From festivals and family fun days to markets, art exhibitions and outdoor challenges, there’s something happening in every corner of the region this month.
Australia’s ultimate country festival returns
Country music’s biggest names are set to descend on Willowbank Raceway from March 20-22 for CMC Rocks QLD – Australia’s largest international country music festival. This year’s blockbuster lineup features Riley Green, Old Dominion, Jordan Davis, Casey Barnes and Dee Jay Bux, plus plenty more crowd favourites. Tickets are still available, but you’ll need to be quick to secure your spot at this unforgettable three-day celebration of country music.
Cruise back in time at Ipswich’s rockabilly night
Slip on your blue suede shoes and party like it’s the 1950s at the Ipswich Rockabilly and Retro Twilight event at the Ipswich Showgrounds on March 21. The evening will feature a pin up parade, classic car show and shine, rock and roll dancing, sideshow alley with rides and games, market stalls, live entertainment, a licenced bar and food trucks.
Take on the challenge of the Ipswich Scenic 100
Jump on your bike and experience Ipswich and the Scenic Rim on two wheels during the Ipswich Scenic 100, returning on March 29. Riders can choose from four scenic routes – the mega 160km loop, 100km, 50km or 25km distances – catering to seasoned cyclists and weekend cruisers alike. Beyond the challenge and breathtaking countryside views, every kilometre ridden helps raise vital funds for the West Moreton Health Foundation.
Sip happens at new brunch club
One of the coolest clubs ever has just started up in Ipswich – The Rusty Nail Brunch Club! Held on the second Sunday of the month, the doors will open for this one-hour exclusive experience featuring sip-worthy cocktails and a brunchy buffet designed to snack, share, and soak up the good stuff. The first event will be on March 8 from 10.30am-11.30am. Bookings are required.
Big science fun for little engineers
A thrilling showdown of sparks, steel and clever engineering will be on display when robots roar into the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops on March 21-22 as part of the Queensland Science Festival 2026. Watch these machines go head-to-head in Robowars, plus find out what happens when robots and rocketry combine, meet STEM experts, enjoy hands-on activities, and grab a bite to eat from the many food trucks.
A distillery experience worth the drive
Make your next weekend outing one to savour with a visit to Sip & Banter Distillery to try one of their award-winning gins. From now until Easter, the doors will open every weekend from 12pm-5pm for tastings, signature cocktails and generous charcuterie boards. Bookings are required.
Entertainment worth leaving the couch for
A number of big names are set to light up the stages at the Ipswich Civic Centre and Studio 188 this month, making for one huge month of live entertainment! See live sets from Ben Lee and Diesel, celebrate the music of Queen and The Eagles, experience the high-energy hit Kinky Boots, and enjoy an evening with Anh Do – The Happiest Refugee.
Hidden gems await at the antique fair
If you love hunting for treasure, don’t miss the Ipswich Antique, Collectable, Record and Coin Fair at the Ipswich Showgrounds on March 21. Featuring quality antiques you won’t find anywhere else, plus vintage toys, man-cave memorabilia, uranium and coloured glass, classic vinyl records and rare old coins, you might just uncover your next prized possession.
An afternoon of Celtic cheer
Get into the St Patrick’s Day spirit with a lively afternoon of traditional and modern Irish folk music at Brothers Leagues Club on March 15. Expect a toe-tapping, sing-along performance packed with Celtic classics, rousing reels and jigs, beloved pub anthems and heartfelt ballads with Life of Reilly.
Non-stop action on the racing track
Queensland Raceway is set to come alive with excitement this month, offering racing enthusiasts the chance to hit the track to test their cars or cheer on seasoned drivers. The adrenaline-fueled lineup includes the Autumn Drift Matsuri plus the QR off road park open day for bikes, roll racing, octane burnouts, drift playtime and more!er.
Expo to awaken your senses
Immerse yourself in a day of spirituality and wellness at the annual Mind Body and Soul Expo at the Ipswich Sports Club on March 1. It’s free to enter and inside you will find tarot readers, psychic readers, holistic therapies, wellness providers, market stalls, plus more.
Trivia to test all Potterheads
If you know which spell is used to banish a boggart, or the name of the magical map that shows the entire layout of Hogwarts, you won’t want to miss out on a magical evening of Harry Potter trivia at the Hotel Commonwealth on March 18. Open to all witches, wizards, and Muggles.
Expand your mind at Trevallan
Whether you’re curious, creative or simply keen to try something new, there’s a workshop waiting for you this month at Trevallan Lifestyle Centre. Learn the ancient art of tea leaf reading with Anne from Celtic Tarot on March 15, build your own bee hotel during the hands-on Native Bees 101 Workshop on March 21, then rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit at the Mystic Garden with Dimensional Healing session on March 28.
Stock up on mystical finds
Step into a magical twilight market experience and browse the many vendors selling everything from spell books to medieval curiosities, crystals, jewellery, flower crowns, dream catchers and more at the Witches Night Market, which will be held at Goodna’s Evan Marginson Park on March 28.
Rise and rhyme at Cooneana
Get ready for a heartfelt celebration of Australian poetry at the Ipswich Historical Society’s Bush Poets Breakfast at Cooneana Heritage Centre on March 21. Hear from talented bush poets who will recite verses that capture the wit, humour and pathos of life in the Aussie bush, plus enjoy a traditional country-style breakfast, then spend the morning exploring the rest of the complex.
Step into farm life for a day
Escape the city and discover life in the country at Heritage Poultry’s Sunday Farm Day on March 29. Kids can wander through the animal nursery and feed the goats, sheep, chickens and ducks, cuddle super-soft silkies, meet puppies and spend time in the dedicated chick and duckling holding area. There’s even a baby goat playground! The farm will open from 10am-12.30pm.
Chip in for charity
Gather your mates and tee off for a good cause at the Brookwater Ambrose Golf Day for Epilepsy Queensland on March 27. Perfect for golfers of all skill levels, the day is a great way to play a round, work on your swing, and raise money for a good cause at the same time.
Saddle up for a day of fun at the Ipswich Turf Club
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of live racing, so head down to the Ipswich Turf Club on March 6, 14, 20 and 26 to hear the horses thunder down the straight, enjoy great food and drinks trackside, and soak up the lively atmosphere.
Get ready to rule K-Pop trivia
Attention parents – if the soundtrack from K-Pop Demon Hunters has become the unofficial anthem of your household, then all those repeat viewings will have prepared you for trivia, with this golden (see what I did there) opportunity happening at the Orion Hotel on March 20.
Your next movie night awaits at Limelight
From the return of Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox in Scream 7 to a live concert featuring South Korean boyband Enpyhen, plus family-friendly animated films like Goat and Hoppers, there’s something for every movie-goer to watch at Limelight Cinemas this month.
Enjoy a day of country racing
Settle in for a relaxed family day at the Marburg Trots with friendly members, a close-up view of the racing action, plus delicious food and a licenced bar. Entry is free.
Get ready to rumble at the Walloon Hotel
Expect hard-hitting matches, big personalities and night of live entertainment when Venom Pro Wrestling returns to the Walloon Hotel on March 14 for Country Clash. Whether you missed last year’s debut or have been counting down for its return, this is your chance to see some of the best wrestlers in action.
Homegrown musos to rock Ipswich once again
After a standout show at The Racehorse Hotel last year, Ipswich’s own DisKust are making a thunderous return home as part of their national tour celebrating the release of their highly anticipated EP Skin Cage. Expect them to be bigger, tighter and heavier than ever before during their March 21 show. More information here.
Creativity comes to light at the art gallery
A fresh wave of creativity is set to sweep through Ipswich Art Gallery and the adjoining Community Gallery this month, with a trio of exhibitions art lovers won’t want to miss. From March 13-22, discover the origins of dry-media screenprinting through local artist Alan Tulloch’s latest exhibition, then on March 28, Painting the Celestial – a retrospective of Ipswich painter Leonard Brown, plus the immersive, interactive Ipswich Art Gallery Kids: LightPlay experience opens.
Sip and savour new flavours at Imbibis Distillery
If you’ve ever wondered what goes into creating a truly exceptional gin or vodka, Imbibis Craft Distillery has the perfect experience for you. Their Friday Tours and Tastings offer a unique behind-the-scenes look at the art of small-batch distillation, guided by none other than Chief Distiller Jason Hannay. Tours are held every Friday from 2-3pm.
Feel the rhythm at Ipswich’s Didgeridoo Jam
Spice up your Friday nights with the free Didgeridoo and Acoustic Instruments Jam, held on the last Friday of the month at Didgeridoo Festivals head quarters in Augustine Heights. Gather around the fire pit with fellow music lovers and enjoy an open, welcoming space where all cultures and skill levels are embraced. Bring along your didgeridoo, guitar, violin or any acoustic instrument and help create a rich, collaborative soundscape that weaves together rhythm, melody and tradition.
A clucking great day at the Rosewood Showgrounds
Poultry lovers, mark your calendars! The Grandchester Poultry, Garden and Produce Market returns to the Rosewood Showgrounds on March 29. This much-loved bi-annual event is renowned for its incredible range of poultry, attracting breeders and buyers from across the region, as well as poultry supplies, plants, local produce and more.
Explore Ipswich’s local markets
From incredible handmade stalls to a whimsical fairy blowing the biggest bubbles you’ve ever seen, there’s fun for the whole family at The Handmade Expo Ipswich on March 14. Enjoy free face painting, lawn games, live music, and food trucks in the vibrant Nicholas Street Precinct.
Be sure to drop by one of Ipswich’s regular market events, where there is one every weekend! The hugely popular Springfield Markets are held on the first Sunday of the month at Robelle Domain Parklands and the third Sunday at Orion Shopping Centre. The Ripley Markets are held on the second Saturday of each month, and the Riverlink Market Zone is on the fourth Sunday or the month.
Where to stay…
Stay in the heart of town with Urban Getaway, or book a family-friendly farm stay at Pocket Retreats, or Tallavalley Farm B&B. Stay in Ipswich Central with Quest Ipswich and Oaks Ipswich Aspire Suites. Stay in Springfield at Quest Springfield and the Springfield Lakes Hotel.
For more options see our Accommodation Page.
For more ideas to help you plan your next trip to Ipswich, check out our What’s On page.
