It’s official: we’ve reached the grand finale of long weekends, which means you simply have to make the most of this round—before we haul our way through five-day work weeks until Brisbane’s next public holiday in August (so… far…. away).
So what’s on offer this weekend? There’s a coffee party, a Cinco de Mayo party, and even a hot dog party. You’ve also got Australia’s first national cat convention, free Pilates classes, and, of course, all the action and thrills of Magic Round.
Scroll on and check out the best things to do in Brisbane this weekend:
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What's On All Weekend
What's On Saturday
What's On Sunday
All Weekend
Snag Fest
Gear up for a weekend of snags and sports at Snag Fest—South Bank’s new festival dedicated to the humble sausage. Taking over Little Stanley Street from 2 to 4 May, this sizzling day out is set to feature pop-up food stalls, big screens broadcasting live sporting action, and a whole lot of entertainment to amp up the vibe. On the menu, you’ll find a mix of classic hotdogs, loaded corn dogs, and Caribbean-style eats, as well as mouth-watering pub grub from some of South Bank’s top restaurants, including Ahmets, Barbossa, Brooklyn Depot, and Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers. For the ultimate game-day feast, you’ll want to head on over to Magic Dawgs—a special collaboration between Alemré Group (Olé, Mucho Mexicano, Vici Italian, Downtown Istanbul) and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce serving up exclusive Snag Fest bites like jumbo smoked hot dogs and a Queenslander Margarita. The best part? Entry to Snag Fest is free.
The Details
When: 12pm to 10pm Friday 2 and Saturday 3 May, 12pm to 9pm Sunday 4 May
Where: Little Stanley Street, South Bank
Find out more .
Oz Feline Fair
Australia is about to get a little more catty with the inaugural Oz Feline Fair—the country’s first national cat convention coming to Brisbane in May for a weekend-long celebration of all things feline. Featuring world renowned cat judge Steven Meserve who will be bringing along his globally recognised CATstravaganza to town, watch up to 130 cats compete to be awarded titles like Best in Breed and Best in Show. You can also explore Vendor Village where you’ll find an eclectic mix of cat-themed products and services or head to Purr-Creations Alley for artisan, handmade, and one-of-a-kind treasures. It’s set to be a weekend of fun, education, and entertainment for cat lovers of all ages. Book your tickets .
The Details
When: 3 & 4 May
Where: Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Find out more .
Fan Land
Brisbane is officially staking its claim as Australia’s footy capital, as Queen’s Wharf Brisbane unveils —a free and vibrant hub where sports fans can get in on the action of Magic Round weekend. Across four adrenaline-pumping days from 1 to 4 May, you can watch every game on Brisbane’s biggest outdoor sports screen, with plenty to keep you busy before and after kick off. From footy legends to interactive games, roving performers, pop-up bars and food trucks, Fan Land will give you the ultimate Magic Round experience outside of the stadium.
The Details
When: 1 to 4 May
Where: Queen’s Wharf
Find out more .
Cinco de Mayo
You’ll be sure to find a fiesta all over town this weekend in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. From Friday to Sunday, will be dishing up tacos, tequila and everything in between, as Brazilian dancers bring the heat. Meanwhile, will be getting into the spirit from Saturday to Monday (it is a long weekend, after all), pouring a limited Mexicali Cerveza straight from the tap and a free serve of tortilla chips and house-made salsa with each purchase. Or, celebrate Cinco de Mayo the way on Sunday, with live entertainment, a pop-up margarita bar, authentic South American fare, and electrifying beats.
2025 UQ Alumni Book Fair And Rare Book Auction
Dig through more than 130,000 books, magazines, records and other pre-loved goodies from as little as $1 at UQ’s annual free book fair. Raising money for student scholarships and research at UQ, this treasure trove will also play host to the 2025 Rare Book Auction, which will see dozens of works go under the hammer—including a first-edition copy of The Handmaid’s Tale signed by Margaret Atwood, first-edition copies of Ian Flemming’s famous James Bond books, and even an original book published in 1639. While the auction will take place at 6:30pm on Friday 2 May, the fair is on for the whole weekend with free talks and kid-friendly activities on the Saturday. Register .
The Details
When: Friday 2 May to Monday 5 May
Where: UQ Centre, St Lucia
Find out more .
Saturday 3 May
Rise & Rave
Start your morning right at a new kind of party, blending culture, coffee and music on the waterfront. Taking cues from European cities, Rise Bakery is hosting a monthly Saturday morning club that serves up the finest pastries and French-style coffee to the tune of curated DJ sets. Get your groove on from 9am at the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct, with walk-ins welcome. The Curated Market will also be stopping by for the first event of the series, bringing along designer rack sales so you can squeeze in your retail therapy too.
The Details
When: 9am to 12pm Saturday 3 May
Where: Rise Bakery, BCLP Newstead
Find out more .
International Pilates Day
It’s the perfect time for a big stretch this Saturday, as all Studio Pilates will be hosting an Open Day to celebrate International Pilates Day—meaning you can enjoy a free workout. Whether you’re a fitness newbie or Pilates enthusiast, this is your chance to strengthen your mind-body connection with a reformer class while toning your muscles and boosting your overall energy and wellness. Simply register .
The Details
When: Saturday 3 May
Where: All Studio Pilates
Find out more .
Shakespeare’s The Tempest
A raging storm, a shipwreck, quarreling characters, magic and revenge. That’s right—Shakespeare’s legendary tale The Tempest is coming to Brisbane—performed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Helpmann Award-winner John Bell in an exclusive dual performance this weekend. Immerse yourself in four compositions of Shakespeare’s Tempest while one of the biggest names in Australian theatre takes you on a thrilling journey through this classic tale. Book .
The Details
When: 7.30pm, Saturday 3 May
Where: QPAC, South Brisbane
Find out more .
The Mother’s Day Handmade Market
BrisStyle’s iconic Market is taking on a handmade spin in time for Mother’s Day, hawking locally made treasures and artisan goods from Brisbane’s most talented makers. The place to be for a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day gift, discover jewellery, ceramics, homewares, and slow fashion she’ll adore. We also won’t blame you if you head home with a lil’ something for yourself. The best part? Entry is free.
The Details
When: 10am to 3pm Saturday 3 May
Where: Queensland Museum, South Brisbane
Find out more .
The Diamond Day Out
Indulge in a taste of Italy while raising funds for the Women’s Legal Service QLD at The Diamond Day Out—a gorgeous lunch that will see you eating, drinking, and dancing the afternoon away on the grounds of St Augustine's. You’ll be digging into a three-course Italian-style shared banquet, featuring charcuterie boards, pasta, woodfired pizza, and mini cannolis and gelato for dessert, alongside premium beverages from the on-site bar. The main stage will also play host to live entertainment for your enjoyment, with a live auction and raffle drawn on the day to further support women experiencing domestic violence. Get your ticket .
The Details
When: 11:30am to 4:30pm Saturday 3 May
Where: St Augustine’s, Hamilton
Find out more .
Stones Corner Festival
Music, food and beer are all on the cards at the 10th anniversary of the beloved Stones Corner Festival. Offering a jam-packed day of excitement for all ages, groove on down to enjoy a diverse line-up of live music and market stalls, as well as gourmet food trucks and pop-up bars with a special focus on craft beer from local brewers. All you need is a donation on entry.
The Details
When: 12pm to 10pm Sunday 4 May
Where: Logan Road, Stones Corner
Find out more .
Big Gay Day
Brisbane’s favourite rainbow festival, Big Gay Day, is back. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Big Gay Day is paying homage to its origins by selecting y2k as this year’s theme—so hit up your Pinterest boards and venture back into the closet to grab your low-rise jeans, butterfly clips, and baby tees. The festival is voguing very close to the sun (but not Icarus close) with Peach PRC headlining the event and DJ duo The Presets slaying the decks. And for all the Drag Race Down Under Fans out there, season four stars Lazy Susan, Vybe, and Mandy Moobs will be lip-syncing for their lives on The Wickham stage. Music, drinks and drag are one thing, but all in support of LGBTQIA+ charities? You can’t say no to that.
The Details
When: 12pm, Sunday 4 May
Where: The Wickham, Fortitude Valley
Find out more .
Drawing Festival
Channel your creative juices at QAGOMA’s annual Drawing Festival—a wholesome one-day free event packed with experiences to help you enjoy the transformative benefits of drawing. Whether you want to try your hand at a new skill or are hoping to rekindle a love of the craft, every skill level is welcome to join the drawing workshops led by artists, immerse yourself in sketching at drop-in events, and see your artwork displayed in the Gallery.
The Details
When: 10am to 5pm Sunday 4 May
Where: QAGOMA, South Brisbane
Find out more .
Stuck on Labour Day plans? We’ve pulled together a list of Brisbane cafes, restaurants and bars open on the public holiday here.
Main image credit: Stones Corner Festival | Facebook