Incredible free events in Queensland to add to your calendar

Head down to Broadbeach for four huge days of live music and entertainment - while some very special shows are ticketed, most are free. The sweet sounds of the blues echo from a huge number of stages and venues for the festival. Use this guide to plan your visit. 

When it’s on: 15 - 18 May 2025
Perfect for: Everyone – the festival streets are ”no drinking zones’, however, some venues may have age restrictions.
Event must-do: Spread the love by checking out the many stages and venues of the festival.

Cooly Rocks On

Step back in time to when hoop skirts and Mustangs were bang on trend at the Cooly Rocks On Festival in Coolangatta. With free entertainment, markets, a street parade, and retro cars to check out, there’s plenty of old-fashioned fun to be had, with free and ticketed events across the five days. Stay a little longer with this 48-hour guide to Coolangatta.

When it’s on: 4 - 8 June 2025
Perfect for: Those who can remember the old days (or wish they were born earlier). 
Event must-do: Shake, rattle and roll at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.

Swell Sculpture Festival

Over 10 days every September, a visit to Currumbin Beach is like no other, with giant sculptures bursting out of the sand everywhere you turn. The outdoor gallery is Swell Sculpture Festival, with over 50 one-of-a-kind sculpted works taking over the beach.

When it’s on: 12 - 21 September 2025
Perfect for: A first date or family outing
Event must-dos: Grab a map and follow the sculptures along Currumbin Beach - or dive into the Fringe arts program.

Groundwater Country Music Festival

Slip on those boots, don your cowboy hat and say yee-haw as country comes to the coast for Groundwater Country Music Festival. Over three days in October, you can enjoy live country tunes from outdoor venues around Broadbeach, with over 100 shows from some of country music’s biggest names.

When it’s on: 17 - 19 October 2025
Perfect for: Country fans and anyone who appreciates live music.
Event must-do: Wander the festival streets by night to take in the lights and atmosphere. 

Gold Coast Open

You don’t need to know how to surf to feel close to a surf god. Snag a spot on the sand by iconic Burleigh Point and watch surfing's biggest Aussie and international names carve up the waves at the Gold Coast Open. More than a surf comp, the three-day event celebrates surf and coastal culture, featuring surf, music & cinema experiences (some events may have a fee). 

Inspired to learn the way? Check out this surf school guide and plan this weekend of surfing on the Gold Coast.

When it’s on: TBC February 2026
Perfect for: Anyone with a love of the ocean (and a soft spot for Point Break).
Event must-do: Throw out your beach towel on the sand and watch the action in the surf.

Brisbane

Brisbane Festival

Experience Brisbane with festival buzz, colourful decorations, and culture bursting from all directions. During Brisbane Festival, the city lights up with arts, live music and entertainment, and the grand fireworks extravaganza that is Riverfire - which is totally free to watch. There are also hundreds of ticketed theatre, comedy, music and art performances around the city throughout the month.

When it’s on: 5 - 27 September 2025
Perfect for: Everyone – there’s something for the whole family
Event must-do: Watch the Brisbane sky light up at Riverfire.

World Science Festival Brisbane

Get ready to learn, challenge yourself and bask in big ideas at World Science Festival. While some activities within the festival line-up come with a fee, those looking for free activities can explore interactive art installations, bring the family to revel in robots and rocketry, or come along to a panel conversation that's sure to spark your curiosity. 

When it’s on: TBC March 2026
Perfect for: Budding scientists and those who like to think big.
Event must-do: Explore the immersive art installations at Queensland Museum.

Sunshine Coast

Noosa Festival of Surfing

Get down to Noosa Main Beach and watch the biggest surfing competition in the world with the most competitors taking on the waves. After watching wave-riding dogs and contorting longboard surfers, you’ll be wanting to carve up at next year's festival. 

This event shares the stoke of surfing by celebrating and educating with a full rounded festival program of surf culture, competition, art, live music, film and environmental awareness.

When it’s on: 14 - 23 March 2025
Perfect for: Anyone who loves a little surf culture. 
Event must-do: Catch the Surfing Dog Championships and join the annual paddle out. 

Goomeri Pumpkin Festival

Home to the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll, the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival is sure to make you fall head over heels for the humble orange vegetable. About an hours drive from Gympie, the unique festival is obsessed with everything you can create from a pumpkin – from scones, pie, and soup - along with the spirited Pumpkin Olympics that sees participants bowl, snatch and shot-put pumpkins to win first prize.

When it’s on: 23 - 25 May 2025
Perfect for: Pumpkin lovers of all ages and those who enjoy some community fun. 
Event must-do: Cheer on your pumpkin at the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll.

Fraser Coast

Mary Poppins Festival

Step into a storybook at birthplace of a literary legend in Maryborough. You won’t need a spoonful of sugar here at the Mary Poppins Festival, as the free event is sweet enough with art installations, concerts, performances and novelty races taking over the town.

When it’s on: 28 September 2025
Perfect for: Families and Mary Poppins fans, young and old.
Event must-do: Snap a shot of you with everyone’s favourite nanny (the statue AND real-life versions).

Queensland Country

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

You know it’s springtime when the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers blooms in the Garden City. Wander amongst the colourful flowerbeds across the city, watch the Grand Central Floral Parade, visit Sideshow Alley for a ride or two, and check out the workshops around the festival village.

There's plenty of ticketed events too, from long lunches to history tours. 

When it’s on: 12 September - 6 October 2025
Perfect for: The whole family, not just those with a penchant for pretty posies.
Event must-do: Surround yourself with the colours and fragrances of the flower displays in Queens Park.

Bundaberg 

Childers Festival

Only 40 minutes west of Bundaberg, the small town of Childers takes out the title of having the only festival in Queensland to shut down a highway. Its historic streets are then lined with over 300 food and market stalls set to a back-drop of live music and entertainment across numerous stages. Sunday's main Festival Day is free to attend; and there's a host of free and ticked events around Childers including Opera by the Lake, Sugar Mill and Cane Fire tours, historical tours and much more.

When it’s on: 24 - 27 July 2025
Perfect for: Families
Event must-do: Enjoy performers wandering around the festival, from stilt-walkers to hula-hooping dancers.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Big Talk One Fire First Nations Cultural Festival

The vibrant Big Talk One Fire Cultural Festival, now in its 17th year, invites everyone to gather at the lush Munro Martin Park in Cairns, for a day immersed in First Nations heritage.

This free, family-friendly celebration, presented by UMI Arts, showcases the rich cultural tapestry of Far North Queensland through captivating performances, interactive workshops, traditional storytelling, and authentic cuisine prepared by Indigenous artists and cultural leaders. 

When it’s on: 12 - 15 September 2025
Perfect for: Everyone
Event must-do: Enjoy the music from the main stage, and get the kids involved in the many family activities. 

Outback Queensland

Easter in the Country

Celebrating everything about the outback lifestyle, Roma’s Easter in the Country Festival offers five days of outrageous fun, with free activities including markets, a street parade, family colour run, novelty races, Easter games with live entertainment from Bluey and Bingo, live music, and tours of Roma Salesyards. 

Of course, there are some big-ticket events with a fee, like the rodeo, speedway, and Outback Music Under the Stars featuring Troy Cassar-Daley and Wade Forster. 

Turn your visit into an epic road trip by taking on the Great Inland Way with this itinerary.

When it’s on: 17 - 21 April 2025.
Perfect for: Families looking for a dose of true-blue country living.
Event must-do: Watch the famous goat races and join in the Monster Egg Hunt.