Celebrate Cinco de Mayo weekend at these fun-filled events: Cinco de Mayo is happening this Thursday and there’s a bunch of tequila-soaked events to help you celebrate! In true Lefty’s style the tequila will be flowing complemented by a mix of Mexican-inspired food and live bands all weekend to celebrate the occasion. Fortitude Valley newcomer Hey Chica! will light up Brunswick Street with its Cinco de Mayo celebration up until this Saturday. Think tequila carts, refreshing cocktails, DJs and live bands that will have you grooving the weekend away. Osbourne Hotel is also getting in on the action with special margarita flavours and Mexican bites aplenty this Thursday, while Pepe’s Mexican Newmarket will be serving food and drink specials along with live music from its mariachi band.

Immerse yourself in these mesmerising live shows: A bunch of must-see concerts, gigs and live shows are coming to Brisbane this weekend, and we are more than just a little excited. At The Triffid, LUUDE will be entertaining the crowd on Saturday, while a beautiful bounty of drag and burlesque house mothers will be taking over the venue on Sunday for Mother’s Day. If you were lucky enough to snag tickets, Lime Cordiale will be putting on an unforgettable show at Riverstage this Saturday. Over at The Tivoli, power-emo trio Camp Cope will be playing live and loud on Saturday, while The Princess Theatre will welcome Slowly Slowly on Friday and Brisbane singer-songwriter Hope D on Saturday. On Thursday, The Brisbane Indie Project, a one-night-only event that showcases a curated line-up of artists and musicians that demonstrates the range of diversity and talent within the emerging Brisbane creative scene, will take over The Zoo while alternative dance electronic music group Haiku Hands will be bringing the noise on Friday. On Sunday, treat your ears to spine-tingling sets when Katie Noonan celebrates 50 years of Joni Mitchell’s Blue accompanied by a stellar six-piece band at Brisbane Powerhouse.

Sample worldly wines and stand-up snacks at this culinary event: Almost a year on from its inaugural Brisbane event, The Fruitful Pursuit crew is bringing its emerging and breakthrough winemaker showcase FRESH BLOOD to town for a 2022 edition. FRESH BLOOD will be showing off a curated array of budding South Australian winemakers this Saturday, this time hosting two sessions across three venues. Zero Fox, Siffredi’s Spaghetti Bar and Rita’s Tequila and Taqueria will host ten breakthrough winemakers, three importers and one big bottle shop – each offering tastes of some of the most exciting small-batch vino hitting the market. FRESH BLOOD 2022 will feature appearances from Ada Wine Co., Adlib Wine, Camwell Wines, Comme Ci Comme Ça, Evan Evans Wine, Moorak Wine, Parley Wine, Poppelvej, State Of Nature and Sven Joschke Wine, as well as New Zealand’s A Thousand Gods Wines, Fumey Châtelain and Champagne Bonnet-Ponson from France. Oenophiles can purchase tickets to a day session (12:00–4:00 pm) or a night session (5:00–9:00 pm), with tickets including a take-home TFP x PLUMM glass, tastings and a stand-up snack from Rita’s, Siffredi’s or Zero Fox. Click here to snag a spot.

Shop under the stars at this inner-city market: Taking over King George Square with handmade local goods that are as delightful as they are sustainable, you’ll find a treasure trove of homegrown makers under the twinkling lights of Brisbane City Hall at this Friday’s BrisStyle Twilight Market. Peruse the incredible work of more than 60 local artisans – from cleverly crafted ceramics to embroidered wall hangings and all-natural handmade skincare, this Twilight Market gives you the chance to not only shop green, but to give back to your local community of creatives. There’ll also be plenty of food trucks on hand to fill you up with tasty treats, as well as live music to keep the whole family entertained.

Try out this pop-up immersive experience: Brisbane’s newest ‘grammable experience – Imaginaria – has once again extended its run. This stunning immersive play experience combines audio-visual art, inflatable architecture, light installations and futuristic gamification suitable for all ages. Visitors are invited to step inside, slip off their shoes and engage with AI projections, sensor-triggered LED waves, giant silk parachute canopies, cosmic gardens, an anti-gravity sunset, an electronic hall of mirrors and a digital wishing well that whispers your greatest desires. Ready to step into a world of mind-blowing visual excess? You can grab your tickets to Imaginaria now through Ticketmaster.

Make mum feel extra special at these mouth-watering Mother’s Day events: Let’s be real – every day deserves to be Mother’s Day. Why? From bringing us into this world to all the contributions (and sacrifices) they make, being a maternal figure is no easy feat. That being said, Mother’s Day is still a great opportunity to tell your mother how much she means to you. If you’re seeking somewhere special to take Mum this Sunday, read our Mother’s Day round-up to find out where you can celebrate around the city – whether it be with a pint, a bottomless breakfast or a luxe four-course feast.

Celebrate local literary legends at Brisbane Writers Festival: Grab your pens and start jotting down a list, as the 60th anniversary Brisbane Writers Festival is finally here with more than 200 events taking place across the city over six huge days from May 3–8. As Brisbane’s seminal literary event, the festival is full of engaging storytelling and celebrations of the written word. Created with a little help (and a dose of magic) from guest curators Ellen van Neerven, Benjamin Law, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Michaela Kolowski and Rhianna Patrick, this year’s event combines BWF fan-favourite programs with a handful of sparkling new initiatives. To peep the entire program and to score tickets, head to the BWF website.

Catch some of cinema’s most iconic criminals on the big screen: Danger! Daring! Disaster! QAGOMA’s The Art of the Heist film program looks at one of cinema’s most beloved crime subgenres – the Heist film. A seductive mix of gangster cool and cerebral ingenuity, the Heist film brings together a crafty ensemble of experts, a high stakes plan and the lure of the ultimate reward. Features classics The Asphalt Jungle 1950, directed by John Huston, and Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle) 1970, directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, alongside contemporary retellings such as Steve McQueen’s women-led caper Widows 2018. The Art of the Heist screenings take place Wednesday and Friday nights, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at GOMA’s Australian Cinémathèque. To check out the complete program and to nab tickets, head over to the QAGOMA website.

Peep street art around the city at this sizzling showcase: Brisbane Street Art Festival (BSAF) will welcome a plethora of acclaimed local, national and international street artists from around the globe this May. The free public art event has 50 commissioned artworks across iconic inner-city Brisbane locations. The city will be awash with colour with artworks by artists from countries including USA, Spain, Russia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Indonesia alongside homegrown talents such as Sofles, Rachael Sarra, and Tori-Jay Mordey. To learn more, head here.

Nab Mum the perfect Mother’s Day present at this local makers market: If you’re yet to snap up a present for Mum for Mother’s Day (it’s this Sunday May 8, FYI), head to the Portside Markets on Saturday from 12:00–4:00 pm to shop a huge range of goodies made by local makers and creatives. You’ll be able to snag handmade ceramics, accessories, art, natural skincare and much more. While you’re there, fill your belly with delicious eats from one of Portside Wharf’s many eateries or book yourself in for a Mother’s Day feast. You’ll be Mum’s favourite in no time! This market is hosted by Brisbane’s favourite lifestyle markets The Market Folk. To learn more, head here.

Knock back frothy sips at this mammoth beer festival: GABS Festival is back and better than ever this Saturday! This year will mark the 11th edition of GABS and its Disneyland for beer lovers which boasts more than 100 new and unique craft beer and ciders. You can meet and share stories with a cracking line up of some of Australia and New Zealand’s best brewers as well as enjoy street food, entertainment, a silent disco, beer education, fun games and so much more. Keen to get sipping? Grab your tickets here.

Get ready to laugh yourself silly at this comedy festival: Comic musings, side-splitting stories and tear-inducing tales … Australia’s fastest growing ​comedy ​festival, ​Brisbane Comedy​ Festival, has grown into a multi-venue extravaganza, bursting at the seams to host a hand-picked selection of the funniest folk in the country. Kicking off this Friday at venues like Brisbane Powerhouse, The Fortitude Music Hall and The Tivoli, Brisbane Comedy Festival plays host to one-liners, whimsy and mockery from more than 100 of the most hilarious national and international comedians. From ​stand u​p to improv and sketch ​comedy​, your tastes are covered ​with the funniest shows to see in Brisbane. This weekend will welcome events like the Sunday Roast at The Tivoli and crack-up characters like Dave Hughes, Tommy Little and Reuben Kaye will be taking the stage at Fortitude Music Hall. To check out the full program and to buy tickets, head here.

Devour the best Brisbane has to offer at this flavoursome food festival: Dine BNE City is back, baby, with a program packed full of exclusive offers and dining experiences that will have you drooling. Strap your taste buds in for a wild ride as you taste and toast your way across our glorious city from May 1–29. This year’s program is offering everything from $25 lunches to meandering wine walks, whiskey nights and ten-course degustation’s – there truly is something to surprise and delight even the most discerning of diners. Start your May meal prep (aka book your table and check out the complete program) and get ready to feast on everything Dine BNE City has to offer. To grab a ticket to these sinfully delicious events or make a reservation, hop, skip and jump over to the Dine BNE City website. Your taste buds will thank you later!

Putt amongst all of your favourite sugary snacks at this candyland-themed mini-golf course: In a win for sweet-tooths everywhere, Victoria Park has transformed its putt putt course into a candy-filled wonderland. Say hello to Candyland Putt Putt, a mini-golf course that’s set to give you one heck of a sugar rush. Popping up until May 8, this glorious golf course will feature a host of delectable delights including classic holes like Fairy-floss Fairway, as well as brand-new holes like Ice-cream Court, Candy Shoppe, Sugar Shack on Sugar Slopes and Bunny Hop. Perhaps the best part of this candy-laced adventure is that the putt putt course is fully licensed, and you can order drinks and snacks as you play via the QR codes located at each hole. Online bookings are essential so hop over here to secure your spot.

Check out MoB’s newest exhibition: MoB’s latest exhibition Making Place: 100 Views of Brisbane is where museum-goers can treat their peepers to more than 100 artworks depicting some of Brisbane’s most iconic scenes. The dazzling exhibition features works from renowned artists including Vida Lahey, Judy Watson and Margaret Olley, and an atmospheric soundscape by Artist in Residence Lawrence English, leaving you with a much-needed dose of culture. For more information, head to the Museum of Brisbane website.

Assemble for this eye-opening art tour around The City: You may think you know Brisbane well, but Museum of Brisbane’s captivating walking tours will will reignite your curiosity for our beloved river city! Art lovers can get their fix with Museum of Brisbane’s Public Art Walking Tour, showcasing the art, history, and culture of Brisbane’s public sphere. This exciting tour invites you to traverse through the city’s plethora of public art and examine the dynamic additions to Brisbane’s squares, lanes, foyers and streetscapes. Featuring work both from the early 1900s, to modern installations and laneway art, this 90-minute tour will showcase Brisbane from a brand-new perspective as you explore the artist’s response to a place, concept and time that can give us a sense of, or question, who and where we are. Ready to rally up your art-loving crew? To register your interest for Museum of Brisbane’s Public Art Walking Tour, head here. Tours run on select Fridays and Saturdays.

Shop up a storm at these weekend markets: If you’re eager to stroll through some stalls and stock up on some fresh fruit and veg, mask up and check out these markets happening – Saturday Fresh Market, Riverside Markets, Kelvin Grove Village Market, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Davies Park Market, Carseldine Markets and the Redcliffe Markets. For delicious dinnertime eats, Eat Street Northshore is on for your snacking pleasure on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Let it go at this chilly musical: From the producers of Aladdin, The Lion King and Mary Poppins comes Frozen, Disney’s new hit musical. Adapted from the Oscar-winning film, Frozen is an inspiring tale of sisterhood and true love, that comes to life with gorgeous sets and costumes as well as sensational special effects. This weekend is your last chance to catch Frozen at QPAC so get your tickets here.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, events may be subject to be postponed or cancelled at the last minute. We do our best to remove cancelled events but be sure to check the organiser’s own event page for the most current updates.