Makers on the River: Christmas Edition

Overview

It's that time again, somehow: time to start filling your calendar with festive events. If you're the kind of person who can't wait to celebrate Christmas each year, you're in luck. If you think that October is too early to start thinking about all things jolly, Brisbane's social calendar in general doesn't care — and neither does Rivermakers Heritage Quarter.

South Bank has a huge revamp on the cards, and Northshore Hamilton as well. Portside is enjoying a makeover right now, while Howard Smith Wharves joined Brisbane's riverside so recently that it still feels brand new. But they aren't the only food-, drink- and entertainment-filled precincts by the water that are inviting Brisbanites in, with Rivermakers Heritage Quarter popping up in the city's east, turning a patch of Colmslie Road in Morningside into a new must-visit destination and regularly hosting events to celebrate.

If you haven't had the chance to stop by the 30-hectare heritage-listed spot yet at its open day, 2022 Christmas party, Hottest 100 shindig or autumn's debut Makers on the River, here's your next chance: the return of the latter, aka a waterside festival with live music, a heap of markets, plenty of drinking opportunities and sky-brightening fireworks.

Makers on the River will make a Christmas season comeback from 12–4–9pm on Saturday, November 11, showcasing Rivermakers' sights — and everything you can eat, drink and do, from sipping brews and taking brewing masterclasses at Revel Brewing Co's second site through to dancing to tunes and checking out roving performers.

The yet-to-be-announced music bill will celebrate local talents. Selling their wares: over 50 stalls from artisan vendors, with a focus on all things bespoke, handmade and local. An array of food options will also take care of the culinary side of things, complete with a cheese and oyster bar. And Milton Rum's pop-up bar will help quench your thirst.

For kids, there'll be rides as well. And those fireworks will liven up the heavens at 8.30pm.

The full Rivermakers precinct sprawls across a patch of land at the end of Junction Road that first housed a lime factory back in 1917. Since then, it's been used for alcohol distillation, radio broadcasting, naval barracks and a migrant hostel, and as the base for Hans Continental Smallgoods. Now, Low & Slow Meat Co, Bavay Distillery and ceramics workshop Mas & Miek are among Rivermakers' tenants.