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The back half of 2026 is stacked in Brisbane, and we have mapped out the best of it for you. This is our month-by-month guide to what's on in Brisbane from now through to the New Year, covering the dated events worth planning a trip around, from the Ekka to the footy and a run of huge stadium shows.
The clever bit? We have paired every marquee event with the closest Rambla stay. So you can spend less time in transit and more time in the thick of it.
The cheat sheet
Short on time? Here is the year at a glance.
- The busy season is here, headlined by the Ekka (8 to 16 August), Brisbane Festival (4 to 26 September) and the Rugby League World Cup at Suncorp (from 25 October).
- November brings the big gigs, with Foo Fighters (5 November) and Robbie Williams (20 November) both at Suncorp, plus the World Cup finals (15 November).
- Most stadium events sell out fast, so lock in your stay early.
- You do not need a ticket to enjoy Brisbane, with free things to do all over the city.
- We have a stay for every event, with four Brisbane locations putting you within easy reach of the action, whatever you are in town for.
What's on in Brisbane from here to New Year's?
There is something on in Brisbane almost every week for the rest of 2026, from world-class sport and stadium concerts to free riverside festivals. The calendar below is sorted by date, so finding what's on in Brisbane this week is as easy as scrolling to the month you are travelling in.
Prefer the stage to the stadium? Theatre lovers should keep an eye on QPAC at South Bank and the Brisbane Festival program, with its full 2026 line-up of drama, dance and live shows just announced. Check the official site to plan around the shows you want to catch.
For everyone else, the dated diary starts just below. First though, a quick word on doing Brisbane for free.
Free things to do in Brisbane, no ticket required
You can fill an entire day in Brisbane without spending a cent, and South Bank is the best place to start. Entry to South Bank Parklands is free, along with a swim at Streets Beach, a visit to the Queensland Art Gallery and a wander through the Gallery of Modern Art. Streets Beach is Australia's only inner-city, man-made beach, it is free to use, and it is patrolled by lifeguards all year round.
Wondering what to do in Brisbane today for free as an adult? GOMA offers expansive contemporary galleries with free general entry and you can catch a matinee at QPAC or settle in at a riverside cafe nearby. Our full South Bank guide has plenty more.
For Brisbane's best free attractions further afield, you can stroll the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, hike Mount Coot-tha for panoramic views, or watch the sunset from the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
Staying on the southside? Our South/City/SQ apartments sit right in the South/City/SQ precinct in Woolloongabba, which runs free themed food truck markets on the last Friday of most months. Expect live music, artisan stalls and a different theme each time, from La Dolce Vita in August to Halloween Markets in October. Grab a bite, pull up a seat and soak up the buzz right downstairs.
August to October: the Ekka, the Festival and footy fever
This is when Brisbane really turns it on. This is the busiest stretch of the year, so it pays to plan ahead.
Night Feast at Brisbane Powerhouse
Brisbane's culinary festival has shifted seasons for 2026, running until 23 August and bringing cooler nights and hotter plates to the Brisbane Powerhouse precinct. Think boundary-pushing menus, festival-exclusive dishes and immersive art, all after dark.
- When: 29 July to 23 August 2026
- Where: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
- Cost: Free entry, with food and drinks for purchase. The one-day Better Off Red long lunch on 16 August starts from $269
- Tickets: Sign up for updates here
- Best Rambla stay: Berwick House in Fortitude Valley, a short stroll from New Farm
Ekka (Royal Queensland Show)
The Ekka returns to the Brisbane Showgrounds from 8 to 16 August 2026 and this one is extra special. The Royal Queensland Show marks 150 years of tradition this August, with nine days of fun including the animal nursery, nightly fireworks and iconic strawberry sundaes. The Ekka public holiday, People's Day, falls on Wednesday 12 August 2026 for residents in the Brisbane City Council area.
- When: 8 to 16 August 2026
- Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
- Cost: Tickets via the official site, with adult and child pricing
- Tickets: Through the official Ekka website
- Best Rambla stay: Perry House in Bowen Hills, right on the Showgrounds' doorstep.
Brisbane Festival
Brisbane Festival lights up the city from 4 to 26 September 2026 and it is Australia's biggest celebration of the arts. It kicks off with a bang too. Riverfire opens the festival on Saturday 5 September, with Fireworks lighting up the sky from bridges, barges and rooftops (Hot tip: you can actually see them from the Berwick House rooftop).
You can watch Riverfire for free from spots all along the river, with South Bank a favourite for families.
- When: 4 to 26 September 2026 (Riverfire on 5 September)
- Where: South Bank, Kangaroo Point and Howard Smith Wharves
- Cost: A mix of free outdoor events and ticketed shows
- Tickets: Via the official Brisbane Festival site
- Best Rambla stay: Story House in Kangaroo Point and Berwick House in Fortitude Valley, walking distance to the riverside action. More in our Brisbane festivals guide.
NRL finals and the Rugby League World Cup
September and October are footy finals season and 2026 has a world-class twist. The NRL finals series runs through September, with Brisbane's Broncos and Dolphins potentially hosting home finals at Suncorp Stadium if they qualify. The NRL Grand Final itself is played in Sydney on Sunday 4 October.
The real headliner for Brisbane is the Rugby League World Cup. Australia play Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 25 October 2026 as part of the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
- When: Australia v Fiji, Sunday 25 October 2026
- Where: Suncorp Stadium, Milton
- Cost: From $19 for adults, via Ticketmaster
- Tickets: Through the Suncorp Stadium event page
- Best Rambla stay: Perry House in Bowen Hills, with quick transport links to Milton. If you are pairing the footy with a Gabba fixture, see our Gabba 2026 events guide.
November and December: stadium anthems and the silly season
November is the month for huge nights out, and December eases into festive mode.
Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters open their Take Cover Tour right here in Brisbane on Thursday 5 November 2026 at Suncorp Stadium, with rising acts Full Flower Moon Band and Mini Skirt joining the bill. Expect the marathon, career-spanning set the Foos are famous for.
- When: Thursday 5 November 2026
- Where: Suncorp Stadium, Milton
- Cost: Via AXS, prices vary
- Tickets: Through Frontier Touring
- Best Rambla stay: Berwick House in Fortitude Valley, ready for a big post-show night out
Rugby League World Cup finals
The World Cup wraps up in Brisbane with a blockbuster double-header on Sunday 15 November 2026. Suncorp Stadium hosts the Men's and Women's Finals.
- When: Sunday 15 November 2026
- Where: Suncorp Stadium, Milton
- Cost: From $39 for adults, via Ticketmaster
- Tickets: Through the Suncorp Stadium finals page
- Best Rambla stay: Perry House in Bowen Hills, an easy run to Milton
Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams brings his BRITPOP World Tour to Suncorp Stadium on Friday 20 November 2026. Melbourne's own G Flip joins him as special guest for the Australian shows. A stadium full of singalongs, basically.
- When: Friday 20 November 2026
- Where: Suncorp Stadium, Milton
- Cost: Via AXS, prices vary
- Tickets: Through Frontier Touring
- Best Rambla stay: Story House in Kangaroo Point, central for a big night in the city
Christmas lights and New Year's Eve fireworks
December eases Brisbane into the silly season and South Bank is the heart of it. Christmas Fireworks light up the Parklands nightly from 20 to 23 December, best viewed from the Clem Jones Promenade, Streets Beach and River Quay.
The big one is New Year's Eve. The Lord Mayor's New Year's Eve Fireworks at South Bank features two free shows, at 7:45pm and midnight. You can also watch from the City Botanic Gardens, Kangaroo Point Cliffs or Captain Burke Park for a more relaxed family vantage.
- When: Christmas Fireworks 20 to 23 December, NYE Fireworks 31 December 2026
- Where: South Bank Parklands and riverside vantage points across the city
- Cost: Free
- Best Rambla stay: Story House in Kangaroo Point, with the cliffs and river right there for fireworks night
Which Rambla apartment is closest to each Brisbane venue?
The closest Rambla apartment depends on the venue, so here is a quick pairing guide for 2026's biggest events.
| Venue | Event | Best Rambla stay | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suncorp Stadium, Milton | RLWC, Foo Fighters, Robbie Williams | Perry House | Bowen Hills, with quick transport to Milton |
| Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills | Ekka | Perry House | On the Showgrounds' doorstep |
| Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm | Night Feast | Berwick House | Fortitude Valley, a short stroll from New Farm |
| South Bank | Brisbane Festival, Riverfire | Story House | Riverside Kangaroo Point, walk to South Bank |
| The Gabba | Gabba fixtures | South/City/SQ | Woolloongabba, handy for southside venues |
Getting around Brisbane on event days
Public transport is your best friend on a big event day, and Brisbane lays on extra services when it counts. CityCat ferries are perfect for South Bank festivals and most of our Brisbane stays sit within easy reach of a train station or busway.
For the Ekka, the timing could not be easier. The Exhibition train station reopens for the Ekka and drops visitors right in the heart of the Showgrounds precinct. For Riverfire and Brisbane Festival, plan ahead for road and river closures. Additional Citytrain, bus and CityCat services run on Riverfire night to help visitors travel to and from the event with ease.
For stadium nights at Suncorp, leave the car behind. Trains and buses run frequently to Milton and rideshare surge pricing after a concert is rarely worth it. Stay close, and you can often skip the queues altogether.
When should you book accommodation for Brisbane's biggest events?
Book as early as you can for any stadium event, because Brisbane's best stays fill up fast. As a rough guide:
- Foo Fighters and Robbie Williams: Book the moment you have tickets. Single-night stadium events clear out the city's apartments quickly.
- Rugby League World Cup (25 October and 15 November): Lock in now. International events draw interstate and overseas crowds and the finals weekend will be tight.
- Brisbane Festival and Riverfire (early September): Book a few months out, as opening weekend is the busiest.
- The Ekka (8 to 16 August): You have a slightly longer window thanks to the nine-day run, but the People's Day weekend goes early.
- The silly season (December): Just as busy as spring, with Christmas, school holidays and New Year's Eve all drawing crowds. Book early, especially for anything over the NYE weekend.
Booking direct with us is the smart move too, with real savings on top of the perks. Become a Rambla Member for 5% off plus a complimentary car park. Or for an event weekend, our Weekend Escape rate saves you 15%, with early check-in, 12pm late check-out and free parking. Staying longer? Save up to 25% on extended stays. Browse all of our Brisbane stays here, or check our What's On page for the latest offers.
Final word, come stay a while
Whether you are here for one big night or a whole festival run, the rest of 2026 has Brisbane buzzing right through to New Year. From world-class sport to stadium anthems and free riverside nights, there is plenty worth planning a trip around.
Find your spot in the thick of it, from Story House by the river to Perry House near the Showgrounds, Berwick House in the Valley and South/City/SQ on the southside. Discover our stays today.
Frequently asked questions about events in Brisbane
What's on in Brisbane this week?
It depends when you visit, but the back half of 2026 has something on almost every week, from the Ekka in August to stadium shows in November. Scroll our month-by-month calendar above and jump to the dates you are travelling.
What theatre shows are playing in Brisbane?
QPAC at South Bank runs a year-round program, and the Brisbane Festival line-up (4 to 26 September) adds a full run of drama, dance and live shows. Check the official Brisbane Festival site to plan around the ones you want to catch.
What can I do in Brisbane today for free as an adult?
Plenty. Entry to South Bank Parklands, a swim at Streets Beach and general entry to GOMA and the Queensland Art Gallery are all free, and you can catch a matinee at QPAC or wander the City Botanic Gardens without spending a cent.
What's on at South Bank Brisbane?
South Bank is Brisbane's free-fun hub all year, with Streets Beach, the art galleries and riverside dining. Come December it hosts the Christmas Fireworks (20 to 23 December) and the Lord Mayor's New Year's Eve Fireworks, with two free shows on 31 December.
What are Brisbane's best free attractions?
Start at South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach, then head further afield to the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, the Mount Coot-tha lookout and the Kangaroo Point Cliffs for the best sunset view in the city.
