Start with the one confirmed future festival date, then use the historical details to understand where Gladstone’s major celebrations happen and what to check when the next edition is announced.
Next confirmed major festival
Yaralla Gladstone Harbour Festival
Easter weekend at the Gladstone Marina parklands, with the detailed program still to come from the organiser.
Festivals through the year
Harbour Festival is confirmed for 2027. Every other date below belongs to a completed 2026 edition and is labelled that way. Organisers can change dates, venues, ticketing and access arrangements between editions.
A community culture festival at Gladstone Marina Parklands
2026 edition: Sunday 6 September, 10am-4.30pm. Next date not announced.
Gladstone BBQ Festival
A food and community festival in the Boyne Island and Tannum Sands area
2026 edition: Saturday 5 September. A 2027 date is not announced.
What each festival is like
Yaralla Gladstone Harbour Festival
Next edition confirmed: 25-28 March 2027
The Harbour Festival is the region’s established Easter celebration, held from Thursday to Sunday beside the harbour. The organiser describes free entry, nightly entertainment, fireworks, food, Marina Markets, amusement rides and the Great Raft Regatta.
Plan with the right edition
Entry and much of the entertainment are free, while rides, food, drinks and market purchases cost extra.
The detailed 2027 program is still being released. Check the organiser’s program before choosing which day to attend.
The marina setting makes this part of the wider Easter activity around the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.
LUMINOUSA winter light event in July at Tondoon Botanic Gardens
Upcoming festival listings
These are current Gladdy listings categorised as festivals. Open an event to check its date, price and organiser source.
No future festival listing is available yet. Organisers often publish full details closer to each edition.
Choose the right base
Harbour Festival and the 2026 Multicultural Festival used the Marina parklands. Ecofest and LUMINOUS used Tondoon Botanic Gardens. The 2026 BBQ Festival was held in Boyne Island. Check the current organiser page before relying on a previous venue.
Keep exploring
Browse all current festival listings or build a shorter plan from events confirmed for this weekend.
2026 edition: Sunday 7 June, 9am-3pm. Next date not announced.
Gladstone Regional Council calls Ecofest its annual community sustainability event. It began in 1999 and combines practical workshops, environmental displays, market stalls, plant sales, food, live music and family activities.
Plan with the right edition
The 2026 festival was free and asked visitors to bring reusable drink bottles, coffee cups and shopping bags.
For 2026, general parking used the Industry Car Park and Meteors Soccer Fields, with accessible parking at the gardens’ main entrance.
Those arrangements belong to the 2026 edition. Confirm the next program and access plan after Council publishes it.
2026 edition: 16-19 July. Next date not confirmed.
The 2026 event transformed Tondoon Botanic Gardens with interactive light installations, performances, workshops, children’s activities and a low-sensory Zen Zone across four evenings.
Plan with the right edition
In 2026, every attendee needed a ticket, including children aged five and under who entered free.
The 2026 access plan used the Industry Car Park and Meteors Soccer Fields, with disability drop-off and accessible parking at the gardens entrance.
Council’s 2026/27 budget says LUMINOUS is moving to a biennial schedule, so do not assume it will run every July.
2026 edition: Sunday 6 September, 10am-4.30pm. Next date not announced.
The 2026 festival brought cultural performances, traditional music and dance, international food, cooking demonstrations, workshops, arts and crafts, children’s entertainment and community displays to the Marina Parklands.
Plan with the right edition
The Queensland Government listing recorded free entry with no booking required for the 2026 edition.
The organiser was Gladstone Multicultural Association Inc.
Treat the 2026 venue, times and entry details as historical until the organiser publishes another edition.
2026 edition: Saturday 5 September. A 2027 date is not announced.
The second Gladstone BBQ Festival combined barbecue competition, demonstrations, food vendors, market stalls and live music while raising money for men’s mental health.
Plan with the right edition
The 2026 edition ran at Tannum Seagulls Rugby League Club in Boyne Island.
The organiser’s site says the festival plans to return in 2027 but does not publish a date, venue or ticket release yet.
Wait for the official announcement before arranging travel or relying on the 2026 venue and prices.