6 Things To Do In New Farm At Night: Park Picnics, Powerhouse And Wharf Lights
New Farm is Brisbane's prettiest peninsula and it knows it: river on three sides, one of the country's best parks in the middle, and a converted power station on the bank throwing out theatre and comedy most nights of the week. It's the Valley's calmer, better-dressed neighbour, and the evenings here are quietly excellent.
We run paint and sip sessions in New Farm and around every neighbouring postcode, so consider this the local knowledge, written down. Here's the New Farm night list.
1. A twilight picnic in New Farm Park
New Farm Park, Brunswick Street's river end. The rose gardens, the giant figs and the river frontage make this Brisbane's best free evening venue. Bring the rug and the snacks, watch the CityCats slide past, and in late spring the jacarandas turn the whole park purple for the price of nothing. The kiosk end handles coffee, the lawns handle everything else.
2. A show at the Brisbane Powerhouse
Lamington Street, on the river. A former power station turned arts centre, the Powerhouse runs theatre, comedy, music and festivals year round, with river-view bars built into the old turbine hall. We liked it enough to feature the area in our own travels. Check the program, book the pre-show table, and let the building do the atmosphere.
3. The riverwalk to Howard Smith Wharves
New Farm riverwalk, westbound. The floating walkway hugs the river from New Farm around to Howard Smith Wharves under the Story Bridge, and at night it's one of the best walks in the city: black water, lit bridge, skyline ahead. Dinner at the wharves, walk home along the same lights. Cheapest good night in the postcode.
4. Dinner on the Merthyr and Brunswick strips
Merthyr Road and Brunswick Street. New Farm's dining runs village-style: wine bars, pizzerias, bistros and gelato within a few flat blocks. It's the suburb where "just dinner" reliably stretches to three courses and a walk, because nothing is more than ten minutes from anything.
5. Gelato and a river lap
The peninsula loop. The classic New Farm nightcap: gelato in hand, a slow lap of the riverfront streets, ferry lights on the water and the Story Bridge glowing at the far end. Zero bookings, zero cost beyond the double scoop, and somehow always the bit of the night everyone remembers.
6. A paint and sip singalong (ours, naturally)
We'd be lying if we said we were neutral. Paint Juicy runs paint and sip events in New Farm, three hours at the easel with an artist calling every brushstroke, a singalong that builds while the paint dries and a drink within reach. Tickets from $59, talent strictly optional, canvas guaranteed to make it home.
New Farm nights suit the format perfectly: paint first, then the park, the gelato lap or the riverwalk are all right there for the after-party.
Make a night of it, New Farm style
Our perfect New Farm night: early dinner on Merthyr Road, a Powerhouse show, gelato lap home along the river. Our perfect cheap one: twilight picnic in the park and the riverwalk to the wharf lights and back. Craving more volume? Fortitude Valley at night is one suburb over, Newstead at night covers the brewery end, and the full Brisbane night guide has the whole city.
THE BIG ONE: The Powerhouse program and festival calendar decide how big a New Farm night can get, so check what's on before you plan. And if it's late spring, the jacarandas in the park are a show in themselves, no ticket required.
New Farm at night FAQs
What is there to do in New Farm at night?
A twilight picnic in New Farm Park, a show at the Brisbane Powerhouse, the riverwalk to Howard Smith Wharves, dinner on the Merthyr and Brunswick strips, a gelato river lap or a Paint Juicy paint and sip session.
Is New Farm Park open at night?
The park is a public space and the evening picnic crowd is a New Farm institution, especially through the warmer months and on clear winter nights.
Can you walk from New Farm to Howard Smith Wharves?
Yes, the riverwalk runs from New Farm around the bend to the wharves under the Story Bridge, and at night it's one of the prettiest walks in Brisbane.
Is New Farm a good date night suburb?
One of Brisbane's best: village dining, the Powerhouse, the park and the river lap all sit within a few flat blocks. Our Brisbane date night guide ranks the wider city's options.
Does Paint Juicy run paint and sip events in New Farm?
We do. Tickets from $59, sessions run three hours with all supplies provided, and the singalong tends to follow guests out onto the street. The New Farm lineup lists the next dates.
Ready for your next night out?
Find a session near you
Public sessions from $59 across Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory
Closest to home, here's the New Farm paint and sip lineup.
