No matter the time of year, sunny Brisbane offers an excellent sampling of annual events for both local residents and foreigners to attend and enjoy. From athletic activities to live music festivals to impressive fireworks displays there is truly something for everyone.
This article will highlight five of the best options for events in Brisbane.
The Ekka
The Ekka is the Queensland agricultural show and is held each August for 10 days at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground. The festival began in 1876 and has continued to draw up to 600,000 visitors each year.
The festival features livestock and baby animals for all to admire, as well as fairground rides, a Side Show Alley, and a wide assortment of showbags with products such as toys and sweets for both adults and children.
The Brisbane Festival/River Festival
This combination festival of two popular events takes place in September of each year. Each year, the celebration is started with a full 30 minutes of stunning state of the arts pyrotechnics launched from each of Brisbane’s largest bridges.
Often fighter jets from the local air base will join in the festivities, releasing firework displays that can be seen as far as the Gold Coast. For 10 days following, the city comes alive in celebrating the art and culture of its citizens through films, plays, art shows and live music.
The Brisbane International Film Festival
For those who do not get their fill of the arts from the Brisbane Festival, BIFF (Brisbane International Film Festival) is another opportunity to experience motion pictures at their finest. During 11 days in November, the festival hosts screenings of movies from some of Queensland’s own, as well as numerous international films.
A viewer will be in good company during these screenings at the festival has already attracted almost half a million people through its short history.
The Valley Fiesta
This festival is all about recognizing and celebrating the youth of the city. Launched in 2002 to show appreciation for youth arts and culture, this focuses on a three day extravaganza of live music, delicious food, market stalls with local crafts, and other forms of entertainment.
Each October the largest street party in Brisbane gives young and old a chance to get out and enjoy downtown.
Bridge to Brisbane
For travellers who love to run, love charity, or just love watching others accomplishing big goals, the Bridge to Brisbane annual fun run is a must see. This race began in 1997 with an impressive five thousand participants completing the ten kilometres course. Since then, the race has changed courses, grown in size, and raised even more money for local charities.
To illustrate this, consider that in 2009, over forty five thousand people joined the race for either a five kilometres or ten kilometres race. Traffic congestion is expected on these days, so if in the city when this is happening, it’s wise to just take part in the festivities while they last! The race is held each August.
Samantha the author of the “5 Great annual events in Brisbane” is a travel writer from Australia with a love for all things Queensland. As her favorite Australian state, she recommends you book a few nights in Montville accommodation, just outside of Brisbane for a quiet trip away and a chance to enjoy nature at its best.
This small town has plenty to offer and is well worth a stay on your Brisbane holiday.