The Best Free Things to Do in Brisbane This Summer

Swallow your disdain for crowds and curb your complaints about people who only go to exhibition openings for the complimentary drinks and get amongst these events, which you can attend gloriously cash-free.
Lauren Vadnjal
Published on December 21, 2018
List
Map
  • Event

    Olivia Lacey: Love Me, Love Me

    Wed, 27 Feb - Sat, 16 Mar 2019

    Metro Arts, West End

    Fall head over heels for this romance-inspired exhibition.

  • Event

    Exchange Value

    Sat, 16 Feb - Sun, 28 Apr 2019

    QUT Art Museum, Brisbane

    Showcasing illuminating and thought-provoking photography from around the world.

  • Event

    Bricks and Beers

    Thu, 28 Feb, 2019

    Semi-Pro Brewing Co, East Brisbane

    Get building over a few beers.

  • Event

    Celebrating Arctic Monkeys' 'AM'

    Wed, 27 Feb, 2019

    Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley

    You'll look good on the dance floor as Black Bear Lodge celebrates Sheffield's finest.

  • Event

    Little Big House's First Birthday Party

    Sat, 23 Feb - Sun, 24 Feb 2019

    Little Big House, South Brisbane

    South Bank's party pub celebrates one huge year.

  • Event

    Live From Our Backyard

    Thu, 21 Feb, 2019

    X CARGO, Fortitude Valley

    Catch weekly tunes in Brisbane's inner-city shipping container hangout.

  • Event

    Junky Comics Closing Day

    Fri, 22 Feb, 2019

    Junky Comics, West End

    The West End favourite is shutting up shop — and saying goodbye with a party.

  • Event

    Chupa Chups Slurpee Giveaway

    Sat, 23 Feb, 2019

    7-Eleven George Street, Brisbane City

    7-Eleven's slinging Chupa Chups-inspired Slurpees for zero dollars — if you're quick enough.

  • Event

    Gigs & Picnics 2019

    Multiple single dates

    Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City

    Food trucks and free music in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.

  • Event

    The Sunset Social 2019

    Multiple single dates

    Davies Park, West End

    Drinks, music and food trucks, fortnightly at Davies Park.

  • Event

    Knockoff in the City

    Fri, 22 Feb, 2019

    Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane

    Catch free comedy at Brisbane City Hall.

  • Event

    Puppy Kissing Booth

    Thu, 7 Feb - Thu, 14 Feb 2019

    Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Indooroopilly

    Snuggle up to adorable doggos — and even take one home.

  • Event

    Free Coffee at Salt

    Tue, 12 Feb, 2019

    Salt Coffee Roasters, Newstead

    Newstead's newest cafe is slinging free coffees for one day only.

  • Event

    A Little Taste of Aotearoa

    Sat, 9 Feb, 2019

    Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane

    When is a boozefest not just a boozefest?

  • Event

    Black Bear Turns Seven

    Sat, 9 Feb, 2019

    Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley

    Help blow out the candles on seven years of music heaven.

  • Event

    80s Music Trivia

    Thu, 7 Feb, 2019

    Barbara, Brisbane City

    Celebrate big hair, bigger shoulder pads and belting ballads.

  • Event

    Chinese New Year at The Lanes

    Sat, 9 Feb, 2019

    Bakery Lane, Fortitude Valley

    Celebrate the Year of the Pig with music, dumplings, lychee martinis and tea meditation sessions.

  • Event

    Greenhouse Launch

    Sat, 9 Feb - Sun, 10 Feb 2019

    VEND Virginia, Virginia

    A new space for picking up greenery in Brisbane's north.

  • Event

    National Margarita Day

    Fri, 22 Feb, 2019

    Osbourne Hotel, Fortitude Valley

    Margaritas, tacos, nachos and one fiesta of a Friday.

  • Event

    Brisbane's Biggest Clothing Garage Sale

    Sat, 23 Feb and Sat, 23 Mar 2019 

    Bizzell's Garage, Paddington

    Head to Paddington for a huge treasure trove of vintage finds.

  • Event

    'Stranger Things' Trivia Night

    Wed, 6 Feb, 2019

    The Defiant Duck, Brisbane City

    Enter the upside down of the trivia world.

  • Event

    El Camino Amigos Party

    Sun, 3 Feb, 2019

    El Camino Cantina Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills

    Brisbane's new Tex-Mex joint is throwing a 90s and 00s party with free snacks.

  • Event

    Rosé and Cheese Party 2019

    Sat, 23 Feb, 2019

    Welcome to Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills

    Welcome to Bowen Hills' latest festival celebrates pink vino and gooey dairy.

  • Event

    Newstead Roots Festival 2019

    Sat, 2 Feb, 2019

    The Triffid, Newstead

    The ultimate weekend roots session.

  • Event

    BrisAsia Festival Markets

    Sat, 23 Feb, 2019

    Seven Hills Hub, Seven Hills

    A day of food, stalls, shopping and performances in Brisbane's east.

  • Event

    Do You Hear The People Sing?

    Wed, 30 Jan - Sat, 16 Feb 2019

    Metro Arts, West End

    An exhibition taking inspiration from Victor Hugo's beloved novel and the many versions it has inspired.

  • Event

    Ballistic's 2nd Birthday

    Sat, 2 Feb, 2019

    Ballistic Beer Co, Salisbury

    With brews, live tunes and food trucks.

  • Event

    Competitive Uno Night

    Multiple single dates

    Barbara, Brisbane City

    Draw four.

  • Event

    Movies Under the Stars

    Multiple single dates

    Gasworks Precinct, Newstead

    Free films under the stars every Friday in February.

  • Event

    Ace the Open

    Sat, 26 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    King George Square, Brisbane

    A mini tennis court in the middle of King George Square.

  • Event

    BrisAsia Festival 2019

    Wed, 6 Feb - Thu, 7 Mar 2019

    Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane

    Feast on dumplings from around the world, dance in cosplay to DJs or party on a rooftop.

  • Event

    Pup Stuff Swap

    Sat, 26 Jan, 2019

    The Pick Up Joint, Spring Hill

    A clothes swap for (very good) doggos.

  • Event

    Felons Brewery Open Day

    Sat, 26 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Felons Brewing Co, Brisbane City

    Tour Brisbane's new riverside brewery — and taste its yeasty wares.

  • Event

    80s Summer Cocktail Party

    Fri, 25 Jan, 2019

    Cloudland, Fortitude Valley

    Cloudland's getting into the 80s spirit — and taking inspiration from a Tom Cruise movie.

  • Event

    Pixar Trivia

    Tue, 22 Jan, 2019

    Burger Urge Brisbane City, Brisbane City

    Answer a toy box full of trivia questions over burgers and beers.

  • Event

    GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers Party

    Sun, 27 Jan, 2019

    Catchment Brewing Co, West End

    Celebrating 2018's best brews.

  • Event

    Greek Day

    Sat, 19 Jan, 2019

    Riverland, Brisbane City

    A whole day of Greek eats by the river.

  • Event

    Sliders 'N' Ciders Fest

    Mon, 28 Jan, 2019

    Osbourne Hotel, Fortitude Valley

    Serving up stacked mini burgers and fruity Aussie brews.

  • Event

    Suitcase Rummage

    Sun, 20 Jan 2019, Sun, 3 Feb 2019 and Sun, 17 Feb 2019 

    Brisbane Square, Brisbane City

    Trawl through Brisbane's favourite luggage-based trash 'n' treasure.

  • Event

    Jazz Thursdays

    Thu, 17 Jan, 2019

    The Walrus Club, Toowong

    Smooth whiskey and silky tunes.

  • Event

    Power to the Pixel

    Tue, 15 Jan - Sun, 17 Feb 2019

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    Digital art takes over Brisbane Powerhouse.

  • Event

    Brisbane Vegan Markets 2019

    Multiple single dates

    Corner Boundary and Russell Streets, West End

    Brissie's twice-monthly vegan market returns.

  • Event

    Musical Bingo

    Fri, 11 Jan and Fri, 1 Feb 2019 

    Shady Palms Cafe, Brisbane

    Music-themed bingo returns to Shady Palms.

  • Event

    Free PAFU at Coorparoo Square

    Fri, 18 Jan and Sat, 19 Jan 2019 

    Coorparoo Square, Coorparoo

    The cult favourite Japanese pastry is celebrating its arrival in Brisbane with a giveaway.

  • Event

    Ginuary 2019

    Sun, 27 Jan, 2019

    Covent Garden, West End

    Complete with a countdown of Australian and New Zealand 100 best gins.

  • Event

    Star Wars Trivia

    Wed, 30 Jan, 2019

    Blute's Bar, Fortitude Valley

    The force is strong at this trivia contest.

  • Event

    Lifeline Bookfest 2019

    Sat, 19 Jan - Mon, 28 Jan 2019

    Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane

    Time to stock up on soap opera-themed cookbooks and other treasures you didn't know you needed.

  • Event

    Vitra 100 Miniatures

    Fri, 8 Feb - Fri, 22 Feb 2019

    St John's Cathedral, Brisbane

    A curious German exhibition of classical chair designs is heading to Brisbane — and they're all fun-sized.

  • Event

    Pilates and Yoga in The Common

    Multiple single dates

    West Village, West End

    Bend and stretch for free at West End's newest green space.

  • Event

    Heath Ledger: A Life in Pictures

    Fri, 10 Aug 2018 - Sun, 10 Feb 2019

    National Film And Sound Archive, Acton

    The National Film and Sound Archive's exhibition celebrating the too-brief career of local boy Heath Ledger.

  • Event

    Nathen Street: Space Pixels

    Wed, 20 Jun 2018 - Wed, 1 Apr 2020

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    The free interactive installation is inspired by Atari 2600 computer games.

  • Event

    Frida Kahlo: Her Photos

    Sat, 8 Dec 2018 - Sun, 10 Feb 2019

    Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo

  • Event

    Dumpling Day 2019

    Sun, 10 Feb, 2019

    Welcome to Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills

    Featuring varieties from across Asia and Europe, as well as dumpling-making sessions.

  • Event

    Tamworth Country Music Festival 2019

    Fri, 18 Jan - Sun, 27 Jan 2019

    Various locations around Tamworth, Tamworth

    From old-school boot scootin' tunes to alt country.

  • Event

    The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

    Sat, 24 Nov 2018 - Sun, 28 Apr 2019

    GOMA, South Brisbane

    GOMA's three-yearly survey of Asia Pacific art returns.

  • Event

    Gary Carsley: Purple Reign

    Mon, 12 Nov 2018 - Sun, 28 Apr 2019

    GOMA, South Brisbane

    A virtual jacaranda garden is blooming inside GOMA for the next five months.

  • Event

    Dress Code

    Sat, 3 Nov 2018 - Mon, 28 Jan 2019

    Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane

    Museum of Brisbane's latest exhibition ponders whether we are what we wear.

  • Event

    Free Summer BBQ

    Mon, 12 Nov 2018 - Thu, 28 Feb 2019

    Munich Brauhaus Brisbane, South Brisbane

    Munich Brauhaus is throwing free snags on the barbie all summer.

  • Event

    Summer Time Drinks

    Multiple single dates

    Treasury Casino, Brisbane

    A weekly courtyard party filled with pop-up bars and cocktails.

  • Event

    Mountain Goat Valley Crawl 2019

    Sat, 16 Feb, 2019

    Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane

    Get ready to hop around town again — and to more venues.

  • Event

    APT9 Cinema

    Sat, 1 Dec 2018 - Sun, 28 Apr 2019

    GOMA, South Brisbane

    Bringing the latest and greatest in Asia-Pacific cinema to GOMA — and for free.

  • Event

    Play On: The Art of Sport

    Sat, 24 Nov 2018 - Sat, 9 Feb 2019

    UQ Art Museum, St Lucia

    Get an artistic perspective on some of Australia's favourite sporting pastimes.

  • Event

    APT9 Summer Festival

    Fri, 18 Jan - Sun, 20 Jan 2019

    GOMA, South Brisbane

    Three days of art, music, workshops, performances, parties and talks across Brisbane's two major galleries.

  • Event

    Beyond Reason

    Sat, 17 Nov 2018 - Sun, 3 Feb 2019

    QUT Art Museum, Brisbane

    Explore the strange, absurd, mythical and transformative.

  • Event

    100% Brisbane

    Fri, 15 Jul 2016 - Mon, 15 Jul 2019

    Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane

    A semi-permanent interactive exhibition that holds a mirror to Brisbanites.

Tap and select Add to Home Screen to access Concrete Playground easily next time. x