A highlight of the Brisbane event calendar, the Royal Queensland Show comes to town every year in August. Affectionately known by locals as ‘the Ekka’ (short for ‘The Exhibition’), it is well-loved for many reasons, including the public holiday provided to people working and living in the CBD. Known as ‘People’s Day’, the Ekka Holiday always falls on a the 6th day of the show, a Wednesday, and promises big crowds.
For those looking for an alternative way to spend their day off on the Brisbane Ekka Holiday – what’s open? We have compiled a list of things you can do that are open on the Ekka Wednesday in Brisbane.
Brisbane Ekka Holiday – What’s Open?
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 farms that are open on the Ekka holiday and will be welcoming families into their vast fields.
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 ae have discovered all of the best ways to secure some cheap movie tickets in Brisbane!
For some more fun ideas for things to do with your kids on the Ekka holiday, you might also enjoy:
