What’s open on Ekka Wednesday {2024}

Looking for somewhere to take your Brisbane Kids as Brisbane celebrates the Ekka Show holiday on Wednesday 14 August this year? We have put together a list below of what’s open on Ekka Wednesday, with some awesome activities you and your Brisbane kids can do on this mid-week public holiday.

Remember, it is only a public holiday in the Brisbane City Council area on Wednesday, so there will be things open in other council areas which don’t celebrate a public holiday on this day.

What Date is the EKKA Public Holiday in 2024?

To spread out the volume of excited visitors to the EKKA during the nine days of family fun, each city council holds its EKKA Public Holiday on specific dates. Known as People’s Day or Brisbane Show Day, the dates of public holidays in the Brisbane area are as follows:

Monday 12^th of August 2024

• City of Moreton Bay
• Redland City Council
• Logan City Council
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council

Wednesday 14^th August 2024

• Brisbane City Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council

Events on Ekka Wednesday 2024

As with all events, regardless of their regular Wednesday scheduling, you should check with the link provided in our Event Calendar to ensure nothing has changed.

Ekka 2024

Look forward to the ever popular baby animal farm, wood chopping, horse jumping and whip-cracking plus all the excitement of sideshow alley, carnival rides, live entertainment, show bags and the EKKAnites fireworks spectacular. 

Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills

When: 10th – 18th August 2024

Details: www.ekka.com.au 

Australia in Space – Earth and Beyond

Zoom into Redcliffe Museum to discover Australia in Space – Earth and Beyond, a fun and informative exhibition developed by Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre.

Visitors can play a laser-based puzzle game to discover how satellites communicate, use a virtual telescope and tackle space junk in a computer-based game.

• Where: Redcliffe Museum, 75 Anzac Avenue, Redcliffe
• Cost: FREE entry  
• Details: https://brisbanekids.com.au/event/australia-in-space-earth-and-beyond/2024-08-10/

Crazy Day Markets

The Cleveland Markets are excited to bring back their annual ‘Crazy Day’ Market on the 2024 Ekka Wednesday public holiday.

On Wednesday August 14^th, from 9am to 2pm, visitors can enjoy fun for all ages at the Crazy Day Markets including exciting stalls, delicious food, live music, and plenty of your Cleveland Market favourites.

• Where: Cleveland Markets, Bloomfield Street, Cleveland
• Cost: FREE entry  
• Details: https://brisbanekids.com.au/event/cleveland-markets-crazy-day/

Ekka Fun Day

This Ekka holiday head to Grand Avenue State School in Forest Lake for free, family fun. The event kicks off at noon and will feature face painting, show bags, rides, a petting zoo, market stalls, tasty food, entertainment and more. The night will end with a bang at 6pm, when fireworks light up the night sky.

• Where: Grand Avenue State School, Centennial Way, Forest Lake
• Cost: FREE entry (rides for a fee)
• Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1947724075655933

Playback – Retro Games Mini-Imaginarium

Take the kids for a walk down memory lane as you explore the retro arcade games that entertained kids for hours back in the day. Challenge each other to a game of Pacman or Space Invaders to see who will be crowned the ultimate champion. You can also discover the environmental impacts of gaming devices and technology.

• Where: Bribie Island Seaside Museum, 1 South Esplanade, Bribie Island
• Cost: FREE entry
• Details: https://brisbanekids.com.au/event/playback-retro-games-mini-imaginarium/

What’s open on Ekka Wednesday

Museums and Galleries

It may be a public holiday for many, but for those who are still hoping to get a cultural or historical fix you will be happy to hear that all of the Brisbane museums and galleries are open as usual on the Brisbane Ekka Holiday.

The most popular of these being The Queensland Museum Kurilpa and GOMA at South Bank, there is an array of different museum and gallery options available for families all over the city, with many offering specially-designed and free children’s programs that run alongside their main exhibitions. 

You can find out more information about the different venues and the programs and exhibitions they currently have running here.

Live Performances

Much like our galleries and museums, you can also catch a live show or performance on the Ekka Holiday, with venues like the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and the Brisbane Arts Theatre open for business that day. It is just a matter of checking if they have a suitable performance showing and making sure you book in advance if needed.

You can check out our full list of Children’s Shows in 2024 here.

Libraries

Although all of the Brisbane City Council libraries will be closed on the Brisbane Ekka Holiday, the Brisbane State Library and its kids ‘Corner’ will be open to the public. As well as this, any libraries located in the Redlands, Logan or Moreton Bay shire council regions will be open too!

Not just a place to borrow books, these libraries offer some pretty awesome workshops and activities for kids and families many days of the week, and so it would be worthwhile seeing what your closest library may have planned for this day.

With the Ekka Holiday known to quite often be either a very windy or hot day of the year, a visit to the library might just be a welcomed air-conditioned escape for many!

You can check out all of the different library events here.

Parks and Gardens

Regardless of whether they are located in the Brisbane City area or not, the many wonderful parks and gardens that exist in Brisbane are always open for families to enjoy. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha and the City Botanic Gardens are both perfect places to head to with a picnic, go for a bike or scooter ride, take a walk, or simply explore the tranquil surrounds.

You can find an incredible playground near you on our Parks in Brisbane Map.

City Hall Clock Tower

Why stand in a long line to see views from the top of the Ekka’s ferris wheel when you can go on a private tour of the historic City Hall’s Clock tower instead? Running every 15 minutes, a ride in the tower’s vintage cage lift system will take you to a veiwing platform 76 metres from the ground with 360 degree views of the city below.

Free, historic and with minimal wait times, this is a real winner for families chasing a great view.

Find out more about the City Hall and Clock Tower Tour here. (Note: Tours will not be running on Ekka Wednesday, but the clock tower will still be open to the public from 10am – 5pm.)

Queens Park and Ipswich Nature Centre

There are so many fun ways to spend a family-focussed day in Ipswich and it is all open on the Brisbane Ekka Holiday as it’s not a public holiday in this region.

If you are planning to spend the day there with your kids, we would definitely recommend visiting Queens Park. Spend some time with native animals and wildlife at the Ipswich Nature Centre, visit their interactive and informative Environmental Education Centre, let the kids loose on their incredible playground, grab a bite to eat at the cafe, and unwind at the Japanese-inspired Nerima Gardens. Just make sure you allow plenty of time to do it all – as you will want to!

Ipswich Art Gallery

Another gallery that is open on the Ekka holiday is the Ipswich Art Gallery. One hundred percent worth the short drive west from Brisbane to get there, this gallery is one of our team’s favourites as it regularly hosts family-friendly exhibitions and always has an engaging, interactive and hands-on activity for kids to accompany them.

Check out more things to do in Ipswich on the Ekka Holiday here.

Daisy Hill Koala Centre

Get up close to our national treasures at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre. Open on the Ekka Holiday, the centre will not only provide your family with some pretty cute residents, but the education centre will also teach them about koala conservation and how they too can help this important cause.

Be sure to pack a picnic and some outdoor play equipment as the Daisy Hill Conservation Park that houses the centre offers a stunning natural playground to explore too.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Another incredible opportunity to see koalas and a whole range of other native animals can be discovered on a trip to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Located in Fig Tree Pocket, the sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the world and is also open over the Ekka Holiday! Catch a wildlife show, mingle with koalas, kangaroos, emus, wombats, dingoes, platypus and more – just make sure you plan for a full day and get the park schedule when you arrive as there is just so much to see here!

Zoos and Farms

You don’t need to go to the Ekka to get your fix of adorable farm animals and homegrown produce! In and around Brisbane we have a number of wonderful zoos and farms that may be open on the Ekka holiday and will be welcoming families into their vast fields.

Some of our favourite animal places to visit include:

• Bribie Island Butterfly House – Bongaree
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – Fig Tree Pocket
• Summer Land Camels – Harrisville
• White Ridge Farm – Elimbah
• Wildlife HQ – Woombye

Whether it is for fruit picking (just check the season is right for the ones you want to go to), flowers, or animal interactions, you can find them all on our list of Farms in Brisbane.

Cinemas

While the crowds are happily diverted, why not escape the crowds on the Ekka holiday and pop to your local cinema to catch one of the latest movies? It doesn’t have to be an expensive day out either, because have discovered all of the best ways to secure some cheap movie tickets in Brisbane!

For other fun ideas to keep your family entertained that may be open on Ekka Wednesday, check out:

• Fun activities in Brisbane
• 50 bucket list ideas for childhood
• Indoor ideas (just in case it rains)

Remember – you don’t have to go anywhere at all to have a brilliant day with your kids. They want your company and your attention. We wish you a wonderful day building memories with your kids.