For decades the Childers Festival has been lighting up the town with culture, colour, and community spirit and each year it brings something new to love.
From Thursday through to Saturday, Childers comes alive with pop-up performances, local flavours, street-side surprises and community magic tucked into every corner.
It’s the perfect lead-up to the main Festival Day on Sunday – when the highway shuts down and the town transforms into a vibrant festival playground filled with food, fun, live music and festivities for all ages!
For decades the Childers Festival has been lighting up the town with culture, colour, and community spirit and each year it brings something new to love.
From Thursday through to Saturday, Childers comes alive with pop-up performances, local flavours, street-side surprises and community magic tucked into every corner.
It’s the perfect lead-up to the main Festival Day on Sunday – when the highway shuts down and the town transforms into a vibrant festival playground filled with food, fun, live music and festivities for all ages!
Festival Day
On Sunday, the heart of Childers is transformed into an action-packed hub of live music, vibrant markets, and unforgettable festival fun!
With over 300 stallholders, you can explore an incredible variety of vintage treasures, local produce, handmade crafts and delicious street food, all while soaking in the festive atmosphere.
Across multiple stages, you’ll find a dynamic mix of live music, dazzling dance performances, lively street entertainers and carnival rides for all ages.
Join us in the heart of Childers for the main Festival Day on Sunday. It’s the highlight of the weekend and a celebration you won’t want to miss.
Ready for more details? Check out our Festival FAQs.
Sunday 26 July
9 am - 3 pm
Childers, Queensland
FREE ENTRY
Crescent St presents:
Childers Festival's 30th Birthday Street Party
Get ready to celebrate 30 years of the Childers Festival!
Join us for a milestone celebration bursting with colour, music and birthday fun as Crescent Street transforms into one big street party! Headlining the festivities is Sneaky Sound System bringing their signature high-energy performance to the stage, alongside Raw Ordio and the always-entertaining Hot Potato Band.
Enjoy a packed program of birthday-themed fun including dance workshops, lively birthday games, roving magic and stage shows plus roaming performers bringing surprises around every corner. Be dazzled by bubble artists drifting through the crowd and add some sparkle at the roving glitter stations.
With non stop entertainment, great food, and a vibrant party atmosphere this is the ultimate way to mark 30 years of festival spirit in Childers. Bring your friends and family and help us celebrate this unforgettable birthday bash on Crescent Street!
Saturday 25 July
2 - 8 pm
Crescent Street, Childers
FREE ENTRY
Opera by
the Lake
Lake Redbrook once again becomes the backdrop for one of the Childers Festival’s most beloved experiences.
This year’s concert features acclaimed soprano Suellen Cusack joined by the sensational Divina Trio a Brisbane-based operatic ensemble known for their bold, modern approach to classical performance.
Together with Suellen Cusack’s expressive soprano and commanding stage presence the program brings a mix of solo, duet, and ensemble works that span opera, musical theatre and crossover favourites. Expect soaring melodies, powerful harmonies, and moments of genuine connection between artists and audience.
Set outdoors on the banks of Lake Redbrook, the performance is accompanied by piano and string arrangements, inviting guests to bring a picnic, settle in, and enjoy world-class music in a relaxed, scenic setting.
As a signature event of the Childers Festival, Opera by the Lake continues to grow as a unique blend of culture, performance, and community celebration.
Saturday 25 July
2 - 4 pm
Lake Redbrook Holiday Retreat, Childers
Tickets: $65
Sugar Mill + Cane Fire Tours
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the fascinating process of sugar cane production on this engaging and informative tour.
See how sugar cane is harvested and transported to the sugar mill.
Patrons will meet the tour bus at the Isis Golf Club for a tour of the local cane fields and district. Witness the rare event (now that cane is mostly green-cut) of a cane fire and be walked through the processes of turning a stick of cane to sugar granules.
On completion of this tour you will be taken back to the Golf Club to enjoy a home-style BBQ meal provided by the Rotary Club of Childers.
Thursday 23 July + Friday 24 July
4 - 9 pm
Tour begins at Isis Golf Club
Tickets: Adult $55 | Child (12-17) $30
Not suitable for children under 12 years
Tours + activities
Historic Bus Tour
Step aboard for a journey through time with local storyteller Warren Martin, whose family ties to Childers span four generations.
This immersive bus tour uncovers the layers of history that lie beyond the town’s well-known streets, bringing to life the people, places and moments that have defined the community. Across 90 minutes, you’ll explore the stories of the land’s traditional custodians, the rise and fall of the Isis Scrub timber industry, and the evolution of farming and pastoral life.
Along the route, discover heritage landmarks, pivotal events, and the colourful characters who helped shape Childers into what it is today. Ideal for both newcomers and long-time locals, the tour departs and finishes at the Isis District War Memorial Precinct, where you’ll also gain access to the remarkable Soldiers Memorial Room.
Saturday 25 July
11 am - 12.30 pm
Childers and surrounds
Tickets: $15
Arts in the Park
Hosted by the Childers Visual Art Group, Arts in the Park will be held at Millennium Park and promises a vibrant day of creativity and community.
The event will offer hands-on activities for children, live artist demonstrations, and a diverse selection of artworks available for purchase.
Celebrating a wide range of artistic styles and mediums, the day is designed to be enjoyed by all ages, with a strong focus on family-friendly experiences and opportunities for the public to get involved in creative pursuits alongside local artists.
Saturday 25 July
10 am - 2.30 pm
Millennium Park, Crescent Street
FREE EVENT
Picnic in the Vines
Escape to Vintner’s Secret Vineyard for a relaxed day outdoors, where vineyard views, good company and easy-going atmosphere set the pace.
Spread out beneath the orchard trees, settle at a picnic table, or find a quiet corner on the viewing deck overlooking the vines.
This year’s experience is accompanied by the captivating sounds of a live flamenco guitarist Al Davies adding a vibrant, soulful layer to the relaxed vineyard setting.
The vineyard is dog-friendly and designed for a casual, open-air experience with shaded areas, seating and plenty of space to unwind. Guests may also bring their own picnic rug. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are available for purchase onsite, and please note the venue is licensed, no BYO alcohol is permitted.
Lawn games, scenic surrounds, and live flamenco music create a slow, easy rhythm for the day, whether you stay for a short visit or make an afternoon of it.
Friday 24 July
11 am - 2 pm
Vintner’s Secret Vineyard
Tickets: Adult $20 | Child (4-12) $10
Children under 3 free | Picnic Hamper $70
Hill of Promise Long Table Dinner
Join Terrance, Mary and the winemaking team at Hill of Promise Winery for a long table dinner in the winery.
Savour the region’s finest seasonal produce renowned for its fresh fruit and vegetables. Perfectly paired with the winery’s award winning preservative-free wines and fortifieds.
All enjoyed in the unique atmosphere of a working winery, offering an immersive experience like no other. Terrance, the grandson of Sicilian migrants who settled in the Isis district in the early 1900’s takes great pride in both his heritage and his craft.
Thursday 23 July
6.30 - 9.30 pm
Hill of Promise Winery
Tickets: $80
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