What’s on: 10 things in Toowoomba & Darling Downs | July 20-21, 2024

It’s a winter festival delight in the Darling Downs region this weekend, with a number of fun-filled events sure to distract you from the recent icy cold blast. See what’s on here.

Pam Burley, Jumpers & Jazz president. July 17, 2024. (Photo: NRM)

It’s a winter festival delight in the Darling Downs region this weekend with a number of fun-filled events sure to distract you from the recent icy cold blast.

1. JUMPERS & JAZZ IN JULY

The eccentric annual event, held across the Warwick region, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024 with more than 100 events across 10 days, starting on July 18. For a full guide of what’s on this weekend, visit https://jumpersandjazz.com.au.

2. FESTIVAL OF CHARIOTS

A grand procession with much fanfare including an abundance of colour and music, peace and positivity will bring people of all backgrounds together to pull a royal chariot through Toowoomba’s streets. The event will be held on Saturday, July 21 at Toowoomba Civic Square from 10am.

3. GATTON SHOW

Bring the family down to the Lockyer Valley for the annual Gatton Show, an event sure to entertain all ages. The show, which started on Friday, will continue on Saturday at the Gatton Showgrounds on Spencer St from 8am. The bar will open at 2pm, and the pavilion will close at 7pm.

4. TOOWOOMBA TRAILS: DARK SIDE WALKING TOUR

Explore the Garden City’s secrets with a guided tour of unshared stories ending with a drink in a local pub or cafe on Sunday afternoon. The tour starts at Queens Park at 1.30pm and bookings are required. For more details and other walking tours on offer visit https://www.facebook.com/toowoombatrails/.

5. CATCH A SHOW AT THE EMPIRE THEATRE

If you’re looking for something to do indoors there’s a number of shows running across the weekend at the Empire Theatre including The Umbilical Brothers and Elf the Musical Jnr. For tickets and show times visit www.empiretheatre.com.au.

6. THE SOUP BOX

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce’s Food and Agri Network along with Toowoomba Farmers Market are bringing back The Soup Box.

Now in its second year the initiative will provide Toowoomba’s Base Services Soup Kitchen with assistance to support the most vulnerable in our community, in the form of soup boxes which will be used to create warm and nourishing meals throughout our cold winter.

You can support the cause by heading to 353 Ruthven St from 7am-12pm on Saturday.

7. FROZEN JR

Mary MacKillop Catholic College will perform their rendition of Frozen JR bringing the magical land of Arendelle to life on stage at Highfields Cultural Centre on Saturday night from 7pm.

8. ART WORKSHOPS

Join in on a mini art workshop for all ages to explore various art techniques at Tinker studio on Sunday. Bookings are required. Visit www.tinkerart.com.au for more details or to reserve your spot.

9. WILLOWBURN 2024 CLUB DAY

Join the Willowburn Football Club for its annual club day on Saturday, which will feature a full line up of junior and senior fixtures, inflatable pitches, food and coffee vans and much more. The event will be at 1 Wattle St and kicks off at 9am.

10. MARKETS

Toowoomba hosts a whole array of markets including:

• Saturday from 7am – Farmers Market at Cobb & Co.

• Sunday from 7am – PCYC Markets at James St, from 8am – Queens Park Markets in July at Frogs Hollow.