Winter in Brisbane doesn’t exactly call for hibernation. It calls for stretchy pants. Night Feast is making its return to Brisbane Powerhouse from July 29, bringing another month of incredible food, immersive art and live entertainment to New Farm. If last year’s festival had you plotting your return before you’d even left, this year’s line-up gives you plenty more reasons to come back for seconds… and thirds.
More than 20 of Brisbane’s best restaurants are setting up shop for the festival, serving dishes you won’t find on their regular menus. Which means if you’ve ever wanted to eat crispy chicken nuggets topped with caviar while wandering past glowing art installations with a cocktail in hand, this is your moment.
Let’s start with those nuggets.
Wine & Dine’m Catering is bringing back its ridiculously popular Luxe Nuggs, served inside miniature caviar tins because apparently chicken nuggets can be fancy now. Donna Chang is also returning with its famous Donna’s Kebab, layering crispy Sichuan pork into warm flatbread that has developed something of a cult following over the past few festivals.
Among this year’s newcomers, Blackbird is serving BFC — Blackbird Fried Chicken coated in quandong chilli caramel with lemon myrtle aioli — while Norté is debuting a Mooloolaba prawn and avocado churro that might just become the festival’s most talked-about snack.
Then there’s Ruby, My Dear with its creamy Japanese carbonara udon, AUNTY’s birria-style duck pancake complete with rich duck consommé, loaded duck fries from Clarence, fried bocconcini from VICI Italian, tacos from Poca Madre Mexicana and steak bites from The 203.
You’ll probably need more than one visit. Or just a really empty tummy when you arrive, ready to eat a week’s worth of food.
Returning favourites like Burn City Smokers, Hoy Pinoy, Wonderbao, La Mano, Central, Siam Smash House and Gelato Messina are also back, with Messina unveiling another gloriously over-the-top dessert called Bisch, Please. If you’ve ever found yourself eating dessert before dinner at Night Feast, nobody will be judging.
Of course, the food is only half the story.
Brisbane Powerhouse will once again become an after-dark playground filled with large-scale art installations, live DJs, dance performances and interactive experiences that make every corner worth exploring.
One installation that’s guaranteed to attract a crowd is Ignite by Sydney creative studio Amigo & Amigo. Inspired by a communal bonfire, the giant artwork invites visitors to jump onto oversized seesaws that trigger waves of light and sound, creating an artwork that changes every time someone joins in.
Elsewhere you’ll find the immersive La Scala Listening Lounge, contemporary dance from Stephanie Lake Company, new installations from artist Jonny Niesche and a colourful sculpture by Nixi Killick celebrating joy through light and movement.
If your ideal Sunday includes exceptional food paired with exceptional wine, you’ll also want to keep August 16 free.
Making its debut this year is Better Off Red, a one-day riverside long lunch created by Brisbane favourites Bosco and Blackbird. Expect generous shared dishes, premium wines from d’Arenberg, live opera, contemporary harp performances and plenty of theatrical flair throughout the afternoon.
American Express cardholders can also retreat to the exclusive Garden Lounge between courses, while everyone else can continue making the very difficult decision about which food stall deserves their attention next.
The beauty of Night Feast is that no two visits ever look the same. One night might be all about ticking off as many dishes as possible. The next might involve lingering over a glass of wine between live performances before finishing with dessert under the lights.
Either way, Brisbane’s favourite winter food festival is back, and it’s looking more delicious than ever.
WHAT: Night Feast 2026
WHEN: July 29 – August 23, 2026. Wednesday–Friday: 4.30pm–9pm. Saturday: 4pm–9pm. Sunday: 3pm–8pm
Ekka public holiday (Wednesday, August 12): 3pm–8pm
WHERE: Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm
TICKETS: Entry is free, with food and drinks available to purchase. Better Off Red requires bookings. Better Off Red tickets are $269 per person, including food and a beverage package.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
