Did you know that the author P.L. Travers, who inspired the Disney movie Mary Poppins, was actually a Queenslander? She was born in Maryborough and her birth town believe this is something worth celebrating. Whilst they have a Mary Poppins statue in Cherry Tree Lane (aka Richmond St) in the town and a few other nods to the famous resident, every year, without a doubt, the highlight is the Mary Poppins Festival. People come from far and wide to join in this magical celebration that pays homage to Mary Poppins and P.L. Travers, with a range of wonderful events guaranteed to delight both young and old.
The Mary Poppins Festival is held during the winter school holidays each year so that everyone can make the most of what is on offer. The ‘Art of Storytelling’ program includes film, art, music, performance and literature during the multi-day event. Events are held in various locations in the CBD as well as heritage-listed Queens Park, and the Wharf Precinct. This year the festival will be held once again in the school holidays and the line up of Mary Poppins themed events will not disappoint!
Mary Poppins Festival – 2 July 2023, 9am – 3pm
There is only one way to describe the Mary Poppins festival – Supercalifragilistically fun! It is the chance for those of us who grew up with the much loved story and movie to share the magic and fun of Mary Poppins with our Brisbane Kids by bringing it to life through an amazing program of events.
The Mary Poppins Festival is back in 2023 with a one-day festival that will take place on Sunday, 2 July 2023 from the new time of 9am – 3pm.
Once again this year the Mary Poppins Festival will celebrate the Art of Storytelling through a range of free events aimed at sharing stories through art and finding imaginative and creative ways to keep them alive. Celebrating storytelling through all art forms, you will find everything from music concerts to street festivals, storytelling to craft activities and public art installations – there is something for every Mary Poppins fan,
Mary Poppins Festival – Day in the Park : 2 July 2023
This is the day that you would be forgiven for thinking that you had just stepped into the page of a storybook and entered the magical world of Mary Poppins. The entire Maryborough community rally behind the day and get dressed up for the occasion as the streets and parks come alive with nanny races, a chimney sweep challenge and chalk drawings. The full-day event features the Nanny Race, Chimney Sweep Challenge, and heaps of things to do for kids and parents alike. Enjoy the live music and pop-up shows on throughout the day, along with a hive of roaming entertainers, activities, competitions, sidewalk art and street theatre. The streets come alive, with characters from the novel such as Mary Poppins, Admiral Boom firing his cannon, and other characters.
The highlight on the day will be the Grande Parade down the main street, that is sure to feature Mary Poppins along with the Banks Family and Bert the Chimney Sweep and a sing-a-long!
Pretty sure you won’t need a spoon full of sugar to help the entire family have fun at this magical day out!
For more information about The Mary Poppins Festival click here.
Watch this video of a past Mary Poppins Festival now to see what you can expect from the Mary Poppins Festival.
How to get to Maryborough
Maryborough is located on the Bruce Highway, 255km north of Brisbane (approximately 3 hours from the CBD). There are many picturesque routes you can take to get there. The easiest option is to head north and take the D’Aguilar Highway from Caboolture. Queensland Rail also operates services to Marborough should you wish not to drive.
Maryborough is one of Queensland’s oldest provincial cities and still has a feel of the ‘old times’ with many old buildings set amongst beautiful parklands. It is well worth the drive to explore with your Brisbane Kids.
For more information about the Mary Poppins Festival click here
To find out more about Brisbane’s wonderful array of regular cultural festivals, take a look at the upcoming events our Brisbane Kids Event Calendar. For a list of shows, concerts festivals and fairs now showing or coming soon to Brisbane that your Brisbane Kids will absolutely love, take a look at the Brisbane Kids Upcoming Shows page, the Brisbane Festivals page or sign up to the Brisbane Kids Weekly Newsletter.
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