Here’s the fantastic lineup of events and activities that comprise this year’s Ipswich Festival

4 May: Fire On The River
Riverlink Shopping Centre
(View from Upper Level)

From 7pm, the night skies are set to explode as Fire on the River launches the Ipswich Festival with a spectacular explosion of fireworks and lasers synchronised to a pumping soundtrack.

Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Bremer River, this spectacular display will set the night sky ablaze with light and colour. Best vantage points are at Riverlink Shopping Centre and David Trumpy Bridge. Free parking both sides of the river. There’s no better way to launch the 2017 Ipswich Festival.

4-14 May: Ipswich Art Awards
St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall

The Ipswich Art Awards is a major regional art exhibition attracting artists from South East Queensland with interest from across Australia. This year the total prize money and artist in residence packages are valued in excess of $20,000 in a range of categories from photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and print making. All artworks will be available for purchase during the Ipswich Festival. The Ipswich Art Awards will be on every festival date from 10am-5pm, with Sunday being the exception from 10am-1pm.

4-14 May: Insitu & Growth
Ipswich Mall Rotunda

This year’s InSitu really is a trail of discovery as the Festival presents exciting works created by some of Ipswich’s most prolific and talented artists. With this year’s brief in mind, artists have produced works that embrace innovation, interaction and recycling/upcycling to create art pieces that reflect the notion of making something new from something old and giving it a twist. InSitu will be on during every day of the festival, and entry is free.

4-14 May: Unmasked
St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall

Unmasked is considered a highly esteemed event by schools and their students to showcase their creative expressions and artistic talents, and to be a part of the festival community. Ipswich Festival and Walker Pender Group invited local schools to paint a giant 1.5m mask within the theme of Ipswich’s Iconic Species.

6 May: Ipswich Festival Criterium
Brisbane Street, Top of Town

At 12 noon, Ipswich Cycling Club’s best riders will be cycling up a storm as they compete against some of the fastest cyclists in Australia at this year’s Festival Criterium. Expect to see some serious speed on the one kilometre street circuit, which includes a lightning fast downhill run on Brisbane Street. The Masters Division leads off the race competition followed by the Elite Women, wrapping up with an Elite Men’s contest that promises to be spectacular!

At 2.30pm cheer on talented BMX riders as they race each other across the finish line. For information on how to participate please contact [email protected]

6 May: Creative Kids
Ipswich City Mall

Discover a world full of interactive activities, performances and workshops the whole family can enjoy at this year’s Creative Kidz Big Day Out. From 1pm-5:30pm, you can catch performances from Hoot & Hootabelle, run away to the circus with Sekisui House Circus School, laugh out loud with Dr Hubble in the Bubble Man Show and much, much more.

6 May: Parade of Light
Brisbane Street (between Waghorn and Bell Street)

From 6pm, join in for a wicked good time as this year’s spellbinding parade featuring giant lanterns, marching bands, and members of our spirited Ipswich community snakes its way along Brisbane Street. Themed “Wizards, Witches and Mystical Creatures” the parade will be a kaleidoscope of magical moments, spectacular entertainment and famous characters from Harry Potter to Nanny McPhee and Falkor the Good Luck Dragon. Grab your broomsticks and magic wands and celebrate the Parade of Light.

6 May: Heritage Bank Street Party Brisbane Street, Top of Town & d’Arcy Doyle Place

The best party in town begins at 7pm and is right in the heart of Ipswich and you’re invited. Soak up the wonderful atmosphere as the parade ends and the party kicks in creating an unmistakable sense of fun.

6 May: Honk! Vehicle Exhibition
Brisbane Street, Top of Town

Journey with us through motoring history as we close the street in the historic Top of Town for an elite exhibition of show cars, customs, classics, vintage vehicles and club cruisers. Lining up straight after the Festival Parade of Light from 7pm, Honk! takes you on a motoring journey from the glamorous 1900’s to the classic 80’s.

7 May: Ipswich Gala Doll Fair
Ipswich Civic Centre

The Ipswich Civic Centre is the popular venue for one of Queensland’s largest doll and bear fairs. From 9am-2:30pm, you can see the very latest trend in reborn dolls as well as a superb range of dolls and bears of all ages. Everything related to the doll and bear industry will be on sale with free doll and bear valuations available from 11am to 12noon. If you have never attended the doll and bear show you’ll be in for a very big surprise! Cost: Adults $10, Concession $8, Students $2 and under school age is free!

11 May: Festival Cabaret – Lovers & Losers
Ipswich Civic Centre

Lovers and Losers looks at both sides of the same coin with songs that celebrate and commiserate. Songs that tell of passion, jealousy and hate, of fanciful flights and sweet delight. Featuring songs by the likes of Tom Waits, Dolly Parton, Burt Bacharach, Kander and Ebb, Jimmy Webb and those songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Roberta Flack and even Guns n’ Roses, Lovers and Losers promises to be a ‘no holds barred’ Cabaret featuring three extraordinary voices interpreting some of the best love songs of the 20th Century. Tickets available from the Ipswich Civic Centre website.

12 May: Sounds of the 60s
Ipswich Civic Centre

Australia’s greatest soul voice Doug Parkinson presents the ultimate tribute to Joe Cocker. Cocker is most famous for what he did with other people’s songs Hitchcock Railway, Delta Lady, You Can Leave Your Hat On, She Came In Through The Bathroom Window, The Letter, You Are So Beautiful, Up Where We Belong, and Cry Me A River. Tickets are available from the Ipswich Civic Centre’s website.

13 May: Souvenirs d’Espana
Ipswich Civic Centre

Dare to be there for Festival Concert 2017, exuding the feel of warm romantic Spanish nights! Alejandro Duque, famed in Argentina, Columbia, and now in Sydney and Brisbane, will excite the senses with his guitar and “Concerto de Aranjuez” (Rodrigo) and “Recuerdos de la Alhambra” (Tarrega). Tickets available from Ipswich Civic Centre’s website.

13 May: Global Fiesta
Queens Park

It is time to party your way around the world at this year’s Global Fiesta! Enjoy a vibrant mix of world music, dance, international cuisine, unique stalls, workshops and activities as we celebrate our cultural diversity.Discover beautiful hand-crafted items, jewellery, giftware, decorative carvings, arts and crafts and so much more as you journey through our bustling Global Market. The main stage entertainment kicks off at 2pm and brings together diverse cultural performances on a truly grand scale. With sticks clashing and festooned with bells, Belswagger Morris Folk dancers will take you through different English village traditions of Cotswold Morris dancing.

14 May: Jazz, Wine & Blues
Queens Park

Sit back and enjoy an afternoon of smooth grooves and rocking blues. Secure your spot early and stay the day as we present another exciting day and evening of fabulous entertainment. From 2pm-8pm, you can see acts like Rumblefish, Cigàny Weaver, The Big Love Blues Band, SCAT and Russell Morris.