QLD Show Holidays 2026: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville and More

Queensland doesn't have one single show holiday date. It has a patchwork of local and regional show holidays, and the dates vary a lot depending on where you live or work.

Major QLD show holidays in 2026

• Brisbane (Royal Queensland Show / Ekka): Wednesday 12 August 2026
• Gold Coast Show: Friday 28 August 2026
• Cairns Show: Friday 17 July 2026
• Townsville Show: Monday 6 July 2026
• Ipswich Show: Friday 15 May 2026
• Toowoomba Show: Friday 27 March 2026
• Sunshine Coast (former Maroochy area): Friday 12 June 2026
• Noosa Show: Friday 11 September 2026

Why Queensland is different

Unlike most states, Queensland has many district-level show holidays tied to agricultural and regional events. The Queensland Government publishes them by location each year, which means the answer depends heavily on where in Queensland you are.

This creates a practical issue for employers and employees: a date that's a public holiday in one part of Queensland can be an ordinary workday in another.

What this means for planning

If you live in Brisbane, the Ekka holiday is the big one. If you're in Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast or a regional centre, your own local show holiday may be the more useful leave-planning date.

For the biggest picture, use the Queensland Calendar and then confirm the holiday against your district. If you're trying to turn one of these dates into extra time off, the Leave Planner helps you compare which local holiday gives you the best break.