Ekka public holiday 2020: Things to do this long weekend
Stuck for ideas for the Ekka long weekend? From where to get your Ekka treats to best places to head off on a day trip, here’s your guide to what’s on this weekend.
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Stuck for ideas for the Ekka long weekend? From where to get your Ekka treats to best places to head off on a day trip, here’s your guide to what’s on this weekend.
EKKA LONG WEEKEND EVENTS
Starry Nights
Eumundi drive-in is back. Watch The Princess Bride (PG) plus The Never Ending Story (G). Drive-in goers must pre-book and stay in or near their car. No meals available for purchase. Candy bar open.
Details: Eumundi Showgrounds, off Memorial Dr, Eumundi, gates open 5pm, movie starts 6pm $30 per car.
The Sound Society
South Bank Parkland’s free live music event is on today and tomorrow. This afternoon be entertained by Audrey and Jake and tomorrow Rory Dollard.
Details: South Bank Parklands. Friday Little Stanley St Lawns 4-6pm and Saturday 2-5pm at Little Stanley Lawns, South Bank Parklands, free.
SATURDAY
Drawn Together
To kick off seniors week this event features a 40-minute in-conversation over morning tea and a variety of performances Conversation guests include Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and Charlie (Dame Quentin Bryce’s Grandson aged 10).
Details: Streamed online, Saturday, August 15, 10.30am, free.
National Science Week
For the first time ever, there’s a free virtual program. Live stream panel events include topics Pandemic Proofing, Factory of the Future and The Future is in Their Hands.
Details: Online, until August 23, free.
SUNDAY
Sunday on the Lawn
Enjoy food from some of Brisbane’s best food trucks – from wood-fired pizza and stacked burgers to lemon meringue doughnuts and gelato – while listening to music from the Jazz Music Institute (JMI).
Details: Performance Lawn, Brisbane Powerhouse, Lamington St, New Farm,
1-4pm, free.
Love Me Again Markets
Shop hundreds of preloved clothing, shoes and accessories – everything from casual wear to designer brands.
Details: Paddington Hall,
10 Moreton St Paddington. 8am-noon, free.
ALL WEEKEND
Omnipresence
This audiovisual installation invites museum-goers to immerse themselves inside an infinity mirror. By artist Daniel Iregui in collaboration with sound artist Mauricio Iregui, and produced by Studio Iregular.
Details: Queensland Museum, until October 30, free but visitors need to book a free timed ticket to enter the museum. Sessions limited, Monday – Sunday, first session 9:30am, last session
from 2:30pm.
Ferris Wheel
SkyLine ferris wheel is the tallest travelling portable observation wheel in Australia. With 24 gondolas, SkyLine can seat up to 144 people at one time. Details: Bulcock Beach carpark, Caloundra, 10am-9pm, until August 23, single ticket $9, gondola (seats up to six) $27, senior $7.
Snow4Kids
Numbers in the piazza will be limited to 80 people per session, which is a third of normal capacity, and each group entering will be able to play in their own snow play area.
Details: Piazza, South Bank Parklands, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until August 31, $20.
The Storytellers
Uncover Brisbane’s histories, myths and tales as told by the storytellers Victoria Carless, Simon Cleary, Matthew Condon, Trent Dalton, Nick Earls, Benjamin Law, and more.
Details: Museum of Brisbane, Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, 10am-5pm daily, 10am-7pm Fridays, book free entry ticket online, walk-ins welcome, if tickets available for that hour.
Razzle Dazzle
Take a walk through Brisbane’s laneways and city streets and see artworks on light boxes and banners and evening projections at Howard Smith Wharves.
Details: Around Brisbane, until November 22.
GET YOUR EKKA FIX
Brisbane Showgrounds Drive Thru
Sideshow Alley (entry via O’Connell Tce). Friday-Sunday, 11am-7pm Dagwood dog $5, strawberry sundae $5.50, strawberry sundae tub $15.
King Street Pop Up
4/45 King St, Brisbane Showgrounds (between Beerhaus and Kuhl-Cher Coffee) Friday-Sunday, 11am-7pm Dagwood dogs, strawberry sundaes, strawberry sundae tub, plus Royal 100 Ekka tasting plate of award-winning beef, lamb and sausages.
Shopping Centres
Morayfield Shopping Centre, Skygate, Orion Springfield, Logan Hyperdome Friday-Sunday, strawberry sundaes.
Bite Markets
Sideshow alley games, a petting zoom, showbags from local stallholders. North Harbour, 29 Nolan Dr, Morayfield Friday and Saturday, 4-10pm.
Mount Gravatt Fun Fair
There will be showbags, food trucks, rides. Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, Friday-Sunday and August 20-23.
TAKE A DRIVE
Farm Gate Trail
Take a drive to the Scenic Rim, where local producers open their gates to the public including Peak Veggie Patch, Summer Land Camels, Scenic Rim Brewery, Bunjurgen Estate, Towri Sheep Cheeses, Running Creek Beef, Greenlee Macadamias and Sarabah Estate Vineyard. Masterchef’s Tessa Boersma (pictured will be there).
Details: Sunday throughout the Scenic Rim region.
Fraser Coast Expo
Check out caravans, camper trailers, boats, auto and 4×4 accessories and outdoor gear from more than 100 businesses. Daily entertainment includes camp oven cooking with King Brown.
Details: Maryborough Showgrounds, Bruce Highway, Maryborough, Friday and Sunday 8.30am-4pm and Saturday 8.30am-5pm, Adult $12, senior $10, children under 16 free.
Veteran’s Day Races
There will be seven gallop races plus a short ceremony to honour Australian Defence Forces veterans, past and present, together with their families.
Details: Kilcoy Showgrounds, 26 Showgrounds Rd, Woolmar, Sunday, gates open 11am, free.
facebook.com/KilcoyRaceClubInc
Queensland State Fair
Enjoy rides, fairy floss, showbags plus fireworks on Friday.
Details: cnr Mt Lindsay Hwy and Johanna St, Jimboomba. Friday-Sunday and August 21-23.
facebook.com/QLD-State-Fair-109329954194700/events
Historical Village
Explore 21 buildings, examine 12,000 items from our past. Visit the restored shark display and sit in the boat and have a photo taken while attacked by sharks.
Details: Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum, 13 Zephyr St, Scarness, Saturday 1-4.30pm, Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm, demonstrations Sundays only
1-3pm,
Adult $10, children under 14 $3, under school age free
HEAD TO THE MARKETS
Saturday
Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Brisbane Powerhouse, New farm, 6am-noon
Saturday Fresh Market, cnr Sherwood Rd and Martin Taylor Dr, Rocklea, 6am-noon
Manly Harbour Village Farmers Markets Little Bayside Park, Manly, 6am-noon
Davies Park Market, Montague Rd and Jane St, West End, 6am-2pm
Carseldine Markets, 532 Beams Rd, Carseldine, 7am-noon, free
Sunday
Riverside Markets, City Botanic Gardens, 8am-3pm
Sunday Discovery Market, cnr Sherwood Rd and Martin Taylor Dr, Rocklea, 6am-noon
Redcliffe Jetty Markets, Redcliffe Pde, Redcliffe, 8am-noon
Milton Markets Little Cribb St, Milton, 6am-noon
Nundah Fresh Farmers, carpark Nundah railway station, from 6am
Northey St Organic Farmers Market, 54 Northey St, Windsor, 6-11am
Cleveland Markets, Bloomfield St, Cleveland, 7am-1pm