We didn’t get an Anzac Day break this time, but the Labour Day public holiday arrives on Monday, May 4. Outback Queensland has plenty of petrol, so why not revive those travel plans?
Of course, if you’re staying put, the city is packed with activities all weekend.
We’ve divided the events up into three days and a night, but many of these are occurring across multiple days, or all weekend – be sure to check.
Friday, May 1
Dance: Elastic Hearts
The music of Sia powers an avant-garde offering from Queensland Ballet, choreographed by Garry Stewart. Dancers embody resilience as forests grow, swings soar and a huge pink heart blooms.
Thomas Dixon Centre, West End, April 30-May 9. Tickets still available Friday, May 1, $58-$116.
Sport: Dolphins v Storm
Kristian Woolf’s boys confront old enemies the Melbourne Storm in this Round 9 NRL clash at Lang Park. Suncorp Stadium, Friday, May 1, 8pm, various prices.
Music: Furnace and the Fundamentals: Furnapalooza 2026
Playing everything from Queen to Taylor Swift, the Beatles to Beyonce, these guys take the covers band brief to the extreme.
Fortitude Music Hall, Friday, May 1, 7pm, $96.74.
Theatre: The Last Ship
Sting, Shaggy and the cast are preparing to ship out. This heartfelt musical about community, collective action and facing up to your past has its last few performances this weekend at Brisbane’s newest theatre.
Glasshouse Theatre, QPAC, until May 3, $99-$129.
Film: It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley
A new documentary tells Buckley’s story with unseen footage and new interviews with family and bandmates. Dendy Cinemas, from April 28.
Art: GOMA Friday Nights: Presence
Explore the gallery at night with food and drink, a vinyl listening bar, leading Brisbane DJs, pop-up performances and access to the immersive Olafur Eliasson: Presence exhibition. The gallery is open all weekend, too.
GOMA, Friday, May 1, 8 and 15, 5.30pm-8.30pm, $20-$33.
Saturday, May 2
Sport: Queensland Reds v the ACT Brumbies
The Reds take on the Brumbies in the critical Round 12 of the Super Rugby Pacific Season. Suncorp Stadium, Saturday, May 2, 7.35pm, various prices.
Exhibitions: Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends
Learn the story of crocodiles from prehistoric predators to cultural icons, with life-sized recreations, artefacts and fossils.
Queensland Museum Kurilpa, daily 9.30am-5pm, $19.90-$29.90.
Theatre: La Cenerentola
Rossini’s bel canto opera is a sparkling variation on the Cinderella tale, with comedy, dazzling costumes and sets, and exquisite singing from the Opera Queensland cast. Concert Hall, QPAC, Saturday, May 2, 1.30pm, $75-$169.
Film: Gold Coast Film Festival
The Goldie’s flick fest wraps up this weekend with screenings of Don’t Be Prey, Zoolander, Dracula Revamped, Here’s Humphrey and Friends and How to Talk to Australians: The Movie. HOTA and Dendy Southport, until May 3, various prices.
Theatre: The Sapphires
Tony Briggs’ play about a Yorta Yorta girl band that tours Vietnam as entertainment for the troops returns with a soulful storyline and 1960s hits. Bille Brown Theatre, West End, April 28-May 24 (performing May 2-3), $89.
Exhibitions: Aussie v Euro at Brisbane Motor Museum
It’s a year-round motor show at the Brisbane Motor Museum and its latest collection brings together vehicles made in Australia and across Europe, from Valiants to Rolls-Royces.
959 Nudgee Road, Banyo, until June 7, daily 8am-3pm, $10.65-$25.
Comedy: Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny
The British comic of 8 Out of 10 Cats fame is one of the biggest comedians in the world, and his past tour was one of the biggest comedy roadshows in history.
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, May 1-2, 8pm, $91.65-$101.65.
Sunday, May 3
Theatre: Steel Magnolias
Lee Lewis directs Lisa McCune in this play exploring the bonds between women in a Louisiana hair salon. It’s famous for the film that starred Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton and Shirley MacLaine.
Playhouse Theatre, QPAC, April 30-May 10 (performances May 1-3), $89-$159.
Concerts: Spirit of the Violin
Queensland Symphony Orchestra and principal violin Johnny van Gend play works by Waxman, Tchaikovsky and Glazunov as well as Jessica Wells’ Suite from Butterfly Effect in its world premiere.
Concert Hall, QPAC, Sunday, May 3, 11.30am, $83-$119.
Festivals: Stones Corner Festival
Rogue Traders (in the original line-up with Natalie Bassingthwaighte) headline this free outdoor music festival in its 11th year. There are market stalls, food trucks, local beers, family entertainment and line dancing.
Logan Road, Stones Corner, Sunday, May 3, 12pm-10pm, free.
Theatre: Footloose: The Musical
Prepare to shake off your Sunday shoes with the stage show of the movie about the town that tried to ban dancing, packed with bona fide 1980s hits.
Royal International Convention Centre, Bowen Hills, until May 3, 7.30pm, $76.19-$217.89.
Markets: Global Food Markets Logan
Wander up Croydon Road to meet Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian, Sudanese and Islander people selling fresh produce grown on properties and backyards across the Logan region.
Woodridge Station and Croydon Road, Logan Central, Sundays 6am-12pm, free.
Conventions: AniMayhem
From the team behind Oz Comic-Con, AniMayhem celebrates anime, cosplay, gaming and Otaku culture with panels, performances, cosplay parades, console games and TTRPG sessions.
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, May 2-3, 10am-4pm, $19.90-$119.90.
Music: Josh Tatofi
The Grammy-nominated Hawaiian performer brings smooth island R&B soul to Brisbane. Fortitude Music Hall, Sunday, May 3, 7pm, $94.90.
Monday, May 4
Comedy: Brisbane Comedy Festival
Confessional storyteller Jenny Tian, ribald Melbourne comic Nath Valvo, serial procrastinator Melanie Bracewell, born-again golfer Lizzy Hoo, queen of awful characters Tilly Oddy-Black, NZ prankster David Correos and the Aboriginal Comedy Allstars are all performing on the long weekend.
Brisbane Powerhouse and The Princess Theatre, until May 25, various prices.
Art: This Moment: Highlights from the White Rabbit Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art
Australian collector Judith Neilson has one of the best collections of high-tech, high-impact Chinese art in the world – absolutely worth a Gold Coast day trip to take a look. HOTA Gallery, Surfers Paradise, until October 11 (open May 1-4, 10am-4pm), free.
Film: The Devil Wears Prada 2
Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci are all back for a 20th-anniversary sequel to the fash mag classic, with Kenneth Branagh, Aussie Patrick Brammall, and Gaga as well. In cinemas from April 30.
Festivals: Horizon Festival
Arts and culture events are taking place across the Sunshine Coast with film, dance, markets, concerts, theatre, exhibitions and comedy. Highlights include Opening Night Kings Beach Concert (May 1), Writers Festival (May 2-4), The Butterfly Who Flew into The Rave (May 3) and Namba Artist Market (May 4).
Sunshine Coast, May 1-10, various prices.
Activities: Brisbane Labour Day Rally and Family Fun Day
The march leaves from the corner of Turbot and Wharf streets and finishes at the RNA Showgrounds, with a family fun day featuring free rides, food and music.
Wharf Street, Monday, May 4, 9am-1pm, free.
Activities: The Friends Experience
Here’s something to do while you’re (ahem) on a break: Take selfies on the recreated sets of the sitcom classic, including Rachel’s apartment, Central Perk, Joey and Chandler’s apartment and the opening credits fountain.
Uptown, Queen Street, daily 9am-7pm, $25.90-$45.
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