One Last Act: Make a Night (or an Afternoon) of It in Fish Lane
Brisbane’s theatre calendar has no intention of slipping quietly into the end of the year, and neither does Fish Lane. The final stretch of 2026 is packed with silent retreats, bloodthirsty vampires, tangled fairytales, suspicious murders, a return trip to Pride Rock and enough Christmas magic to see us comfortably into December.
With QPAC just a short stroll from the laneway, every one of these shows can be the centrepiece of a much bigger outing. Grab lunch before a matinee, share a long dinner before curtain, then slip back into the lane afterwards for a late bite, a nightcap or a cheeky sweet treat.
Here’s what’s on stage before the year wraps up, and how to make a whole afternoon or evening of it in Fish Lane.
Fiddler on the Roof | 9–25 October
Some musicals become classics for a reason. Fresh from a sold-out London season and three Olivier Awards, Fiddler on the Roof has arrived at QPAC with its much-loved mix of family, tradition, humour and heartbreak. It’s the final week, so don’t leave it too late!
Before: A story this warm calls for a big shared table. Fiddler has a few matinees left during the week, so we’d recommend Yum Cha Sundays at Southside or their pre-theatre banquet, a one-hour experience that’ll get you to the theatre with plenty of time and a full stomach.
After: Keep the conversation going over a nightcap at Maker, a cosy spot for one last cocktail before the trek home.
Small Mouth Sounds | 13 October–1 November
Six strangers sign up for a silent retreat hoping to find a little peace, purpose and perhaps even themselves. Naturally, keeping quiet turns out to be the easy part.
Bess Wohl’s Small Mouth Sounds trades big speeches for awkward glances, suppressed sobs and the occasional yoga-induced meltdown, following a group of city escapees whose vows of silence do very little to stop the emotional chaos. Queensland Theatre takes things one step further by giving every audience member headphones, letting you tune into every whisper, sigh and stifled laugh.
Before: Keep it quick and easy with a bite at Hello Please, ideal if you’re heading straight from work and want something fresh and flavourful before the lights go down.
After: After all that silence, you’ll have plenty to discuss. Settle in at Maeve Wine Bar with a glass and a few snacks to share.
DRACULA | 27 October–8 November
A decade after its original run, Shake & Stir Theatre Co is resurrecting DRACULA at QPAC, bringing Bram Stoker’s gothic nightmare back bigger, bloodier and ready for another bite. The cult production first sold out two QPAC seasons before touring nationally, so consider this your chance to see what all the fuss (and blood) is about.
Before: Midtown is leaning all the way in. Order the Dracula Martini, a blood-red pre-show tipple made for the occasion, and pair it with the lobster croissant, available for $29 as part of their Perfect Pair offering. We’d recommend getting a bite to eat here too, as the dinner showings finish around 9:45pm!
After: If you’re catching one of the matinee showings, they finish around 3:45pm, which is just perfect for an early dinner at Hotel Terminus, or a tipple or two indoors at Bar Brutus.
Into the Woods | 11–21 November
Into the Woods brings familiar fairytale characters together before pulling apart what happens once everyone gets what they wished for. Opera Queensland and Queensland Theatre are joining forces for the new production, with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra bringing Sondheim’s score to life in QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre.
Matinee: Make it a family afternoon with a pre-theatre lunch at Chu The Phat beforehand, where a table of shared dishes keeps everyone happy.
Before (evening): Tick dinner off the wish list at La Lune Wine Co, a good pick when you want something a little special with a well-chosen glass alongside.
After (evening): Wander back out of the woods for a drink at Lane’s End Bar and debate who really got their happily ever after.
Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Valkyrie | 14–29 November
A grisly murder at Birlstone Manor, a trail of clues, and Professor Moriarty somewhere in the shadows. Sherlock Holmes is going to have a busy night with The Mystery of the Valkyrie. Filled with intrigue, fast-paced action and cinematic projections, this one promises to keep even the most committed amateur detectives guessing until the final reveal.
Before: Fuel the investigation with pizza at Julius Pizzeria, a reliable, relaxed choice when you want a proper meal without the fuss.
After: Hit the darkest corners of Bar Brutus afterwards so you can confidently explain to your friends that you definitely knew who did it all along.
Disney’s THE LION KING | 15 November 2026–7 March 2027
More than a decade since its last Brisbane season, Pride Rock is heading back to QPAC.
Returning with the extraordinary puppetry, costumes, music and theatrical spectacle that have turned it into one of the world’s most recognisable stage productions, if you haven’t seen The Lion King, it’s finally time to see what happens when the Serengeti takes over South Brisbane.
Matinee: Gather the whole pride for lunch at Hello Please before the show, then finish the afternoon with a scoop (or two) at Gelato Messina, a sweet ending for little ones.
Before (evening): Make a night of it with dinner at Marlowe, worth booking ahead when the occasion calls for something special.
After (evening): Wind down at Maeve Wine Bar before heading home.
The Nutcracker | 9–19 December
If the decorations and Christmas playlists haven’t convinced you the festive season has arrived, Queensland Ballet probably will.
A brand-new production of The Nutcracker comes to QPAC this December, with choreographer Derek Deane OBE and designer Lez Brotherston OBE reimagining Clara’s magical journey through fresh characters, lavish costumes, spectacular new sets, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed by Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Matinee: Follow the Sugar Plum Fairy’s lead with gelato at Gelato Messina straight after the show, then settle in for an early family dinner at Julius Pizzeria.
Before (evening): Something this festive deserves a little ceremony, so book dinner at La Lune Wine Co and toast the season properly.
After (evening): Get a sweet treat to send off the night at Brooki Bakehouse.
A Christmas Carol | 12–24 December
Snow in Brisbane is definitely ambitious. Snow inside QPAC while Ebenezer Scrooge is being visited by four ghosts is another story.
Shake & Stir’s A Christmas Carol returns for its ninth season, bringing Dickens’ festive favourite back with live music, humour, heart and enough Christmas spirit to soften even the most dedicated December cynic.
Before: Sneak in one last festive feed with tacos and margaritas at El Planta, a cheerful, casual start to the night.
After: Wander back through Fish Lane to Midtown for a festive nightcap before everyone disappears for the holidays.
There’s still plenty happening on Brisbane stages before 2026 takes its final bow, and Fish Lane is right there for every act. Lunch before a matinee, dinner before curtain, gelato for the kids or one more drink for the road: the tickets are the easy part. The harder decision is how much of the day you want to make of it!
