Discover What Are the Quietest Days of the Ekka for Stress-Free Visits

Tips for First-Time Visitors

• The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) is a large event, so it’s a good idea to plan your day and prioritise the attractions you want to see.

• Visitors can download the Ekka app to help plan their day and find tips on quieter areas to take a break at here.

Best Times to Visit

• The Ekka's quieter days are traditionally Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. However, be aware that public holidays can lead to high crowd levels.

• Plan your visit accordingly to avoid bigger crowds and overwhelming sensory experiences.

• Consider visiting during the morning or late afternoon to avoid peak times.

• If you or someone you're visiting the Ekka with has sensory needs, Weekends and People's Day may be overwhelming.

 

Quietest Days

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and make the most of your Ekka experience, it’s essential to plan your visit on the quietest days. The traditionally quieter days to visit Ekka (though these can't be guaranteed) are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Quietest Days:

1. Monday: Monday is one of the quieter days to visit the Ekka. You can enjoy the attractions and exhibits without the long queues and crowds. However, it is a public holiday in regions around Brisbane, and this can lead to higher crowds.

2. Tuesday: Tuesday usually has smaller crowds than other days. You can take your time exploring the Showgrounds and enjoy the entertainment around the Ekka, explore the food options with ease, and see farm animals at the Animal Nursery.

3. Thursday: Thursday is traditionally a good day to avoid crowds. You can enjoy the animal exhibits, food stalls, and live performances without the crowds on the weekend or People's Day.

4. Friday: The perfect end to the week is the Friday of the Show. It is traditionally one of the quieter days, while still providing a great family day out.

 

Busiest Days:

1. People’s Day (Wednesday): As a public holiday, the Royal Queensland Show's popular People’s Day attracts a large crowd, with over 50,000 visitors often expected. This provides a fun and busy atmosphere, including the historical Grand Parade, but if you'd like to avoid crowds, plan your visit on another, quieter day.

2. Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays are some of the busiest days at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka). If you can, plan your visit on a weekday for a quieter Ekka experience.

 

Tips for Visiting the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka):

1. Arrive Early: Get to the Ekka early to beat the crowds and make the most of your day.

2. Plan Your Day: Check the Ekka website for the daily schedule and plan your day accordingly.

3. Take Breaks: If you need a break from the crowds, head to a nearby water station to fill up your water bottle, take a seat in a shady area of the John Macdonald Stand and watch the entertainment and competitions on the Main Arena, take a seat in the Woodchop Arena, have a stroll in the Ag Education Hall or John Reid Pavilion, or sit and watch the Natural Fibres Fashion Parades presented by Channel 7.

4. Enjoy the Attractions: With smaller crowds, you can enjoy the attractions and exhibits without the long queues and easily find quieter spaces.

 

Navigating Crowds

• Arrive early to beat the crowds and enjoy a quieter experience.

• Consider parking nearby for easy access.

• Take breaks to rest and recharge if needed.

 

Showbags

• The Ekka features a range of showbags, which are filled with treats, toys, and merchandise.

• Showbags suit a range of budgets and age groups, from Peppa Pig to the Brisbane Broncos.

• The Showbag Pavilion can be very popular so it's best to arrive as gates open at 9am, or in the afternoon, to avoid peak times.

 

Facilities & Accessibility

• The Ekka offers numerous amenities to ensure a comfortable visit, including food and beverage outlets, restrooms, and seating areas to watch entertainment, or enjoy a meal.

• The Royal International Convention Centre has individual accessibility restrooms and ambulant toilets.

• Ramps and elevators are available to provide easy access between roads and footpaths, as well as entrances into Pavilions.

• For those with babies and young children, there are four parents rooms located around the grounds.

• For more information about facilities and accessibility click here.

 

Ekka Police Station Marquee

• The Ekka Police Station marquee on Gregory Terrace offers a central meeting point.

• The marquee also offers a free wristband as part of the kids safe program, with contact details added to the wristband in case of separation.

 

Royal International Convention Centre

• The Royal International Convention Centre (Royal ICC) is a great place to take a short break and rest.

• The Chanel 7 Pavilion is located on the upper floor of the Royal ICC and can offer one of the cooler and quieter locations around the Showgrounds, and the ground floor is the Ag Education Hall.

• The centre has individual accessibility restrooms and an ambulant toilet, making it a convenient option for visitors with accessibility needs.

• It also has a prayer room located on the upper floor.

 

Entertainment Program

The 2025 entertainment program promises a vibrant lineup of events and attractions, with something for everyone to enjoy! From live performances by top Australian artists to dazzling fireworks, there's no shortage of fun and excitement.

Don’t miss EkkaNITES, the show’s nightly highlight that combines high-energy entertainment with family-friendly fun.

For the full line-up, visit the Ekka Entertainment program.

 

Food and Drink Highlights

• The Ekka features a range of food and drink options, including gourmet food stalls and traditional show treats like dagwood dogs, carnival food and the iconic Strawberry Sundaes.

• Visitors can also enjoy an outdoor seating area, live music and entertainment at Gourmet Plaza.

• The Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion offers a variety of food and beverage options, as well as indoor seating.

• Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic lunch and access the complimentary water stations around grounds to fill up their water bottles.

 

Safety Measures and Guidelines

The Ekka prioritises the safety and well-being of its visitors. To ensure a secure and enjoyable experience, the following safety measures and guidelines are in place:

• Emergency Services: The Ekka has a dedicated police station marquee located on Gregory Terrace, staffed by Queensland Police and Ekka security personnel. In case of an emergency, please contact the Ekka Police Station or seek assistance from event staff.

• First Aid: Three first aid stations are available throughout the Brisbane Showgrounds, operating daily from 8am to 11pm. These stations are run by St John Ambulance Queensland and can be found on the Ekka map.

• Lost and Found: The Ekka’s Lost and Found is located at Guest Services on the lower level of the Royal International Convention Centre. If you lose an item, please report it to the Lost and Found or contact the Ekka Police Station.

• Crowd Control: The Ekka has a comprehensive crowd control plan in place to ensure the safety of visitors. Please follow the instructions of event staff and security personnel at all times.

 

Weather

The Ekka is an outdoor event, and visitors are advised to be prepared for changing weather conditions. Please check the Ekka website for updates on weather conditions and plan your visit accordingly.

 

Family-Friendly Activities

The Ekka is a fantastic event for families, with a wide range of activities and attractions suitable for all ages. Kids 4 and under also enjoy free entry. Here are some family-friendly activities to start planning your Ekka adventure:

• Animal Nursery: The Animal Nursery is a must-visit for families, featuring over 550 farmyard animals, including baby goats, lambs, and puppies. You can even cradle baby animals in your arms!

• Ag Education Hall: The Ag Education Hall is a fun, interactive and educational experience for kids, featuring a range of agriculture inspired activities and displays.

• Sideshow Alley: Sideshow Alley is a classic Ekka attraction, featuring a range of carnival games and rides suitable for children and adults alike, from ferris wheels and dodgem cars to extreme rides for the thrill seekers.

• Kids Carnival: This family friendly area has all the colours, bright lights and junior rides to delight even the smallest Ekka go-ers, along with a few thrills for the big kids.

• Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion: The Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion is a great place for families to learn about fresh food and healthy eating, while also enjoying some delicious bites. Kids can even participate in cooking demonstrations and activities.

• Courier Mail Showbag Pavilion: The Courier Mail Showbag Pavilion, located nearby Sideshow Alley, is a treasure trove of showbags, with over 300 showbags on offer. Kids will love browsing the range and choosing their favourite.

• Ekka Entertainment: Guests can enjoy daytime entertainment and competitions throughout the day on the Main Arena, while watching on from spots like the John Macdonald Stand. By night, the Main Arena comes alive with the spectacular EkkaNITES.

• Large Animal Pavilion: Not only will Ekka go-ers see real life farm animals, like rare breed chickens, trophy winning bulls, dairy cows, sheep and goats, it's a chance to meet real farmers and learn about what they do.

 

What is the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka)?

• The Royal Queensland Show, affectionately known as Ekka, is Queensland’s largest and most cherished annual event, attracting 400,000 visitors each year.

• The iconic event takes place at the Brisbane Showgrounds from 9-17 August, 2025.

• The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) offers a diverse range of activities and attractions, including competitions, live entertainment, agricultural displays, fireworks, monster trucks, food and wine, carnival rides, an animal nursery, and more.

• The Ekka is a fun and colourful event, filled with animals, live music and interactive experiences. It can be overwhelming, so it's best to plan ahead and ensure it's a fun sensory experience.

• The Royal Queensland Show has a rich history, dating back to 1876, and has been a staple of Queensland’s cultural calendar for nearly 150 years. Sideshow alley, introduced in 1877, highlights the show’s longstanding family tradition of rides and entertainment.

 

Getting to the Ekka

• Accessing the Ekka is convenient with several transport options, including public transport, parking, and ride-sharing services.

• For secure parking in close proximity to the Ekka gates try Valley Metro Car Park, King Street Car Park, Royal Brisbane Hospital and McWhirters Car Parks.

• If you need somewhere to hit the hay, Rydges Fortitude Valley is located at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

• For comprehensive travel details and drop off points, visit the Ekka website.

 

Why Visit the Ekka?

• The Ekka is a fun and educational event for all ages, each day of the Show.

• The Ekka is a great place to learn about Queensland agriculture and the important role it plays in our everyday lives.

• The event is a must-visit for Queenslanders and tourists alike, offering one of the southern hemisphere's most loved events.