June 2009

The Dreaming: This three-day Aboriginal festival showcases Indigenous arts from across the country and will feature performing arts, film and literature, traditional healing, campfire story circles, workshops, street performers, musicals and a youth programme.

The Noosa Long Weekend: This 10-day festival of art, culture and food takes place against the backdrop of Noosa’s beautiful beaches. (June 19 - 28)

Brisbane Fine Wine Festival: Sample award-winning drops, taste boutique wines from smaller vineyards and get the lowdown from winemakers from all over Australia. (June 26 - 28)

July 2009

Queensland Music Festival: Get ready for 17 days of statewide musical collaborations and concerts with a vast array of over 30 musical events throughout Queensland.

August 2009

Brisbane International Film Festival: running since 1992, the festival provides a focus for film culture in Queensland and offers a broad range of top films including features, documentaries, shorts, experimental works and retrospective programmes.

Swimming: 2009 Telstra Australian Short Course Championships. (August 8 -12, Brisbane Aquatic Centre)

Hervey Bay Whale Festival: To mark the beginning of the whale-watching season, there’ll be a range of events including a family fun day at Seafront Oval, an illuminated street parade and firework display to mark the festival’s grand finale.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival: World-class fashion hits Brisbane once again at this annual fashion event designed to support and promote the local fashion and design industry.

The Ekka: Formally known as the Royal Queensland Show, the Ekka is much more than just an exhibition of agriculture. Expect to see animal parades, wood-chopping competitions, fun rides, equestrian events and a whole lot more. (August 6 -15, RNA Showgrounds)

Pine Rivers Show: Commonly thought of as a mini Ekka, the Pine Rivers Show  offers a range of attractions including a ute muster, fireworks and a grand parade.

December 2008

Woodford Folk Festival: Six days and nights of performances and musical entertainment including concerts, dances, workshops, forums, street theatre, films, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, children’s programmes and late-night cabarets. (December 27 - January 1)

January & February 2009

Brisbane International Tennis: Brisbane’s much-anticipated return to the international tennis circuit gets underway with the inaugural Australian Men’s and Women’s Hardcourt Championships played at the new Tennyson State Tennis Centre. (January 4 - 11)
 
Cricket: Twenty20 International, Australia v South Africa, Gabba (January 13).

Q150: To celebrate Queensland’s independence from New South Wales 150 years ago, Q150 will run a series of activities across Queensland throughout the year to mark this special occasion. 

March & April 2009

St Patrick’s Day Parade: Join the crowds and line the streets to watch more than 40 colourful floats and hundreds of marchers wind their way through the city. The parade starts at the corner of George and Elizabeth Streets while the Irish Festival at the Botanic Gardens will host dances, pipe bands and clowns. (March 14)

Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race: The 308 nautical mile ocean race begun in 1949 and remains one of Australia’s major sporting events over the Easter weekend.

May 2009

Buddha Birthday Festival: To celebrate the occasion there’ll be a range of multicultural performances, exhibitions, displays and an array of vegetarian food stalls in South Bank Parklands.

Redcliffe Kitefest: Professional kite flyers from all over Australia will fly extravagant kites of all shapes and sizes to fill the sky with spectacular colours. (May 16 - 17)

Spanish Film Festival: The annual festival presents highly acclaimed films from Spanish-speaking countries across the world.

10th International Congress of Ecology: Jointly hosted by the ecological societies of Australia and New Zealand, the theme of this year’s conference is “Ecology in a Changing Climate”. (August 16 -21, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre)

Queensland Poetry Festival: Widely considered to be Australia’s finest poetry festival, this annual event is dedicated to promoting and developing local poets and their work. (August 22 - 24)

Brisbane International Boat Show: Landlubbers and sea dogs alike should come along to find out about the most up-to-date yachts and boats. (Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre)

September 2009

Riverfestival: This annual festival offers a range of activities associated with the Brisbane River. There will be bike races, beach volleyball competitions, boat racing, jet skiing, sailing, live music and much more. (August 28 - September 6)

Brisbane is 150 years old on September 6. Join in the celebrations, experience the diversity and heritage of Brisbane’s cultural communities.

Sunshine Coast Blues Festival: Some of the best blues performers in Australia will gather together to perform over the second weekend in September.

Brisbane Writers’ Festival: From author readings to workshops and panels, booklovers shouldn’t miss this collection of events that covers journalism, literature, fiction and history with a special programme for young writers and illustrators.

November & December 2009

Brisbane Good Food & Wine Show: Watch demonstrations from celebrity chefs, sample gourmet food and drink great wine at this annual haven for Brisbane foodies.

Woodfolk Folk Festival is six days and nights of performances, concerts and entertainment for the young and the young at heart.