Suzy Dekker is an Ekka superfan. She’s 55 now, and reckons she has only missed three since her first visit, way back in the 1970s.
In those days, showbags were called ‘sample bags’, food was either a scone from the Country Women’s Association or a dagwood dog, and there was a novel approach to waste collection.
“You could register and get a bag, then as you’re going around you would pick up rubbish and put it in your bag,” the Mount Cotton resident says.
“You would take it back when it was full, and they would give you a little toy or something.”
The Brisbane Exhibition is 150 years old this August, and expecting an even larger crowd than the 428,000 who attended in 2025.
As usual, Dekker will be coming with her mum, sister, nieces and nephews, and she has her routine all planned out.
“The first thing we do is go straight to the Butter Board and buy some turkey sandwiches,” Dekker says. “Those turkey sandwiches have always been our favourite.”
Her next stop is Dog Pavilion for the prize pooches.
“I always look to see what dogs are on,” she says.
“We do the showbags for the kids, and we take them to the Kids’ Carnival, and they play the games.”
Her favourite competition is the woodchopping: “When I was a kid, I would collect a chip from every woodchop every year – I [wrote] the year on the woodchips and everything.”
She has two pieces of advice for Ekka first timers: grab a map as soon as you arrive, and take your time – you’ve got all day.
“Don’t rush from one thing to the next, thinking that you’re gonna miss out. There’s so much going on. Don’t stress! Something else will be on.”
Here is all the other essential information you need about visiting the Ekka in 2026.
When is the Ekka on?
It’s on for nine days, from Saturday, August 8 until Sunday, August 16. Opening hours are 9am-9pm. Most exhibition pavilions close at 6pm, but Sideshow Alley, the Showbag Pavilion, the Gourmet Plaza and the Main Arena stay open till late.
When is the People’s Day Holiday?
If you work in Brisbane, the public holiday is on Wednesday, August 12. If you work in Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland City or Scenic Rim, you get a long weekend, with your show day occurring on Monday, August 10. Ipswich, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast don’t get a day off.
How do I get to the Ekka?
Exhibition train station is open for the Show, and you can join the Ekka Loop at Roma Street, Central or Fortitude Valley stations. Buses stopping nearby include M1, M2, 330, 333, and 340 – plan your journey on public transport here.
If driving, the five main parking stations are at King Street, Herston, Royal Women’s Hospital, Valley Metro and McWhirters. A dedicated drop-off/pick-up zone for cars and taxis is on Costin Street.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
Nope. Online only.
How much does it cost and how can I save money?
Pricing all depends when you buy and what day you want to go. Non-discount days are $42.95 adult (15 years and over), $31.95 concession, $27.95 child (5-14 years) and $92.95 family. Toddlers under four are free. Adult entry after 4pm is $27.95.
Discount days – on August 10, 11, 13 and 14 – are a full 20 per cent cheaper.
The new Back for More Pass gets you in on another day for $23.
Can I get a passout?
Yes, before 8pm to return on the same day – but each ticket holder can only get one passout.
Is the Ekka accessible?
Exhibition Station has elevators and ramps, and ramps are provided between roads, footpaths and pavilions. The Main Arena has two wheelchair-accessible viewing areas. Scooter, wheelchairs and strollers can be hired from the John Macdonald Stand.
How do I pay for rides?
You can only pay for rides with Fun Pass Credits. For this, you can download the app, or buy a physical Fun Pass card at an Information Booth or self-serve kiosk at the Show and load it up. Pre-purchased credits on the app come with discounts, and if you buy too many credits you can get a refund if you apply by August 30.
How can I save money on rides?
Two-for-one ride sessions are on 9.30-10.30am every morning.
What’s new in showbags?
There are 93 new bags this year including Vegemite ($32), The Mandalorian ($32), F1 Kit Kat ($14), Onikuma ($35), Ovaltine ($6) and Hershey’s and Reese’s ($15).
What are the cheapest showbags?
A Rainbow Freeze showbag (sour candy) is just $2, and there are some $5 ones available including the Bertie Beetle Blue.
What are the most expensive?
The dearest one we can find is the Morish Nuts Showbag for $55, and no doubt it’s the macadamias that are pushing up the cost of that one.
There are also a half dozen $38 bags ranging from Derwent x Home Studio (art equipment) to the Perfume Collection or the Miss Coco Showbag – a collection of beachy fashion items.
How can I pay less for lunch?
More than 110 vendors are offering a “value” food item priced at $10 or less. Some are offering Family Bundles – deals from $25 designed to feed a family of four.
What about Strawberry Sundaes?
Get them at the corner of Gregory Terrace and King Street, or four other locations around the Ekka. When buying tickets online you also have the option to pre-order a sundae for a discounted $7, or four for $26.
Where do the big shows and fireworks take place?
From 6-8pm every night there are two hours of performance, storytelling and spectacle in the Main Arena, culminating in fireworks at 7.50pm.
The Main Arena will also have army bands, dance eisteddfods, kids’ shows, stunt shows, woodchopping, circus and more.
You can also find entertainment at the Main Stage, the XXXX Stockman’s Bar and Grill Stage, the Plaza Music Stage and the Royal Queensland Cooking Stage.
I’ve lost my kid, what do I do?
The Lost Persons station at the Gregory Terrace Police Station is open 9am-8.30pm. Parents are encouraged to write their phone number on a free wristband from the police marquee on Gregory Terrace as soon as they arrive in case of unplanned separations.
Yes, but what if my phone dies?
Charging stations are located under the John Mac Tunnel.
Technology infuriates me, is there an information phone number with a person on the end?
Yes, it’s (07) 3253 3900.
How do I avoid a child sugar meltdown?
Don’t buy them junk food? Sorry, you’re on your own there.
The Ekka runs August 8-16, 2026 at the Royal Exhibition Grounds, Bowen Hills.
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