Brisbane Archives - Sandgate News

Activate! Sandgate! Campaign Shapes Community Voice Ahead of Suburb Renewal Plans

The Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce has launched a community-driven campaign to shape the future of one of Brisbane’s most historically significant bayside suburbs, with the Activate! Sandgate! campaign positioning the local business community’s vision ahead of an upcoming planning consultation process.

The campaign arrives at a defining moment. Sandgate, which sits about 16 kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD along the Moreton Bay foreshore, has seen its population grow by just 0.4 per cent between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, well below the pace of the broader city.

Against that backdrop, Brisbane’s planning authority has identified Sandgate as one of its next Suburban Renewal Precincts, with early community feedback gathering already underway in 2026 and a draft plan expected for broader public consultation in mid-to-late 2026. The Chamber wants the community’s priorities in the room before those draft plans take shape.

What Activate! Sandgate! Is Asking For

The campaign’s vision, developed in consultation with planning and property experts, centres on a handful of interconnected priorities. At its heart is a significant enhancement of Einbunpin Lagoon and the surrounding parklands, one of the suburb’s most-loved natural assets, alongside a renewed mixed-use precinct that broadens housing choice and creates new employment and short-stay accommodation opportunities. Crucially, the vision also calls for preserving the bayside streets and avenues that define Sandgate’s character: the heritage-listed Queenslanders, the tree canopy, the unhurried scale.

Photo Credit: Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce

Chamber President Bill Gollan describes the campaign as a proactive response rather than a reactive one, designed to ensure the community has a clearly articulated position before consultation begins rather than scrambling to respond to a draft that has already been set.

“Sandgate is one of Brisbane’s most naturally beautiful bayside locations, but without thoughtful future planning, we risk falling behind and losing the unique character that makes Sandgate so special,” Gollan said.

“Activate! Sandgate! is about working with the community to deliver a balanced decision, one that protects our heritage, while creating new opportunities for locals to live, work and invest in the area.”

A Suburb Built on Seaside Identity

Understanding what is at stake requires understanding what Sandgate has always been. The Turrbal people, whose land this coast has been since long before European settlement, called the area Warra, meaning an open sheet of water, a name that speaks to the lagoons, wetlands and foreshore that remain central to the suburb’s identity today.

European settlement in the mid-1800s quickly established Sandgate as Brisbane’s go-to seaside escape, with thousands of visitors travelling from the city by the early 20th century to swim, boat and breathe the bay air. The suburb’s population trebled during the 1880s as its reputation grew.

That history remains etched into the streetscape. Heritage-listed Queenslanders line the avenues, while the 1924 war memorial park on Seymour Street anchors the civic heart, and landmarks like the former post office building at Bowser Parade and the 1887 Baptist church at Flinders Parade have been given new lives rather than demolished.

Sandgate’s village atmosphere owes much to the fact that it was bypassed by development pressure when the Hornibrook Highway opened to Redcliffe in 1935, drawing visitors away and insulating the suburb from the kind of rapid transformation that reshaped many other bayside communities.

The Tension at the Heart of Renewal

The planning process underway is not starting from scratch. The Sandgate District Neighbourhood Plan, which came into effect in March 2023, tightened protections for pre-1947 homes across Sandgate, Deagon, and Shorncliffe. However, while the Chamber’s footprint includes Brighton, that suburb’s low-density zoning remained largely untouched by the 2023 plan—a fact that heightens the importance of the new 2026 precinct boundaries.The Suburban Renewal Precinct now in development focuses more specifically on the centre, covering parts of Brighton Road and Rainbow Street, running along the north side of the rail line and extending to Burnett Place, with Einbunpin Lagoon Park and Sandgate War Memorial Park both sitting within the proposed boundaries.

This renewal project operates under a distinct planning mechanism, separate from the standard neighbourhood planning process. By designating Sandgate as a Suburban Renewal Precinct, the framework fast-tracks the transformation of underutilised commercial land into residential and mixed-use hubs, aiming to deliver more housing close to existing services, transport and the foreshore.

Gollan is direct about the economic stakes, noting that without change, the local economy risks stagnation, while also making clear that the Chamber’s vision is about balance, not wholesale transformation.

“Central to the vision is also restoring Sandgate’s status as Brisbane’s go-to bayside suburb,” he said. “Sandgate originated as a seaside escape and can still live up to that today.”

Getting Involved Before the Agenda Is Set

The Chamber’s immediate goal is building broad community support before formal consultation opens, so that when the planning authority releases its draft plan for Sandgate Centre, the community walks in with a coherent, considered position rather than fragmented individual submissions.

Residents and businesses across Sandgate, Brighton, Shorncliffe, Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Boondall, Carseldine, Fitzgibbon and Taigum can follow the campaign and get involved through the Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce. More information is available at sandgatebayside.com.au.

Published 20-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce

Two Sandgate Brothers Who Went to War and Came Home

When Laurient (Laurie) and Felix Kempster sailed out of Sydney on the troopship Medic on 12 December 1916, they left behind their parents, Leonard and Rosina, and seven younger siblings in Sandgate. Both returned. Not every family from this stretch of Moreton Bay shore was so fortunate.

The Kempster brothers were local men in every sense. Laurie, aged 20, had worked as a junior clerk since 1914, while Felix, aged 18, had been on a cattle station near Roma. Both were fine horsemen, and both enlisted in the 11th Light Horse Regiment, a Queensland and South Australian unit that would go on to earn fourteen battle honours across Egypt, the Sinai, Palestine and Jordan.

Their story, preserved partly through letters home and partly through the records of the Sandgate Historical Museum, offers a rare window into the lived experience of two ordinary young men caught up in one of history’s great conflicts.

Getting There Was Its Own Adventure

The voyage to war was not without its lighter moments. In a letter to their mother written in early 1917, Felix described a boxing tournament held aboard the Medic, cheerfully reporting that he had been declared the ship’s lightweight champion. The detail that most mothers would quail at, including a description of “a few hard hits to the head and body,” was relayed with the breezy confidence of an 18-year-old who did not yet know what lay ahead. Laurie, for his part, reported both hands and a leg bandaged from his own bouts.

Their letters from Egypt, where they arrived in February 1917, painted vivid pictures of desert life: sandstorms, a diet of bully beef and biscuits, bitter cold, and the novelty of seeing “quite a lot of aeroplanes.” Felix wrote that they had “pretty good fun one way and another,” though both admitted they were “looking forward to the time when we shall be sent out to the firing line.”

That time came soon enough.

The 11th Light Horse Carried the War from Gallipoli into Palestine

The 11th Light Horse Regiment fought against the Ottoman Empire in Egypt, at Gallipoli, on the Sinai Peninsula, and in Palestine and Jordan. By the time Laurie and Felix joined as reinforcements in early 1917, the regiment had already served at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and had been defending the Suez Canal. In April 1917, following the withdrawal of Ottoman forces, the regiment moved into Palestine.

Both brothers served across Egypt and Palestine, both received field promotions, and both were awarded medals for bravery. Laurie received the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuous and valuable service during the Syrian campaign. Felix received the Military Medal. Their citations place them squarely among the men of the 11th Light Horse Regiment during some of the campaign’s most decisive actions.

The Regiment Charged at Semakh and Pushed Through to Damascus

The regiment’s most famous moment came at Semakh, on the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee. On 25 September 1918, the 11th Light Horse displayed its versatility at Semakh by first charging the Turkish defences around the town on horseback, with swords drawn, and then clearing the actual town on foot, with rifle and bayonet. It was one of the last cavalry charges of the modern era, conducted in the dark across two miles of open, unrecognised ground. Once it was over at 5:30 am, German specialists and machine-gunners accounted for a significant portion of the casualties and prisoners. The Australians suffered 78 casualties, including fourteen killed, and had nearly half their horses hit.

Photo Credit: The Australian Light Horse Association

From Semakh, the regiment pressed on toward Damascus, which fell on 1 October 1918. The Armistice of Mudros ended the war in the Middle East on 30 October.

The Gun That Came Home to Sandgate

One of the weapons captured at Semakh, a 75mm German field gun, later made its way to Sandgate itself. The war trophy stood for more than thirty years overlooking Sandgate Pier and Bramble Bay, a 75mm German “Whiz Bang” field gun captured from a combined German and Turkish force during the last Light Horse charge by the Australian Forces during the 1914 to 1918 war.

Laurie Kempster attended the unveiling of the gun at Shorncliffe on 4 August 1923, where then Queensland Governor Sir Matthew Nathan revealed it. He was surprised to learn it was the same gun the regiment had captured in Syria. By that time, he had taken on a senior administrative role in Sandgate, a position he would hold until local government restructuring absorbed the municipality into a larger authority.

Coming Home to Sandgate

Both brothers returned safely in 1919, a fact their family knew was not universal. Laurie resumed his career in local administration and secured a senior clerical position in 1924. In 1921, he married Sandgate woman Evelyn Driver, and they had a son in 1923. He remained an active member of the 11th Light Horse Association for the rest of his life.

Felix, after a period of leave in England, travelled to California as part of an AIF detachment sent to study agriculture under a government scheme for returned soldiers. He returned to Queensland in 1920 and went into farming.

Their story is held at the Sandgate Historical Museum on Lagoon Street, open Sundays and Wednesdays from 9 am to 1:30 pm. Adults $5, children $3, membership from $20.

Published 10-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Lives of the First World War & Virtual War Memorial Australia

Sandgate Foreshores Park Among Brisbane’s Busiest Food Truck Destinations

Sandgate Foreshores Park has emerged as one of Brisbane’s most popular food truck destinations, recording 142 bookings since the city’s revamped Food Trucks and Coffee Carts in Parks program launched in July 2025, bringing a steady stream of vendors and fresh dining options to the foreshore.

The program has expanded the number of approved trading sites across Brisbane from 13 to 98 in just eight months, with nearly 2,900 vendor bookings and more than 17,000 hours of trade logged city-wide. Sandgate Foreshores Park ranks among the top five most-booked locations in the entire city, sitting alongside Wynnum Wading Pool, Elanora Park in Wynnum, Les Atkinson Park in Sunnybank and Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park as the program’s busiest sites.

Sixty-four vendors have signed up to the program since its July launch, operating across parks and drive-up sites on roads managed by the city authority. The Brisbane Food Trucks website, which includes an interactive map and food-type search function, allows residents to see which trucks are trading on any given day.

How the Program Works

The program operates on a three-tier fee structure. Vendors pay an annual licence fee of $450, $1,650 or $2,200 depending on the tier they choose, with higher tiers unlocking access to better-positioned and more in-demand trading sites. All vendors also pay a $160 annual application fee. A new online portal allows traders to book sites up to six weeks in advance, and multiple vendors can trade at the same high-demand location on the same day.

Food trucks — Photo Credit: Toasty Grinds/Facebook

The system replaced an earlier Parks Activation program that operated with far fewer approved sites. Under the previous arrangement, vendors could secure longer-term permits at fixed locations, giving regular customers a consistent and predictable place to find their favourite truck. The new model prioritises flexibility and broader access across the city but has drawn mixed responses from the vendor community.

Vendors Divided on the New System

While some operators have welcomed the expanded network, others have raised concerns about the practical impact of the changes on their businesses. A coffee cart operator who trades at Minnippi Parklands in Carina found the new system incompatible with a repeat-customer model, noting that the booking structure limited him to trading once a week for three hours at a time, down from six days a week under the previous arrangement. After raising the issue directly, he was permitted to continue under the earlier programme.

Another vendor who joined on the entry-level $450 tier found that the sites available at that price point were too quiet to generate viable trade, reporting just one sale during an entire three-hour session at one location. He later received a pro-rata refund on his licence. A recurring concern among vendors has been the lack of booking security at popular spots. Because any eligible vendor can book an available site, regulars who build a customer base at a particular location have no guarantee they can return to it.

Vendors have also flagged a gap in the website’s functionality. The current platform shows only which trucks are trading on a given day rather than a full directory of all participating vendors, as the previous system did. The city authority has indicated it is working to add a complete vendor listing to the site.

What This Means for Sandgate Residents

For Sandgate residents, the food truck boom at Foreshores Park represents an increase in dining options to everyday life by the water. The foreshore has long been a gathering place for families, dog walkers, morning joggers and weekend picnickers, and the regular presence of food trucks adds a layer of spontaneous hospitality that the suburb has not always had on its doorstep. Rather than packing a picnic or driving to a cafe, residents can now find freshly made food and coffee waiting for them at the park on a regular basis.

The volume of bookings, 142 since July, also signals that vendors see Sandgate as commercially worthwhile, which bodes well for the consistency and variety of what turns up at the foreshore over time. As the program matures and the city authority works through the teething issues raised by vendors, Sandgate stands to benefit further, particularly if the booking security concerns are addressed and more operators feel confident committing to the location regularly.

Residents can check which food trucks are currently trading at Sandgate Foreshores Park and other locations across Brisbane at bnefoodtrucks.com.au or by searching “Brisbane Food Trucks and Coffee Carts” at brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Published 15-March-2026.

Featured Image Credit: Google Maps

WNBA Superstar Angel Reese Invests as Brisbane Bullets Seek WNBL Licence, Boondall Arena on the Card

The Brisbane Bullets have secured WNBA superstar Angel Reese as an investor in their bid to bring a women’s WNBL franchise to Brisbane, with the announcement landing on the same day the club confirmed former Sydney Kings head coach Will Weaver as president of basketball operations and head coach.

Reese, 23, joins Bullets owners Jason Levien and Ben Haan in the ownership group pursuing the WNBL’s 10th franchise licence. If the bid succeeds, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall — the Bullets’ alternate home venue — would host selected WNBL fixtures, with Nissan Arena in Nathan serving as the primary venue.

The announcement caps a significant week for the club, which named Weaver head coach on the same day. Weaver led the Sydney Kings to the 2019–20 regular season minor premiership before the NBL suspended finals amid COVID-19 concerns. He subsequently worked as an assistant with the Houston Rockets, served as head coach of Paris Basketball and held further NBA roles before the Bullets secured his signature.

Who Is Angel Reese and Why Does It Matter for Brisbane

Reese averaged 14.7 points, a league-leading 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game for the Chicago Sky in 2025, earning her second WNBA All-Star selection.Her profile extends well beyond the court.

In 2024, Reese joined the ownership group of United Soccer League club DC Power FC and later joined the ownership group behind women’s sports brand TOGETHXR. In 2023, she founded the Angel C. Reese Foundation, dedicated to empowering girls and women through sport, education and financial literacy.

*Photo Credit: Angel C. Reese Foundation*

Her connection to Australia deepened during a recent visit with Reebok to launch new colourways of her signature Angel Reese 1 basketball shoe. Reebok also confirmed its role as the official footwear partner of the WNBL for the WNBL27 season beginning in late 2026.

What the Brisbane Bullets Are Bidding For

The WNBL plans to expand from eight to ten teams, with Tasmania already confirmed as the league’s ninth club ahead of WNBL27. The Bullets are seeking the tenth licence.

The Brisbane Bullets are one of the NBL’s foundation clubs, having competed since 1979 and won three national championships in 1985, 1987 and 2007. The club returned to the NBL in 2016 after financial difficulties forced it to relinquish its licence in 2008. Despite the club’s storied history, the Bullets have struggled since their return, finishing last in the most recent season with a 6–27 record after a series of injuries to key players.

A successful WNBL bid adds a women’s team to the Bullets’ programme and brings a top flight women’s basketball club back to South East Queensland for the first time since the Logan Thunder.

Why This Matters for Sandgate, Boondall and Brisbane’s Northside

Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall sits at the centre of Brisbane’s northern bayside community and draws audiences from Sandgate, Deagon, Brighton, Bracken Ridge and across the Moreton Bay corridor. When the Bullets bring their alternate fixtures to Boondall, northside residents already make the trip. A WNBL franchise with games at the same venue would extend that calendar and bring professional women’s basketball to the community’s doorstep.

Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts described Reese’s involvement as a major asset for the bid. Watts said Reese had proven there was no ceiling for female athletes and that basketball was Queensland’s fastest-growing sport. The club sees her international profile as a direct tool for growing participation among young Queenslanders, particularly girls picking up a basketball for the first time.

For Sandgate and Boondall residents, a women’s team at Brisbane Entertainment Centre means professional basketball in their own backyard — not a drive to Nathan or the CBD.

More information on the Brisbane Bullets is available at brisbanebullets.com.au.

Published 12-March-2026.

Featured Image Credit: Angel Reese/Instagram

Fuel Surge Triggers Rush at South East Queensland Petrol Stations

Cheap petrol stations across South East Queensland recorded a sharp surge in customer numbers on Monday as escalating conflict in the Middle East raised fears of a sustained rise in global oil prices, with Pearl Energy Deagon among the hardest hit sites after a queue of traffic formed outside the station where unleaded petrol was selling for $1.63 per litre.

Pearl Energy Deagon manager Manthan Patel confirmed the station served approximately 980 customers on Monday morning alone, compared to its usual daily average of 600 to 700. Sunday night brought 390 customers through the bowsers, nearly triple the normal evening count of around 130. Patel said customers were filling up as much as they could and were talking openly about the conflict in the Middle East as the reason for their urgency.

The spike at Deagon formed part of a broader pattern across Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich, where fuel stations reported significantly elevated customer volumes across the same period.

What Is Driving the Global Price Pressure

Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted oil and gas production and shipping across the region in ways that directly affect global fuel supply. Strikes and retaliatory attacks have prompted precautionary shutdowns at several major energy facilities.

Qatar has halted production at a liquefied natural gas plant following drone attacks, removing approximately 20 per cent of global LNG supply from the market. Saudi Arabia shut down its largest domestic oil refinery at Ras Tanura, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day, after intercepting drones targeting the facility. Iraqi Kurdistan, which exported 200,000 barrels per day via pipeline to Turkey’s Ceyhan port in February, has seen multiple energy companies halt output as a precaution.

Most significantly, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a near halt. The strait carries approximately one fifth of global oil supply each day, around 20 million barrels. Insurance companies have cancelled war risk coverage for vessels in the Gulf, at least four tankers have been damaged, two seafarers have been killed and 150 ships are stranded in the region. Oil prices surged as much as 13 per cent in a single trading session to above US$82 a barrel, the highest since January 2025. Benchmark European wholesale gas prices have soared by almost 50 per cent.

How South East Queensland Stations Have Been Affected

Beyond Pearl Energy Deagon, multiple South East Queensland fuel stations reported a significant surge in demand on Monday. At Liberty Oil Grange on Brisbane’s northside, where unleaded petrol was priced at $1.87 per litre, senior customer representative Thabitha Ayyala said the station processed 360 customers in just five hours, a count that normally takes seven hours to reach, and had served 900 customers the previous Sunday. Lines of traffic also formed at Costco North Lakes and Liberty Oil at Lawnton on Brisbane’s northside.

At OOM Energy Kingston in Logan, where unleaded petrol was $1.69 per litre, manager Tev Ve said around 500 to 600 customers had come through. At Metco Silkstone in Ipswich, where unleaded petrol sat at $1.67 per litre, employee Syed Zahid reported more than 800 customers through the station with 260 arriving in the final hour alone.

What RACQ Says About Prices at the Bowser

RACQ principal economy and affordability specialist Dr Ian Jeffreys said the global oil price movement had already begun pushing prices higher but that Queensland motorists should not expect a sudden jump at the bowser in the immediate term. Due to the structure of South East Queensland’s fuel price cycle, any impact from current global movements is likely to be hidden until the next low point in the cycle, at which point changes will become clearer. Jeffreys said there was no need to panic buy and that RACQ was monitoring local fuel prices closely to ensure retailers did not take advantage of the situation through unjustified price increases.

Australia currently holds approximately 36 days of petrol reserves, 34 days of diesel and 32 days of jet fuel, including fuel held domestically and on ships within Australia’s exclusive economic zone.

Motorists wanting to find the lowest local fuel prices can use the RACQ Fuel and Deals app or Petrol Spy to monitor and compare prices across stations in real time.

Why This Matters for Sandgate and Deagon Residents

Pearl Energy Deagon is one of the most affordable petrol stations on Brisbane’s northside and serves a broad catchment of residents from Sandgate, Deagon, Brighton, Bracken Ridge and surrounding suburbs. The station’s $1.63 per litre unleaded price on Monday represented a significant discount compared to stations further south, explaining both the volume of local customers and the draw from neighbouring suburbs.

For households in Sandgate and Deagon, where many residents commute by car to employment centres across Brisbane’s north, sustained increases in fuel prices represent a direct cost of living pressure. The advice from RACQ to use price monitoring apps rather than panic buy is particularly relevant for northside residents, who have access to several competitively priced stations and are well positioned to time their fuel purchases at the low point of the local pricing cycle.

Published 3-March-2026.

This Week in Brisbane: Horror Icons and Arthouse Classics from 26 February to 4 March 2026

Cinemas across Brisbane light up this week with the terrifying return of a horror icon and a brand-new drama. Whether you’re ready to face Ghostface once again or looking to dive into international cinematic masterpieces at GOMA, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.

Opening This Week

Scream 7

In cinemas from 26 February

Do you like scary movies? Ghostface is back to terrorize a new set of victims in the highly anticipated seventh installment of the iconic slasher franchise. Catch it at Event Cinemas (City, Carindale, Chermside, Indooroopilly, Mt Gravatt), Palace, Dendy, Five Star Cinemas, Cinebar, Angelika, Reading, Cineplex, and HOYTS.

Solo Mio

In cinemas from 26 February

A fresh new drama hits the screens this week. Catch it at Event Cinemas (City, Carindale, Chermside, Indooroopilly, Mt Gravatt), Angelika, Cinebar, Cineplex (Balmoral, Victoria Point, Redbank), Reading, HOYTS, and United Eldorado.

GOMA: Cinema Masterpieces

Special screenings at the Gallery of Modern Art

Days of Heaven (1978) – 27 Feb
Querelle (1982) – 27 Feb
Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965) – 28 Feb
The Colour of Pomegranates (1969) – 28 Feb
The Lighthouse (2019) – 4 Mar

Still Showing

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

The King’s immersive concert experience continues to rock major cinemas across Brisbane.

Fackham Hall

The hilarious British period drama spoof is still delivering laughs at Event, Palace, Dendy, and Five Star Cinemas.

Crime 101

Chris Hemsworth’s gritty heist thriller continues its run at Event, Palace, Dendy, and HOYTS.

Wuthering Heights

Margot Robbie’s modern take on the gothic romance is still showing across the city.

From edge-of-your-seat slashers to visually stunning art-house classics, Brisbane’s cinemas are packed with incredible stories this week. Grab some popcorn and enjoy a screening near you.

Weekend Arts Edit: Nell Gwynn Premiere and Candlelight Concerts on 27 February to 1 March 2026

This is a massive weekend for the arts in Brisbane. The blockbuster Art of Banksy exhibition enters its final days in the CBD, while QPAC is buzzing with everything from the lush cinematic sounds of The Music of John Williams to the lavish stage production of The Great Gatsby. For art lovers, Saturday offers a rare chance to hear directly from contemporary painters like Carlos Barrios and Helle Cook at their respective gallery talks.

The Art of Banksy “Without Limits” Chapter Two

20 February – 1 March 2026 | Uptown, Brisbane City
Get Tickets

Do not miss your last chance to experience the underground energy of the world’s most elusive street artist. This unprecedented new chapter features over 300 artworks—including more than 100 original pieces—alongside cutting-edge holograms, sculptures, and immersive installations.

The Music of John Williams

27 – 28 February 2026 | Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Experience the cinematic magic of the world’s greatest film composer. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra brings the iconic, sweeping scores of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter to life in a spine-tingling live performance.

The Great Gatsby

12 February – 8 March 2026 | Playhouse, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Step into the roaring twenties. Queensland Theatre’s lavish production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece continues its dazzling run. Expect glitz, glamour, and tragedy as Jay Gatsby tries to win back his lost love in a world of excess.

Blanc de Blanc Encore

19 February – 19 April 2026 | The West End Electric, West End
Get Tickets

The champagne-soaked party is back in West End! Blanc de Blanc Encore serves up a hedonistic blend of vintage French cabaret, jaw-dropping circus acts, and cheeky comedy. It’s a high-energy, adults-only night out.

Nell Gwynn

28 February – 7 March 2026 | New Benner Theatre, Metro Arts, West End
Get Tickets

Travel back to 17th-century London in this vibrant, award-winning comedy. Nell Gwynn tells the story of an unlikely heroine who goes from selling oranges in the West End to becoming Britain’s most celebrated actress (and the King’s mistress).

Institute of Modern Art (IMA) Events

28 February 2026 | IMA, Fortitude Valley Immerse yourself in contemporary discussions and live art this Saturday at the IMA:

Platform 2026 Performances: Experience bold new performance art from emerging creatives pushing boundaries. More Info
Are the Arts for Everyone?: A thought-provoking panel discussion tackling accessibility, inclusion, and the role of art in modern society. More Info

The Other Side of Me

27 – 28 February 2026 | Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Catch this compelling theatrical exploration of identity, culture, and connection. It is a deeply personal and physically dynamic performance playing for two nights only in the intimate Cremorne Theatre.

Live Jazz at the Brisbane Jazz Club

27 February – 1 March 2026 | Kangaroo Point

Emma Pask Quartet (Fri 27 & Sat 28): One of Australia’s favourite jazz vocalists brings her effortless charm and swing to the riverside. Tickets
Andy Cowan Band (Sun 1 Mar): Wind down your weekend with some premier blues and roots piano. Tickets

Candlelight Concerts

27 – 28 February 2026 | Grand on Ann, Brisbane City

Experience the magic of live music illuminated by thousands of candles in a stunning heritage venue:

Tribute to Taylor Swift: Classical renditions of the pop icon’s biggest eras. Tickets
Tribute to Queen & The Beatles: A string quartet takes on the greatest hits of British rock royalty. Tickets

Gallery Exhibitions & Artist Talks

Various Locations

Carlos Barrios | ‘Heart Songs’ (Artist Talk: Sat 28 Feb, 2pm): Mitchell Fine Art, Fortitude Valley. Hear Barrios discuss his life-affirming, expressive paintings informed by his upbringing in El Salvador. More Info
Helle Cook | Nature of Light (Artist Talk: Sat 28 Feb): Jan Manton Gallery, Teneriffe. Engage with the artist on her luminous, atmospheric works before the exhibition closes this weekend. More Info
Fiona Omeenyo | Night & Day: FireWorks Gallery, Bowen Hills. Explore striking contemporary Indigenous works from the celebrated Lockhart River artist. More Info

Hush

1 March 2026 | Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

The Southern Cross Soloists present Hush, a sublime Sunday afternoon concert featuring exquisite chamber music designed to soothe the soul and showcase breathtaking virtuosity.

British Film Festival Premiere: Midwinter Break

1 March 2026 | Palace Barracks & Palace James St Cinema
Get Tickets

Get a sneak peek at the Russell Hobbs British Film Festival with this special preview screening of Midwinter Break, a touching and beautifully acted drama about a couple reflecting on their long marriage during a trip to Amsterdam.

This weekend is a pivotal one for Brisbane’s arts scene. With the blockbuster Art of Banksy exhibition finally closing its doors, this is your absolute last opportunity to experience its immersive installations. Meanwhile, theatregoers are spoiled for choice with the opening of the lively comedy Nell Gwynn in West End and the ongoing spectacle of The Great Gatsby at QPAC. Whether you are losing yourself in the sweeping cinematic scores of John Williams or exploring contemporary conversations at the IMA, there is a profound depth of culture to experience before autumn officially arrives.

Cultural Fun: Holi Festival and Lunar New Year Rooftop Party on February 27 to March 1, 2026

This weekend offers some truly spectacular, once-a-year experiences for families. From getting gloriously messy at the Brisbane Festival of Colour (Holi) in Mount Gravatt to exploring the dinosaur skeletons after dark at A Night at the Museum, there is plenty of magic to be found. It is also your absolute last chance to play the artist-designed mini-golf course at the Powerhouse.

Brisbane Festival of Colour – Holi

28 February 2026 | Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, Mount Gravatt
Get Tickets

Get ready for a vibrant, messy, and joyous Saturday. Celebrate the traditional Indian festival of Holi with music, dancing, and the iconic throwing of coloured powders. It is a wonderfully inclusive, high-energy event that kids absolutely love (just make sure everyone wears an old white t-shirt!).

A Night at the Museum

27 February 2026 | Queensland Museum Kurilpa, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Have you ever wondered what happens in the museum after the doors close? Grab your torch and find out! This special Friday night event offers exclusive after-hours access to exhibits, hands-on activities, and a rare chance to explore the galleries in a thrilling, low-light atmosphere.

Lunar New Year Rooftop Party

28 February 2026 | Sunnybank Plaza – Cinema Rooftop, Sunnybank
More Info

Sunnybank wraps up its Lunar New Year celebrations with a massive rooftop party. Expect a bustling evening filled with incredible Asian street food, traditional lion dances, cultural performances, and a festive atmosphere perfect for the whole family to enjoy together.

Swingers – The Art of Mini Golf

10 January – 1 March 2026 | Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Get Tickets

Time is up! This is your final weekend to putt your way through this unique, artist-designed mini-golf course set up around the Powerhouse. It is a fantastic, interactive art experience that doubles as a fun, competitive game for the family.

Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs: The Smurfs

28 February 2026 | Regent Park, Cannon Hill
More Info

Pack a picnic rug and some snacks for a free movie under the stars. Regent Park is hosting a family-friendly screening of The Smurfs. Arrive early to grab a good spot on the grass and enjoy the community atmosphere before the film begins at sundown.

UQ Alumni Book Fair 2026

27 February – 1 March 2026 | UQ Centre – St Lucia Campus, St Lucia
More Info

Build your home library on a budget! The famous UQ Book Fair is a treasure trove for families. Spend a few hours hunting through thousands of high-quality, pre-loved children’s books, educational materials, and young adult fiction at bargain prices.

Library STEAM & Museum Science Sessions

27 February – 1 March 2026 | Various Locations

Ignite your child’s curiosity with these free educational sessions:

Little Sparks (Fri 27 Feb): The final day of the Museum’s play-based STEM program for 3-5 year olds. Info
Family STEAM Morning (Sat 28 Feb): Science, tech, and art activities for families at Carina Library. Info
STEAM Sundays (Sun 1 Mar): Weekend science fun at Indooroopilly Library. Info

First 5 Forever & Storytime in the Park

27 February 2026 | Various Locations

Friday morning is all about early literacy and outdoor fun for the littlest Brisbanites.

Babies, Books and Rhymes: Held at Corinda, Wynnum, Annerley, Mt Gravatt, Kenmore, Stones Corner, Bracken Ridge, Sandgate, Carina, and Mitchelton libraries. Info
Storytime in the Park: Enjoy fresh air and a good book at Dorrington Park, Ashgrove. Info

Vipoo Srivilasa: Express Yourself

Until 13 September 2026 | Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), South Brisbane
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If you need an indoor, air-conditioned activity, the Children’s Art Centre at GOMA continues to host this delightful, interactive exhibition where kids can engage in creative, hands-on art-making centered around themes of joy and kindness.

This weekend is a brilliant mix of education and pure celebration. A Night at the Museum is an unforgettable way to kick off Friday evening, while Saturday is dominated by massive cultural parties with Holi on the southside and the Lunar New Year closing party in Sunnybank.

Hip-Hop to House: De La Soul, Kerser, and Basement Jaxx Live on February 27 to March 1, 2026

This weekend brings massive outdoor parties and heavy-hitting comedy to Brisbane. The Riverstage hosts double headliners with G Flip on Friday and dance legends Basement Jaxx on Sunday, while Eagle Farm gets drenched for the S2O Australia music festival. For a laugh, Aussie icon Carl Barron kicks off a massive residency at QPAC, joined by international comic Chris D’Elia hitting the Valley.

G Flip

27 February 2026 | Riverstage, Brisbane City
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One of Australia’s most dynamic live performers takes over the Riverstage. G Flip’s high-energy show—featuring their signature drumming, powerful vocals, and infectious pop-rock anthems—is guaranteed to be a massive, crowd-pleasing start to the weekend.

Basement Jaxx

1 March 2026 | Riverstage, Brisbane City
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Where’s your head at? UK dance music pioneers Basement Jaxx bring their legendary live show to the Riverstage to close out the weekend. Expect a euphoric, colourful spectacle packed with classic house and electronic anthems from the late 90s and 2000s.

S2O Australia – Brisbane 2026

28 February 2026 | Royal Queensland Golf Club, Eagle Farm
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Prepare to get wet. The famous “Songkran Music Festival” arrives in Brisbane, transforming Eagle Farm into a massive outdoor dance party. Combining world-class EDM and hardstyle DJs with 360-degree water cannons, it is a uniquely high-energy summer festival experience.

Droppin’ Science: De La Soul with Oddisee & Good Company

1 March 2026 | Cultural Forecourt, South Brisbane
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Hip-hop royalty graces South Bank. Legendary trio De La Soul brings their Native Tongues flavor and iconic daisy-age rap to the Cultural Forecourt, supported by the soulful sounds of Oddisee and rising star Miss Kaninna.

Carl Barron: Just Wondering Why

28 February – 15 March 2026 | Lyric Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane
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Australia’s most popular stand-up comedian kicks off a massive two-week run at the Lyric Theatre. Carl Barron returns with his trademark observational humour, blending deadpan delivery with hilarious musings on everyday life.

Black Country, New Road

28 February 2026 | The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
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Critically acclaimed UK experimental rock band Black Country, New Road makes their highly anticipated return to Brisbane. Known for their sprawling, emotive instrumentation and deeply affecting live performances, this is a must-see for indie music fans.

Ty Segall

27 February 2026 | The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba
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The prolific king of modern garage rock and psychedelic fuzz, Ty Segall, tears up the Princess Theatre. Expect face-melting guitar solos, frantic energy, and a setlist pulled from his vast and eclectic discography.

Kerser

28 February 2026 | The Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley
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The king of Australian underground hip-hop hits the Valley. Kerser’s raw, unfiltered storytelling and massive cult following ensure that his shows are always loud, rowdy, and unforgettable.

Chris D’Elia

1 March 2026 | The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
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American stand-up comedian and podcaster Chris D’Elia brings his highly physical, off-the-cuff brand of comedy to The Tivoli for a Sunday night special.

Clare Bowditch with Iain Grandage: What Was Left Reimagined

28 February 2026 | Powerhouse Theatre, New Farm
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ARIA Award-winning artist Clare Bowditch teams up with acclaimed composer Iain Grandage for a deeply intimate performance. They will be reimagining Bowditch’s beloved songs with lush new arrangements in the beautiful setting of the Powerhouse.

Hothouse Flowers

27 February 2026 | The Triffid, Newstead
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The beloved Irish rock band brings their fusion of traditional folk, gospel, and rock to Newstead. Decades into their career, their live shows remain a joyous and soulful celebration.

The 046 – Legacy In Motion Tour

27 February 2026 | The Brightside (Outdoors), Fortitude Valley
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Western Sydney rap group The 046 bring their G-Funk inspired hip-hop to the Brightside’s outdoor stage, proving why they are one of the most exciting acts in the current Aussie drill and rap scene.

Choirboys – Great Australian Rock N Roll Stories

28 February 2026 | The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba
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It’s not just a gig; it’s a history lesson with guitars. The Choirboys play their classic hits while sharing the wild, untold stories of the 80s Australian pub rock scene.

Brisbane FITC 2026 (Turf Games)

28 February – 1 March 2026 | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
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If you prefer lifting over moshing, the BCEC hosts a massive functional fitness competition. Watch athletes push their limits across the weekend in a high-adrenaline arena environment.

More Weekend Live Music

27 Feb – 1 Mar 2026 | Various Venues

Aaradhna (Sat 28): The award-winning NZ R&B and soul singer plays Mansfield Tavern. Tickets
The Australian Van Morrison Show (Fri 27): Classic hits at Royal Quarters, Nundah. Tickets
Bradley McCaw in 52nd Street (Sat 28): A stunning Billy Joel tribute at The Old Museum. Tickets
Frost Children (Sun 1): Hyperpop and glitchy electronic chaos at the Crowbar. Tickets
Rise and Vibe (Sat 28): A morning social and music meetup at Queen Amann Bakery. More Info

This is an incredibly strong weekend for outdoor events before autumn truly sets in. Whether you want the pop-rock energy of G Flip at the Riverstage, the classic hip-hop vibes of De La Soul on the South Bank forecourt, or the absolute sensory overload of the S2O Water Festival, make sure you plan your transport early.

Culture Weekend: The Great Gatsby, Tiger Lillies, and Bossa Nova on February 20-22, 2026

This weekend in Brisbane is a powerhouse of performance. Sir Tony Robinson graces the QPAC Concert Hall for a night of history and humour, while The Great Gatsby continues its dazzling run at the Playhouse. It’s also the final weekend to catch the global phenomenon CATS before it leaves town.

An Audience with Sir Tony Robinson

20 February 2026 | Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane
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From Blackadder to Time Team, Sir Tony Robinson is a British television icon. In this exclusive evening, he shares stories from his incredible career, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the worlds of comedy and history with his signature wit.

The Great Gatsby

12 February – 8 March 2026 | Playhouse, QPAC, South Brisbane
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Step into the roaring twenties. Queensland Theatre’s lavish production of The Great Gatsby brings the glitz, glamour, and tragedy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece to the stage. It’s a visually stunning show that captures the excess and hollowness of the Jazz Age.

CATS

6 – 22 February 2026 | Lyric Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane
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The Jellicle Ball is ending. This is your last chance to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical before it departs Brisbane. Don’t miss the spectacular choreography and the timeless song “Memory” one last time.

The Tiger Lillies: Serenade from the Sewer

22 February 2026 | Powerhouse Theatre, New Farm
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The Olivier Award-winning “godfathers of alternative cabaret” return to Brisbane. The Tiger Lillies are known for their dark, twisted, and hilarious mix of pre-war Berlin cabaret and anarchy. Expect accordions, falsetto vocals, and songs about the underbelly of life.

Blanc de Blanc Encore

Season Extended to March 2026 | The West End Electric, West End
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Due to popular demand, the champagne-soaked party continues! Blanc de Blanc Encore is a hedonistic blend of circus, cabaret, and comedy. It’s a high-energy, adults-only night out that feels like a vintage French party gone wild.

Camerata: Classic Alchemy

21 February 2026 | Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane
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Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Camerata, presents a concert of musical transformation. Classic Alchemy features works that have been reimagined or transcribed, showcasing the ensemble’s versatility and passion for breathing new life into classical repertoire.

Crossing the Divide

17 – 20 February 2026 | Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane
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Catch this thought-provoking new work before it closes on Friday. Crossing the Divide explores themes of connection and separation, offering a compelling theatrical experience in the intimate Cremorne Theatre.

Brisbane Jazz Club Weekend

20 – 22 February 2026 | Kangaroo Point

A stellar lineup at the city’s home of jazz:

Ollie McGill (Cat Empire) (Fri 20): The keyboard wizard brings his “Songs of Jatt” project for a night of virtuosic playing. Tickets
The View from Madeleine’s Couch (Sat 21): Samba de Verão celebrates the smooth, rhythmic sounds of Brazilian bossa nova. Tickets
Soultown (Sun 22): Wrap up the weekend with a soulful Sunday session featuring classic hits. Tickets

Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty

21 February 2026 | QUT Gardens Theatre, Brisbane City
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Experience ballet in a new light. This performance of Sleeping Beauty features costumes adorned with LED lights, creating a magical, glowing spectacle that adds a modern twist to the classic fairy tale.

Experimental Drawing with Spencer Harvie

21 February 2026 | Institute of Modern Art, Fortitude Valley
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Challenge your creativity. Artist Spencer Harvie leads this workshop at the IMA, encouraging participants to break the rules of traditional drawing and explore new techniques and materials in a fun, supportive environment.

Alliance Française French Film Festival Preview: Jean Valjean

22 February 2026 | Palace James St & Barracks
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Get a sneak peek of the upcoming festival. This special preview screening of Jean Valjean offers film lovers an early look at one of the headline acts of the 2026 French Film Festival.

Visual Arts Highlights

Various Locations

BrisAsia 2026: Lois Kim & Hannah Seong: Thomas Dixon Centre (Ends 23 Feb). Info
Heart Songs | Carlos Barrios: Mitchell Fine Art (Until 7 Mar). Info
The Fire Horse Ignites: The Star Brisbane (18–22 Feb). Info

This weekend marks the end of an era with CATS finally closing its Brisbane run, making it a priority if you haven’t seen it yet. However, the arrival of Sir Tony Robinson and the dark cabaret of The Tiger Lillies offer fantastic alternatives for those looking for storytelling and comedy.