What's on in Brisbane this weekend for families

🎉 Explore what's on in Brisbane for families this weekend and school holidays

When it comes to what's on in Brisbane this weekend for families, this vibrant city in Queensland is a hub of family-friendly, cultural, artistic, and sporting events.

Each weekend, Brisbane offers many family-friendly events. Whether it's a visit to one of the city's famous museums, going to the best markets in Brisbane, attending much-anticipated kids' shows, or cheering for a favourite sports team, Brisbane has something for everyone in your family.

This guide dives into some of Brisbane's best events for families. Join us as we explore what's on in Brisbane for families this weekend and school holidays.

Brisbane Museums for kids and families

When asked, “Does Brisbane have a museum?” the answer is yes, and visiting a museum happens to be one of the fun things to do in Brisbane with family. Some of the best Brisbane Museums to visit with kids include:

• The Museum of Brisbane (MOB) offers exhibits on the city's history, culture, and works by local artists. MOB offers fun events for kids and diverse exhibits during the QLD school holidays.

• Queensland Museum focuses on natural history, science, and cultural heritage.

• Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium features many exhibits and displays related to space, providing an immersive experience.

• The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich showcases the history of Australia's oldest operating railway workshop and a collection of train carriages. 

The best Science Museum in Brisbane

Sciencentre, which is part of the Queensland Museum, is the best science museum in Brisbane. Located in the South Bank precinct of Brisbane, it offers nearly 100 interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that make learning about science fun.

The best Brisbane Markets to visit with kids

When it comes to visiting Brisbane markets with kids, the family-friendly atmosphere and activities are important. Here are some of the best options:

• Jan Powers Farmers Markets are known for their fresh produce and offer a range of activities and entertainment for kids. 

• The Mummy Tree Markets are all about products for babies, children and community events for families. You'll find a family-friendly atmosphere, live entertainment, food stalls, activities for children and a wide range of children's clothes, toys, etc. The markets are held at various locations in Brisbane.

• Rock A Buy Markets offer a range of pre-loved and new baby and kids' items. These markets are a great place to find affordable clothing, toys, and accessories for kids. The Markets take place at various locations in Brisbane. 

• Eat Street is a popular food market located in Hamilton, QLD. It offers a wide variety of food stalls and live entertainment, making it a fun and vibrant destination for families. 

The best family-friendly Brisbane Festivals

Brisbane offers many family-friendly festivals throughout the year, including:

• Australia Day Celebration and Bulimba Big Bash are held on Australia Day (26 January). This Brisbane festival features live music, food stalls, and children's activities.

• Lunar New Year Festival is in January at Brunswick Street Mall in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. This cultural festival celebrates the Chinese New Year with food, music and cultural performances.

• Brisbane Comedy Festival takes place in March and features local and international stand-up comedians.

• Bluewater Festival is in March. This Brisbane festival celebrates the start of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race with rides, markets, entertainment, and fireworks.

• World Science Festival Brisbane takes place in March and brings science, art and technology together. It offers interactive exhibits, science-themed events and activities for all ages.

• Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) is a family-friendly event that offers many family-friendly activities, entertainment, competitions, live music, rides, and food stalls. It’s held each August.

• Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is held in September. This Brisbane festival features a parade, a flower show and food stalls.

• Riverfire Brisbane takes place in September during the Brisbane Festival. It features a fireworks display over the Brisbane River. You’ll also enjoy food stalls and live music performances.

Popular Family Events and Concert in Brisbane

When it comes to the best-ever concert in Brisbane, it depends on personal tastes. However, some of the Brisbane concerts were highly regarded by the fans:

• Coldplay's performance at Suncorp Stadium in 2012 was ranked as the city's best-ever stadium performance.

• Guns N' Roses concert in Brisbane in 2022 was also highly praised as one of the major events in Brisbane.

• Many fans also highly appreciated Taylor Swift's 1989 Tour in Brisbane in 2015.

Brisbane also hosts many music festivals in 2023 and 2024, including many upcoming family-friendly concerts, famous festivals, kids’ events, popular family events and live performances taking place throughout the year.

These include The Wiggles concert in Brisbane, Disney On Ice - 100 Years of Wonder, Pevan and Sarah's on-stage performance and many more.

Where are concerts held in Brisbane?

There are many indoor and outdoor concert venues in Brisbane where shows take place. Some of the best concert venues in Brisbane include:

• Brisbane Entertainment Centre is one of the largest indoor concert venues in Queensland.

• Riverstage is a popular outdoor venue for music concerts and festivals.

• Fortitude Music Hall is known for hosting many fantastic events and concerts by both international and local artists. 

• QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Centre) is a major performing arts venue that includes four theatres: the Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Playhouse, and Cremorne Theatre.

• The Zoo (the Shannon’s Building on Ann Street) is a popular indoor live music venue in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. 

Brisbane Powerhouse is a cultural centre in Brisbane that hosts a variety of events, including concerts, plays, live stage performances, festivals, exhibitions and more.

Must-visit Children's Theatres in Brisbane

Brisbane has several theatres and performing arts centres that offer family-friendly events and kids’ shows:

• Brisbane Arts Theatre offers a variety of family shows, musicals and productions throughout the year.

• Queensland Theatre offers a wide range of classic plays, contemporary works, and new Australian plays. The Theatre also offers various educational opportunities and school holiday programs for teenagers.

• QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Centre) produces a variety of high-quality family events each year, especially during the QLD school holidays, including “Hide the Dog”, “Disney Princess - The Concert”, and “Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show”.

• Brisbane Powerhouse caters to families with kid-friendly shows and school holiday events.

• La Boite Theatre produces a range of family shows suitable for teenagers and young people and offers performing arts school holiday activities in Brisbane.

Major Events in Brisbane you can't miss

Brisbane hosts a wide range of major events throughout the year, including sporting events, cultural festivals, music festivals, and family-friendly events. So mark on your calendar the major events Brisbane has:

• Brisbane Comedy Festival is in September each year for three weeks. You’ll enjoy a lineup of top comedians and stand-up performances.

• Brisbane Festival takes place each September and features thrilling theatre, classical and contemporary music, dance, circus, opera performances, and the iconic Riverfire pyrotechnic display. 

• Ekka - Royal Queensland Show is an annual agricultural show held in August. It features livestock competitions, family fun entertainment, rides, and many exhibits.

• Queensland Caravan & Camping Supershow takes place in early June each year, where visitors can participate in various activities related to camping and caravanning.

• The Brisbane French Festival takes place in July, offering an immersive experience of French culture, food, wine, music, and entertainment. This cultural festival features a dedicated area for children with a range of fun activities.

Top Cultural Festivals in Brisbane

Some of the top cultural festivals in Brisbane that offer fun events for kids and the whole family include:

What are the major Sporting Events In Brisbane?

Brisbane hosts a range of sporting events throughout the year. Some of the major sporting events in Brisbane include: 

• International Cricket Council Men's T20 World Cup

• Brisbane International Tennis Tournament (in January)

• Brisbane Global Rugby Tens (in February)

• Brisbane Broncos NRL Matches

• Brisbane Lions AFL Matches

• Brisbane Heat BBL Matches

• FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

• Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The top Brisbane Stadiums include:

Below are some of the top stadiums in Brisbane that host various family-friendly sports events, concerts, and other live performances.