Summer in Brisbane is more than hot humid days and warm nights – it’s when our many eating, dining and entertainment precincts truly come to life, as we seize onto end of year excuses to catch up and get out and about with friends and family.
From the beginning of the Christmas season (not too early thanks) through to the relaxed weeks of January, Brisbane’s parks, cultural spaces, stadiums and streets come alive for summer fun, and every day shimmers like a holiday.
Brisbanites will tell you that our city changed forever, for the better, when we hosted EXPO '88. What’s Expo? It was a six-month long international festival held along the river at the site of what is now South Bank. It can be hard to understand the fervour and power of such an event in this modern, frequent-flying, global age where information is at our fingertips and cultural exchange is a daily given. In the pre-internet age, these exhibitions were revered and gave host cities incredible legacies, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris (a beloved leftover from the 1889 World Expo).
One of the most important legacies for us from that 1988 six-month party of 15 million visitors, is our extensive and beloved outdoor and footpath dining. Finally, Brisbane took to eating al fresco. In our sub-tropical climate, this propelled our dining and bar scene to the new levels. Locals love to eat outdoors, and since the end of the COVID era, Brisbane’s restaurant scene has boomed. Visitors here can reap that reward.
The Brisbane of 40 years ago was a ghost town in January, just like so many European capitals in August. As a city with three world class universities, it can feel quiet when exams end and international students return home for the summer, but the Brisbane of now no longer seems to put a full-stop on the fun - January is just a somewhat slower, more relaxed pace as we ease into the new year.
Summer is the time for a sharp refreshing cocktail on a breezy rooftop, followed by a crisp Australian white wine or locally made craft beer, paired with our famous Queensland seafood. Or you can push your appetite to the limit and order some very Queensland Reef and Beef, exploring the best of our local produce. It’s also time to visit our beautiful parks, like the locals do in droves, to enjoy the shade of our magnificent figs or a river breeze.
So even though December can feel pretty frenetic, slow down like we Brisbanites do and enjoy summer in the city or, better yet, take a walk with us to meander through some of Brisbane's famous precincts and unexpected stories.
*This blog was written using only NI (natural intelligence)*
Below is a sampling of some of the wonderful events and experiences you can enjoy over the summer in Brisbane...
Sticking with the al fresco theme, we have LOST WORLDS OUTDOOR CINEMA on the Rainforest Green at South Bank Parklands.
- WHEN: 15th - 23rd December, 2025
- WHERE: South Bank Parklands, Rainforest Green
Explore PRESENCE as artist Olafur Elliasson invites us on an expansive, multi-sensory journey that engages our sense of perception, featuring the rocky landscape and running water of the immense and immersive Riverbed installation (wear comfortable shoes).
- WHEN: 6th December onwards
- WHERE: GOMA, South Brisbane
Join the fun and discover the enchanting Christmas-themed TINY DOORS hidden around Brisbane City! Designed and created by local artist Mace Robertson, these whimsical doors bring festive cheer to life.
- WHEN: 1st - 24th December, 2025
- WHERE: Brisbane CBD, various locations
Experience the magic of Christmas with CITY HALL LIGHTS, when Brisbane's iconic City Hall is transformed into a vibrant display of captivating visuals, festive sounds and a heart-warming story for the whole family to enjoy. Stories run every fifteen minutes from 7:30pm to midnight, daily.
- WHEN: 5th -24th December, 2025
- WHERE: City Hall, King George Square
Explore the curated ground of Government House when they open the gates for their annual CHRISTMAS LIGHTS display. These envy producing gardens are a sight not to be missed as they light up each December with a free to enjoy array of installations and lights for the whole family to enjoy.
- WHEN: 13th -18th December, 6:45pm-8:15pm
- WHERE: Fernberg House, Paddington
One of Brisbane’s favourite Christmas traditions returns for its eighth sparkling year. CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY features the music of Love Actually live on stage and is the ultimate silly-season starter, bursting with nativity lobsters, cinnamon sticks and endless fun! Dine on the river at the Powerhouse before or after the show, or try one of New Farms fabulous local restaurants.
- WHEN: 2nd - 14th December, 2025
- WHERE: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Enjoy Queensland Ballet’s final season of THE NUTCRACKER! This perfect entertainment for the whole family enchants audiences with its sparkling winter wonderland. Choreographed by Ben Stevenson OBE and featuring the original Tchaikovsky score played live by Queensland Symphony Orchestra, this cherished Queensland Ballet tradition is in its thirteenth and final season.
- WHEN: 5th - 13th December, 2025
- WHERE: QPAC, South Brisbane
World-class tennis returns to Queensland with the 2026 BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL presented by ANZ! Get ready for a week of electrifying rallies, fierce competition, and non-stop entertainment at the iconic Queensland Tennis Centre.
- WHEN: 4th - 11th January, 2026
- WHERE: Queensland Tennis Centre, Tennyson