The Schrinner Council is making holidays even better in Brisbane with over 1,000 free and affordable activities on offer over the summer break.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schinner said that families will be spoilt for choice when it comes to filling the calendar over the holidays.
“As a parent of four young kids, planning for six weeks of holidays can be a daunting and costly task,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Our Council is committed to providing fun and affordable entertainment for the whole family this summer, with over 800 free and 150 affordable activities filling our libraries, parks, pools, and stages.
With the top end of our program costing just $10 a person, there is even more to see and do in Brisbane this summer.”
For $6 a person, kids can participate in expert workshops from stand up paddleboarding, Christmas ornament making, pottery and everything else in between.
Cr Schrinner said Council’s $2 Summer Dips program will no doubt be a winner among kids and parents looking to stay cool on a budget.
“With summer officially here, we want residents to make the most of Council’s 22 pools and our $2 Summer Dips,” he said.
“Around 15,000 people a day used Council’s pools last summer and even more are expected this summer.
I’m confident this initiative will encourage residents of all ages to get active, cool down and have some affordable fun at our pools.
Importantly, there’s no limit. Residents can go as often as they like to their local pool and continue to save.”
Those looking for free fun in Brisbane can enjoy new activities like sensory play workshops, singing story time sessions and writing how-to’s with local authors.
Music lovers can even treat themselves to exciting free performances from the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program.
“To end the holidays on a high, the musical movie production I like to Movie, Movie will premiere on January 16 and bring all the musical screen favourites to the stage.
Featuring songs from iconic family classics such as Trolls, The Lion King, Shrek, Matilda, Aladdin, Frozen, The Sound of Music, Hairspray and much more, this is the ultimate party playlist for the whole family to get up and dance.
I like to Movie, Movie will also include an Auslan interpreter throughout the whole show so everyone can enjoy the musical fun.”
Cr Schrinner urged families to book in advance to secure their spot on the holiday calendar.
“While many of the activities over the summer holidays are free of charge, most require booking in advance,” he said.
“Council will continue to offer fantastic events for kids of all ages as we help residents make the most of the school holidays here in Brisbane.”
To plan your school holiday schedule, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘School Holiday Events’.
Cool off with $2 Summer Dips
The $2 Summer Dips initiative will run from December 1st to February 29th and will apply to adult and children general entry fees to Council’s pool facilities, including on public holidays.
The program will roll out across Council’s 22 pools and the Clem Jones Centre.
Get back to nature with Council’s environment centres
Explore our green city during the school holidays at Council’s 3 environment centres (Boondall Wetlands, Downfall Creek and Karawatha Forest).
Highlights include nature journaling and exploring the Ocean with VR at the Boondall Wetlands
Museum of Brisbane offers a bloomin’ great program
Get creative at Museum of Brisbane with a range of low-cost and free activities on throughout these school holidays.
Inspired by the new exhibit, Rearranged Art of the Flower, workshops include:
- Create your very own Petal Patterns
- Craft your own wearable art in the Flower Power Badge Studio
- Put on a show with your very own Carnivorous Plant Paper Puppets
Master the elements at Victoria Park
Victoria Park will be hosting the free Park Play program this summer from 8-17 January on Mondays to Wednesdays, 9am-1pm.
This summer school holidays, we’re exploring the mesmerising theme of the Elements, unlocking the secrets of fire, earth, water, and wind though hands on educational activities.
Free library fun for all ages
There are over 400 amazing activities happening at Brisbane Libraries over the summer break.
With reading challenges, live performances, robotics and stem classes and author workshops all available for free, our 33 Council libraries are the best place to be to take a break from the heat and learn something new!
| Activity | Date | Location | Description | Age | Cost |
| Zumba Kids | Monday, 15 January 2024, 3.30-4.30pm | Arthur Davis Park, Sandgate |
Bookings essential. Perfect for our younger Zumba® fans! Kids 7-11 years old get the chance to be active and jam out to their favourite music. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 7-11 years |
7-11 years old | Free |
| Fun basketball skills and games at a basketball court | Monday, 15 January 2024, 3.30-4.15pm | Ferguson Park, Bracken Ridge |
Bookings essential. Skill development and fun games with fundamental basketball drills and 3×3 action. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 6-12 years. |
6-12 years old | Free |
| Fun basketball skills and games at a basketball court | Monday, 15 January 2024, 4.15-5pm | Ferguson Park, Bracken Ridge |
Bookings essential. Skill development and fun games with fundamental basketball drills and 3×3 action. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 12-17 years. |
12-17 years old | Free |
| Kayak Explore | Monday, 15 January 2024, 11am-2pm | Nudgee Beach Reserve, Nudgee Beach |
Booking essential. Come along for some fun paddling games while exploring your local waterway. All equipment and instruction is provided, perfect for beginners or those with experience. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 10-17 years old. |
10-17 years old | $6 |
| Make and create for kids | Monday 15 January 11am-12 noon | Chermside Library | Enjoy free school holiday craft activities. Ideal for children aged 4-8 years. | 4-8 years | Free |
| Chess tournament | Monday 15 January 12 noon-3pm | Chermside Library | Test your chess skills by joining our friendly chess tournament and see who the ultimate chess player is. Ideal for children aged 7-12 years. | 7-12 years | Free |
| Make and create for families | Tuesday 16 January 3-4pm | Zillmere Library | Fun and free school holiday craft activities. Ideal for all ages. | All ages | Free |
| Lord Mayor’s Children’s Program – I like to Movie, Movie | Tuesday 16 January, 2024 | Brisbane City Hall | All your favourite musical movie moments rolled into a high-energy show perfect for a family singalong! Featuring your favourite songs from iconic family classics such as Trolls, The Lion King, Shrek, Matilda, Aladdin, Frozen, The Greatest Showman, The Sound of Music, Hairspray, Madagascar and more, this is the ultimate party playlist performed live onstage. With a talented cast of Australia’s finest music theatre performers, I Like to Movie, Movie will deliver hit after hit from your family’s favourite films. |
Under 12 | Free. Tickets available through Eventbrite |
| Nature Journaling – Raven Street Reserve | Tuesday 16 January 10am–12 noon |
Downfall Creek Bushland Centre | Take some time out in nature and be inspired with the calming practise of nature journaling. Join Environment Centre staff on a short stroll through the reserve and learn the basics of nature journaling. https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on-and-events/event/nature-journaling-raven-street-reserve-169646864 |
Ages 12+ | Free – bookings required via Eventbrite |
| Senses alive: see, hear, touch nature | Tuesday, 16 January 2024, 10am-12 noon | Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre | Bookings essential. Come and bring your senses to life. See the trees, hear the birds, touch the leaves and breathe in the fresh air. Come along to hear some stories and songs about the senses, engage in some creative activities that explore the textures of the park and play some games that will get everyone feeling active and healthy. This event is suitable for children 3-8 years old. | 3-8 years old | Free |
| Senses alive: see, hear, touch nature | Tuesday, 16 January 2024, 1.30-3.30pm | Downfall Creek Bushland Centre | Bookings essential. Come and bring your senses to life. See the trees, hear the birds, touch the leaves and breathe in the fresh air. Come along to hear some stories and songs about the senses, engage in some creative activities that explore the textures of the park and play some games that will get everyone feeling active and healthy. | 3-8 years old | Free |
| ACTivate water fun and games | Wednesday, 17 January 2024, 1.30-3.30pm | Downfall Creek Bushland Centre |
Bookings essential. Get wet and keep cool at this ACTivate Water Fun session. Come along and participate in lots of interactive games, relays and active and healthy activities that will ensure you end up totally drenched! This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 10-17 years. |
10-17 years old | Free |
| Intro to ukulele | Wednesday, 17 January 2024, 9.30-11am | Bracken Ridge Hall, Bracken Ridge |
Bookings essential. Learn the basic chords, strum patterns and structure of songs. This is a GOLD’n’Kids event suitable for seniors and children 6-12 years. |
Seniors and children 6-12 years old | Free |
| Zumba Kids | Wednesday, 17 January 2024, 3.30-4.30pm | Arthur Davis Park, Sandgate |
Bookings essential. Perfect for our younger Zumba® fans! Kids 7-11 years old get the chance to be active and jam out to their favourite music. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 7-11 years |
7-11 years old | Free |
| Introducing Osmo | Wednesday 17 January 1-2pm | Zillmere Library | Discover an educational gaming system that merges tactile exploration with innovative iPad technology, actively engaging children in the learning process. Introducing young minds to coding in an easy and fun way, Osmo enables children to explore the world of science, maths, art and more through creative problem solving. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years. | 5-12 years | Free |
| Make and create for kids | Wednesday 17 January 1-2pm | Sandgate Library | Drop in and enjoy free school holiday craft activities. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years. | 5-12 years | Free |
| Workshop: Clay rockets and aliens | Wednesday 17 January 2-3.30pm | Chermside Library | Join the Creative Kids Brisbane team for this fun clay making workshop. Learn how to create your own clay rocket and alien. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years. | 5-12 years | Free |
| Workshop: Cartoon games with Phil Judd | Thursday 18 January 10-11am | Sandgate Library | Discover different aspects of animation in this unique workshop with Phil Judd. Learn about flip cartooning, participate in a folding character activity and play a game of duo cartooning with other participants. Learn a range of new techniques and have a whole lot of fun! Ideal for children aged 7-12 years. | 7-12 years | Free |
| Sensory friendly make and create | Thursday 18 January 11am-12 noon | Bracken Ridge Library | Choose how you want to create your masterpiece with options to craft, build or draw. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years who are neurodivergent, or experience sensory sensitivity or sensory overload | 5-12 years | Free |
| Make and create for kids | Thursday 18 January 11am-12 noon | Chermside Library | Enjoy free school holiday craft activities. Ideal for children aged 4-8 years. | 4-8 years | Free |
| Make and create for families | Thursday 18 January 3-4pm | Zillmere Library | Fun and free school holiday craft activities. Ideal for all ages. | All ages | Free |
| Nature journaling | Thursday, 18 January 2024, 9.30-11.30am | Downfall Creek Bushland Centre |
Bookings essential. Keen to discover nature through your own creativity? This workshop helps you to be creative about your connection with nature in illustrative and writing form. This activity is suitable for people with all abilities. This is a chillout event suitable for people aged 10-17 years. |
10-17 years old | $6 |
| KineticKids multi-sports & mindfulness | Thursday, 18 January 2024, 9-10am | The Green at Carseldine Village, Carseldine |
Bookings essential. Learn multi sports skills and experience age appropriate mindfulness activities that will relax an active mind and body. A fun class with active games and challenges. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 2-7 years. |
2-7 years old | Free |
| KineticKids multi-sports & mindfulness | Thursday, 18 January 2024, 10-11am | The Green at Carseldine Village, Carseldine |
Bookings essential. Learn multi sports skills and experience age appropriate mindfulness activities that will relax an active mind and body. A fun class with active games and challenges. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 6-12 years. |
6-12 years old | Free |
| ACTivate Eco Games | Thursday, 18 January 2024, 10am-12 noon | Downfall Creek Bushland Centre | Bookings essential. Come and play ball games, brave the obstacle courses and relays, enjoy sack and egg and spoon races, participate in drama based interactive games and much more! This session will ACTivate participants and have a strong focus on exploring themes relating to the environment and sustainability. | 6 years and over | Free |
| Make and create for kids | Friday 19 January 3-4pm | Bracken Ridge Library | Enjoy an afternoon of free school holiday craft | 5-11 years | Free |
| How to become a book reviewer with Kylie Fennell | Saturday 20 January 10-11.30am | Zillmere Library |
Find out what’s involved in becoming a book reviewer, including how to get advance reader copies of books, and the dos and donts of writing book reviews. Learn about the different platforms for publishing your reviews and tips for creating great content for those platforms. Kylie Fennell has been wrangling words for more than 25 years as a former journalist, practicing marketer and now as a speculative fiction author. She has self-published a young adult fantasy series and other books under her own imprint, Lorikeet Ink. |
Adults | Free |
| Fish Wise | Saturday, 20 January 2024, 1.30-4.30pm | Nudgee Beach Reserve, Nudgee Beach |
You will have a ball learning the basics or brushing up on past fishing skills from the award winning team at 2 Bent Rods. Learn to tie a fishing knot, cast a rod and hopefully land a fish. All equipment and bait is supplied. This is a Chillout event suitable for young people 10-17 years. |
10-17 years old | $6 |
| Childrens shows in the Cosmic Skydome every day. | Every day of the school holidays (excluding public holidays). Daily at 10:15am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm *noting that the shows on Monday and Thursday mornings will only be for prebooked for groups* |
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium | Magic Globe and Perfect Little Planet are designed for families with young children, with age-appropriate animated feature presentations and a shorter session length | Young children | $2 – Adults will be charged at childrens prices for these shows |
| Robot Rover sessions | Every day of the school holidays (excluding public holidays). Daily at 10am-12pm | Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium | Our educational robotics program is supported by the Australian Space Agency as part of its national Inspire sponsorship program, discover how we use robotic technology to explore other planets with hands-on coding and robotics activities | Free entry |
