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What’s on this Ekka eve and public holiday

What’s on this Ekka eve and public holiday

There are so many things to love about the Ekka – the food, the animals and the rides are right up there, but it’s the public holiday that we’re most grateful for. If you’re not up for braving the crowds at the showgrounds on Wednesday August 14, we’ve whipped up a little list of things that are happening around town on the public holiday and the night before – you get a sleep-in, after all …


Food and Drink
If you don’t dig a dagwood dog, we have some alternative foodie events for your Ekka public holiday. You can take your tastebuds on a journey to the land of the long white cloud on Tuesday night via Treasury Brisbane’s fancy Wine and Cheese of New Zealand event – think gourmet eats, live tunes and oodles of top drops to sip. Fancy getting a buzz on? Coffee nerds can catch the Queensland Aeropress Championship at Wolff Coffee Roasters in the afternoon on Wednesday. Sea Legs Brewing Co. is getting in on the carnival vibes with a sideshow, strawberry milkshake IPAs and a selection of drool-worthy Ekka-inspired eats (hello, pizza rolls). Baedeker is going all out with a City Meets Country degustation celebrating our state’s finest produce, complete with five courses of goodness matched with incredible wines. Get amongst some jungle vibes and sample more than 40 rums from around the world at The Walrus Club’s annual Rum Royale on Wednesday night, or head along to the New Farm Deli’s adorable pop-up picnic on Wednesday to eat some amazing food and support the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Vegans, you don’t have to miss out on the carnival eats and treats – The Green Edge is holding its very own Ekka on Wednesday and it’s 100 percent cruelty-free, plus Hay Gurl is whipping up vegan versions of the iconic Ekka strawberry sundae for the week.

Parties and Live Music
Feel like having a bit of a boogie and a few bevs? There are some cracker parties happening this Ekka eve. First of all, Fluffy is hosting its annual Disney party on the Tuesday night – and you just know that the costumes are going to be next level. Those who dig the 90s can indulge their throwback fantasies when The Brightside goes totally retro for a Clueless-themed party. On the Wednesday, 4ZZZ is hosting a radio variety show in its car park featuring live tunes (of course), mural painting, a costume competition and loads more community vibes. If you fancy a day out the actual public holiday, Smirnoff Mecca Wednesday at the Brisbane Racing Club will be party central. Now that we’re all a little older, venturing out on a school night for a gig is a pretty rare occurrence. The Ekka public holiday provides a perfect opportunity to stay out late and see some live music mid-week, so here’s what is happening on the Tuesday night. You can catch stacked line-ups including WHALEHOUSE and guests at Black Bear Lodge, Concrete Surfers and friends at The Foundry, plus ShockOne at The Triffid.

Just keen for a bite or a beverage? You can check out our handy round-up of what’s open on the Ekka public holiday here

To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.



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