What’s on in August: Festivals, theatre, motorsport and more!

Looking for something to do this month? Check out what's on in Ipswich this August!
28 Jul 2021
Discover Ipswich, Staff Writer

This month there’s a huge line up of entertainment from festivals to theatre shows, music and more!  See what’s on below.

Dine in a winter igloo garden

Until August 12 you can book a magical igloo dining experience.  The two-hour bookings cost $49 per person and are all inclusive including pan-fried salmon, chargrilled sliced rump, grilled satay skewers, a delightful dessert selection including caramello brownie and cheesecake and a spiked hot chocolate! 

Watch the horses race

Thursday August 5, Friday August 13 and Friday August 20 you can see live horse racing at the Ipswich Turf Club.  While you’re there book in for a meal at the new Barn Family Restaurant!

Live! At the Baptist ft Jelly Oshen

Cairns indie/bedroom-pop artist Jelly Oshen will stop by Studio 188 on August 20 on his All Alone single tour supported by singer/songwriter Tayla Young.

The 20 year old has slated his seventh single ‘All Alone’ for release on August 6, with shows in Queensland and New South Wales to celebrate. His trademark laid-back R&B-tinged indie-pop groove is on show again with this track, which Jelly describes as being about “not wanting to feel bad for liking your personal space or liking some alone time”.

Think Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars meets Frank Ocean… add a little island flava and you get Jelly Oshen.

Book now.

Book in for a Living history tour

Ipswich Cemetery

A brand new Living History Tour featuring local artists and thespians dressed as historical characters at the Ipswich Cemetery will transport you back in time.

Famous Ipswich names such as Benjamin Cribb, Col Charles George Gray and even Dr von Lossberg will regale stories of Ipswich from the early years. You will be surprised at what they get up to when nigh is near… Afterwards, join them for a meet and greet over cuppa and cakes.

The tour is being released as part of the Galvanized festival on Friday August 27 and Saturday August 28.  There are also tours on Friday September 3 and Saturday September 4.

Take a Woollen Mills walking tour

Queensland Woollen Manufacturing Company Mill (Woollen Mills)

The Woollen Mills are being opened for Galvanized – a Festival of Heritage on Saturday August 28.

Entry is free, but if you want to book a tour and learn about the site’s history, tours can be booked for $5 ($15 for families) at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.

Bookings are essential for the tours.

Attend Galvanized – A Festival of Heritage

Galvanized - A Festival of Heritage

Galvanized is the City of Ipswich’s new festival of heritage, showcasing the best heritage experiences and events Ipswich has to offer across 10 days from August 27– September 5.

Be transported back in time by visiting iconic venues and historic sites and participating in open days, walking tours, demonstrations and workshops. Experience evening concerts and after-dark events at unique locations and gain access and insight into lost arts, forgotten trades and historic places.

They invite you to experience the city like never before and to discover the rich history of Ipswich during Galvanized.

The full program of events will be released in early August.

See and participate in motor racing action at Queensland Raceway

V8 Race Experience

This August get your motors racing with the monthly Roll Racing Brisbane (August 28) and Friday Night Drift competitions (August 27).

There’s also V8 Race Experiences operating on August 28 from 7am-11.30am.  If you’re looking to book dad in for Father’s Day next month (hint hint) then ring 1800 700 348 and use the code V8 Save to get a 6 drive lap and 3 hot lap package in one of the 500hp Supercar Mustangs for $499 and save $69!

Sip ‘n’ Paint classes

SipnDip

Sip ‘n’ Dip Ipswich have two beautiful paint classes on offer this month learn to paint Jellyfish at the Goodna Art Studio on August 11 and learn to paint Sunflowers on August 25.

Art classes are also held at Jets Leagues Club and the Coffee Club at Springfield, at Marburg and Plainland creating resin boards, coasters, clocks, alcohol ink planters and more!  Click through to their website from the links above to see all the classes on offer.

Browse the markets

Pick up fresh local produce, clothing, collectables, plants, jams, honey, bric-a-brac and more at these markets:

The Ipswich Showplace Markets are held every Sunday from 6-11.30am at the Ipswich Showgrounds on Warwick Road. The markets have long been a popular destination for early risers on a weekend. Entry is a gold coin donation.

The Springfield Markets is held on the first Sunday of every month from 8am-2pm at Robelle Parklands in Springfield Central, the next one is August 1.

A brand new market, the Ipswich Twilight Market are launching on August 6 at Tulmur Place in the Nicholas Street Precinct.

The Riverlink Market Zone is held on the second Saturday of every month from 8am-1pm at Riverlink Shopping Centre, corner Downs St and The Terrace, Ipswich.  This month’s will be on August 8.

The Ripley Markets are a great way to shop and explore. This dog-friendly market is held on the second Saturday of the month from 3-8pm at Providence, Ripley Valley.  This month’s will be held on August 14.

The Handmade Expo Markets are held on the second Saturday of the month at the Nicholas Street Precinct.  This month’s is August 14.

Markets on Main St are held the third Sunday of the Month from 9am-4pm at Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre.  The next will be August 15.

See a show at the Ipswich Civic Centre

This month offers a huge array of entertainment at the Ipswich Civic Centre starting with Beautiful Noise – The Life and the Music of Neil Diamond on August 6.

Then August 7 see The AC DC story.  You Got It! A Salute to Roy Orbison hits the stage August 13.

Dreams – Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks Tribute Show is being held on August 20, comedy show Crazy Rich Ethnics on August 22, kids production Pete the Sheep on August 23, Herman’s Hermits on August 26 and a one-woman show Weathering Well – featuring ABC’s Jenny Woodward premieres on August 28.

Tours, exhibitions, classes and more at The Workshops Rail Museum

This month The Workshops Rail Museum is showcasing Ipswich’s iconic heritage buildings in miniature, hand-built by the team at Ipswich Mini Crafters.  You can also see historical photographs from the Picture Ipswich Collection.  Ipswich in Miniature runs from Saturday August 28 until Sunday October 17.

This month will also see the first of two Museum Torchlight Tours.  These tours will be held under the cover of darkness exploring the museum’s darker side.  Hear stories from past workers, anecdotes an histories brought to life.  A small bar will be open and wine and cheese boards are available to purchase!  The first tour is Friday August 27 from 6pm-9pm, the next is September 3.  Numbers are capped at 20 and children aged 12 and over are welcome to attend.

Then on August 28 and 29 book in for a one day Steampunk Jewellery Workshop.  The workshops run from 9am-4pm and teach you to make a fabric steampunk bracelet watch and set of earrings.

Take a history lesson at Cooneana

Back in time family fun day at Cooneana

This month at Cooneana Heritage Centre you can book in for a heritage bus tour, a family fun day and a blacksmithing class!

The Heritage Bus Tour will be held on August 29 from 10am to 12pm taking people around the historic Blackstone area.  You will learn about Ipswich’s coal king and the Welsh that settled the area.  Also on august 29 the Back in Time Family Fun Day will be running from 9am-2pm.  See how damper is made, how clothes used to be washed and blacksmiths at work!

On Monday August 30, Tuesday August 31 and Wednesday September 1, the Ipswich Historical Society Blacksmiths and the Queensland Metal Artisans Collective will be working their forges after dark at Cooneana.  See them Blacksmithing After Dark from 6pm-8pm with displays and demonstrations.  Jacket potatoes and drinks will be available to purchase.  Suitable for children aged 12 and over.

Discover Ipswich Staff Writer
Rocky the Rock Wallaby is a Sagittarius who lives at the Ipswich Nature Centre and often contributes to Discover Ipswich in his spare time. When he's not busy showing tourists around, blogging or hanging out with his cute and fluffy mates at the Nature Centre, he likes to hit the gym for a leg session, graze on quinoa salad and ponder the possibilities of the universe.

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