What’s on: Unmissable events in Ipswich this November

Your guide to what's on this November in Ipswich!
05 Nov 2021
Discover Ipswich, Staff Writer

From food festivals to record fairs, dance parties, stand-up comedy, live gigs, movies under the stars, V8 driving experiences and even an exciting real life spy exhibition, there is plenty to see and do in Ipswich this month.

So jump in the car and take the short drive out to Ipswich because there are plenty of events for people of all ages to enjoy.

Feel the heat at the Ipswich Chilli Festival

Enjoy a tantalising array of exhibitor stalls featuring everything from chilli fudge to chilli sauce, as well as cheer on the competitors vying for the crown in the four chilli-food eating competitions on centre stage at the upcoming Chilli Festival, which will be held at the Ipswich Showgrounds on Saturday, November 27 from 3-10pm.

The day will also feature live music by Missy Vader Duo and Sean Mullen Guitar, dance performances by local ethnic groups, car and motorbike displays, a jumping castle for the kids and much more.  

Ipswich Record Fair

Old suitcase, vinyl records, market

Lovers of vinyl, this event is for you! The Ipswich Record Fair will be held at the North Ipswich Bowls Club on Saturday, November 13 from 9am-2pm. There will be thousands of records of all your favourite artists and bands to look through.

Learn some useful spy skills at The Workshops Rail Museum

Spy Espionage has opened at The Workshops Rail Museum

A new exhibition has opened at The Workshops Rail Museum titled Spy: Espionage in Australia. This exhibition reveals the personal experiences of secret agents and the curious history of espionage and counter-espionage in Australia, from Federation through to the present day.

Visitors will also get the chance to see genuine spy equipment, surveillance images and candid interviews with ASIO officers, play the part of a secret agent in the interactive family trail, and test their skills at codebreaking and reading invisible ink. The exhibition is on from now until February 6, 2022.

Christmas Providore Market

Ripley Christmas Market

Regional artisans and producers will gather at the Ripley Town Centre from 8am-1pm on Sunday, November 28 for the Christmas Providore Market. Enjoy the best in local food, plants, arts, crafts, gifts and more! There will also be free face painting and balloon twisting for the kids, live music plus a special visit from Santa.

Sit down comedy show and dinner

Head to CSI Club Services Ipswich on Sunday, November 21 from 6-10pm for a night of entertainment with Emma Zammit and Lindsay Webb and a two-course dinner. Tickets are $49.90 per person. Click here to book.

Enjoy the heavenly sounds of the Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choirs

The Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choir, the Cambrian Youth Choir, guest orchestra and tenor soloist Gregory Massingham will be performing their new show titled For all the Saints at St Paul’s Anglican Church on Saturday, November 20 at 2.30pm. Follow the choir on Facebook for more information.

Watch a Hollywood blockbuster on the big screen

Pile the family into the car with plenty of snacks and enjoy a Hollywood blockbuster on the big screen at the Tivoli Drive-In. Movies screening this month include Paw Patrol: The Movie, The adventures of Tintin, The Angry Birds Movie, Eighth Grade, Frenemies, Ron’s Gone Wrong and Real Steal.

Find the perfect gift at the Christmas Artisan Market

Are you wanting to buy something truly unique for that special someone? Head down to the Ipswich Community Gallery over four big days from Thursday, November 18 to Sunday, November 21 for the All the Best for Christmas Artisan Market, presented by the Ipswich Art Gallery. Like Ipswich Art Gallery on Facebook for more information.

Live out your racing fantasy

If you have ever dreamt of being crowned Australia’s next racing car champion, head down to Queensland Raceway in Willowbank where you can live out your fantasy by taking a spin in a real V8 racecar.  Your next opportunity to be the next Craig Lowndes or Mark Winterbottom will be on November 7 and then again on November 28 at the raceway. Drivers will take to the track at various times between 7-11.30am. More information on the V8 Race Experience can be found here.

Discover Ipswich’s rich locomotive history

Family members both young and old will enjoy a trip to The Workshops Rail Museum in North Ipswich, where you can learn more about the railway and tour the 15 exhibitions currently on display.

Choose from Diesel Revolution, Might and Muscle, the Model Railway, Nippers Railway, Sciencentre and more. The Workshops Rail Museum is open 9.30am-4pm daily. Entry is $14.50 for adults, $12.50 for concession, $11.50 for children aged 3-15, and free for children under the age of three.

Three big acts to headline at the Ipswich Civic Centre

It’s a big month of entertainment at the Ipswich Civic Centre this month, with three shows on the books featuring tribute shows, funny theatre events and even an appearance of a well-known comedian. If you’re looking for a great night out, why not book tickets to see:

The Best of the Bee Gees with Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen – Saturday, November 6 at 8pm. Tickets are $79 each.

ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell – Tuesday, November 9 at 7.30pm. Tickets are $35 each.

Arj Barker Comes Clean – Friday, November 12 at 8pm. Tickets are $55 each.

Fossick through the many markets across the city

Markets are a great way to pick up fresh local produce, as well as clothing, collectables, plants, jams, honey, bric-a-brac and more. Whatever you feel like filling up your goodie bag with, you are sure to find what you are looking for at these markets:

The Springfield Markets is held on the first Sunday of every month from 8am-1pm at Robelle Parklands in Springfield Central, and the third Sunday of the Month from 9am-4pm at Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre.

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.

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.

My Local Market is held on the first Sunday of the month on Parkland Drive, Walloon, from 8-11am.

The Riverlink Market Zone is held on the fourth Saturday of every month from 8.30am-3pm at Riverlink Shopping Centre, corner Downs St and The Terrace, Ipswich.

The Handmade Expo Markets are held on the second Saturday of the month at the Nicholas Street Precinct.

The Ipswich Twilight Markets will be held on Friday, November 5 from 3-8pm.

Enjoy a day trackside at the Ipswich Turf Club

Grab your friends and head to the Ipswich Turf Club for four big days of racing fun this November. Events include a fundraising day for Crime Stoppers on Thursday, November 4, as well as regular racing events on November 10, 19 and 27.

Listen to up-and-coming artists at Ipswich’s Studio 188

The hugely popular Live at the Baptist! music series will be returning to Studio 188 this month and is set to feature two shows. The first show will feature artists Beckah Amani and Tyla Jane on Saturday, November 20, followed by performances from Jelly Oshen and Tayla Young on Friday, November 26. More information can be found on the Studio 188 website

Test out your drifting skills in a safe environment

Drift Matsuri at Queensland Raceways

Racing enthusiasts of all ages are encouraged to head down to Queensland Raceway on Friday, November 26 to attend Friday Night Drift Night.

Drivers can test their driving skills and the performance of their car on the track, with two drift circuits running simultaneously, as well as the skid pan next to the control tower. All the fun is held from 6-10pm.

Explore the Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre

Plane and military enthusiasts can head down to the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre to see a number of military aircraft up close, including the beloved F-111 at an upcoming open day on Sunday, November 21 from 9am-3pm.

As the heritage centre is located on an active military base, visitors must fill out a form with all their details prior to the open day for security reasons. More information, including the form, can be found here.

Grab the gang for an evening of sipping and dipping

SipnDip

Making crafts while enjoying a drink (or two) has quickly become a popular way to spend an evening, and lucky for us, Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia have plenty of events happening in and around Ipswich for you to participate in. Why not try your hand at making your own resin water glass, an alcoholic ink tray or paint a Christmas elf. Like Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia on Facebook for a full list of events. 

Put the pedal to the metal

Roll Racing is all about taking the racing off the streets and onto the circuit where you can’t get in trouble.

Organisers have designed this event to give you as much track time as possible and they strictly limit numbers to make sure you get value for money as an entrant. Head to Queensland Raceway on Saturday, November 20, where Roll Racing will be held from 4-10pm.

Feed adorable baby goats every Sunday

Naughty Little Kids - by Denise Cullen

Pat and feed the baby goats, watch a cheese making demonstration and taste some of the farm’s gelato and cheese when you visit Naughty Little Kids in Peak Crossing. The farm welcomes visitors for tours every Sunday afternoon. Gates open at 12.40pm and farm tours run at 1:05pm, 2:15pm, and 3:25pm. They go for around an hour and are a fantastic family event for all ages. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Visit a working camel farm

Summer Land Camels dairy pack

Located just a short drive from Ipswich is the Summer Land Camel Farm in Harrisville, where you can tour the farm, ride and feed the camels, taste test camel milk products and browse their shop which is stocked with beauty products and more. The farm is open every day from 9am-3pm and it is free to attend. 

Sunday November 6 the farm is hosting their Christmas Markets with Scenic Rim producers and businesses as well as live entertainment and an appearance by Santa.

Saturday November 27 enjoy Sunset Cocktails with the Camels.  Take in the stunning view with a glass in hand and enjoy a delicious grazing platter showcasing their award-winning cheeses. 

 

Hear spine-chilling stories about Ipswich’s resident ghosts

Ipswich Cemetery Ghost Tour

Are you brave enough to walk through a cemetery at night? Join renowned historian and ghost hunter Jack Sim on one of his many haunted ghost tours across the city. Guests can choose to visit the Ipswich Cemetery, Goodna Cemetery or join a night time walking tour through the Ipswich CBD. To book, see Ghost Tours Australia. 

Put on your detective hat and hunt for clues

Seraphim Escape

Do you consider yourself quite the detective? Put your skills to the test by booking an adventure at Seraphim Escape Rooms in Ipswich, where you have to beat the clock to open the lock.

Journey back in time with the Ipswich Historical Society

Join other history buffs and take a journey on a bus from the 1960s as you are chauffeured around the historic Blackstone area.

The Heritage Bus leaves Cooneana Heritage Centre at approximately 10am, with the tour taking two hours. The next tour will be held on Sunday, November 14.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children occupying a seat.

Tickets include entry to the Cooneana Heritage Centre after the tour. Bookings are essential, and can be made here.  If you wish to see the many exhibits and memorabilia on display, you can head to the Cooneana Heritage Centre on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm, as well as the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 10am-2pm from now until November. Find them at 1041 Redbank Plains Road, New Chum.

Jam along to live music at Banshees Bar and Artspace

valtozash band

There will be lots of music, dancing and singing at Banshees Bar and Artspace this month, with the venue hosting an array of live gigs this month including BUTOH (yoga and creative movement), a banjo workshop and an appearance by the band Valtozash for their album launch tour. 

Admire classic cars at Cardi Gras

If you’re a car aficionado, head down to Riverlink Shopping Centre on the first Saturday of every month from 4-8pm for Cardi Gras. Car owners will proudly be showing off their wheels, and there will also be fun games and competitions.

Enjoy a ride on a historic steam train

QPSR train rides are a hit with the little ones!

The Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway will be taking its steam engine for a run throughout Ipswich on Sunday, November 14 and 21. Tickets are $24 for adults and $13 for concession and children.

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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