If you live in Queensland, you’ve probably heard of the Ekka — but whether you get the day off depends entirely on where you live. In 2025, the show holiday falls on Tuesday, August 12, for Brisbane and several surrounding councils, yet cities like Ipswich and Toowoomba won’t see it on their calendars.

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Queensland show holiday locations: over 70 local government areas · Ekka show holiday date 2025: Tuesday, August 12 · Ekka show holiday date 2026: Wednesday, August 12 · Year Ekka started: 1876

Quick snapshot

1What is Ekka?
2Holiday Coverage
  • Not statewide (Queensland Government)
  • Only in select LGA areas (Ekka FAQ)
  • Date differs by year and council (Ekka FAQ)
3Key Dates 2025
  • Tuesday 12 Aug (holiday Brisbane/Logan/Redlands) (Ekka FAQ)
  • Show runs 8–17 Aug (Ekka FAQ)
4Key Dates 2026
  • Wednesday 12 Aug (holiday Brisbane/Logan/Redlands) (Ekka FAQ)
  • Show runs 8–16 Aug (Ekka FAQ)

The six key facts below summarise the core rules and dates for the Ekka show holiday.

Label Value
Holiday name Show holiday (People’s Day) (Ekka FAQ)
Year established 1876 (Ekka FAQ)
Applicable councils (2025) Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redlands, parts of Gold Coast (Ekka FAQ)
Non-applicable councils (example) Ipswich, Toowoomba, Scenic Rim (Ipswich City Council)
2025 holiday date August 12, 2025 (Ekka FAQ)
2026 holiday date August 12, 2026 (Ekka FAQ)

Is Ekka a QLD public holiday?

How show holidays work in Queensland

Queensland does not have a single statewide public holiday for the Royal Queensland Show. Instead, each local government area declares its own show holiday — sometimes tied to the Ekka, sometimes to a local show. The Queensland Government show holiday page lets residents search by year and location to see which council observes which date.

  • The Ekka public holiday is not a statewide holiday; it applies only to local government areas that declare a show holiday on the Ekka date. (Queensland Government)
  • Residents of Brisbane and some surrounding councils receive the Ekka Wednesday/Thursday/Friday off; other councils schedule their own show holiday on a different date. (Ekka FAQ)

Eligibility by local government area

The Ekka FAQ confirms that Logan City Council observes the Ekka holiday on August 12, 2025, and August 12, 2026. Other councils such as Moreton Bay and Redlands also align with the Brisbane date. However, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, and Somerset do not observe the Ekka holiday — they hold their own show days on separate dates.

The implication: the Ekka holiday is a patchwork of local decisions, not a single day for all Queenslanders.

Does Ipswich get a public holiday for the EKKA?

Ipswich show holiday arrangements

Ipswich does not receive the Ekka public holiday. The city observes its own Ipswich Show holiday on a separate date in May. Ipswich City Council confirmed in a news article on 1 August 2025 that a date has been claimed for the 2026 Ipswich Show Public Holiday.

  • Ipswich does not receive the Ekka public holiday; the city observes its own Ipswich Show holiday on a separate date in May. (Ipswich City Council)
  • Residents who work in Brisbane but live in Ipswich do not automatically qualify for the Ekka holiday. (Ekka FAQ)

Fallback if Ipswich does not observe Ekka

If you live in Ipswich but your employer is based in Brisbane, your holiday entitlement depends on your workplace’s location and the terms of your award or agreement. The Queensland Government advises checking with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman for clarity on which public holiday applies.

The catch: living in a non-observing council doesn’t automatically exempt you from the holiday if your workplace is in an observing area — but your employer’s policy and your contract ultimately decide.

What are the dates for the Brisbane EKKA in 2025 and 2026?

Ekka 2025 confirmed date

The Ekka show runs from August 8 to August 17 in 2025. The public holiday (People’s Day) is on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. This is confirmed by the Ekka FAQ.

Ekka 2026 date change announcement

For 2026, the Ekka show is scheduled from August 8 to August 16, 2026, with the public holiday falling on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, per the Ekka FAQ. Note: this differs from some earlier reports of a Friday date; the official Ekka source still lists Wednesday.

The takeaway: dates can shift year to year, so always confirm with the official Ekka website or the Queensland Government before making plans.

Who gets the Ekka public holiday in Brisbane?

Brisbane City Council area coverage

The Ekka holiday covers the Brisbane City Council area. In 2025, the holiday is observed on August 12 also in Logan, Moreton Bay, and Redlands, according to the Ekka FAQ.

Nearby councils that do and do not observe

  • Observe: Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redlands, parts of Gold Coast. (Ekka FAQ)
  • Do not observe: Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Somerset. (Ipswich City Council)

The pattern: if you live in Brisbane but work in Ipswich, your holiday may be determined by your workplace’s location, not your home address.

Why is it called Ekka and what does the holiday mean?

Origin of the nickname Ekka

‘Ekka’ is a clipped slang from ‘exhibition’, the short name of the RNA Exhibition. The term has been in common use since the 1920s, though the exact origin is informal. The Ekka FAQ refers to the holiday as People’s Day or the show holiday.

Meaning of the show holiday tradition

The holiday commemorates the annual agricultural show of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, first held in 1876. The Queensland Government states that show holidays are a long-standing tradition in the state, allowing communities to celebrate their local agricultural and industrial achievements.

The paradox: the Ekka holiday is both a celebration of rural heritage and a logistical puzzle for workers whose councils don’t observe it.

Timeline signal

  • – First RNA Exhibition held in Brisbane. (Ekka FAQ)
  • – Ekka show holiday (People’s Day) scheduled. (Ekka FAQ)
  • – Logan City Council show day. (Ekka FAQ)
  • – Ekka show holiday (People’s Day) scheduled. (Ekka FAQ)
  • – Ipswich Show public holiday (separate date). (Ipswich City Council)

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • The Ekka public holiday for Brisbane is Wednesday 12 August 2025. (Ekka FAQ)
  • The Ekka public holiday for 2026 is Wednesday 12 August 2026. (Ekka FAQ)
  • Ipswich does not observe the Ekka public holiday; it holds its own show day in May. (Ipswich City Council)

What’s unclear

  • Whether the holiday will remain on a Wednesday after 2026 or revert to another day.
  • Exact list of all 70+ councils that observe the Brisbane show date vs their own show date. (Queensland Government)

Quotes

“The date for the 2026 Ipswich Show Public Holiday has been claimed.”

Ipswich City Council official announcement

“The public holiday date can differ between Brisbane and other local government areas. They don’t all observe the same public holiday as Brisbane.”

Ekka FAQ

The trade-off

For workers in Ipswich or Toowoomba, the Ekka holiday is a missed day off unless their employer voluntarily grants it. The cost of living in a non-observing council is a lost public holiday, but the benefit is a local show day that aligns with their community’s calendar.

Why this matters

Logan residents get the Ekka holiday on August 12, 2025, but their own show day is on August 10, 2026 — meaning two different days off in back-to-back years. This inconsistency highlights the patchwork nature of show holidays in Queensland.

Is the Ekka public holiday the same day across Queensland?

No. The Ekka holiday is only observed in councils that declare it as their show holiday. Many councils hold their own show on different dates. (Queensland Government)

Do private-sector employees get the Ekka holiday off?

It depends on whether the employee’s local council observes the Ekka holiday and whether their award or agreement includes that day. Check with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

What happens if my employer is closed for the Ekka but my local council doesn’t observe it?

You may still be entitled to the day off if your workplace is closed, but your employer is not obligated to pay you for that day unless it’s a public holiday in your area. Consultation with your employer is advised.

Can I take the Ekka holiday if I live in Ipswich but work in Brisbane?

Your entitlement depends on your workplace’s location. If your workplace is in a council that observes the Ekka holiday, you may be entitled to the day off. Check your employment agreement. (Ekka FAQ)

Are schools closed for the Ekka public holiday?

Queensland state schools follow the show holiday dates declared by their local council. If your council observes the Ekka, schools are closed on that day.

Is the Ekka holiday paid for casual workers?

Casual employees are generally not entitled to paid public holidays unless they work on the day. Check the relevant award or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How is the Ekka holiday date determined each year?

The date is set by the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland in consultation with the Queensland Government. Local councils then decide whether to adopt that date as their show holiday.

For Queenslanders, the Ekka public holiday is a classic case of location, location, location. If you live in Brisbane, Logan, or Redlands, mark August 12 on your calendar — you’re off. If you live in Ipswich or Toowoomba, you’ll need to check your local council’s show day instead. The bottom line: for anyone planning around the Ekka, confirm your council’s declaration, not the showgrounds schedule.