So what’s on in Brisbane in December? Summer is upon us already and there are loads of hot things to do in Brisbane’s scorching festive season. The good news is, there are a lot of activities running for the whole month, such as markets, plays, pop-up bars, food festivals and light shows. It’s the time to eat and drink and enjoy fun with the family too. So without further ado, here are 40 great ideas for you to experience this December.
Let’s get amongst it!
Events Running More Than One Week in December, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in December
Fairy Tales
- What – an exhibition that features ‘opulent carriages to sumptuous gowns’, along with ‘twisted woodlands’ and ‘mystical mirrors’ and the art of folk stories.
- Where – GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art).
- When – Dec 2 – 31.
Christmas at South Bank
- What – Christmas festivities galore at South Bank, including markets, lights, live music, carols and much more!
- Where – South Bank precinct.
- When – Dec 1 – 23.
Joy To The World
- What – Warner Bros. Movie World is hosting a Christmas extravaganza through much of December, featuring parades, rides and general festivities.
- Where – Warner Bros. Movie World.
- When – Dec 8 – 23.
Jurassic World By Brickman
- What – a massive Lego Jurassic World exhibition featuring giant dinosaurs, props and scenes made from over 6 million Lego bricks! Find out more here.
- Where – Queensland Museum, level 3.
- When – Dec 8 – 31.
A Very Naughty Christmas
- What – an adults-only Christmas comedy featuring a live ‘elf band’ and ‘partial nudity’.
- Where – La Boite Theatre, Kelvin Grove.
- When – Dec 1 – 20.
Aida
- What – a live production featuring opulent costumes reflecting ‘the splendour of Egypt’ featuring video, visuals and a musical feast. Find out more here.
- Where – Lyric Theatre, QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Centre).
- When – Dec 6 – 20.
Merry Mixology
- What – a ‘boozy Christmas cabaret’ featuring ‘gorgeous harmonies’, ‘whimsical comedy’, a ‘splash of vintage glamour’ and a live jazz band.
- Where – The Mix Bar, Woolloongabba.
- When – Dec 10 – 22.
Reception This Way
- What – an exhibition on Australian hotels in the 1950s, hosted by comedian Tim Ross. Featuring photographs and promotional film footage.
- Where – 194 Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead.
- When – December 1 – 12.
Christmas on Eat Street
- What – Eat street doing Christmas! Featuring live music, theatre and solo performers amidst the usual smorgasbord of culinary delights from all around the world.
- Where – Eat Street Northshore, Hamilton.
- When – Dec 1 – 3, 8 – 10 and 15 – 17.
Christmas Putt Putt
- What – Christmas putt putt golf has descended upon Victoria Park in a big, garish way. The 18 hole putt putt course has been transformed for the festive season, featuring colourful Christmas clippings and boozy slushies.
- Where – Victoria Park.
- When – all December.
Festive High Tea
- What – a festive high tea experience featuring a menu with both sweet and savory goodies. You can also build your own gingerbread house. The menu includes endless tea and coffee for you socially accepted drug addicts.
- Where – Living Room Bar, North Quay.
- When – all December.
Tinseltown
- What – a colourful Christmas bar in Fortitude Valley, which I’m going to tomorrow night! Featuring egg nog, a Christmas cocktail menu in a heavily Christmas-decorated bar.
- Where – EC Venue, Fortitude Valley.
- When – all December.
Is That You Ruthie?
- What – a poignant play exploring a mother and daughter relationship amidst a government removal policy in the times of white and black segregation.
- Where – Cremorne Theatre, QPAC.
- When – Dec 2 – 16.
The Enchanted Garden
- What – ‘Brisbane’s ultimate lighting experience’, takes visitors on a journey of ‘magic, mystery and wonder with its spectacular lighting extravaganza.
- Where – Roma Street Parkland.
- When – Dec 1- 20.
Christmas at the Village
- What – Albany Creek Village is putting on an array of family-friendly Christmas festivities. Find out more here.
- Where – Albany Creek Village.
- When – December 1 – 24.
The Granite Belt Christmas Farm
- What – embrace the Christmas spirit in Applethorpe! Experience kids’ story time, strawberry picking, holiday workshops, Santa visits and Christmas tree picking.
- Where – Applethorpe.
- When – December 1 – 23.
December 1 – 8, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in December
Jingle
- What – a Christmas show featuring a circus extravaganza, magic, singing and dancing.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse.
- When – Dec 7 – 10.
The Tallest Man on Earth
- What – a guy playing music with apparently a really long guitar. Find out more here.
- Where – Princess Theatre.
- When – Dec 7.
Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols Victoria Park Satellite Event
- What – pretty much what it says – Christmas carols in Victoria Park! From the pictures, it looks like a modern, stage version. Also featuring some of the city’s best food trucks.
- Where – Victoria Park.
- When – Dec 2.
Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct Twilight Market
- What – a haven for foodies and families featuring store holders from the Scenic Rim with fresh farm vegetables, boutique beer, wine and locally distilled spirits.
- Where – 194 Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead.
- When – December 8.
December 8 – 15, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in December
Handel’s Messiah
- What – experience the enchanting melodies of Handel’s Messiah, a Christmas classic that has tickled the tinsel of patrons worldwide for over 250 years. Featuring a choir as well as soloists.
- Where – City Tabernacle Baptist Church.
- When – Dec 9.
Christmas Lights
- What – Government House is lighting itself up again in one of the greatest light shows in Brisbane for Christmas celebrations.
- Where – Government House.
- When – Dec 9 – 14.
Flamenco Vivo
- What – a Flamenco and Spanish dance show featuring ‘virtuoso guitarists’, polished singers and firecracker dancers!
- Where – Ron Hurley Theatre, Seven Hills.
- When – Dec 10.
City of Logan Christmas Carols
- What – Brisbane’s biggest annual Christmas event, featuring food, Santa photos, face painting, the PAW Patrol stage show and more!
- Where – Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct.
- When – Dec 9, 2pm – 8pm.
Jingle
- What – a Christmas show featuring circus extravaganza, magic, singing and dancing.
- Where – Brisbane Powerhouse
- When – Dec 7 – 10
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
- What – an expo for lovers of the strange, bizarre, and all things weird, featuring spooky art, bones, odd jewellery, curiosities and much more.
- Where – The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
- When – Dec 9 – 10.
Twelve Nights of Christmas Lights
- What – experience Westfield Chermside going totally nuts over Christmas, featuring Christmas lights, shows and entertainment, a star hunt trail and more!
- Where – Westfield, Chermside.
- When – Dec 14, 6pm – 10pm.
Champagne Wars
- What – Cloudland presents a champagne fight! Just kidding. This is a ‘taste offensive’ for Champagne enthusiasts (of course), featuring cheese and meat boards.
- Where – Cloudland.
- When – December 15, 5pm – 7pm.
The Gruffalo
- What – a play for kids on the famous book, ‘The Gruffalo’, which is a ‘mystical, musical adaption featuring songs, laughs and ‘scary fun’ that’s family-friendly.
- Where – QUT Gardens Theatre.
- When – Dec 14.
The 78 Storey Treehouse
- What – a play on the book, the 78-Storey Treehouse, featuring mysterious cows!
- Where – QUT Gardens Theatre.
- When – 14 – 17 December, 3 – 4pm.
Christmas Design Market
- What – a local marketing featuring merchandise from talented locals with over 80 stalls to choose from. Admission is free.
- Where – GOMA.
- When – Dec 9, 9am – 4pm.
December 15 – 22, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in December
A Cracker Kransky Christmas
- What – the Kransky sisters are in town to share stories, songs and musical mayhem featuring hits from Britney Spears, the Spice Girls and ACDC, doing Christmas Carols like you’ve never heard before!
- Where – Cremorne Theatre, QPAC.
- When – 19-24 Dec.
The Queensland Choir
- What – The Queensland Choir is doing Christmas in the only way they know how! Put your classy carol hats on!
- Where – The Concert Hall – 480 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills.
- When – Dec 16.
The Smed and the Smoos
- What – a play about the award-winning children’s book featuring interplanetary laughs and adventures.
- Where – QUT Gardens Theatre.
- When – Dec 21, 12pm – 1pm.
The 78 Storey Treehouse
- What – a play on the book, the 78-Storey Treehouse, featuring mysterious cows!
- Where – QUT Gardens Theatre.
- When – 14 – 17 December, 3 – 4pm.
BrisStyle Twilight Markets
- What – the only Brisbane city marketplace selling 100% locally handmade goods from over 60 local designers.
- Where – King George Square.
- When – December 5 & 22.
Fish Lane Christmas Markets
- What – feast your paws on locally made ceramics, art, plants and much more in Brisbane’s iconic Fish Lane!
- Where – Fish Lane.
- When – December 16, 9am – 1pm.
December 22 – 31, 2023 – What’s on in Brisbane in December
A Cracker Kransky Christmas
- What – the Kransky sisters are in town to share stories, songs and musical mayhem featuring hits from Britney Spears, the Spice Girls and ACDC, doing Christmas Carols like you’ve never heard before!
- Where – Cremorne Theatre, QPAC.
- When – 19-24 Dec.
Buon Natale – Christmas Day Lunch at Settimo
- What – an Italian-style Christmas celebration featuring antipasto, port, roasted fish and slow cooked lamb, tiramisu and Christmas pudding.
- Where – Settimo – 111 Mary Street, Brisbane City.
- When – Dec 25.
Bacchus Restaurant Christmas Dinner
- What – experience a three-hour Christmas dinner buffet featuring succulent seafood, hot dishes, salads, cheeses, fruits, sashimi & sushi and heavenly desserts. Tickets are $199pp. Find out more here.
- Where – Bacchus Restaurant, South Bank.
- When – Dec 25.
That’s a wrap for what’s on in Brisbane in December 2023. 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.
Have a super festive season!
