3 April 2026
QLD Show Holidays 2026: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville
Queensland show holiday dates for 2026 by region — Brisbane Ekka, Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba and more, with who gets each day off.
Queensland doesn't have a single show holiday. Each district gets its own show day, so the date — and whether you get the day off at all — depends on where you live and work. Here are the 2026 dates for the major regions.
QLD show holidays 2026 by region
| Region / show | 2026 date |
|---|---|
| Toowoomba (Royal Agricultural Show) | Friday 27 March |
| Ipswich Show | Friday 15 May |
| Gympie Show | Friday 15 May |
| Bundaberg Show | Thursday 28 May |
| Rockhampton Show | Thursday 11 June |
| Sunshine Coast Show | Friday 12 June |
| Mackay Show | Thursday 18 June |
| Mount Isa Show | Friday 19 June |
| Townsville Show | Monday 6 July |
| Cairns Show | Friday 17 July |
| Brisbane (Royal Queensland Show / Ekka) | Wednesday 12 August |
| Gold Coast Show | Friday 28 August |
| Noosa Show | Friday 11 September |
These are the gazetted show public holidays for each local government area. Smaller districts have their own show days too, set by each council — check with your local council for your district's exact date.
Why Queensland is different
Unlike other states, Queensland ties a public holiday to each district's annual agricultural show, and the Queensland Government gazettes them by location every year. The practical catch: a date that's a public holiday in one part of the state is an ordinary workday in another. The Brisbane Ekka holiday (Wednesday 12 August) is the most searched, but it only applies to the City of Brisbane.
Turning a show day into a break
Most show holidays fall on a Friday or Monday, so they create a natural three-day weekend. The Brisbane Ekka is the exception at mid-week — see our Ekka holiday guide for the Wednesday leave plays. Compare options for your district with the Leave Planner and the Queensland Calendar.
Looking ahead to 2027
The dates shift each year with the show calendar. The Brisbane Ekka holiday in 2027 falls on Wednesday 11 August; other regions' 2027 show dates are gazetted closer to the time by each council. The Queensland 2027 page has the state-wide holidays.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Queensland show holiday dates for 2026?
They vary by region — for example, Toowoomba on 27 March, Ipswich and Gympie on 15 May, Townsville on 6 July, Cairns on 17 July, Brisbane (Ekka) on 12 August and the Gold Coast on 28 August 2026. See the table above for each district.
Is the Brisbane Ekka show holiday state-wide?
No. The Ekka public holiday (Wednesday 12 August 2026) applies only to the City of Brisbane. Other regions have their own show days on different dates.
Which show holiday applies where I work?
It depends on your local government area. Check the gazetted date with your local council, since a show day in one council area is an ordinary workday in the next. The major regions' dates are in the table above.