Be our plus one? Queensland events you can’t miss in 2025 and beyond

The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art exhibition | Brisbane

When: Now — 27 April 2025

Whether you’re a sucker for ceiling-shattering artistic flair or just plain curious about the ever-changing landscapes that colour the Asia-Pacific region, this year’s showcase promises to inspire like never before.

Exhibited inside QAGOMA and bringing together 70 collectives from more than 30 countries in its 11th year, this flagship exhibition will shine a light on the genius of more than 200 artists and makers.

Learn more: Get your creative juices flowing at The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art exhibition

CMC Rocks QLD | Brisbane

When: 21 - 23 March 2025

Country music fans have a lot to be excited about when they pull on their boots, hats and big buckles for CMC Rocks QLD. The country music festival is known for bringing superstars like Morgan Wallen, Kip Moore, and Zac Brown Band to the festival grounds at Willowbank, Ipswich.

The event always promises non-stop music throughout the three days of the festival, a pumping campground atmosphere and a whole lot more.

Learn more: Your go-to guide to CMC Rocks QLD, Australia's premier country music festival

NRL Magic Round | Brisbane

When: 1 - 4 May 2025

The blockbuster NRL Magic Round is rolling back into Brisbane in 2025, bringing with it a stacked showcase of back-to-back games over three action-packed days in May.

Come see 16 teams descend on Queensland's home of rugby league for a festival of football like no other. There’s nothing more thrilling than soaking up the action at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and its bustling surrounds.

Learn more: Your guide to the NRL Magic Round 2025 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium

Horizon Festival | Sunshine Coast

When: 2 - 11 May 2025

The Sunshine Coast isn’t devoid of an arts event or two either, case in point? The Horizon Festival. Imagine 10 days (and nights) of visual art, music, theatre, dance, words, film and creative workshops, all in an ode to the wonders of the surrounding Sunshine Coast (Kabi Kabi and Jinibara country).

Last year’s event saw the public invited to speak to Country directly, take in a performance of Yirinda at Lake Baroon, and take part in a collage workshop with The Butiner. While the festival hub is at Cotton Tree, events will be taking place across the region. Pro tip: don't miss Dawn Awakening, Horizon's signature event. 

Blues on Broadbeach | Gold Coast

When: 15 - 18 May 2025

Returning to Broadbeach for the 24th year in 2025, experience live rhythm and blues like never before at Blues on Broadbeach.

Featuring an electrifying non-ticketed lineup each year, Blues on Broadbeach welcoms over 65 international and homegrown artists for four jam-packed days of live entertainment.

Up for a challenge? Ironman returns to the tropics so you can test your limits where two World Heritage-listed icons touch – the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. With a backdrop as breathtaking as the course, there are more than a few reasons why it’s become known as IRONMAN in Paradise.

Dive head first into the balmy waters of one of the most beautiful beaches in Queensland for a 3.8km swim. Cycle the spectacular 180km Captain Cook Highway hugging the coastline from Cairns to Port Douglas. Then cross the finish line after a run along the stunning Cairns boardwalk to the heart of the city.

Learn more: 7 reasons why IRONMAN Cairns is the most beautiful triathlon on the planet

ASICS Gold Coast Marathon

When: 5 - 6 July 2025

Featuring eight races over two days, the Gold Coast Marathon features a fast and flat course following the magnificent Gold Coast Broadwater, the golden beaches of the Gold Coast from Main Beach to Burleigh Heads. It starts and finishes in the iconic Southport Broadwater Parklands.

Open to runners of all abilities, including two kilometres and four kilometres junior dash events, the five-kilometre Fun Run, the ten kilometre Run, the Half Marathon (21.1kilometres) and the Gold Coast Marathon (42.195 kilometres)

Learn more: Get ready to race in this year's Gold Coast Marathon.

The British & Irish Lions Tour 2025 | Brisbane

When: 2 and 19 July 2025

The British and Irish Lions are returning to Australia in 2025 with the highly anticipated and popular festival of rugby.

• Queensland Reds v. British & Irish Lions - Wednesday 2 July 2025 at Suncorp Stadium
• Wallabies v. British & Irish Lions - Saturday 19 July 2025 at Suncorp Stadium

Stop and smell the roses (and orchids and geraniums) at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. The city’s gardens burst with colour during this month-long floral fiesta that celebrates spring – and pulses with the energy of the thousands of people each day who flock to see it. Beyond the flower power, there’s a food festival, sideshow alley, grand parade and line-up of live entertainment to enjoy.

Learn more: Why you need to visit Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers this year

Groundwater Country Music Festival | Gold Coast

When: 17 - 19 October 2025

Grab your beach towel, pack your togs and put on your cowboy boots—some of the hottest acts in country music are coming to the Gold Coast for the Groundwater Country Music Festival. 

This three-day festival of boot scootin’ fun is held in the streets, parks and venues of Broadbeach, just metres from the surf. Best of all, it’s entirely free.

Gold Coast 500 | Gold Coast

When: 24 - 26 October 2025

There’s one weekend of the year where the Gold Coast is better known for supercars than its surf. Get set for the Gold Coast 500: when beachside streets transform into a world-class track, and you get a front-row seat to watch internationally acclaimed drivers as they skid by, burning rubber and winning hearts. 

Walk the Surfers Paradise street track, find your favourite spot and settle in to watch the V8 Supercars, Hot Wheel Utes and Super Trucks do what they do best. The high-octane atmosphere continues off-track with meet-and-greets, a huge music festival lineup and helicopter tours.

Learn more: Your guide to the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500

Noosa Triathlon | Sunshine Coast

When: 29 October - 2 November 2025

Noosa’s sun-drenched Main Beach and its lush, rolling hinterland provide the scenic course for the annual Noosa Triathlon, Australia’s largest and oldest triathlon.

The Olympic-distance triathlon (featuring a 1.5k-kilometre ocean swim, 40-kilometre bike ride and 10k-kilometre run) is the main event but this multi-sports extravaganza also includes ocean swims, fun runs, cycling and kid’s events.

Either join in on the action yourself or join more than 30,000 spectators cheering on the superhuman competitors—head to the finish line where the race ends and the party starts.

Learn more: Your guide to the Noosa Triathlon

Whether you're an amateur, weekend warrior or do your best work on the putt-putt course, there's no beating the atmosphere of watching golf's greatest during the Australian PGA Championship.

More details to come.

Every year between Boxing Day and New Year, Woodfordia—a regenerated former dairy farm in Jinibara Country—turns into a sprawling village to host the Woodford Folk Festival.

Australia’s largest gathering of performers brings together over 2,000 musicians, dancers, artists, comedians, poets and more for over 400 shows across 35 different venues. Come for the music, stay for the Woodfordia lifestyle where you can unleash your inner bohemian and swim in Lake Gkula, meditate on the lawn, or admire spectacular art installations throughout the festival site. 

It all culminates in the spectacular New Year’s Day Fire Event, which gives festivalgoers the chance to farewell the year just gone and welcome the new one with a lantern parade and bonfire.

Learn more: 9 reasons why you should explore the Woodford Folk Festival

The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival

When: TBC January 2026

Where else in the world can you see thoroughbreds galloping along the beach? For two weeks in January, this beach-side city transforms into a world of glitz and glamour for Magic Millions as it plays host to the most prestigious horse racing carnival in Queensland.

Set your sights on an action-packed week: kicking off with the Magic Millions Gold twilight meeting, there's polo and showjumping, the famous yearling sale, a thrilling barrier draw along the sands of Surfers Paradise, and the main event - The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday. 

Learn more: A glamorous guide to the 2025 Magic Millions Carnival

2025 AACTA Festival | Gold Coast

When: TBC February 2026

Queensland’s answer to Hollywood is set to roll out the red carpet when the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Festival comes to Queensland in 2025.

The stars will be shining on the glitter strip as some of the biggest Australian and international actors descend on the Gold Coast. 

Learn more: Lights, camera, action! Everything to know about the 2025 AACTA Awards Festival

Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival | Sunshine Coast 

When: TBC March 2026

Australia’s second largest triathlon event comes to the Sunshine Coast every March with the annual Mooloolaba Triathlon.

The main event is the Olympic-standard Triathlon. It starts with a swim off the famed Mooloolaba Main Beach, before a cycle down the slick, fast roads of the Sunshine Coast motorway, finishing with a two-lap running course with stunning views out over the Pacific Ocean. 

The event caters for all triathletes, whether you’re an amateur shooting for a PB, a pro aiming for overall glory, or a rookie taking on the half-distance ‘Sprint Triathlon’. Want to take it easy? Join the thousands of spectators cheering from the sidelines.

Searching for more events? Check out Queensland's top upcoming festivals.