Good to know
Good to Know
- The Ekka is held for 10 days each August at the Brisbane Showgrounds in the suburb of Bowen Hills — book train tickets in advance on major days, as public transport crowds are heavy.
- Riverfire is timed to kick off the Brisbane Festival, with festival programming running through September across the city.
- The 2026 Ekka marks the Royal Queensland Show's 150th anniversary, celebrating from August 8-16.
- Riverfire festivities typically kick off from around 4pm, but be sure to stake out your spot well before sunset for the best views.
- Showbags at the 2025 Ekka ranged in price from $2 to $36 for merchandise-style showbags, so budget accordingly if attending with children.
Signature Events
Ekka (Royal Queensland Show)
- Type
- Agricultural and cultural showcase
- Location
- Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
- Public Holiday
- Yes - Ekka public holiday for Brisbane City Council residents on Wednesday August 12, 2026
- Estimated Attendance
- ~400,000-428,000
- Distance From City Center
- ~5 km
- Description
- Queensland's largest and most loved annual event, attracting more than 428,000 people, bringing the country and city together for a true celebration of agriculture.
- Free Entry Note
- No
Timing
- Months
- August
- Dates 2026
- August 8-16
Highlights
- More than 21,000 competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, 10,000 animals from beef cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and showbags, family shopping, educational activities
- More than 70 per cent of the Ekka is dedicated to free family entertainment and activities including the EkkaNITES night show, Ekka Children's Day, and live performances
Riverfire
- Type
- Fireworks and cultural celebration
- Location
- Brisbane River and surrounding precincts (South Bank, CBD, Kangaroo Point, Howard Smith Wharves)
- Public Holiday
- No
- Fireworks Start Time
- Approximately 7:00 PM
- Distance From City Center
- City center and along river (accessible throughout CBD and surrounding areas)
- Description
- Brisbane is set to explode in colour with the spectacular Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust on Saturday 5 September 2026.
- Free Entry Note
- Yes
Timing
- Months
- September
- Dates 2026
- Saturday, September 5
Highlights
- A celebration of the Brisbane River with sensational firework show from the City's Bridges and also from the Buildings
- Australian Defence Force stages dramatic flypasts with fighter jets and helicopters before sunset
- Free concerts and street performances throughout South Bank, the CBD, and Fortitude Valley, with pop-up art installations, light shows, and roving performers animating the city's parks, bridges, and laneways from midday
- The show is synchronised to a specially curated soundtrack, broadcast live on Triple M and Channel Nine
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.