country together, this show features woodchopping, over 10,000 animals, food and wine, live music, a fun fair with rides, family shopping, educational activities and much more. Find out more here.
- Where – Brisbane Showgrounds.
- When – August 10 – 18.
True Grit
- What – a physical endurance event involving a 10km course that covers 30+ obstacles. There’s also a True Grit Half course, which features a 5km course and 15+ obstacles. Find out more here.
- Where – Kooralbyn.
- When – August 17 – 18.
Mekka Raceday
- What – a day of music and thoroughbred action, featuring artists Illy, Teddy Cream and Brooklyn.
- Where – Doomben Racecourse, Ascot.
- When – August 17.
Kingaroy BaconFest
- What – a three-day food festival that celebrates bacon and pork, featuring competitions, live music, fashion parades, cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, and markets. Best leave your pig at home for this one. Find out more here.
- Where – Kingaroy.
- When – August 16 – 18.
August 22 – 31, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in August
Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival
- What – a big celebration of the region’s food and wine featuring over 200 different wines, over 40 stage acts, food trucks, festival market places and much more!
- Where – Woody Point.
- When – August 23 – 25.
Jurrasic Jam: 10 Years Strong
- What – Brisbane’s top business talents rock out to support the AEIOU Foundation’s children with autism.
- Where – The Triffid.
- When – August 24, from 3pm.
Last Night
- What – King Street will be closed off for an epic street party in collaboration with The Tivoli and Blak Social. The event features pop-up food stalls, ‘roving entertainment’ and live music.
- Where – King Street.
- When – August 24, 3:30pm – 9pm.
The Sunrise
- What – five of Australia’s most brilliant musicians play romantic and classical inside the heritage-listed old museum. The event features talk and tea.
- Where – Old Museum Building.
- When – August 29, 7pm.
Straight from the Strait
- What – a night dedicated to Jeff Buckley, performed by John Dixon. Find out more here.
- Where – Playhouse, QPAC.
- When – August 28 – 31.
Lightscape
- What – Brisbane City Botanic Gardens are bathed in a ‘phenomenon of light, colour and sound’, featuring glowing tunnels and psychedelic flowers.
- Where – Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.
- When – August 29 – 31.
Limbo
- What – Brisbane’s new venue, featuring the live cabaret circus extravaganza, Limbo. It’s a mix of acrobatics, cabaret and live music.
- Where – The West End Electric – 125 Boundary Street, West End.
- When – August 29 – 31.
The Quandamook Festival
- What – a musical and cultural festival set amongst the paradisiacal backdrop of North Stradbroke Island. Celebrating culture and ceremony, the festival features tours, corroborees, music, food, weaving, arts, crafts, panel discussions, film and more!
- Where – North Stradbroke Island.
- When – August 30 – 31.
Riverfire
- What – the Brisbane Festival is kicking off with a colourful bang at Riverfire – where a frenetic flowering of fireworks takes place over the Brisbane River. Click here to find out the best places to view the colourful extravaganza.
- Where – various locations across Brisbane.
- When – August 31.
That’s a wrap for what’s on in Brisbane in August 2024. If there’s anything you think I’ve missed that you’d like me to add, get in touch via my contact page, in the comments section, or social media.
Enjoy winter!
