Head just an hour west of Brisbane this September 2026 for the spectacular Laidley Spring Festival. This massive three-day country event offers Brisbane families a weekend packed with garden displays, a grand street parade, and a dedicated Sunday kids day featuring free face painting, music, and hands-on craft workshops.
Laidley Spring Festival 2026
Spring returns to Laidley with the much-loved Laidley Spring Festival. Just an hour west of Brisbane, this event remains a highlight of Queensland’s social calendar, packed with activities for the whole family.
Friday – A Colourful Start
The festivities kick off Friday with the Garden Precinct, where thousands browse for potted colour and garden ornaments, plus guest speakers and demonstrations. Around town, look out for the Quilt & Craft Expo, Spring Orchid Show, and Spring Art Exhibition, all part of the Featured Exhibitions spread across Laidley (hop on the festival shuttle buses to get between locations).
Families with little ones can also drop by Under 5’s Day at Laidley Recreational Reserve from 9am to 12noon, a dedicated morning of hands-on activities and entertainment for children aged five and under. History buffs shouldn’t miss Das Neumann Haus, Laidley’s hand-built German Settlement Museum, open from 8am to 1.30pm for apple strudels, German sausages, and Devonshire teas.
As evening sets in, head to Laidley Recreational Reserve for the Twilight Feast and Fest from 5pm to 9pm. Expect twinkling festoon lights, food trucks, a boutique makers-and-creators market, and a lineup of live local music including the Rheanna Leschke Band, Maddi and the Dreamers, and ANTHEMS! Live Band, plus roving entertainment throughout the night, perfect for a picnic blanket evening.
Saturday – Festival Precinct and the Grand Street Parade
Saturday kicks off early at 8am with the region’s largest annual country market at the Festival Precinct. Grab a coffee and browse handmade Queensland products from the food trucks and stalls. The stage program runs from 11am, featuring a Bluey Live Interactive Experience alongside performances from The Wet Whistles, Kaitlyn Thomas, and Chloe Marks and The Mayhem.
The big event is the Annual Grand Street Parade at 10am, when the Laidley CBD fills with thousands of festival-goers watching decorative floats, heritage trucks, vintage vehicles, marching bands, and dressed-up community groups wind down the main street, celebrating this year’s theme, Country Harvest.
Also on Saturday, rev enthusiasts can head to Ferrari Park for the Spring Show ‘n’ Shine from 9am to 1pm, featuring restored classics, muscle cars, hot rods, custom builds, and motorcycles from across South East Queensland. The Producer’s Patch also returns after a successful 2025 debut, putting the spotlight on local Lockyer Valley growers and producers, with live cooking demonstrations turning fresh Valley produce into signature dishes.
Sunday – Bee Happy Day at Forest Hill
Festival Sunday is all about the kids. Head to the Forest Hill School of Arts Hall from 9am to 1pm for arts and craft workshops, face painting, dancing, food, and a local artisan market, suitable for kids aged 6 months and up.
Festival Tips
Most events are free, with some asking for a gold coin donation supporting local groups. Park your car and wander between locations, or use the shuttle buses looping through festival sites. The Lockyer Valley offers plenty of family-friendly accommodation options nearby, from camping and caravanning to rooms and retreats.
Plan your visit
When: Friday 11th – Sunday 13th September 2026
Where: Various venues around Laidley & Forest Hill
Cost: Mix of free and ticketed events
More information here
