Weekend of 18 – 20 September 2026
School holidays begin this weekend, and the Festival Village at South Bank is where most of the free family programming sits — puppet building, a free family day and a light installation along the river.
Events are arranged per suburb.
Joy Generator by Nixi Killick
18 – 20 September 2026 | Brisbane Powerhouse – Fairfax Studio, New Farm
Joy Generator is a free, walk-in radiant sculptural installation by artist Nixi Killick, designed to inspire connection and activate joy through vibrant form and immersive experience. Suitable for ages 5 and above; open 9:00am–5:00pm daily at Brisbane Powerhouse.
Make, Believe, Magic: School Holiday Sock Puppet Studio
19 – 20 September 2026 | Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), South Bank
The Sock Puppet Studio at GOMA’s Make, Believe, Magic exhibition lets children build their own puppet and perform with it on the spot, running daily during the school holidays from 10:00am to 3:30pm and included with an exhibition ticket. The broader world-exclusive exhibition spans GOMA’s entire ground floor with more than 500 objects from The Jim Henson Company, including original Fraggle Rock sets, Muppets, and Sesame Street characters.
Fijian Flying Circus
18 September 2026 | South Bank Piazza, South Bank
International circus company VOU presents the Australian premiere of Fijian Flying Circus under a big top at South Bank’s Piazza, blending aerial acrobatics, island storytelling and laugh-out-loud moments for the whole family. The show follows a young girl’s quest to recover a stolen shoe from forest spirits, with gravity-defying stunts and soaring Fijian music.
This Show Is a Joke! by The Listies
20 September 2026 | Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, Festival Village, South Bank
Australia’s favourite kids comedians Matt and Rich (The Listies) bring their most ridiculous show yet to the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent — a 60-minute turbo-charged mash-up of slapstick, songs, fan favourites and fresh gags for kids aged 4 and up. Toilet paper cannons, bananas, the world’s ugliest baby and a possible Batman cameo are promised.
Bright Nights by ANZ
18 – 20 September 2026 | Verso Projects. Festival Village, South Bank, South Bank
A free nightly water, light and sound installation transforms the Brisbane River into a choreographed canvas of floating fountains, laser lights and water jets reaching 80 metres high. Shows run three times nightly at 6pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm throughout Brisbane Festival, with the best vantage point from Festival Village, South Bank.
Dance with Tom at Festival Village
18 September 2026 | Village Green, Festival Village, South Bank, South Bank
ABC children’s performer Thomas E.S. Kelly invites children and families to connect with Country through a free outdoor dance workshop at 10:30am on the Village Green, with movements inspired by the land, animals and natural elements of Australia.
Family Fun Day Supported by Brisbane Airport
20 September 2026 | Festival Village, South Bank, South Bank
A full day of 13 free performances and workshops designed for children and families fills Festival Village from 9am to 4pm, with highlights including puppet making, a Queensland Ballet workshop and a K-pop performance. All activities are free; some require pre-registration via the Brisbane Festival website.
Dead Puppet Society: Puppet Construction Workshop
20 September 2026 | South Bank Town Hall, Festival Village, South Bank
The acclaimed Dead Puppet Society team runs a free hands-on puppet construction workshop at the South Bank Town Hall inside Festival Village, sharing techniques from one of Australia’s most celebrated puppet theatre companies. Sessions begin at 10am; pre-registration is essential.
The Big Bubble Show in Space
19 – 20 September 2026 | The West End Electric, West End
Dr Bubbles and Milkshake bring their award-winning interactive circus show to the West End Electric for 60 minutes of bubble rockets, fire bubbles and giant bubbles large enough to envelop an entire group. The show is suitable for all ages, with family passes and ringside seating tiers available.
Some sessions require free registration in advance and can book out quickly, so check before travelling.
Weekend of 11 – 13 September 2026
Brisbane families had a huge weekend to choose from, with a LEGO fan expo, a family raceday at Doomben, planetarium shows at Mount Coot-tha and markets across the city.
Events are arranged per suburb.
Children's Storytime in the Park
11 September 2026 | Dorrington Park, Ashgrove
First 5 Forever pop-up library storytime with songs and stories for birth-to-5s.
Spring Food Festival Friday, Bardon Markets
11 September 2026 | Cnr Baroona & Rainworth Rd, Bardon
Weekly Friday night market with spring-themed food vendors, live music, dog- and family-friendly park setting.
Brisbane International Market & Food Truck Festival
11–13 September 2026 | 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
Multicultural food-truck and market festival with artisan makers and international cuisine, run by River City Market Collective.
BrisStyle Twilight Market
11 September 2026 | King George Square, Brisbane City
100% locally handmade market with live music and food trucks, run by non-profit BrisStyle Inc, supported by Brisbane City Council.
Little Artist's Eye Spy
11–13 September 2026 | Museum of Brisbane, City Hall, Brisbane City
Drop-in activity sheet turning a museum visit into an ‘Eye Spy’ game across five exhibitions.
Century Pools Family Raceday
12 September 2026 | Brisbane Racing Club, Doomben
Live racing plus free kids’ pony rides, face painting and Wiggles-themed entertainment. Kids 17 & under free.
BBX2026: LEGO Fan Expo
12–13 September 2026 | Exhibition Building, Fortitude Valley
Fan-built LEGO displays, building zones and retailers, run by BrisBricks; includes sensory-friendly sessions.
Perfect Little Planet
13 September 2026 | Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Mt Coot-tha
Kids’ Solar System show narrated through an alien family’s viewpoint, ends with a live Brisbane night-sky tour.
Destination Universe
13 September 2026 | Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Mt Coot-tha
Astronomer-guided journey from the Brisbane night sky to deep space.
Wheely Fun
12 September 2026 | Fischer Family Park, Rochedale
Council ‘Cycling Brisbane’ program helping kids move from training wheels to two wheels.
West End Markets (Davies Park)
12 September 2026 | Davies Park, West End
150+ vendor Saturday market with produce, crafts, live music, under Moreton Bay fig trees.
Vipoo Srivilasa: Express Yourself at GOMA’s Children’s Art Centre closed on the Sunday, making that weekend the last chance to see it.
