Ekka 2026
There’s no event quite like the Ekka. Every August, Brisbane transforms as the smell of dagwood dogs drifts through Bowen Hills, showbags are clutched under the arms of grinning kids, and fireworks crack open the winter sky over the Showgrounds. This year is not just another Ekka — in 2026, the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) celebrates a remarkable milestone: its 150th anniversary.
That means bigger memories, richer traditions, and a show that honours 150 years of Queensland agriculture, community and country spirit.
Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect Ekka day out in 2026.
Ekka 2026 Quick Reference
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday 8 – Sunday 16 August 2026 |
| Location | Brisbane Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills |
| Opening Hours | Gates open at 9:00 am daily and close at 8:30 pm |
| Public Holiday | Wednesday 12 August (People’s Day — Brisbane City Council area only) |
| EkkaNITES | Nightly from 6:30 pm |
| Tickets | Online only — no gate sales |
| Super Saver Days | Mon 10, Tue 11, Thu 13, Fri 14 August (20% off) |
| Getting There | Exhibition Station (train) — 50¢ Translink fares |
What Is the Ekka? A 150-Year Queensland Tradition
Run by the RNA and staged at its original birthplace, the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Ekka has been uniting city and country since 1876 in a true celebration of agriculture and community.
For 150 years, the Ekka has brought more than 35 million Queenslanders together, creating traditions and memories cherished across generations.
The Ekka showcases the very best of Queensland, attracting more than 21,000 competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, 10,000 animals from beef cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and showbags, family shopping, educational activities and much more.
It remains Queensland’s largest and most iconic annual event, attracting and uniting more than 400,000 people each year.
Whether you’re a Brisbane local who has attended every year since childhood, a family visiting from regional Queensland for the big occasion, or an interstate traveller making your first pilgrimage to Brisbane for Show time — the 150th Ekka is a once-in-a-lifetime event worth planning for.
Ekka 2026 Dates, Hours & Public Holiday
The 2026 Ekka will run from Saturday 8th August to Sunday 16th August 2026, with gates opening at 9am each day and closing at 8:30pm.
People’s Day Public Holiday:
The show includes People’s Day on Wednesday 12th August 2026, which is the Ekka public holiday for residents within the Brisbane City Council area.
The Royal National Agricultural Show Day is a public holiday only for the Brisbane City Council area. Other Queensland regions observe their own local show holidays on different dates throughout the year.
People’s Day is historically the biggest single day of the show.
On People’s Day, the Wednesday holiday, the historical Grand Parade takes place on the Main Arena. This parade provides Ekka patrons with a chance to see and celebrate the champions of show, from the smallest fish to the biggest bull.
Tickets for Ekka 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Buy Online — No Gate Sales
In 2026, tickets will only be available online; there will be no tickets available at the gate.
This is your single most important planning tip. Head to ekka.com.au to book before you go.
Super Saver Days — Save 20%
Save an extra 20% off on Super Saver Days! Choose your tickets for Monday, 10th August; Tuesday, 11th August, Thursday, 13th August; or Friday 14th August and the 20% off is automatically applied.
These are also the quieter days at the Show, making them ideal for families wanting a more relaxed experience.
Day Change Flexibility
Ticket purchasers can do a day change ONCE until 11:59 pm Wednesday, 5th August 2026.
So if your plans shift before the show opens, you have time to adjust.
Free Dreamworld Tickets for Kids
Every child who attends the Ekka on Tuesday 11, Thursday 13, and Friday 14 August will receive a free ticket to visit Dreamworld from 1 September 2026 until 31 October 2026, worth $124.
That’s an extraordinary bonus for families heading to the Ekka on one of those three days.
Group Bookings
For orders of 20 or more, there are exclusive rates with no need to preselect days.
You might also like:
What to See and Do at Ekka 2026
1. Animal Experiences — Bring the Country to the City
Without a doubt, the animal experiences are a big drawcard at the Ekka each year. From prize-winning roosters, cows, and horses to the baby animals, a visit to the Animal Pavilion is a must-see at the Ekka every year.
This year, the whole family will be able to get up close to all the animals, which could include the chance to milk a cow, see a chicken hatch and feed the baby animals. The family favourite is always the Ekka Animal Nursery, where you can purchase food to feed the animals, including goats, lambs, ducks, chickens, piglets, calves, and many more.
2. EkkaNITES — The 150th Anniversary Night Show
In 2026, EkkaNITES will mark a historic milestone — 150 years of the Royal Queensland Show — celebrating the people, traditions, and pioneering spirit that shaped Queensland and its agricultural heart.
Ekkanites starts at 6:30 pm each night.
In previous years, the EkkaNites program has included death-defying stunts, extreme sports, high-speed action, equestrian skill, dazzling visual effects, and, of course, the breathtaking fireworks finale.
For the 150th edition, expect that spectacle turned up to the highest setting.
3. Competitions and Agricultural Displays
From traditional displays like farm animals, wood chopping, and horse jumping, to the more modern fashion shows, laser shows, and live performances by some of the top Australian recording artists, families will be entertained and thrilled every day of the Ekka.
From cattle judging to cake decorating and farriery, the competition rings offer a window into rural skills that city life rarely sees.
4. Live Entertainment
Enjoy live performances by top Australian recording artists, fashion shows, and children’s entertainers. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a music lover or a fashion enthusiast.
The best part is that all the shows and entertainment are included in the entry ticket price.
5. Rides and Sideshow Alley
The popular daily two-for-one rides session will be back, giving visitors one hour of discounted rides from 9:30 am to 10:30 am every morning of Ekka in the B105 Sideshow Alley and Kids Carnival area.
For cashless convenience, the Ekka Fun Pass App provides a digital ride card that can be scanned as you board, bypassing the wait at the ticket booth. The Ekka Fun Pass App will deliver bonus credit ($50 credit for $45 Pass; $100 credit for $85 Pass and $150 credit for $120 Pass).
For the best Queensland tours and day trip experiences across the state, including Brisbane, be sure to check out our dedicated tours page.
Ekka Showbags 2026: The Complete Guide
No Ekka visit is complete without a showbag haul.
From the classic Bertie Beetle to bags filled with toys and sweets, there are over 300 showbags to choose from at the Ekka.
At the very first show in 1876, there was just one showbag — a bag of coal!
Things have improved somewhat since then.
One of the most popular parts of the Ekka is the Courier-Mail Showbag Pavilion in Sideshow Alley, which is jam-packed full of goodies.
Showbags at the 2025 Ekka ranged in price from $2 for the Rainbow Freeze showbag to $36 for merchandise-style showbags such as AFL teams and magazine sample bags, so you can expect the offering to be much the same in 2026.
Pro tip: For those wanting to avoid the bigger crowds, early in the day when gates open and later in the evening are the best times to visit the Showbag Pavilion.
The full 2026 show bag list will be published on the official Ekka website closer to the show. Subscribe to the Ekka email list to be among the first to plan your haul.
Ekka Food: What to Eat at the Show
The Iconic Strawberry Sundae
There is no more sacred Ekka tradition than the strawberry sundae.
Introduced to the Ekka in 1950, the sundae came about when Peters Ice Cream Company decided to combine their strawberry ice cream with freshly cut local strawberries and lashings of whipped cream in a waffle cone.
The sweet treat was an instant smash hit and has been an exclusive feature of the Ekka ever since.
In 2026, the RNA will operate the strawberry sundae stands, reinvesting proceeds from the sundaes back into the Ekka, including vital agricultural education programs.
More than 150,000 sundaes are devoured each year.
Other Ekka Food Must-Tries
Signature show foods like the iconic Strawberry Sundae, Dagwood Dog, hot chips, and fairy floss are a must for visitors.
There are a number of good restaurants on-site, many refreshment stands, and an International Food Hall.
Ekka 2026 is also making food more affordable for families:
all Ekka food vendors will offer a special value item priced at $10 or less, and Family Meal Bundles feeding four people start from $26.
A good spot for families to fill up will be the Cheap Eats outlet on Gregory Terrace where all food items will be priced at $8 or less.
You might also like:
How to Get to the Ekka 2026
By Train (Recommended)
The new Exhibition Station will be open again for the Ekka in 2026. Temporarily opening only for large events such as the Ekka, the Exhibition station drops visitors off right in the heart of the Ekka precinct at Brisbane Showgrounds.
Public transport is one of the cheapest, easiest and most efficient ways to get to Ekka.
A family of four can travel to and from the Show for only $4
thanks to 50-cent Translink fares.
Jump on a train from Roma Street, Central or Fortitude Valley and travel directly to Exhibition Station — right in the heart of the Ekka at Brisbane Showgrounds.
By Rideshare or Taxi
A dedicated Rideshare & Taxi zone is located outside Gate 1, corner of Gregory Terrace and Costin Street.
By Car
If driving to the Ekka is more your thing, the closest car park to the Ekka is the King Street Car Park, with entry via Machinery or Alexandria Streets in Bowen Hills.
By Bike
Although cycling inside the grounds is off-limits, there are secure bike racks located on Carriage Street.
Money-Saving Tips for Ekka 2026
Here’s how to get the most from your day without blowing the budget:
- Buy tickets online early —
by planning ahead and taking advantage of Ekka ticket discounts as they’re announced, you can make the most of your Ekka experience while keeping costs down.
- Choose a Super Saver Day — visit Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday for an automatic 20% discount on entry.
- Ride during Happy Hour — take advantage of the daily happy hour, which offers two-for-one rides from 9:30am to 10:30am.
- Pre-load your Fun Pass — load ride credits before you arrive to save time and earn bonus credit.
- Travel by train — 50-cent Translink fares mean the whole family gets there and back for next to nothing.
- Preorder your Strawberry Sundae — grab your Ekka 2026 tickets and preorder the classic Ekka Strawberry Sundaes for easy pick-up as you enter the Showgrounds.
- Plan your showbag list — browse the guide online before you go to set a budget and avoid impulse buys.
Staying in Brisbane for Ekka 2026?
If you’re travelling from outside Brisbane for the Show, you’re in luck — Rydges Fortitude Valley is perfectly positioned in the heart of the action, located on King Street
