No. 02June
Cloncurry & District Show
- Where
- Cloncurry · North West Queensland
- When
- June. 2026: 12 – 13 June; show holiday Fri 12 June.
Event guide · Ag shows
North Queensland agricultural shows
Every winter the north runs on show season: pavilions, prize cattle, sideshow alley, fireworks and a night rodeo or two. Here's the North Queensland show circuit in calendar order, with each show's local show holiday and a link to the official site.
In Queensland each district gets a show holiday, a local public holiday on one day of its agricultural show. Dates change every year, and the Queensland Government publishes them. See the official show holiday list.
Part 1 · 16 events
The NQ show run, in calendar order
From Hughenden in late May to Collinsville in November, in the order the show holidays fall.
Real photoNo. 01Flinders ShireMay
Hughenden Show
★We've played here2024 · 2025
- Where
- Hughenden Showgrounds · Shire of Flinders, outback north-west Queensland
- When
- Late May. 2026: 29 – 30 May; show holiday Fri 29 May.
The first show of the northern season. The North Western Queensland Pastoral, Agricultural & Industrial Association formed in 1883 and has run the show on its present site since 1912; 2026 was the 143rd show.
We played the Hughenden Show in 2024 and 2025, and in 2025 we closed the night after the fireworks.
Visit official website
Sources
- northqueenslandregister.com.au/story/8980831/hughenden-show-delivers-adrenaline-and-entertainment
- static.wixstatic.com/media/8a35ee_2ff944d1343044e383397b4153584fe4~mv2.jpeg
- static.wixstatic.com/media/8a35ee_858e0eba601e4b19ac229ba55e32a191~mv2.jpg
- hughendenshow.com.au
- qld.gov.au/recreation/travel/holidays/show
- hughendenshow.com.au/"
Also on the calendar
No. 03June
Mackay Show
- Where
- Mackay Showgrounds · Mackay region
- When
- June. 2026: 16 – 18 June (three days); show holiday Thu 18 June (Mackay region and parts of Isaac).
No. 04North West QueenslandJune
Mount Isa Show
- Where
- Mount Isa · North West Queensland
- When
- June. 2026: Friday 19 – Saturday 20 June; show holiday Fri 19 June (Mount Isa and Mornington Shire).
A proper outback show, with Friday and Saturday night rodeo, bronco branding, a demolition derby and pig races alongside the pavilions.
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, which we played in 2026, is in August.
Also on the calendar
No. 05June
Whitsunday ShowProserpine
- When
- June. 2026: show holiday Fri 19 June (Proserpine, Airlie Beach and Cannonvale).
No. 06June
Bowen Show
- Where
- Bowen Showgrounds · Whitsunday region
- When
- June. 2026: show holiday Tue 23 June (Bowen district). Run by the Bowen Pastoral Agricultural Association.
No. 07June
Burdekin ShowAyr
- When
- June. 2026: show holiday Wed 24 June (Shire of Burdekin).
No. 08June
Ingham Show
- Where
- Ingham Showgrounds · Hinchinbrook
- When
- June. 2026: show holiday Fri 26 June (Shire of Hinchinbrook).
The Ingham Sugar City Rodeo, which we've played, is held at the same showgrounds.
No. 09Atherton TablelandsJune
Atherton Show
- Where
- Atherton · Atherton Tablelands
- When
- Late June / early July. 2026: show holiday Tue 30 June. 2027: 28 – 29 June.
"A proud tradition since 1903": two action-packed days of competitions, displays, rides, food and arena action on the Tablelands.
No. 10TownsvilleJuly
Townsville Show
- Where
- Townsville Showgrounds, West End (corner of Ingham Service Road & Parkes Street) · Townsville
- When
- Early July. 2026: show holiday Mon 6 July. 2027: 2 – 5 July.
Townsville's show goes back to 1876, when a meeting was held to set up a pastoral and agricultural society for the region. The Showgrounds in West End has hosted it since the late 1800s.
Also on the calendar
No. 11July
Innisfail & District Show
- Where
- Innisfail · Cassowary Coast
- When
- July. 2026: 9 – 10 July; show holiday Fri 10 July (northern Cassowary Coast).
No. 12CairnsJuly
Cairns Show
- Where
- Cairns Showgrounds · Cairns
- When
- Mid-July. 2026: show holiday Fri 17 July (Cairns and several Cape and Mareeba-area shires). 2027: Wednesday 14 – Friday 16 July.
The Cairns Show Association bills it as "Australia's Largest Regional Agricultural Show", with three days at the Cairns Showgrounds.
Also on the calendar
No. 13July
Mossman Show
- Where
- Mossman · Douglas Shire
- When
- July. 2026: show holiday Mon 20 July.
No. 14July
Tully & District Show
- When
- July. 2026: show holiday Fri 24 July (southern Cassowary Coast).
No. 15July
Charters Towers Show
- When
- Late July. 2026: show holiday Tue 28 July (Charters Towers region).
No. 16November
Collinsville Show
- When
- November. 2026: show holiday Tue 3 November (Collinsville district).
Part 2 · 1 event
The big one: the Ekka
Queensland's biggest show, in Brisbane every August.
No. 17BrisbaneAugust
The EkkaRoyal Queensland Show, Brisbane
- Where
- Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills · Brisbane
- When
- August. 2026: show holiday Wed 12 August (City of Brisbane). The 2026 show was the 150th anniversary.
Queensland's biggest and most-loved event. Run by the RNA at its original home, the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Ekka has been bringing city and country together since 1876, more than 35 million visits over 150 years.
Fast facts
- Since 1876; 150th anniversary in 2026.
- More than 35 million Queenslanders brought together over 150 years.
FAQ
Show questions, answered
What is a show holiday in Queensland?
A local public holiday on one day of a district's agricultural show. The Queensland Government publishes the dates each year.
When is the Townsville Show holiday?
In 2026 it was Monday 6 July. The 2027 Townsville Show runs 2 – 5 July.
When is the Cairns Show 2027?
Wednesday 14 – Friday 16 July 2027 at the Cairns Showgrounds.
What is the first show of the North Queensland season?
Of the NQ shows in this guide, Hughenden is first, in late May (29 – 30 May in 2026).
Does the Mount Isa Show have a rodeo?
Yes. The Mount Isa Show program includes Friday and Saturday night rodeo, bronco branding and a demolition derby.
How old is the Ekka?
The Ekka has run since 1876 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2026.
Can we book a live country band for our show?
Yes. The Barnyard Band has played the Hughenden Show and brings a five-piece live show with its own 18,000 W PA, lighting and video, ideal for show-night concerts, rodeo nights and show balls. Use our homepage price tool for an instant estimate.
Booking a band for show night?
Show-night concerts, rodeo nights and show balls: we bring the band, the 18,000 W PA, lights and video. Pick your date and venue for an instant estimate.