The Best Things to Do in Brisbane This May

Eating all of the loukoumades, scoping out a citywide street art fest, indulging your inner word nerd: that's on the agenda in Brisbane in May.
Concrete Playground
Published on April 26, 2024
Updated on April 26, 2024
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  • Event

    Portside Wharf Art Month

    Wednesday, May 1 - Friday, May 31, 2024

    Portside Wharf Hamilton, Brisbane

    Portside Wharf is dedicating all of May to a month-long art celebration, which features a paint splatter room, plus a street party with pet portraits. 

  • Event

    Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap

    Wednesday, May 29 - Sunday, June 2, 2024

    HOTA, Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise

    Initially premiering in London's West End in 1952, the world's longest-running play is coming to southeast Queensland — again.

  • Event

    Sleater-Kinney: 'Little Rope' Tour

    Friday, May 17, 2024

    The Triffid, Newstead

    Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker are touring Down Under three decades after recording their first album in Australia.

  • Event

    Million Paws Walk

    Sunday, May 26, 2024

    University of Queensland, St Lucia

    Grab your pooch, pop on your sneakers and help raise money for animals in need.

  • Event

    Caper Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival

    Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 26, 2024

    Various locations around Byron Bay, Byron Bay

    This culinary festival is back for its second run with a jam-packed ten-day program curated by chef Louis Tikaram from Brisbane restaurant Stanley.

  • Event

    Knockoff

    Friday, May 3, 2024, Friday, May 10, 2024, Friday, May 17, 2024 and Friday, May 24, 2024 

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    End your working week with free laughs during this year's Brisbane Comedy Festival.

  • Event

    Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare: Macbeth

    Tuesday, April 30 - Sunday, May 5, 2024

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    See the Scottish play performed with one totally plastered actor among the cast.

  • Event

    Abigail

    Thursday, April 18 - Wednesday, May 8, 2024

    Various cinemas in Brisbane

    The directors of 'Ready or Not' turn their attention to monster movies in this deliciously entertaining heist-meets-vampire flick.

  • Event

    Challengers

    Thursday, April 18 - Wednesday, May 8, 2024

    Various cinemas in Brisbane

    For 'Call Me By Your Name' director Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist star in a smash of a tennis- and love triangle-fuelled drama.

  • Event

    Pretty in Pink High Tea

    Wednesday, May 1 - Sunday, June 23, 2024

    W Brisbane, Brisbane City

    Decorate your own vanilla buttercream cake over pink-hued gin, raspberry, lychee and lavender cocktails at W Brisbane.

  • Event

    The Woman in Black

    Tuesday, April 30 - Saturday, May 11, 2024

    QPAC Playhouse, South Brisbane

    This spooky page-to-stage ghost story is back to haunt Brisbane, as starring Australian actors John Waters and Daniel MacPherson.

  • Event

    Dopamine Land

    Tuesday, May 28 - Sunday, July 21, 2024

    Uptown, Brisbane City

    This interactive multi-sensory experience that's all about making you feel happy is making its Australian premiere in Brisbane.

  • Event

    German Film Festival

    Thursday, May 9 - Wednesday, May 29, 2024

    Select cinemas in Brisbane, Various locations

    In 2024, Brisbane's annual celebration of German films is serving up brand-new gems and a Werner Herzog retrospective.

  • Event

    Brisbane Street Art Festival

    Saturday, May 4 - Sunday, May 19, 2024

    Various locations across Brisbane, Brisbane

    Get ready to look up — this huge citywide street art festival is taking over the city in May with more than 20 local, national and international artists.

  • Event

    The Caxton Hotel Seafood Festival

    Sunday, May 5, 2024

    The Caxton Hotel, Brisbane City

    Everyone's favourite Paddington street party returns with beers, cocktails, live music and oh-so-much seafood.

  • Event

    Monster Fest Weekender: Slasher Edition

    Friday, May 3 - Sunday, May 5, 2024

    Event Cinemas Brisbane City, Brisbane City

    Of course this three-day festival at Event Cinemas Brisbane City includes 'Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'Friday the 13th' flicks — and a 'Sleepaway Camp' marathon.

  • Event

    Noosa Eat & Drink Festival

    Thursday, May 30 - Sunday, June 2, 2024

    Various Noosa venues, Noosa Heads

    The annual epicurean extravaganza will feature long lunches, beachfront parties and an all-star lineup of culinary talent.

  • Event

    Stones Corner Festival

    Sunday, May 5, 2024

    Stones Corner, Stones Corner

    The Potbelleez, Screamfeeder, 19 breweries pouring beers: they'll all be at this huge street party on the May long weekend.

  • Event

    Mould — A Cheese Festival

    Friday, May 24 - Sunday, May 26, 2024

    Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills

    Try more than 100 of Australia's best cheeses at this big three-day dairy festival — with wine, beer and whisky, of course.

  • Event

    Paniyiri Greek Festival

    Saturday, May 18 - Sunday, May 19, 2024

    Musgrave Park, West End

    Get ready for loukoumades, souvlaki and haloumi in Musgrave Park at one of Brisbane's favourite cultural and culinary events.

  • Event

    Josh Thomas — 'Let's Tidy Up' Tour

    Thursday, May 2 - Sunday, May 5, 2024

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    The star of 'Please Like Me' is returning to stages across Australia on his latest standup tour — and we have an exclusive discount.

  • Event

    Affordable Art Fair Brisbane

    Thursday, May 9 - Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills

    Bargain alert: this global event is making its Brisbane debut across four May days, with artworks for sale from $100.

  • Event

    Festa Italiana

    Thursday, May 23, 2024, Friday, May 24, 2024, Saturday, May 25, 2024 and Sunday, May 26, 2024 

    Howard Smith Wharves Precinct, Brisbane City

    Howard Smith Wharves is bringing back its Italian food market over two big weekends, in collaboration with guest chef Orazio D'Elia.

  • Event

    Murder Village: An Improvised Whodunnit

    Thursday, May 9 - Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    Calling all murder-mystery fans — this Agatha Christie-style whodunnit is completely made up on the spot.

  • Event

    VEND Doggo Day

    Saturday, May 18, 2024

    VEND Virginia, Virginia

    The northside's permanent marketplace is going to the dogs for a day with themed market stalls slinging pawsome products.

  • Event

    Open Season

    Monday, May 20 - Saturday, July 27, 2024

    Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane

    This jam-packed lineup of tunes is back for 2024 — and this year, it's taking its gigs beyond The Tivoli and The Princess Theatre.

  • Event

    The Bubbles Festival

    Friday, May 10 - Saturday, May 11, 2024

    Port Office Hotel, Brisbane City

    Say cheers to two hours of sipping sparkling at this ode to bubbly sips.

  • Event

    Gigs & Picnics

    Saturday, April 27, 2024, Saturday, May 25, 2024, Saturday, August 31, 2024 and Saturday, September 28, 2024 

    Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City

    Listen to free live music and grab snacks from food trucks at this monthly hangout in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.

  • Event

    Green Heart Fair

    Sunday, May 26, 2024

    Victoria Park / Barrambin, Herston

    Pick up free plants, shop for pre-loved threads and see a 'Bluey' show at Brisbane's sustainability-focused fair.

  • Event

    Brisbane Writers Festival

    Thursday, May 30 - Sunday, June 2, 2024

    Various locations across Brisbane, Brisbane

    This book-worshipping festival's 2024 lineup will get you loving literature with Trent Dalton and Michael Connelly.

  • Event

    Sydney Writers' Festival

    Monday, May 20 - Sunday, May 26, 2024

    Various Sydney venues, Sydney

    Nearly 300 speakers are on the 2024 program, which features 223 free and ticketed events — and is streaming some sessions nationwide.

  • Event

    Hiromi Tango: Hanabira (Gentle Petal)

    Saturday, March 2 - Sunday, August 11, 2024

    Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane

    The Japanese Australian artist wants you to help fill Museum of Brisbane's Adelaide Street Pavilion with flowers.

  • Event

    Feel Good Program

    Monday, March 4 - Saturday, June 1, 2024

    South Bank Parklands, Brisbane

    Bend, stretch, splash and dance your way through spring at South Bank's free exercise classes.

  • Event

    Portside Wharf Love Me Again Markets

    Saturday, April 13, 2024, Saturday, May 11, 2024 and Saturday, June 8, 2024 

    Portside Wharf Hamilton, Brisbane

    Head to the riverside precinct on the second Saturday of each month to shop for pre-loved fashion from 20-plus stalls.

  • Event

    Sunset Cinema Brisbane

    Thursday, March 21 - Saturday, May 11, 2024

    Northshore Hamilton, Hamilton

    This outdoor picture palace returns to Northshore Hamilton for a 2024 season of movies under the stars and by the river.

  • Event

    Brisbane Comedy Festival 2024

    Friday, April 26 - Sunday, May 26, 2024

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    Get ready to laugh: Brisbane's annual comedy festival is back for 2024 with 100-plus talents tickling funny bones.

  • Event

    Not on Your Rider

    Thursday, May 9, 2024, Thursday, June 13, 2024 and Thursday, August 1, 2024 

    The Triffid, Newstead

    This Brisbane music game show takes place live, featuring different musicians each time — and you can play along.

  • Event

    Italian Renaissance Alive

    Saturday, March 30 - Sunday, August 4, 2024

    HOTA, Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise

    This multi-sensory exhibition will immerse you in Italian Renaissance works, including the 'Mona Lisa'.

  • Event

    Disney's Beauty and the Beast: The Musical

    Thursday, February 15 - Sunday, June 9, 2024

    QPAC Lyric Theatre, South Brisbane

    You'll want to be this delightful Disney musical's guest at Brisbane's QPAC Lyric Theatre from mid-February.

  • Event

    Christine Ko and Louis Lim: Departure

    Thursday, February 1 - Friday, June 7, 2024

    Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane

    Family photos have been turned into kites at this Museum of Brisbane exhibition, which explores the migrant experience.

  • Event

    The Sound Society at Roma Street Parklands

    Sunday, March 3, 2024, Sunday, April 7, 2024 and Sunday, May 5, 2024 

    Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane

    Listen to free live music in stunning natural surroundings once a month.

  • Event

    'Jurassic World' by Brickman: Extended Opening Hours

    Saturday, January 20, 2024, Friday, February 2, 2024 and Saturday, February 3, 2024 

    Queensland Museum, South Brisbane

    Can't fit in a daytime visit to see the dinosaur franchise's creatures recreated with six million-plus Lego bricks? Head by after hours.

  • Event

    Insect Agency

    Friday, September 15, 2023 - Sunday, July 7, 2024

    Queensland Museum, South Brisbane

    Peer at more than 1700 insect specimens from Queensland Museum's collection, including hundreds of different Queensland butterflies.

  • Event

    Rearranged: Art of the Flower

    Saturday, November 25, 2023 - Sunday, September 29, 2024

    Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane

    This vibrant free floral exhibition at King George Square's art museum features local artists exploring Brisbane blooms.

  • Event

    'Jurassic World' by Brickman

    Friday, December 8, 2023 - Sunday, July 14, 2024

    Queensland Museum, South Brisbane

    Lego finds a way — with more than 50 dinosaurs, props and scenes from the movie built out of the popular plastic bricks.

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