Brisbane community events Archives

Brookfield Twilight Markets to Kick Off School Holidays with Family Fun

The Brookfield community is set to welcome the school holidays with an afternoon of family fun, local shopping and great food as the Brookfield Twilight Markets return.

Running from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on 26 June at Brooky Bar, Brookfield Showground, the free community event promises live entertainment, boutique market stalls, delicious food and activities for children.

Local makers take centre stage

Visitors will have the chance to browse a wide range of boutique stalls featuring local artisans and small businesses. Shoppers can discover everything from handmade children’s clothing and jewellery to locally crafted spirits, honey, candles, polymer clay earrings, fabric gifts and gluten-free treats.

The market will also feature face painting and sweet treats, giving families plenty to enjoy while supporting local businesses.

Photo Credit: Brookfield Show Society/Facebook

Entertainment for the whole family

Children can look forward to meeting a magical Roving Bubble Fairy, creating giant bubbles throughout the afternoon, before an exciting mini fire show lights up the evening.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, local musician Tyler, a Brookie’s Got Talent place-getter, will perform live during the event.

With plenty of open space for children to play, organisers hope families will settle in for a relaxed evening together.

Food trucks serve up Friday favourites

Food will be a major highlight of the markets, with several popular vendors offering dinner and dessert.

BBQ Roadshow will serve its signature slow-cooked meats, burgers, nuggets and chips, while ALBA Catering Japanese will offer freshly prepared Japanese favourites. Aaravices Ice Cream will also be on hand with a selection of frozen treats to help visitors cool off.

The Brooky Bar will be open throughout the evening with drinks available for adults.

Community event supports local businesses

The Twilight Markets are proudly organised by the not-for-profit Brookfield Show Society, bringing together local stallholders, entertainers and food vendors in a welcoming community setting.

With free entry and something for every age, the event offers families an easy way to celebrate the end of the school term while supporting Brookfield’s local businesses and community groups.

The Brookfield Twilight Markets will be held on Friday, 26 June, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Brooky Bar, 550 Brookfield Road, Brookfield Showground. Entry is free, and everyone is welcome.

Published 24-June-2026

Brookfield Show Returns With Rodeo Nights, Hobby Horses and Community Spirit

Photo Credit: Brookfield Show/Facebook

At a time when many suburban events struggle to hold onto local traditions, the Brookfield Showground is preparing to draw thousands of families back to the heart of Brisbane’s western suburbs with rodeos, woodchop contests, hobby horse races, fireworks and live entertainment packed into one community-driven weekend.

The Brookfield Show will run from 22 to 24 May, bringing together long-running agricultural displays with newer crowd favourites across the three-day program. Friday entry will begin at 3:00 p.m., with competition pavilions and entertainment starting in the afternoon before the evening rodeo and live music.

Hobby Horses and Woodchop Bring Old and New Crowds Together

Organisers are mixing long-standing country show traditions with activities aimed at younger audiences and families. Alongside horticulture, needle craft and livestock displays, this year’s program includes LEGO competitions and the increasingly popular Hobby Horse event, where competitors perform jumps and dressage routines using handcrafted hobby horses.

Photo Credit: Hobby Horse Riders/Facebook

The woodchop competition is also returning, adding another traditional drawcard to the schedule. Across the grounds, visitors can expect puppet shows, pig races, reptile displays, baby animals and roaming entertainers throughout the weekend.

Community groups and local schools are also expected to take part through performances and talent showcases staged during the event.

Friday Rodeo Expected to Draw Evening Crowds

Night-time entertainment is expected to become a major attraction once the sun goes down at the showgrounds. The Friday night rodeo will feature cowboys and cowgirls competing in bull and bronc riding events before live music continues into the evening.

Saturday’s entertainment program will include horsemanship displays, live performances and another night of family activities, while fireworks are scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday nights.

The event remains one of the best-known community gatherings in Brisbane’s western suburbs, bringing together local organisations, schools, businesses and volunteers at the showgrounds each year.

Brookfield Museum and Trade Stalls Add Local Flair

Away from the main arena, visitors will also be able to explore trade stalls, food vendors and displays connected to Brookfield’s local history. The Brookfield Museum is expected to welcome visitors across the weekend, offering a look back at the area’s rural and community roots.

Families are also being encouraged to spend the full day at the grounds, with entertainment scheduled across multiple areas of the venue from morning through to evening.

Published 15-May-2026

Brookfield Show: The Spotlight Shifts But the Spirit Stays

Photo Credit: Brookfield Show Society/Facebook

The horses may be staying home, but the Brookfield Show is still rolling on with new attractions, familiar faces, and plenty of heart.

A Weekend for the Community

Come 23 May, the familiar hum of generators, chatter of neighbours, and thump of music speakers will fill the air once more as the Brookfield Show returns for another weekend of rides, rosettes, and showground charm. But while families will still pass through the wooden gates in gumboots and sunnies, one show staple won’t be waiting in the main arena.

Horses won’t be galloping through Brookfield’s central ring for the first time in years. After an assessment of the Show’s Main Arena, the sodden state of the main grass area of the Brookfield Recreation Reserve and its surrounding grounds have been found to pose a risk to horses and riders.

Since there wouldn’t be time for the ground to dry out completely, the Show Society made the tough call to cancel the Horses Competition. It’s a quiet change with no protests and no fuss, but it’s leaving a noticeable gap in the program for many long-time showgoers.

Still, the heart of the show hasn’t missed a beat.

The Rise of the Dogs

In a twist many locals are embracing, the dogs are stepping into the spotlight this year. The Dog Show—always a crowd-pleaser tucked to the side—is now front and centre.

Expect bounding labradors, preened poodles, and more than a few fancy dress entries to take over the main arena. Organisers are already bracing for a record number of four-legged contenders.

“There’s always been such affection for the Dog Show,” say organisers. “It just made sense to give them a bigger stage.”

Brookfield Show Dogs — *Photo Credit: Brookfield Show Society/Facebook*

It’s a chance for local pet owners to show off their companions and connect with neighbours who share their love for animals. Kids lean on fences to cheer on their favourites, and there’s always one or two who sneak in a cuddle with a sleepy spaniel.

A Packed Lineup for All Ages

But the Brookfield Show isn’t just about the animals. What makes this weekend special is the full spectrum of entertainment that turns a small showground into a temporary town centre.

On Friday night, the show lights will glow over the rodeo ring as riders test their balance and bravado. The energy builds again on Saturday with FMX stunt bikes flying overhead, engines roaring as they leap across ramps under the stars. These high-adrenaline shows have become a modern tradition, drawing cheers from crowds of all ages.

Live music fills the in-between spaces. You’ll hear it drifting from the main stage as you pass through food stalls or grab a cone of fairy floss. This year’s lineup includes local musicians bringing everything from country covers to indie rock.

The daytime sets have been shuffled slightly to give performers more space and audiences more variety, an update organisers say came from community feedback.

For the younger ones, the petting zoo returns all weekend with goats, chickens and other farmyard friends waiting for curious hands. It’s low-key, sure, but you’ll struggle to find a kid walking away from it without a smile.

Traditions Evolve, But the Spirit Remains

There’s always a risk when a long-running event changes something big. The horses will be missed and no one’s pretending otherwise. But Brookfield has never been just one thing. It’s the quiet conversations between neighbours, the way volunteers wear ten hats at once, and the shared memory of returning year after year.

The Community Awards will still be given out Saturday night, and the Show Opening Remarks on Friday will still welcome newcomers and veterans alike.

And when you look out over the showgrounds as the sun sets and the lights come on, the feeling is unmistakable: the Brookfield Show, horses or not, is still exactly what it’s meant to be.

Brookfield Show map — *Photo Credit: Brookfield Show*

Published 23-May-2025