Upcoming shows, music and art on the big stage in 2018

Brisbane is turning up the heat in 2018 with a huge lineup of events hitting the big stage. Whether you’re after musicals, music, theatre or art shows, you can have a taste of everything this year in Brisbane. 

We've also teamed up with Wotif to offer even better deals on hotels around Brisbane – but you have to be quick, the sale ends late on Thursday 16 February. Find a bed to lay your head here.

Musicals 

Disney's Aladdin The Hit Broadway Musical | 20 February - 3 June

With breathtaking sets, mind-blowing special effects, over 300 lavish costumes and a fabulous cast – catch the magic of Disney’s Aladdin on stage when it arrives at the Lyric Theatre in February. The musical production includes all your favourite Disney songs and some additional new music.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | from July 

Beautiful tells the inspirational true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise from teenage songwriter to global superstar after she fought her way into the record business.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert | from September 

Join the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime.

Music

Robbie Williams | 20 February 

Robbie Williams is back with a hit-laden set spanning his entire career. Hear pop favourites including Angels, Let Me Entertain You, Come Undone, Kids and Feel.

Queen & Adam Lambert | 24 February 

Celebrating the 40th anniversary since Queen’s biggest-selling studio album, Adam Lambert will be the front-man for Queen as they perform some of rock n rolls greatest hits including We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Bruno Mars 24K Magic World Tour | 14 & 15 March 

Grammy Award winner and world-renowned, multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Bruno Mars is set to rock the Brisbane Entertainment Centre with hits including Uptown Funk, 24K Magic and Versace On The Floor.

CMC Rocks | 16 – 18 March

The biggest country and roots festival in the southern hemisphere, CMC Rocks is ready to celebrate its origins in 2018. What promises to be another great year of country music, mates and good times, CMC Rocks is not one to miss – book early.

Ed Sheeran Divide World Tour | 20 & 21 March 

With two Grammy Awards, six billion YouTube videos, 70 million online followers and a constant appearance on the top of our music charts, Brisbane welcomes pop-sensation Ed Sheeran to sold out gigs.

Harry Styles Live on Tour | 28 April 

Although we’re a little sad the entire One Direction crew won’t be joining, girls everywhere are queuing to see the teen heartthrob perform his recently released self-titled album.

Niall Horan Flicker World Tour | 3 June 

One fifth of One Direction will be bringing his fine voice and looks down under to put on a huge show at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Katy Perry: WITNESS The Tour | 8 & 10 August 

Global pop superstar Katy Perry is bringing her Witness tour down under, playing two shows at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

P!NK Beautiful Trauma World Tour 2018| 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21 & 23 August 

Renowned around the world as one of the most dynamic live performers of her generation, Australia’s favourite international pop icon P!NK is bringing us her Beautiful Trauma World Tour.

Sam Smith Thrill of it All Tour | 10 November 

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sam Smith is bringing his acclaimed sophomore album to town this November.

Theatre

Brisbane Comedy Festival | 23 February – 25 March

International and national headlining comedians will take over the Brisbane Powerhouse (and spill into Brisbane City Hall) for the 2018 festival. Expect more laughs than ever with over 65 comedians across the two venues.

Queensland Ballet’s La Bayadère | 16 – 31 March 

Sweeping you into the world of 19th Century British Raj, La Bayadère retells the story of Solor, son of the Maharajah, who has pledged his undying love for the beautiful Nikiya, a simiple bayadère (temple dancer). Will he be forced to marry the Governor-General’s daughter or can he find happily ever after with Nikiya?

Anywhere Theatre Festival | 10 – 27 May

The nooks and crannies of Brisbane will explode with over 500 performances in places you least expect it to. Theatre in car parks, comedy in laneways, opera in reservoirs, dance in stairwells and quirky workshops exploring arts and craft from cooking to jewellery.

Queensland Ballet’s Double Bill: Carmen & The Firebird, 25 May – 3 June 

Two stories, one night. The Queensland Ballet will be performing Carmen and The Firebird is this fiery double bill choreographed by two of ballet’s best. 

OperaQ’s The Merry Widow | 22 – 30 June

Graeme Murphy directs a fresh take on Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow, starring two of Australia’s most charistmatic opera performers David Hobson and Natalie Christie Peluso. Setting this classic operetta amid the Art Deco glamour of Paris gives new life to the traditional love story between Hanna and her playboy ex-lover Danilo. 

OperaQ’s Opera Romance | 28 June

Celebrate the careers of Antoinette Halloran and Rosario La Spina as they share backstage stories and perform their favourite opera arias and duets. Antoinette and Rosario will be joined by members of the Open Stage Community Chorus for this one-evening-only performance.

Queensland Ballet’s Cinderella | 7 – 15 September 

Everyone’s favourite fairy tale is brought to life by Queensland Ballet. Charming, humorous and blissfully romantic, Cinderella finally finds her Prince, but then the clock hits midnight… with only a glass slipper left behind, how will the Prince find her?

OperaQ’s Don Giovanni | 19 October – 3 November 

Rising international star Duncan Rock makes his Australian debut in Don Giovanni. One of Mozart’s best works for a reason, witness the compelling tale of an iconic antihero’s final days of pleasure as he roars towards his ultimate destruction, wreaking havoc in the lives of everyone he encounters.

Wonderland Festival | 22 November - 2 December

Showcasing burlesque, circus, cabaret, music, comedy, poetry, theatre and variety shows from both international and Australian artists, Wonderland is set to take over Brisbane Powerhouse once again.

Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker | 14 - 22 December

Christmas isn’t officially here until you see Queensland Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker. With the magnificent music of Tchaikovsky and lavish sets and costumes, Ben Stevenson’s production of The Nutcracker is a must-see Christmas treat.

QPAC International Series 2018 | 7 - 18 November 

The QPAC International Series features an annual, exclusive presentation of some of the world’s finest performing arts companies and is focused in the fields of dance and classical music

Art exhibitions

Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection | 24 March - 5 August 

Globally renowned for her adventurous use of sculpture, installation, video and sound to create imaginative hybrid creatures, Piccinini is bringing her recognisable collection from the last ten years and showing it exclusively at GOMA.

9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art | 24 November - 28 April 2019 

Having been deprived of GOMA’s contemporary art series for too long, we happily announce that the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT) will be available for viewing during spring and summer. Since 1993, the APT series has drawn more than three million visitors and boasts one of the world’s most significant collections of contemporary Asian and pacific art – so don’t miss it.