The Best Things to Do for the 2019 Ekka Holiday
From Ekka eve blowouts to the show itself, there's many a way to make the most of the public holiday.
Come mid-August every year, everyone in Brisbane gets a day off. The scent of dagwood dogs fills the air, every second person has a showbag (or a strawberry sundae) in their hand, and you might even convince yourself that you're just like Ferris Bueller.
While ol' Ferris spent his time eating in a fancy restaurant, looking at art, watching baseball and singing in a parade — among other things — it's okay if you want to do something a bit different. Here's our picks of the best things to do for the Ekka holiday, including the night before (because that's when the fun really begins).
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Event
Ekka Carnival Fun
Tuesday, August 13 - Friday, August 16, 2019
Sea Legs Brewing Co, Kangaroo Point
Play carnival games while drinking strawberry milkshake IPA.
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Event
Wine and Cheese of New Zealand
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Treasury Casino, Brisbane
Eat and sip your way through New Zealand's finest dairy and drinks.
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Event
Clueless: 90s + Early 00s Ekka Eve Party
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
The Brightside, Brisbane
Find your best 90s outfit and dance to old-school bangers.
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Event
The Netherworld Sideshow 2019
Tuesday, August 6 - Sunday, August 18, 2019
Netherworld, Fortitude Valley
The sideshow you go to when you're not going to the sideshow.
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Event
Ekka-Inspired Strawberries and Cream Dessert at Stokehouse Q
Friday, August 9 - Sunday, August 18, 2019
Stokehouse Q, South Brisbane
The South Bank restaurant is serving up a special dessert, and donating part of the proceeds to a good cause.
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Event
Winter Festival 2019
Saturday, June 1 - Saturday, August 31, 2019
Riverbar & Kitchen, Brisbane
Embrace winter by the water with hot buttered rum, baked camembert and strawberry ice cream sandwiches.
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Event
The Green Edge Vegan Ekka Day Festival 2019
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
The Green Edge, Windsor
Spend your day off feasting on animal-free dagwood dogs and nabbing a vegan show bag.
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Event
$5 Movie Tickets at Dendy Cinemas
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Select cinemas in Brisbane, Various locations
Catch the latest hits and the newest flicks for $5 on the Ekka public holiday.
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Event
New Farm Deli Pop-Up Picnic
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Merthyr Village Shopping Centre, New Farm
Enjoy an Italian picnic in the Merthyr Village carpark.
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Event
Rum Royale
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
The Walrus Club, Toowong
Spend your day off sipping rum and listening to jazz.
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Event
Queen Tribute Night
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
This dedicated Queen night will rock you.
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Event
Japanese Degustation
Wednesday, August 7 - Saturday, September 7, 2019
Bacchus, South Bank
Feast on sashimi, wagyu and tempura octopus across five courses.
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Event
American Express Openair Cinema 2019
Friday, July 19 - Sunday, August 18, 2019
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City
Brisbane's annual outdoor cinema returns — at its new home in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.
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Event
Bris Funny Fest 2019
Wednesday, August 7 - Sunday, September 1, 2019
Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane
Giggles from Brisbane’s fringe.
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Event
Good Pasta = Good Dreams
Wednesday, August 7, 2019, Wednesday, August 14, 2019, Wednesday, August 21, 2019 and Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Gerard's bar , Fortitude Valley
Gerard's Bar is whipping up $15 pasta dishes every Wednesday night.