Brisbane art fairs & exhibitions: November 2026
Catch the Portrait Prize before it closes, browse handmade work after dark, or make a separate gallery trip to Ipswich or Cleveland.
A month of exhibitions and handmade work
The Brisbane Portrait Prize finalists exhibition at the State Library of Queensland closes on 8 November, making the first weekend your last chance in this guide. The BrisStyle Twilight Market follows at King George Square on Friday 13 November; its Whale Mall market is on Saturday 28 November.
For an outing beyond central Brisbane, the Ipswich Art Awards exhibition runs 7–14 November. Redland Art Awards opens in Cleveland on 29 November and continues into January. Ipswich and Cleveland are separate destinations, so plan either as its own trip rather than an extra stop on a city walking route.
The November 2026 shortlist
Selected for this guide, with dates and visitor details from the linked organisers. The suggestions are ours. This dated selection is retained as an archive.
Brisbane Portrait Prize 2026: Finalists Exhibition
- When
- 19 Sept – 8 Nov
- Where
- SLQ Gallery, State Library of Queensland
- Entry
- Free
See the finalists exhibition at the State Library before it closes on 8 November.
Before you go: Free entry. Weekends 10am–5pm; weekdays 9am–5pm.
Ipswich Art Awards 2026: Exhibition
- When
- 7 Nov – 14 Nov
- Where
- 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central
- Entry
- Free
Make a separate trip to Ipswich for the public exhibition, 7–14 November.
Before you go: Free daytime exhibition, 10am–4pm. The 7 November awards night needs a separate ticket.
BrisStyle Twilight Market (Oct/Nov/Dec editions)
- When
- 13 Nov
- Where
- King George Square
- Entry
- Free
Browse locally handmade work at King George Square on 13 November.
Before you go: Free entry, 4–9pm. Confirm the organiser’s weather updates before leaving.
BrisStyle Handmade Markets: Whale Mall (incl. Christmas edition)
- When
- 28 Nov
- Where
- Queensland Museum, Whale Mall
- Entry
- Free
Meet makers at Queensland Museum’s Whale Mall on 28 November.
Before you go: Free entry, 10am–3pm. Check access information for the museum precinct.
Redland Art Awards 2026: Finalists Exhibition
- When
- 29 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027
- Where
- Redland Art Gallery
- Entry
- Free
Visit the finalists exhibition at Redland Art Gallery in Cleveland from 29 November.
Before you go: Free entry; the exhibition continues to 22 January 2027. Check gallery opening days.
Choose the right session
The Portrait Prize is open weekdays 9am–5pm and weekends 10am–5pm. BrisStyle’s Twilight Market runs 4–9pm; the Whale Mall market runs 10am–3pm. All three have free visitor entry.
Ipswich’s public exhibition runs 10am–4pm. The awards night on 7 November, 6–8pm, is separately ticketed and should not be confused with the free daytime exhibition. Redland Art Awards begins on 29 November; use the gallery’s current hours when planning a visit.
Five free-entry options
All five selected daytime exhibitions and markets have free visitor entry. Paid special events, purchases, food and travel remain separate. Use the organiser links to check access and any booking requirements for talks or additional activities.
This shortlist does not include events whose dates remain unresolved. The city calendar can include later verified updates that are not yet discussed in this guide.
Plan a city visit or a gallery day trip
The State Library and Whale Mall are in the South Brisbane cultural precinct, while King George Square is across the river in the city centre. Check the particular event date before pairing visits; the two markets in this shortlist are on different weekends.
For Ipswich or Cleveland, check public transport, parking and the gallery’s closing time before setting out. Queensland remains on AEST in November, while Sydney and Melbourne observe daylight saving. Use the venue’s local time when making plans.
Sources & checking
This guide was reviewed on 14 October 2026. Event pages carry their own source and visitor-information review dates. Check with the organiser before travelling: programs, admission and access arrangements can change.
- Brisbane Portrait Prize 2026: Finalists Exhibition — organiser details ↗
- Ipswich Art Awards 2026: Exhibition — organiser details ↗
- BrisStyle Twilight Market (Oct/Nov/Dec editions) — organiser details ↗
- BrisStyle Handmade Markets: Whale Mall (incl. Christmas edition) — organiser details ↗
- Redland Art Awards 2026: Finalists Exhibition — organiser details ↗