What’s on: 10 things to do in the Darling Downs this weekend

From deep diving into Toowoomba’s architecture, to a huge food and wine festival, to stargazing and an outback festival, here are some of the best ways to spend your weekend in the Darling Downs and surrounds.

Toowoomba is full of fun and exciting events this weekend, and there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. With the Carnival of Flowers in full swing, there’s plenty of events to keep you entertained.

From sporting finals to architecture trails, to food and wine festivals and even light shows, here are some of the best ways to spend your weekend in the Darling Downs and surrounds.

1. Festival of Food and Wine

Foodies, get excited for three whole days of wine, music and of course, delicious eats. Sample amazing flavours and fresh produce from all over southern Queensland. Enjoy demonstrations from celebrity chef Justine Schofield and local The Paddock Butchery.

Or why not set up shop by the main stage and tune in to the incredible line-up of Aussie artists playing throughout the weekend? Headlining acts include Budjerah, the Eurogliders, Hoodoo Gurus, Jon Stevens and Sneaky Sound System.

It’s a gorgeous weekend celebrating fantastic produce, vineyards, and orchards, and you do not want to miss out.

The festival started on Friday and runs on Saturday from 11am to 10pm and Sunday from 11am to 8pm.

Head to Upper Queens Park for your foodie adventure. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at tcof.com.au/festival-of-food-wine/.

2. Les Miserables

Experience an epic musical like never before, as the Toowoomba Choral Society performs a fabulous production of Les Miserables this weekend.

Settle in for an unforgettable night as you are transported to 19th century France for a story of “the survival of the human spirit”.

Listen to famous songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, One Day More and countless more.

Performances are on Saturday, September 9 at the Empire Theatre, at 1.30pm and 7pm.

To purchase your tickets, head to empiretheatre.com.au. Ticket prices range from $40-$60 a head.

3. Hockey finals

Nothing beats sporting finals, and for Toowoomba’s best hockey teams the pressure is on this weekend.

All through Saturday, watch the 2023 grand finals unfold for the hardworking hockey teams across Toowoomba.

Head over to the Toowoomba Hockey Association at 564 Boundary St, Glenvale to support the teams taking part in what is bound to be a nailbiting weekend.

Entry is free for your seat at the hockey finals.

4. Elvis in the Park

Love a bit of jailhouse rock? Make a Sunday of it, with Elvis and Friends In The Park.

Bring a picnic blanket and get among the music for three and a half hours of classic Elvis tunes.

Your afternoon will hosted by none other than Elvis, otherwise known as Tristan James, with the Darling Downs Elvis Band, and special guests throughout the performance.

Elvis and Friends In The Park is a free event for the Carnival of Flowers, so head down to Laurel Bank Park for a healthy dose of rock ‘n roll.

The performance begins at 2pm on Sunday, September 10.

5. Architecture trail

Get a glimpse into the beautiful architecture and history of Toowoomba’s buildings this weekend.

Local heritage architect Stephanie Keays from Toowoomba trails will be your guide through the city where you’ll explore the styles and designs behind the Garden City’s buildings.

Begin your journey at the Empire Theatre lawn before delving into the rich history of Toowoomba’s Victorian era architecture.

The architecture trail is Sunday, September 10 from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.

Tickets for the trail can be found here.

6. Anthologys band

If you need a fix of rock this weekend, South East Queensland band the Anthologys will help with just that.

Landing in Toowoomba as part of their tour, enjoy a drink and snacks while you listen to this four-piece rock cover band all night long.

The band will be playing from Saturday, September 9 starting at 9pm.

Entry is free, just head on over to the Tatts Hotel for chill vibes and great tunes.

7. Eatery reopening

Satisfy your tastebuds at the reopening celebration of Burger Urge.

Enjoy live music performed by Sebastian Whittle, and of course mouth-watering meals.

Get a taste of all your favourites, from the New Yorker beef burger, to southern fried sliders, to El Diablo fries.

Bite Club members can enjoy a $5 Cali Stax single meal when they head to the store from noon until close.

The event is on Saturday, September 9 from 5-8pm

8. Back to the Bush

The town of Miles is putting on an outback festival to remember. Get among the country fun with four days of fabulous food and beer, street markets, and live entertainment at the Back to the Bush Festival.

Of course, you can’t miss out on the tractor pull and Tough Buggers competition either.

Or take part in self-guided tours and activities like the wildflowers drive and history walk, the gil weir and fishing activity, or the Dulacca bus tour.

On Saturday, head to the main event, In and Behind the Miles Historical Village, for the 51st anniversary of the Miles Historical Village Museum.

The Back to the Bush Festival started on Thursday and runs until Sunday, September 10. Tickets for events in the festival can be purchased here.

9. Stargazing

Astronomy lovers this one’s for you. University of Southern Queensland is holding a free stargazing event on Saturday night.

Come along to try out their telescopes and target star clusters, planets, dead stars and plenty more.

From 6.15pm until 8pm, spend the night learning about the mysteries of our universe.

The night is free, however the event will depend of the weather for it to go ahead.

Keep updated on the event here.

10. Art Trail

The Toowoomba Studio Art Trail is back this weekend in alignment with the Carnival of Flowers.

Enjoy a self-drive tour visiting 11 talented Toowoomba artists in their studios and learning about their craft and artwork.

See live demonstrations, and original pieces, and of course guests can purchase souvenirs from the experience.

Entry is free, with tours running Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 3pm.