It’s monthly round-up time already! So, what’s on in Brisbane in May, 2024? Loads of course! Some of the highlights this month include Mother’s Day celebrations in various forms, bespoke film festivals and food lovers will love the street food across the city. Speaking of food, Australia’s longest-running Greek festival, Panyiri, is back and the Brisbane Writer’s Festival is in town, amongst a whole lot more!
Let’s get amongst it!
Events Running More Than One Week in May 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in April
South African Film Festival
- What – film festival featuring documentaries, short films and features on the history, culture and politics of South Africa.
- When – May 2, 8 & 30.
- Where – Balmoral, Victoria Point and Southbank.
Anywhere Festival
- What – not-for-profit festival featuring over 500 performers engaged in music, dance, storytelling, performance and creativity.
- When – May 9 – 26.
- Where – various locations.
Veuve Clicquot Chalet
- What – pop-up waterfront, Euro-style igloos featuring a bar and gourmet dining options. Find out more here.
- When – May 14 – 31.
- Where – Customs House Terrace.
May 1 – 8, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in May
Buddha Birth Day – The Festival
- What – one of QLD’s most cultural events which features spiritual and cultural events such as meditation sessions, Buddhist talks, baby blessings and multicultural performances.
- When – May 3 – 5.
- Where – 1034 Underwood Road, Priestdale.
Goat Yoga Brisbane
- What – Yoga with goats. Not kidding! Find out more here.
- When – May 4.
- Where – 16 School Street, Fortitude Valley.
A Night in Japan – Mt Gravatt Street Food
- What – a night of Japanese street food and cultural entertainment. Tickets are $3 entry, although children under 16 are free.
- When – May 4.
- Where – Mt Gravatt Showgrounds.
Vend Mother’s Day Market
- What – pretty much as the title says – selling gifts from bespoke, small businesses in an indoor marketplace. The day features food, coffee, a playground and it’s dog-friendly.
- When – May 4.
- Where – 289 Ipswich Road, Annerley.
About Planes, Trains and Autos
- What – a celebration of all things aviation, rail and autos. The event includes diesel train rides, live music, dinner, drives in cool old cars and much more! Find out more here.
- When – May 4 – May 6.
- Where – Various locations around Ipswich.
The Tropical Plant Spectacular
- What – a bi-annual plant show featuring a range of plants, garden art, giveaways, plant advice and a whole lot more!
- When – May 4.
- Where – Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens.
Plant Empire Small Wonders Exhibition
- What – a place where artists, gardeners and creatives gather to show and sell their works. Prizes are awarded to the winners. Find out more here.
- When – May 4 – 12.
- Where – 3/281 Station Road Yeerongpilly.
Stones Corner Festival
- What – cool, old-school bands such as Screamfeeder and the Never Ending ‘80s are performing, along with a whole host of other acts. The event includes markets, craft beer and food trucks and is family-friendly.
- When – May 5.
- Where – Logan Road, Stones Corner.
Brisbane Afrobeats Festival
- What – a fun festival featuring music and dance culture from the African Afrobeats genre.
- When – May 5 – 6.
- Where – 27 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley.
Split Murder Mysteries
- What – one of my favourite pubs in Brisbane, Netherworld, is hosting a murder mystery night – featuring a 1950s theme, puzzle solving, logic forensics, accusations and more!
- When – May 6 – 7 – 10pm.
- Where – Netherworld.
May 8 – 15, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in May
Sparrowland Short Film Festival
- What – a short film festival featuring ‘brave independent films’ that have been carefully handpicked to encapsulate the human spirit.
- When – May 8 – 11.
- Where – Pip Theatre – 20 Park Road, Milton.
Affordable Art Fair Brisbane
- What – an art fair depicting art from more than 40 art galleries from across Australia, featuring a variety of styles.
- When – May 9 – 12.
- Where – Brisbane Showgrounds Exhibition Buildings.
Twilight Jazz By the River
- What – live jazz music by the sunset of the Brisbane River, with food and drinks.
- When – May 10, 5pm onwards.
- Where – Queensland Maritime Museum.
Laneway Live, California Lane
- What – live music from two stages, with alternating acts, from Midday in one of Brisbane’s
raddest, coolest lanes. - When – May 11.
- Where – California Lane.
Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons Fan Fest
- What – the Queensland Maroons are at Harvey Norman! Snap a pic with your favourite player. There are also prizes and giveaways up for grabs.
- When – May 11.
- Where – Queen Street Mall.
Mother’s Day High Tea
- What – pretty self-explanatory really. Very cool little spot though – well worth checking out.
- When – May 12.
- Where – Shingle Inn, City Hall.
Jazz & Shiraz Ferny Hills
- What – smooth jazz tunes and fine wine for all the mothers out there (and anyone else who wants to come, of course).
- When – May 12, 1 – 5pm.
- Where – George Willmore Park.
Wickham Terrace Spring Hill Guided Walk (The Old Windmill)
- What – as part of the Brisbane Open House walking tours, this is a tour of Queensland’s oldest building.
- When – May 14, 4;30pm.
- Where – The Old Windmill.
May 15 – 22, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in May
Scenic Rim Markets Farm Gate to City Door
- What – markets featuring gourmet food stalls with goodies from the scenic rim region – cheese, wines, beer, activities, a boat cruise and more.
- When – May 18.
- Where – Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct Promenade.
Weaving is Healing Two Day Weekend Workshop Brisbane Part 1
- What – a two-day basket weaving workshop, ceremony and healing experience.
- When – May 18 – 19.
- Where – 152 Mount Coot-tha Road, Mount Coot-tha.
Food Truck Night Market – Mt Gravatt Street Food
- What – international food and live music!
- When – May 19.
- Where – 1644 Logan Road Mt Gravatt.
Panyiri
- What – Australia’s longest-running Greek Festival featuring food, dance, music and art.
- When – May 18 & 19.
- Where – Musgrave Park.
Brookfield Show 2024
- What – three days packed with frolicking country goodness – with rides, food, animal show events and much more!
- When – May 17 – 19.
- Where – Brookfield Showground.
Stitch n Witch – Creative Fundraising – Boro Tote Bag
- What – ‘a mindful art of Japanese slow stitch and visible mending to create unique designs out of repurposed materials’.
- When – May 19, 2 – 4pm.
- Where – Pride Coffee – 265 Blaker Road, Keperra.
May 22 – 31, 2024 – What’s on in Brisbane in May
Hops and Harmony
- What – ‘like singing in the shower with a beer and a couple of hundred friends in harmony, but not weird’ – a quote from attendee and fan, Brionie Apostolides.
- When – May 22.
- Where – Lefty’s Music Hall.
Veg-table #1
- What – a celebration of the farming community with vegetarian meals prepared by volunteers. Tickets are $10 and all funds raised go back to the farming community.
- When – May 23.
- Where – Victoria Street.
Festa Italiana
- What – a festival celebrating Italy’s rich culture – featuring mouth-watering cuisine curated in collaboration with renowned chef Orazio D’Elia of Da Orazio. There’ll also be live music and drinks.
- When – May 23 – 26 & May 30.
- Where – Howard Smith Wharves.
Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo
- What – Queensland’s largest careers & employment event. The event includes over 130 organisations and employers, free advice, seminars, resume tips and more.
- When – May 24 & 25.
- Where – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Shake it in the Shadows!
- What – dance with the lights off, which begins with a sacred circle, oracle cards, drawing and reflecting. No artistic skills needed.
- When – May 26, 4:45 – 7pm.
- Where – The BrisWest Centre.
Green Heart Fair
- What – sustainable living festival featuring free native plants, live entertainment, markets, food trucks and much more!
- When – May 26.
- Where – Victoria Park, Herston.
Your Local Wedding Guide Brisbane Expo
- What – gorgeous wedding displays, wedding teams and all things advice on planning your wedding.
- When – May 26.
- Where – The Exhibition Building, Bowen Hills.
Brisbane Writers Festival
- What – panel discussions, special events, writers, readers and thinkers get together to celebrate the written word.
- When – May 30 – 31.
- Where – Festival House, Fortitude Valley.
That’s a wrap for what’s on in Brisbane in May 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 the cooler weather!
