In 2025, there are more free things than ever before and the vast majority of our list is full of free things for families to do at the Ekka!
Families Magazine are the recognised experts in providing trustworthy Ekka resources, as evidenced in our multitude of Channel 9 News appearances showing you how to save at the Ekka!
10 best things to do at the Ekka in 2025
What can I do with my family this year at the Ekka? So glad you asked…
BUT FIRST: Make sure you read our detailed Ekka Guide so you know everything we know about making the most of your Ekka experience! We also have an article here for tips for taking your child to the Ekka if they are sensory sensitive.
10. Free Ekka shows & activities for kids
Smurfs Lost Village
Step into the magical world of the beloved Smurfs! Smurfette is feeling a little blue and wondering what makes her special. Brainy invents, Hefty helps, even Clumsy has a role… so where does Smurfette fit in? Join the Smurfs as they help her discover what makes her truly unique in this heartwarming live adventure packed with music, laughs, and big blue fun!
Main Stage, Channel 7 Pavilion
Saturday 9 August – Sunday 17 August, 2025
11am – 11:25am, 1pm – 1:25pm, 2:30pm – 2:55pm
9. Euro Slide
Your kids will love sliding down the biggest slide in the southern hemisphere! Ekka goers will have a smile on their face as gravity pulls them down the eight-lane, 48-metre bumpy slide. Enjoy!
8. Agricultural Hall
The Agricultural Hall features plenty of ag-ucational activities for children, including the Field to Fork interactive rural journey.
This place is A-MAZ-ING… and not to be missed. It provides hours and hours of free entertainment for kids of all ages and they have somehow managed to scale the entertainment for littlies, up to big kids. The littlies have things to play with, the bigger kids will enjoy the play, but also learn in the process.
7. Kids Carnival area
This is a great place to visit with kids aged between 3 and 8!
Little ones will love the chance to take the wheel by themselves in the Cars4Kids dodgems, enjoy a gentle ride on the Tea Cups or visit the Enchanted Circus.
6. Show bags at the EKKA
I defy any family to go to the EKKA without a trip to the showbag pavilion. We’ve spent hours pouring over every EKKA Showbag and have put together a guide to help you determine how to get the biggest bang for your EKKA buck, regardless of your child’s individual interests. We believe there are no wrong decisions to be made as far as which category of show bag you choose, only wrong showbag choices within the categories i.e. when looking at value for money.
You will find our favourite EKKA show bags here.
5. RACQ Animal Nursery
One of the most family-friendly places to visit at the Ekka is the RACQ Animal Nursery.
This year it will feature some exciting new animals. The kids (and the big kids) will be all smiles as they get up close to hundreds of their favourite farmyard animals on their adventure through the nursery. Feed, pat and snap selfies with a range of loveable animals including calves, goats, lambs, ducklings, chickens, working dog puppies, alpacas, llamas, donkeys, a pony and more.
Last year, there were two adorable highland cattle with long shaggy coats, along with the only two Valais sheep in Queensland. Plus there were camels!
Proceeds from the feed cups will go to RACQ Foundation, supporting Queensland communities impacted by natural disaster. Find out about ALL the animals at this year’s show here.
4. Free & cheap food in the Woolworths Pavilion
If you’re feeling peckish, pop over to the Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion where you can taste test your way through the pavilion for morning or afternoon tea. There’s plenty of free samples to enjoy at the Woolworths ‘stations’ but you can also sample other vendors products including dairy free yoghurt, various cheeses, lollies, wine, ice-cream and more!
With more than 70 food and drink stalls offering cheap eats through to Insta-worthy favourites, you’re going to want to fill your belly and try everything!
In 2025 cheese toasties and mini hot dogs were just $3.00 each!
3. Thrill Zone in 2025!
Calling all thrill seekers and daredevils!
The Ekka has two adrenaline-charged carnival precincts this year. B105 Sideshow Alley is filled with extreme, spooky and family friendly rides, while Kids Carnival has all the family favourites, along with a few for the big kids!
The B105 Sideshow Alley is open from 9am to late.
2. Eat a strawberry sundae
The strawberry sundae is synonymous with the Ekka and one of the best things to do at the Ekka. At some point in the day, you must invest in this time-honoured tradition and buy yourself and the kids a strawberry sundae. My favourite part about this treat? The cone is packed full of strawberries too! Yum!
1. Watch the EkkaNITES Fireworks!
The Ekka organisers obviously know that the best thing to do at the Ekka each year is sit with your family and enjoy the Ekka fireworks because they have a family-friendly fireworks time slot.
This year’s theme – INFERNO! – is a high-impact night show that blazes with energy, emotion, and spectacle. The program, which invokes an atmosphere of nostalgia, ranges from the jaw-dropping to the awe-inspiring with highlights to include:
- A Brumby’s Run – a breathtaking tribute to wild horses
- Full Throttle Fury – Monster Truck, Hot Wheels Heroes super trucks, and Australia’s top FMX riders
- The sound of the land – didgeridoo master eMDee weaves his electrifying sound
- Inferno Fireworks Spectacular – the night explodes in a grand finale of pyrotechnics, fire artists, jet cars, Monster Truck action, and flames that light up the sky in a fiery celebration of Australian energy and spiritA stunning fireworks display lighting up the night sky.
- And much more!
It’s going to be an absolute blast!
The full EkkaNITES programme runs daily from 6.30pm and you can watch the Ekka Fireworks nightly at 7.45pm – 8pm in the Main Arena.
Want more?
Click on our full review of the Ekka to read all the details and more tips!
Do you agree these are the best things to do at the Ekka? What would be in your ‘Top 10’? Tell us in comments below!
Looking for accommodation near the Ekka?
Check out these options:
- Budget: Lylo – Fortitude Valley
- Mid-range: Rydges – Fortitude Valley
- Luxury: Calile Hotel – Fortitude Valley
I am looking forward to it.