Brisbane's winter events calendar just got seriously stacked

Winter in Brisbane usually means everyone quietly agreeing to do less. Not this year.

The Brisbane Lions host Essendon at the Gabba on 12 July, and if you needed an excuse to get into the city on a Sunday afternoon, a home game against a rival club will do it.

The following weekend brings Brisbane Open House on 18 and 19 July, which throws open almost 100 buildings across the city for free, including places you would normally never get past reception. Expect guided walks, architect talks and the return of the popular photography competition for anyone who wants an excuse to take moody shots of stairwells.

Foodies get two big dates. The James St Food + Wine Trail lands on Sunday 26 July, running 10am to 4pm with more than 160 dishes across 26 venues and 36 stalls, spilling out over the trail's biggest footprint yet. Entry is free, which is doing a lot of heavy lifting for your Sunday budget. When the trail wraps at 4pm, official afters kick off at venues including ESSA, Gerries and LOS for anyone not ready to go home.

Then Brisbane Powerhouse's Night Feast returns from 29 July through to 23 August, bringing open-flame cooking, light installations and riverside dining back for its winter run.

If gin is more your speed, the Brisbane Gin Festival hits the Showgrounds on 17 and 18 July, and Le Festival, Brisbane's French celebration of food, wine and culture, takes over Roma Street Parkland from 24 to 26 July.

That is five solid weekends in a row, which is a lot for a season Brisbane usually treats as an afterthought. Pick your favourite, or be reasonable and try to hit at least three. Just don't be the person who says "I didn't know that was on" in August. This is your warning.