Looking for somewhere to take your Brisbane Kids as Brisbane celebrates the Ekka Show holiday on Wednesday 12th 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.
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What Date is the EKKA Public Holiday in 2026?
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 Peopleโs Day or Brisbane Show Day, the dates of public holidays in the Brisbane area are as follows:
Monday 10th August 2026
- City of Moreton Bay
- City of Redland
- Logan City
- Lockyer Valley Region
- Scenic Rim Region
- And some other regional areas
Wednesday 12th August 2026 (People’s Day)
- Brisbane City Council
Events on Ekka Wednesday 2026
As with all events, regardless of their regular Wednesday scheduling, you should check with the link provided in our Events Calendar to ensure nothing has changed.
Ekka 2026
Get excited as the country makes its way to the city for the Royal Queensland Show (also known as the EKKA)!
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: Saturday 8th – Sunday 16th August 2026
Details: www.ekka.com.au
Brisbane Sculpture Festival (Outdoor Exhibition open Ekka Wednesday)
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens come alive with creativity as the Brisbane Sculpture Festival returns, turning the gardens into an inspiring outdoor gallery the whole family can enjoy.ย Presented by Sculptors Queensland, this free event features both indoor and outdoor exhibitions with stunning works by local sculptors โ from bold and contemporary to whimsical and thought-provoking.
Where: Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha
When: Thursday 30th July โ Friday 30th October
Details: Brisbane Sculpture Festival
CrAzY DaY @ Cleveland Markets
This free public holiday event brings massive family fun to Brisbane kids and parents, featuring an exciting line-up of live entertainment, food trucks, unique market stalls, showbags, and music for a perfect day out.
Where: Cleveland Markets, Bloomfield Street, Cleveland
When: Wednesday 12th August 2026, 9am โ 2pm
Details: CrAzY DaY @ Cleveland Markets
The Dagwood Dog Guy Food Truck and Showbags
Head down to Everton Park and visit The Dagwood Dog Guy Food truck for REAL dagwood dogs, slushies, hot chips, and other tasty treats (without the admission fees). Showbag Mania will be joining them too, offering a variety of the latest showbags including everybody’s favourite – the Bertie Beetle Showbag.
Where: Everton Park Spotlight Carpark, 429 South Pine Road, Everton Park
When: Friday 7th – Sunday 16th August 2026
Details: The Dagwood Dog Guy & Showbag Mania
Night Feast 2026
Running from July to August 2026, this spectacular event features signature dishes from top chefs alongside immersive art installations and light displays. With free entry, it is the perfect cultural outing for Brisbane families.
Where: Brisbane Powerhouse, 133A Lamington St, New Farm
When: Wednesday 12th August 2026, 3pm โ 8pm
Details: Night Feast 2026
What’s Open on Ekka Wednesday 2026?
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.
Current exhibitions include:
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Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends at Queensland Museum Kurilpa
-
The God of Small Things Faith and Popular Culture Exhibition at QAGOMA
-
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards at Redcliffe Museum
-
Fascinating Science at Bribie Island Seaside Museum
You can find out more information about the different venues 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 upcoming Children’s Shows in 2026 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 from 10am to 5pm. 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!
Parks and Gardens
Regardless of whether they are located in the Brisbane City area or not, the many wonderful parks and gardens which 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 viewing platform 7 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’s 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!
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
There is nothing like a road trip to start off a public (show) holiday! Lorikeet Feeding is at 8am and 4pm and the sanctuary itself opens at 9am. If you haven’t visited before, the lorikeet feeding is outside the entry of the sanctuary in its own area. You can read our review of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for the other things on offer once you enter the park.
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 resident koalas, but the education centre will also teach you about koala conservation and how you 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 and open all 365 days of the year (with no surcharges on public holidays), the sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the world! 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’s 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 welcoming families into their vast fields.
Some of our favourite animal places to visit include:
- Bribie Island Butterfly House โ Bongaree
- Summer Land Camels โ Harrisville (limited activities on offer on Ekka Wednesday)
- White Ridge Farm โ Elimbah
- Wildlife HQ โ 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 pop to your local cinema to catch one of the latest movies? It doesn’t have to be an expensive day out either, because we have discovered all of the best ways to secure some cheap movie tickets in Brisbane!
For other fun ideas to keep your family entertained this Ekka holiday check out:
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.
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