Hi there, lovely readers! As you know, I’m passionate about exploring the world and love to showcase the hidden gems on this blog. Well! While scratching an itchy foot and lamenting to my travel bud Jen about the drought between trips, the woman said, ‘Hon! You live in a city full of action, yet you don’t share any of those adventures?’ ‘A wise Sydneysider having FOMO about the vibrancy of my hometown Brisbane? Unusual. She’s right, though.

Thing is, you’re less likely to hear about Brisbane’s ever expanding vibrancy over the cacophony of our Sydney and Melbourne sisters extolling their brilliance in a never-ending competition for supremacy, so let me enlighten you. From fresh fare markets to music gigs, new restaurants and roof-top cocktail spots to hidden bars and roving foodie trails, light shows, underground concerts and more – Brisbane is no longer the ‘sleepy town’ of yesteryear. Heck no! Let’s start with RiverFest.

River Festival is when Brisbane brings out the big guns in celebration of all things art, culture and community. From theatre, art and music to one of my absolute faves – the beloved Spiegeltent (this year Strut & Fret will be delivering a ‘mind and body bending’ combination of circus, cabaret and acrobatics). Kicking off with the fireworks extravaganza – Riverfire (I know, all those dollars wasted, but this one rivals Sydney’s New Year’s Eve, and I simply can’t resist a good firework’), there are over 1000 performances running city-wide across 23 days worth exploring, experiencing and indulging. Running from September 1st to the 23rd, why not come on up, over or down, book a spot of accom and spend a long weekend jumping right in!

For more information: https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/2023