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.
Brisbane may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but that doesn't mean folks don't put things on for free. Especially in summer, when the nights are long and balmy and ideal for after-work activities. If you know where to looks, you can find free gigs, free art, free yoga classes and more happening around the city. So 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 summer events, which you can attend gloriously cash-free.
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Event
Olivia Lacey: Love Me, Love Me
Wednesday, February 27 - Saturday, March 16, 2019
Metro Arts, West End
Fall head over heels for this romance-inspired exhibition.
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Event
Exchange Value
Saturday, February 16 - Sunday, April 28, 2019
QUT Art Museum, Brisbane
Showcasing illuminating and thought-provoking photography from around the world.
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Event
Bricks and Beers
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Semi-Pro Brewing Co, East Brisbane
Get building over a few beers.
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Event
Celebrating Arctic Monkeys' 'AM'
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
You'll look good on the dance floor as Black Bear Lodge celebrates Sheffield's finest.
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Event
Little Big House's First Birthday Party
Saturday, February 23 - Sunday, February 24, 2019
Little Big House, South Brisbane
South Bank's party pub celebrates one huge year.
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Event
Live From Our Backyard
Thursday, February 21, 2019
X CARGO, Fortitude Valley
Catch weekly tunes in Brisbane's inner-city shipping container hangout.
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Event
Junky Comics Closing Day
Friday, February 22, 2019
Junky Comics, West End
The West End favourite is shutting up shop — and saying goodbye with a party.
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Event
Chupa Chups Slurpee Giveaway
Saturday, February 23, 2019
7-Eleven George Street, Brisbane City
7-Eleven's slinging Chupa Chups-inspired Slurpees for zero dollars — if you're quick enough.
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Event
Gigs & Picnics 2019
Saturday, February 23, 2019, Saturday, March 30, 2019, Saturday, April 27, 2019 and Saturday, May 25, 2019
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City
Food trucks and free music in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.
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Event
The Sunset Social 2019
Friday, February 15, 2019, Friday, March 1, 2019, Friday, March 15, 2019 and Friday, March 29, 2019
Davies Park, West End
Drinks, music and food trucks, fortnightly at Davies Park.
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Event
Knockoff in the City
Friday, February 22, 2019
Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane
Catch free comedy at Brisbane City Hall.
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Event
Puppy Kissing Booth
Thursday, February 7 - Thursday, February 14, 2019
Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Indooroopilly
Snuggle up to adorable doggos — and even take one home.
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Event
Free Coffee at Salt
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Salt Coffee Roasters, Newstead
Newstead's newest cafe is slinging free coffees for one day only.
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Event
A Little Taste of Aotearoa
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane
When is a boozefest not just a boozefest?
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Event
Black Bear Turns Seven
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
Help blow out the candles on seven years of music heaven.
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Event
80s Music Trivia
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Barbara, Brisbane City
Celebrate big hair, bigger shoulder pads and belting ballads.
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Event
Chinese New Year at The Lanes
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Bakery Lane, Fortitude Valley
Celebrate the Year of the Pig with music, dumplings, lychee martinis and tea meditation sessions.
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Event
Greenhouse Launch
Saturday, February 9 - Sunday, February 10, 2019
VEND Virginia, Virginia
A new space for picking up greenery in Brisbane's north.
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Event
National Margarita Day
Friday, February 22, 2019
Osbourne Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Margaritas, tacos, nachos and one fiesta of a Friday.
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Event
Brisbane's Biggest Clothing Garage Sale
Saturday, February 23 and Saturday, March 23, 2019
Bizzell's Garage, Paddington
Head to Paddington for a huge treasure trove of vintage finds.
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Event
'Stranger Things' Trivia Night
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
The Defiant Duck, Brisbane City
Enter the upside down of the trivia world.
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Event
El Camino Amigos Party
Sunday, February 3, 2019
El Camino Cantina Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills
Brisbane's new Tex-Mex joint is throwing a 90s and 00s party with free snacks.
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Event
Rosé and Cheese Party 2019
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Welcome to Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills
Welcome to Bowen Hills' latest festival celebrates pink vino and gooey dairy.
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Event
Newstead Roots Festival 2019
Saturday, February 2, 2019
The Triffid, Newstead
The ultimate weekend roots session.
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Event
BrisAsia Festival Markets
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Seven Hills Hub, Seven Hills
A day of food, stalls, shopping and performances in Brisbane's east.
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Event
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Wednesday, January 30 - Saturday, February 16, 2019
Metro Arts, West End
An exhibition taking inspiration from Victor Hugo's beloved novel and the many versions it has inspired.
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Event
Ballistic's 2nd Birthday
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Ballistic Beer Co, Salisbury
With brews, live tunes and food trucks.
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Event
Competitive Uno Night
Wednesday, February 27, 2019, Thursday, March 28, 2019, Thursday, April 25, 2019 and Thursday, May 30, 2019
Barbara, Brisbane City
Draw four.
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Event
Movies Under the Stars
Friday, February 1, 2019, Friday, February 8, 2019, Friday, February 15, 2019 and Friday, February 22, 2019
Gasworks Precinct, Newstead
Free films under the stars every Friday in February.
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Event
Ace the Open
Saturday, January 26 - Sunday, January 27, 2019
King George Square, Brisbane
A mini tennis court in the middle of King George Square.
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Event
BrisAsia Festival 2019
Wednesday, February 6 - Thursday, March 7, 2019
Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane
Feast on dumplings from around the world, dance in cosplay to DJs or party on a rooftop.
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Event
Pup Stuff Swap
Saturday, January 26, 2019
The Pick Up Joint, Spring Hill
A clothes swap for (very good) doggos.
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Event
Felons Brewery Open Day
Saturday, January 26 - Sunday, January 27, 2019
Felons Brewing Co, Brisbane City
Tour Brisbane's new riverside brewery — and taste its yeasty wares.
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Event
80s Summer Cocktail Party
Friday, January 25, 2019
Cloudland, Fortitude Valley
Cloudland's getting into the 80s spirit — and taking inspiration from a Tom Cruise movie.
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Event
Pixar Trivia
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Burger Urge Brisbane City, Brisbane City
Answer a toy box full of trivia questions over burgers and beers.
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Event
GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers Party
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Catchment Brewing Co, West End
Celebrating 2018's best brews.
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Event
Sliders 'N' Ciders Fest
Monday, January 28, 2019
Osbourne Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Serving up stacked mini burgers and fruity Aussie brews.
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Event
Suitcase Rummage
Sunday, January 20, 2019, Sunday, February 3, 2019 and Sunday, February 17, 2019
Brisbane Square, Brisbane City
Trawl through Brisbane's favourite luggage-based trash 'n' treasure.
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Event
Jazz Thursdays
Thursday, January 17, 2019
The Walrus Club, Toowong
Smooth whiskey and silky tunes.
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Event
Power to the Pixel
Tuesday, January 15 - Sunday, February 17, 2019
Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Digital art takes over Brisbane Powerhouse.
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Event
Brisbane Vegan Markets 2019
Sunday, January 13, 2019, Sunday, January 27, 2019, Sunday, February 10, 2019 and Sunday, February 24, 2019
Corner Boundary and Russell Streets, West End
Brissie's twice-monthly vegan market returns.
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Event
Musical Bingo
Friday, January 11 and Friday, February 1, 2019
Shady Palms Cafe, Brisbane
Music-themed bingo returns to Shady Palms.
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Event
Free PAFU at Coorparoo Square
Friday, January 18 and Saturday, January 19, 2019
Coorparoo Square, Coorparoo
The cult favourite Japanese pastry is celebrating its arrival in Brisbane with a giveaway.
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Event
Ginuary 2019
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Covent Garden, West End
Complete with a countdown of Australian and New Zealand 100 best gins.
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Event
Star Wars Trivia
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Blute's Bar, Fortitude Valley
The force is strong at this trivia contest.
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Event
Lifeline Bookfest 2019
Saturday, January 19 - Monday, January 28, 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.
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Event
Vitra 100 Miniatures
Friday, February 8 - Friday, February 22, 2019
St John's Cathedral, Brisbane
A curious German exhibition of classical chair designs is heading to Brisbane — and they're all fun-sized.
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Event
Pilates and Yoga in The Common
Wednesday, December 5, 2018, Monday, December 10, 2018, Wednesday, December 12, 2018 and Monday, December 17, 2018
West Village, West End
Bend and stretch for free at West End's newest green space.
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Event
Heath Ledger: A Life in Pictures
Friday, August 10, 2018 - Sunday, February 10, 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.
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Event
Nathen Street: Space Pixels
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 - Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
The free interactive installation is inspired by Atari 2600 computer games.
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Event
Frida Kahlo: Her Photos
Saturday, December 8, 2018 - Sunday, February 10, 2019
Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo
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Event
Dumpling Day 2019
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Welcome to Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills
Featuring varieties from across Asia and Europe, as well as dumpling-making sessions.
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Event
Tamworth Country Music Festival 2019
Friday, January 18 - Sunday, January 27, 2019
Various locations around Tamworth, Tamworth
From old-school boot scootin' tunes to alt country.
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Event
The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art
Saturday, November 24, 2018 - Sunday, April 28, 2019
GOMA, South Brisbane
GOMA's three-yearly survey of Asia Pacific art returns.
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Event
Gary Carsley: Purple Reign
Monday, November 12, 2018 - Sunday, April 28, 2019
GOMA, South Brisbane
A virtual jacaranda garden is blooming inside GOMA for the next five months.
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Event
Dress Code
Saturday, November 3, 2018 - Monday, January 28, 2019
Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane
Museum of Brisbane's latest exhibition ponders whether we are what we wear.
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Event
Free Summer BBQ
Monday, November 12, 2018 - Thursday, February 28, 2019
Munich Brauhaus Brisbane, South Brisbane
Munich Brauhaus is throwing free snags on the barbie all summer.
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Event
Summer Time Drinks
Friday, December 7, 2018, Friday, December 14, 2018, Friday, December 21, 2018 and Friday, January 11, 2019
Treasury Casino, Brisbane
A weekly courtyard party filled with pop-up bars and cocktails.
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Event
Mountain Goat Valley Crawl 2019
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane
Get ready to hop around town again — and to more venues.
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Event
APT9 Cinema
Saturday, December 1, 2018 - Sunday, April 28, 2019
GOMA, South Brisbane
Bringing the latest and greatest in Asia-Pacific cinema to GOMA — and for free.
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Event
Play On: The Art of Sport
Saturday, November 24, 2018 - Saturday, February 9, 2019
UQ Art Museum, St Lucia
Get an artistic perspective on some of Australia's favourite sporting pastimes.
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Event
APT9 Summer Festival
Friday, January 18 - Sunday, January 20, 2019
GOMA, South Brisbane
Three days of art, music, workshops, performances, parties and talks across Brisbane's two major galleries.
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Event
Beyond Reason
Saturday, November 17, 2018 - Sunday, February 3, 2019
QUT Art Museum, Brisbane
Explore the strange, absurd, mythical and transformative.
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Event
100% Brisbane
Friday, July 15, 2016 - Monday, July 15, 2019
Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane
A semi-permanent interactive exhibition that holds a mirror to Brisbanites.