Five Romantic Brisbane Date Ideas for This Week From Budget to Blowout

Tired of the classic movie and dinner date night combo? Us too. That's why we're always on the hunt for new things to do, scouring the city for not-boring Brisbane activities — ones that are guaranteed to take your next date way beyond done-before beers at the pub.

Whether you're taking someone on a second date or doing your 100th with your significant other, we've got some killer (and, yes, cute) ideas for dates to go on this week, no matter how much money you've got to spend. And, in honour of celebrating the long weekend, they're all at festivals.

Just think of us as your cultural wingman. You're welcome.

Under $20

Party in the Street at Stones Corner Festival

David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Martha and the Vandellas, The Kinks, Little Richard, Van Halen, the Grateful Dead: when they all sung various versions of 'Dancing in the Street', they were onto something. There's nothing quite like partying on a roadway when it's closed to cars, with traffic replaced by stalls and bars as well as stages filled with live music. Stones Corner Festival knows more than a little about that setup, and the fun it brings — and it's back to do it all over again on Sunday, May 5.

On the agenda for you and your other half: another big day of food and music in the inner south, with a lineup headlined by The Potbelleez and Screamfeeder. For tunes from 12–10pm, they'll be joined by Never Ending 80s, Vixens of Fall and Lontano, alongside Later Daze and John Hanley with Don't Shoot The Hurricane.

As always, the music bill is only part of Stones Corner Festival's attractions. You can also expect 19 craft breweries pouring beers, including Green Beacon, Stone & Wood, Aether, Gages Road, 4 Pines, Better Beer and CBCo. And, eating-wise, a heap of food trucks and stalls will pop up to keep your stomach lined, which usually means everything from burgers and pizza to paella and tacos.

If you're planning a big one, that public holiday the next day is oh-so-convenient. Also, entry remains free but, as in past years, giving a gold coin donation to the MND and Me Foundation is recommended.

Under $50

Feast on Oysters and Prawns Over Brews and Live Tunes at The Caxton Hotel Seafood Festival

Mention Caxton Street to a Brisbanite and a few things automatically spring to mind: the football stadium, pubs and seafood, to be specific. No matter how you and your special someone feel about sports or even booze, the roadway's regular ode to the ocean's finest is always worth a trip to Paddington — and yes, The Caxton Hotel Seafood Festival is back for 2024.

This street party loves everything from fish and prawns to oysters and calamari — and tunes, brews and a good time all round as well. On the culinary side of things, expect seafood galore on the menu on Sunday, May 5, including from food trucks, plus all the drinks that the Caxton Hotel serves to wash it down with.

Also on the agenda: live music across two stages. Across its beer garden and beyond, the aforementioned pub is driving the whole shindig, with the watering hole a fest staple since the event first launched more than a quarter-century ago.

And, while you're sipping brews and cocktails with a soundtrack, and tucking into seafood platters, there will be sports on the big screen — it is The Caxton, after all. Entry is free, but you'll need your wallet for whatever you're eager to eat and drink.

Watch Horror Movies at Monster Fest Weekender's Slasher Edition

What do slicing-and-dicing villains in horror movies and Monster Fest's annual weekend-long mini film festival have in common? Both can strike at any time. Each year, usually at the end of the year, the broader fest showcases genre and cult movies — but it also pops up before then to host Monster Fest Weekender. In 2023, the latter took place in winter. In 2024, it's bringing the scares, plus a focus on slasher films, in autumn.

If you and your plus one like frightening flicks, then you'll want to make a date with Event Cinemas Brisbane City from Friday, May 3–Sunday, May 5. Across three days, just one type of horror film will be on offer — and yes, of course the lineup includes Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th titles, as well as a Sleepaway Camp marathon.

Wes Craven's Freddy Krueger franchise is represented with both the OG A Nightmare on Elm Street and also 1994's New Nightmare, each of which are marking anniversaries — 40 and 30 years, respectively. Prefer movies about Jason Voorhees instead? Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter is also on the bill, and also celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Other pictures that'll get the projectors whirring at Monster Fest Weekender: Slasher Edition span Deranged, which commemorates its 50th anniversary with the first-ever showing of its complete and uncut version in Australian cinemas — and I, Madman, which has also never been seen in Aussie picture palaces. And if you can handle the Sleepaway Camp Slash-athon, it features the first, second and third films.

Under $100

Giggle Your Way Through Brisbane Comedy Festival

There's usually only one problem with comedy festivals. Jam-packed lineups mean a wealth of talented folks trying to get you and your significant other laughing, but we've all only got so much time. Of course, that's the best kind of issue to have, spoiling fans for choice — so, from the 100-plus names and events that are gracing Brisbane Comedy Festival in 2024, prepare to have plenty of options.

Hosted by Brisbane Powerhouse each year, the month-long fest features Josh Thomas, Joel Creasey, Rhys Nicholson, Nina Oyama, Melanie Bracewell and Arj Barker, plus Reuben Kaye, Luke Heggie, Ivan Aristeguieta, Guy Montgomery and the return of Sh!t-faced Shakespeare.

Stephen K Amos, Wil Anderson, Felicity Ward, Tommy Little, Annabel Crabb, Nat's What I Reckon, Dave Hughes, Mel Buttle, Akmal, Effie: they're all also part of the Brisbane Comedy Festival's 2024 celebration of chuckles and giggles.

2024's Brisbane Comedy Festival takes place untiil Sunday, May 26, filling not only New Farm's riverside arts venue with laughter, but also The Princess Theatre, Fortitude Music Hall and The Tivoli.

One Big Blowout

Say You'll Be There to See Mel C at Big Gay Day

Southeast Queensland couples, if seeing Mel C hit the decks in Brisbane is what you want (and what you really, really want), this year's Big Gay Day invites you to say you'll be there. The annual street party held by The Wickham — and the annual excuse to shut down a Fortitude Valley street, too — also has the singer nicknamed Sporty Spice on its lineup.

On Sunday, May 5, Melanie C will do a DJ set. The LGBTQIA+ event's biggest name for this year is a blast from the past in two ways, then, both thanks to instant Spice Girls nostalgia and the fact that she headlined the festival back in 2020 as well.

This year, Chisholm will be joined on the Big Gay Day bill by Sneaky Sound System, Tall Paul, Hanna Conda, Briefs Factory, Jarred Baker, Mega Drag and DJ Enn. On hosting duties: Paul Wheeler.

The Wickham's huge queer party spans multiple performance spaces, food trucks, themed pop-up bars and plenty of partying people — and, for the second year in a row, Big Gay Day gets to enjoy The Wickham's $3.1-million revamp, which added a weather-proofed beer garden to the venue.