New year, new events: everything you need to mark in your 2023 calendar

Hello 2023! After an… errr, eventful… few years, we’re leaping into 2023 with a spring in our step, a renewed sense of optimism and a bucket list of big events and experiences to tick off over the next 12 months.

Fire up the group chat and send the calendar invites, because we have a packed schedule of festivals, gigs, shows and special events you don’t want to miss.  

When: Saturday 18 February, 3pm

Where: The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley 

Tickets: From $39

Pioneering Brisbane brewery Green Beacon is turning 10 and throwing a Brisbane-centric birthday bash at The Tivoli. Beddy Rays headline an all-Brisbane line-up as Green Beacon takes over The Tivoli with its crowd favourite and special edition birthday brews.

Find more information and ticketing here.

When: Saturday 18 February – Sunday 19 February 2023

Where: Noosa Heads, Queensland

Tickets: From $29.50 

Supported by Tourism and Events Queensland, the Noosa Summer Swim Festival is one of Australia’s most popular open-water swims, drawing paddlers from across the country. The event celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023 with races open to a range of abilities from first-timers to seasoned ocean swimmers. 

Find more information and ticketing here. 

When: Thursday 9 March – Saturday 11 March

Where: Concert Hall, QPAC

Tickets: From $75

Opera Queensland brings a thrilling adaptation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Macbeth, to Brisbane’s Concert Hall in March. With José Carbó, Anna Louise-Cole and Rosario La Spina, the passion of Verdi’s renowned score is vividly brought to life to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. 

Find more information and ticketing here.

When: Wednesday 22 March – Sunday 26 March

Where: Various locations across South Bank

Tickets: Free and ticketed events 

World Science Festival Brisbane returns to place sensational science under the microscope and on stages across the city. Presented by Queensland Museum Network, the cutting-edge festival features immersive activities, innovative educational programming and insightful discussions with key industry experts for audiences of all ages.

Full program and tickets released in early 2023 here.

When: Wednesday 22 March – Sunday 2 April

Where: Various locations across South Bank

Tickets: Announced early 2023

Let your imagination roam free as this crowd favourite returns to the river-facing oasis of South Bank in March. Celebrating all things science, art and tech, Curiocity Brisbane features marvellous outdoor installations and a program of workshops and curious conversations. 

Full program and tickets released in early 2023 here.

When: Friday 21 April – Sunday 23 April

Where: Julia Creek, Queensland

Tickets: Announced early 2023

The Dirt n Dust Festival is an annual sporting and music festival over three jam-packed days of boot-scootin’ fun. The festival features an adrenaline-pumping rodeo, an outback triathlon, the Artesian Express Outback Horse Races, outdoor concerts and more. 

Full program and tickets released in early 2023 here. 

When: Friday 28 April – Sunday 30 April

Where: Jimna, Queensland

Tickets: From $229

Known for championing Aussie music, unique performances, workshops and mind-bending visual arts, Jungle Love brings together a community of like-minded and free-spirited folk. Need a ride? The festival also offers 150 rainbow bikes for easy cruising throughout the weekend.

Find more information and ticketing details here. 

When: Friday 28 April – Sunday 28 May

Where: Brisbane Powerhouse, The Tivoli, The Fortitude Music Hall

Tickets: From $30

If you like laughing until your eyes water and your belly hurts, this is the event for you! Join Mel Buttle, Peter Helliar, Dilruk Jayasinha, Dave Thornton and over 100 international and homegrown comedic geniuses at Brisbane Comedy Festival for a month of knee-slapping laughs. 

Find more information and ticketing here. 

When: Friday 5 May

Where: Brisbane City Hall

Tickets: From $200

The LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation holds its annual Light Up The Night Charity Gala within the walls of Brisbane City Hall in May. The event provides guests with the opportunity to raise funds and support the organisation to help LGBTQ victims and survivors of domestic and family violence.

Find more information and ticketing here.

Where: Roundhouse Theatre

When: Monday 8 — Saturday to 27 May

Tickets: From $50

La Boite stages the world premiere of The Poison of Polygamy, a timeless tale of morality, murder, blackmail and betrayal. The page-to-stage adaptation of Australia’s earliest Chinese-language novel is inspired by true events and sheds an illuminating insight into the migrant experience that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Tickets for The Poison of Polygamy are available now.

When: Tuesday 16 May – Monday 22 May

Where: Various locations across regional Queensland

Tickets: From $60

With an audience of more than 2,000 last year, you’ll want to snap up your tickets early as the Festival of Outback Opera returns to iconic red-soiled stages across regional Queensland. Presented by Opera Queensland, live concerts, pop-up performances and panel discussions take audiences on a magical journey of sound under the stars. 

Find more information and ticketing here.

When: Friday 7 July – Sunday 9 July

Where: Brisbane, Queensland

Tickets: From $89

Lace-up your running shoes and start training. Brisbane Trail Ultra, supported by Tourism and Events Queensland,  is the state’s most prestigious trail running and ultramarathon event, connecting stunning virgin rainforests to the iconic Brisbane River. 

Find more information and ticketing here.

When: Thursday 3 August – Sunday 6 August 

Where: The Whitsundays, Queensland

Tickets: Free and ticketed

The Great Barrier Reef Festival is an annual celebration of the Queensland-based natural wonder, showcasing the Whitsundays lifestyle and community in Airlie Beach. The event is a sun-soaked combination of reef-focused and art initiatives, local food, culture and incredible beach parties.

Find more information and ticketing here.

When: Friday 4 August – Sunday 6 August

Where: Moreton Bay, Queensland

The Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival celebrates local tastemakers and producers with a three-day food and wine event serving up the most mouth-watering produce the region has to offer. We’ll take a dozen oysters, thanks! 

Full program and ticketing announced early 2023; keep your eyes out here.

When: Friday 25 August – Sunday 3 September

Where: Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Horizon Festival presents a program of visual art, music, theatre, dance, ideas, film and creative workshops. Celebrating the stunning Sunshine Coast region and honouring the stories and artworks of First Nations people, the Festival provides a platform for local artists to showcase their practice to the community.

Subscribe for program and ticket updates here.

When: Friday 1 September — Saturday 23 September 

Where: Various locations around Brisbane

Tickets: Free and ticketed

The annual spectacular and storied celebration of our famous river city returns in September for three weeks of joy, including Brisbane’s night-of-nights, Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust. 

Full program and ticketing announced in mid-2023. Subscribe for updates here.

When: Tuesday 5 September – Friday 8 September 

Where: Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

Tickets: From $49

Every September, some of the world’s most influential tastemakers and adventurous music lovers gather to celebrate the future of music over three exciting days and nights in Brisbane at BIGSOUND. 

Find more information and ticketing here.

When: Friday 15 September – Sunday 17 September

Where:  Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Tickets: From $40

Escape to the picturesque Noosa hinterland and spend the weekend connecting with friends and like-minded music-lovers over good times and great music at the Mitchell Creek Rock ‘n’ Blues Fest. 

Find more information and ticketing here.

2023 is going to be your year, whether you’re kicking dust at a regional music festival or nibbling your way through a smorgasbord of delicacies.