The Royal Queensland Show is Queensland's largest annual agricultural event, attracting more than 400,000 people. It will run from Saturday, 9th - Sunday, 17th August 2025.
The show fondly known as the Ekka is run by the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) and staged at its original birthplace, the Brisbane Showgrounds. Ekka brings the country and city together for a true celebration of agriculture.
The Ekka showcases the best of Queensland, attracting more than 21,000 competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, 10,000 animals from beef cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and showbags, family shopping, educational activities and much more.
History
This iconic show has been running since 1876 at the Brisbane Showgrounds and has evolved significantly over the years, growing in attendance and exhibits every year.
Bowen Park was chosen in January 1876 as the site for the first Show. The 'Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876', held from August 22-26 proved a great success. A public holiday was declared and an estimated 15,000-17,000 people attended the opening day - a great feat at a time when the total population of Brisbane was just 20,600.
The first 'Royal' Show was held in 1921, when the Association was granted the prefix under warrant from His Majesty King George V. Since then, the shortened name 'Ekka' has replaced 'Exhibition' and 'Brisbane Exhibition' in the Queensland vernacular.
You can read more about the history of the Royal Queensland Show and RNA HERE.