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Kylie Pascoe is a film producer with Jaggi Entertainment, a Brisbane-based film production company whose unabashedly romantic movies have been Netflix and Hallmark Channel hits.
They include Love Is in the Air with Delta Goodrem, This Little Love of Mine, and A Royal Proposal. Her films get millions of views, and she has no doubts why.
“People know exactly what they’re going to get. They know exactly how they’re going to feel. The genre is just booming.”
Pascoe and friend Sue-Anne Chapman created the Blussh Romance Festival – a two-day celebration of romance movies, TV and literature at Dendy Coorparoo – via the same reasoning.
“It’s the happiest festival. People can just come and be out and proud, loving romance.”
She says Brisbane is fast becoming the country’s love-story capital.
“I think there’s more romance writers in Queensland than anywhere else in the country … Queensland is a diverse location base where you can really create different stories. People that love romance seem to gravitate to Queensland.”
Blussh is one of several events over the Valentine’s weekend for anyone seeking a date option or a friendship activity – see our list below.
Lean into love at the Blussh Romance Festival
Australia’s only festival dedicated to romance films and books, the two-day event has an author panel on romantasy, screenings of The Bodyguard, the new Wuthering Heights, and From Italy with Love, book signings, live podcasts, poetry readings, markets, breakfast and lunch events.
Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo and Coorparoo Square, February 13-14.
The Art of Banksy Chapter 2
Lovers of the UK’s most mysterious street artist can check out more than 300 artworks, including a hologram installation.
Uptown, Queen Street Mall, until March 1.
The restaurants at Brisbane Quarter on North Quay have river views and Valentine’s dinner specials. Choose from Persone (Italian), The Lex (New York grill), Brisbane Phoenix (Chinese), Animese (Vietnamese), Tenya (Japanese) and Phat Boy (Thai).
Brisbane Quarter, 300 George Street, Brisbane, Saturday, February 14.
Cats
Todd McKenney and Lucy Maunder star in a 40th-anniversary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular moggie musical.
Lyric Theatre, QPAC, until February 22.
Cupid’s Playground at Retro’s
It’s hits and memories at Retro’s with a party night from 8 till late for singles and couples.
Retro’s Cocktail Lounge, 32/321 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Saturday, February 14.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Nothing gets the heart pumping like bagpipes, and the famous open-air spectacular will be staged in Brisbane for the first time from Thursday to Sunday.
Suncorp Stadium, February 12-15.
Queensland Theatre’s production of The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tragic love story is 101 years old this year, and QT’s 2026 season launches with a lavish new production in collaboration with Shake and Stir.
Playhouse, QPAC, February 12-March 8.
Hyoshi in Counterpoint
All-female fusion band Hyoshi in Counterpoint are performing for the BrisAsia Festival with their evocative combo of shamisen, guzheng, violin, cello, keyboard and drums.
Queensland Multicultural Centre, Kangaroo Point, Saturday, February 14.
Go bowling at Kingpin
Kingpin in Chermside is offering a “Date Plays Free” pass February 9-15, with bowling, darts, karaoke or arcade games to bond over.
Westfield Chermside, February 9-15.
Little Shop of Horrors
Seymour tries to save Audrey from a bloodthirsty alien plant in this new production of the comedic sci-fi musical, finishing up this weekend.
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, until February 15.
Love in the Laneways at Eat Street Northshore
A kissing booth, giveaways and Valentine’s cocktails are among the themed additions to the popular street food market this weekend.
Eat Street Northshore, 221D Macarthur Avenue, Hamilton, Friday to Sunday from 4pm.
Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the 90s
Whether you recall the ’90s fondly or are curious about Brisbane’s club scene way back when, this exhibition drawn from the museum’s costume and fashion collections will please.
Queensland Museum Kurilpa, until July 19.
Olafur Eliasson: Presence
This Scandinavian art star produces spectacular work infused with the romantic spirit of the fjords, glaciers and mountains. See a rainbow suspended in mist, a rocky riverbed, and other things you never expected to find inside an art gallery.
Gallery of Modern Art, until July 12.
ON:STAGE K-pop Showcase
Talented dance crews present high-energy covers, original choreography and creative stage concepts showcasing the growing influence of Korean pop culture across Australia.
Thomas Dixon Centre, Saturday, February 14.
Valentine’s Day at Otto
Otto Brisbane is offering a $195 three‑course dinner with a Spritz cocktail on arrival and Otto chocolate to take home, with optional additions such as caviar and oysters.
Sidon Street, South Bank, South Brisbane, Saturday, February 14.
QSO Portraits: Emily Granger
Harp virtuosa Granger takes centre stage in this Queensland Symphony Orchestra concert featuring a new harp concerto by Tristan Coelho, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, and other works.
Queensland Conservatorium Theatre, Saturday, February 14.
Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf
In a sophisticated take on a mini-golf date, Swingers is nine holes at the Powerhouse designed by female artists including Miranda July, Kaylene Whiskey and Saeborg.
Brisbane Powerhouse, until March 1.
Valentine’s Putt Putt at The Alexandra Hills Hotel
The mini-golf course at the Alex Hills is a Redlands gem and it’s decked out as a lover’s paradise this weekend with cocktails, prizes and menu additions.
332 Finucane Road, Alexandra Hills, February 9-15.
Valentine’s Day Traffic Light Party at Sanctuary
Saturday night at Friday’s brings a Traffic Light Party that lets guests signal their relationship status with coloured glow sticks. Green means single, red partnered up. All we can say is: watch your step with the ambers.
Friday’s, 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Saturday, February 14.
Wuthering Heights
Most adaptations only do half the book (the Cathy/Heathcliff powderkeg romance, not the next-generation payoff) but text fidelity does not seem to be on Emerald Fennell’s mind so much as swoon-worthy cinema. It opens February 13, but book ahead as some Valentine’s screenings are likely to sell out.
In cinemas from February 13.
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Nick Dent is a Culture Reporter at Brisbane Times, covering arts and things to do in the city.Connect via email.From our partners
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