When Is Ekka Day: The Royal National Agricultural (R.N.A.) Show Day, which is also called “Ekka Day,” is a well-known event that will happen this year on August 10 in the second or third week of August. Ekka People’s Day is a holiday unique to Brisbane. It happens on the sixth day of The Royal Queensland Show, which is a beautiful ten-day event. This fair is the biggest and most-anticipated event of the year in Queensland, and the people who live there love it.
In addition to the events, Ekka Day is a public holiday in Brisbane that gives everyone much-needed time off. A wide range of activities, including sports, animal shows, family-friendly entertainment, and the famous sideshow alley, make this one-of-a-kind event truly representative of Queensland’s cultural history. Ekka People’s Day is a popular time for people in Brisbane to get together and enjoy the spirit of their community. The fireworks show at night, and the beautiful show bag pavilion adds to the fun atmosphere.
History of Ekka Day
In the 1800s, a group of colonists in Brisbane formed an agricultural and industrial society. Their main goal was to enjoy Queensland’s way of life while also helping the state’s farming and industrial sectors grow. They planned an intercolonial show and made it a public holiday to get more people to attend because they were inspired by the International Exhibitions that were held in the UK. The first event, called the Brisbane Exhibition, was a hit. On the first day, over 17,000 people showed up, which was a big surprise since only about 20,000 people were living in Brisbane at the time. This was the first big event since Queensland broke away from New South Wales in 1859, so it was a turning point for the people who lived there. The Brisbane Exhibition has been held at the same place every year since then: the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in Bowen Hills.
After this, other parts of Queensland started their yearly celebrations, with Southeast Queensland’s Ekka People’s Day being the first to work with them.
This event happened every year until 1919, when the Spanish Flu broke out, and again in 1942, during World War II, when the grounds were turned into a staging camp. At first, the event was mostly about showing off farming and industrial inventions. Now, it has grown to include more public attractions, though agriculture is still a big part of it. There will now be funfairs, food, and something called “The Showbag” that everyone must have. Many businesses and groups sell show bags and usually have food or novelty items inside. This makes the whole experience more fun.
Ekka Day timeline
1875
It is when people get together that the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland is made.
The first Ekka People’s Day was held on August 22, 1876, and at first, it was a show between different colonies.
Edward, Prince of Wales, goes to the exhibition and gets permission to add a Royal prefix to the name of the group.
In 1921, the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland got the Royal prefix from His Majesty King George V, which led to the first “Royal” Show.
2015 Showbag Explosion: The number of people who could get show bags at the popular Ekka People’s Day event went up, and 362 show bags were given out.
In 2020, Ekka People’s Day will be moved temporarily from its usual Wednesday date to a Friday in order to help the tourism business.
How to Observe Ekka Day
Enjoy ‘Ekka’s’ tasty treats.
Check out the variety of delicious treats that are usually served at this show and try making them yourself, or at least a close version of them if you have yet to get the exact ingredients. At the Ekka, people usually eat cotton candy, Dagwood dogs (a kind of corn dog), fruit cakes, jam-and-cream scones, and burgers with chips.
Take a break when you need one.
As people in Brisbane have done, think about taking the day off from work or school if you can. Do something you enjoy during this free time, like hanging out with friends, taking it easy at home, or watching a movie.
Set up fun games with your friends.
Games are a big part of Ekka Day. There are many kinds of games, like designing cakes, eating challenges, and even chopping wood. Make your events in your backyard, like animal races, beauty pageants, or contests for the best food. Bring joy and community into your day to make it feel like Ekka Day, which is a time for celebration and fun. Take part in these fun contests from the comfort of your own home to make memories that will last a lifetime with friends and family.
Why Ekka Day is Important
Start your virtual trip.
Big cultural events like Ekka People’s Day give us a unique look into the lives of people on another continent, showing us how their food practices show us both how they are alike and how they are different.
Explore the natural beauty of Queensland.
Looking into the celebrations and subtleties of Queensland’s biggest fair is an exciting way to get to know this area better. You might become interested in traveling after the journey. August and Ekka People’s Day are great times to see the best of Queensland.
Enjoy a happy day.
Ekka People’s Day has all the things that make a day lively and happy, like funfair rides, animal encounters, and tasty food. No matter what age, everyone is excited about a fair visit. You can bring out your inner child on Ekka People’s Day, which will lead to a great day full of fun, laughter, and the spirit of celebration.
When is Ekka Day?
The Royal National Agricultural (RNA) Show Day, which is what Ekka Day is properly called, is a unique public holiday in Brisbane. This extra day off happens every year on the second or third Friday of August, so people in the area get together for fairs and other events.
Up until 2022, Ekka Day was always celebrated on a Wednesday during the RNA Show season. If the first Friday of August doesn’t fall on or before August 5, the RNA Show starts that Friday. If that happens, the show will start on the second Friday of August. Because of this careful planning, Ekka People’s Day will happen at the same time as the bigger RNA Show. This will make sure that tradition and community involvement go together smoothly.
As a special public holiday, Ekka Day not only gives people a break from their normal lives but also brings people together and shows how lively Brisbane is. People in Queensland look forward to this day because it gives them a chance to fully experience the state’s rich cultural history and lively celebrations.
What is Ekka day in Australia?
The Ekka is Queensland’s largest annual event, which welcomes an average of 400,000 visitors each August. The show welcomes 21,000 competition entries, 10,000 animals, and hours of free family entertainment, including a night program. The Ekka features a sideshow alley, showbag pavilion, and nightly fireworks displays.
Every August, about 400,000 people come to the Ekka, which is Queensland’s biggest yearly festival. There are 21,000 contestants, 10,000 animals, and hours of free family fun, including a show at night. Sideshow Alley, the Showbag Pavilion, and the nightly fireworks shows are the Ekka’s key draws.
People in the area thought the first show in 1876 was a big deal, like when Queensland broke away from New South Wales in 1859.
The Ekka was named one of Queensland’s Q150 Icons in 2009 for being an “event and festival.”
Why is it called Ekka?
The origin of Ekka
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’ in the Queensland vernacular, indicating locals’ affection for the show.
The Association was given the title “Royal” by His Majesty King George V in 1921 when the first “Royal” Show took place.
Because of this, the word “Ekka” has replaced “Exhibition” in Queensland, which shows how much people there enjoy the show.
Ekka has been held every year except for three years: 1919, when the Spanish Flu broke out; 1942 when the grounds were used as a staging area for World War II; and 2020 and 2021, when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit.
Is Brisbane on public holiday for Ekka day?
Ekka People’s Day usually falls on the sixth day of The Royal Queensland Show, which lasts for about 10 days. This Brisbane-only festival is the largest and most popular annual event on the Queensland calendar. The day is also a public holiday providing time off for all Brisbane residents.
Every year, Ekka People’s Day takes place on the sixth day of The Royal Queensland Show, which lasts for ten days. This fair in Brisbane is the biggest and most well-known event in Queensland every year. Ekka People’s Day is a public holiday, which means that everyone in Brisbane has the day off they deserve.
Many people call it “Ekka,” but the Royal Queensland Show is a famous event that shows off Queensland’s culture and traditions. It has a lot of events, like 21,000 competition entries, a show with 10,000 different animals, and a lot of fun for the whole family. Attractions at the event include the famous sideshow alley, a busy show bag pavilion, and a nightly fireworks show that is truly amazing.
People in the area know how important Ekka People’s Day is, and it brings people together and makes them happy. People in Brisbane get together to party, making memories that will last a lifetime and loving the unique atmosphere of this wonderful event that happens every year.
Who owns the Ekka?
The RNA owns and operates the Brisbane Exhibition Ground, situated 1.6 kilometres from the Brisbane central business district. The RNA runs the annual Royal Queensland Show, commonly known as the Brisbane Exhibition or by the contraction Ekka, for 9 days each year in August at the RNA Showgrounds.
The Central Business District of Brisbane is 1.6 kilometers away, and the Brisbane Exhibition Ground is owned and run by the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA).
The Royal Queensland Show, which is also called the Brisbane Exhibition or Ekka, is put on every year by the RNA. It runs for nine days in August at the RNA Showgrounds. Every year, about 400,000 people come to Ekka, Queensland’s biggest fair, to take part in events, see exhibitions, and enjoy different kinds of entertainment. Eight hundred ninety-one thousand two hundred thirty-two people showed up in 1981, which was the most people ever recorded being there.
Who gets the Ekka public holiday?
Did you know that if you live in the SEQ metro area (Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast), you are entitled to a paid day off on the Ekka public holiday if you normally work that day? What this day is depends on which City Council area you work in. Click here to check for your Ekka public holiday date.
Did you know that people who live in the SEQ metro area (Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast) can take a paid day off on Ekka if it happens on their normal work day?
No matter what City Council zone you work in, the exact date of this holiday is different. You can click here to find out when your Ekka holiday is.
The first event took place in 1876, and it has been held every year since then, with the only breaks being in 1919 and 1942 when the Spanish Flu pandemic happened.
In 1921, His Majesty King George V gave the Royal name to the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland. This made it the first “Royal” Show. This royal honor was a nice addition to the event.
People in Queensland came up with the word “Ekka” as a shorter form of the word “Exhibition,” which perfectly describes this amazing show.
The public holiday always comes on a Wednesday, which is something that always happens at the event. This careful planning fits with the RNA’s plan for organizing Show Day. Even though historical events caused delays, the show is still a great example of Queensland’s rich farming and industrial history, and people come from all over the world to see it and take part. The Ekka is a well-known and loved event that celebrates Queensland’s culture and successes every year.