Mackay Special Events calendar offers of variety in things to do in our region. We are waiting for the Covid-19 restrictions to change so these renowned events can return.
Theatre & Arts
Artists visit Mackay to perform at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre. They include dancers, comedians, and actors. BB Print Stadium also hosts national and international artists. Elton John, Birds of Tokyo, Kiss, Living End and Pete Murray have all taken centre stage at BB Print Stadium. Artspace Mackay showcases fine arts. Sculpture, pottery and other creative forms. Music festivals include Grass on the Green, Wintermoon, Mushroom Valley Festival and TimberFest.
Markets
Markets held around the Mackay region include the weekly Greater Whitsunday Farmers Market. Its held every Wednesday morning at Bluewater Quay. River Street Twilight market takes place every second Friday evening. So does Paxtons Market next door. Early Saturday mornings you can grab Fruit & Vegy’s at the Showgrounds Market. Troppo Markets, on the second Sunday of the month, held at Mount Pleasant shopping centre.
Sports
National and international sporting events are often held in our region. This includes the T20 Bash for Cash Cricket Competition, Rugby, AFL football, Basketball, Soccer and Hockey. Even Bird-watching festivals. River to Reef Charity Rides are a favorite as well as MAD Mountain Bike Club events including the Mackay Cup. PRB Bull Riding and QLD Kart Championships also draw large crowds. Skateboarding’s Etnies Street Series and Rumble on the Reef still going ahead in September 2020, and BMX Championships are all amazing family events for the young at heart.
In 2019 a new and exciting event occurred with the Masters Athletics Championships. The first major event for Mackays new Aquatic, Sports and Recreation Centre.
Fishing is excellent in the Mackay region. As a result special fishing events include Barramundi Fishing Tournaments. The World Sooty Championship to be staged over the May Day long weekend in 2021. The picturesque Eungella Dam gives anglers the chance to compete in the only fishing competition targeting the native Sooty Grunter.
Mackays Festival of Arts
Mackay’s Festival of Arts scheduled for July 2021 is a jam packed program of artistic talent. Furthermore this iconic festival is a fantastic celebration of colour, fun, and music.
Most noteworthy is the DBCT Illuminate at Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens. The gardens comes to light in the evening to an amazing display of colour. See whimsical creatures lights and lanterns and entertainment by local artists. Another great free event for families.
Above all its a great time of year to visit Mackay and experience unique forms of entertainment.
Festivals
The Aero Club Mechanos, and the Sarina Coconut Festival are major draw cards for visitors. Great Mackay special events for all the family. So are the Grasstree Beach Motorcycle Races & Mackay’s Scottish Blue Water Fling. Global Grooves is a favorite event for locals. Besides that Mackay, Sarina and Finch Hatton Shows are great events for children of all ages. The Beer & BBQ Festival is also a must. It’s a wonderful day out for all the family. We look forward to these events returning in 2021.
Conferences & Expositions
Mackay also plays host to many major conferences and expos. Wedding and Travel Expos. Mackay Home Show & the Caravan and Camping Expo are generally held in May. The Queensland Mining Exhibition comes to Mackay every second year in late July. The next Mining Expo will be in July 2022.
Local Tours
Local businesses run tours/activities for visitors and locals. These include miniature sugar mill tours with rum tastings. Tours to Eungella National Park, rainforests and platypus in Broken River. Riding on a zip line through a tropical rain-forest. Paddle board lessons, cable park wake boarding and Indoor Go-Karts. Tours of historic homes and walking tours around the City Centre’s Art Deco buildings. Unique experience of scuba diving with platypus and amazing Tiger Moth joy flights.
The Greater Whitsunday Food Network run seasonal Farm Food and Flavours Tours. Farmers and producers on these tours are passionate about regional food. Hence locals and visitors get to dine on the wonderful produce. Produce that is grown, raised, caught and made in our region.
Nature also does Mackay proud with Covid Safe attractions including Whale watching season and turtle nesting as well as migratory shore birds. Wallabies on the beach at Cape Hillsborough. Platypus in their natural habitat at Eungella National Park.