By Ashleigh Howarth

From adrenaline-pumping outdoor adventures and sporting challenges to live music, comedy, theatre, agricultural shows, racing events, markets, trivia, wellness experiences, blockbuster movies and more, Ipswich is bursting with excitement for people of all ages this May.

Image: Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway.

Planes, Trains and Autos roars into Ipswich

If you love aviation, rail, cars or bikes, don’t miss Ipswich’s biggest power-packed weekend - Planes, Trains and Autos. Running from May 2-4, this action-packed event features a huge line-up the whole family will enjoy, from thrilling aerobatics at Fully Charged and high-octane racing at 2 Days of Thunder, to Diesel Assault and even V8 race experiences at Queensland Raceway. Families can get hands-on at the Monster Machine Day, enjoy a Retro Picnic with classic cars and dancing, ride the heritage QPSR Swanbank Collier, explore miniature steam engines at Grandchester, or catch the imaginative show, Flight!

Family fun awaits at the Ipswich Show

Roll up, roll up - the beloved Ipswich Show is back at the showgrounds from May 15-17, bringing three big days of fun. From thrilling rides and carnival games to showbags, farm animals, and those iconic freshly battered Dagwood Dogs, there’s something for everyone. Add in lots of live entertainment, interactive kids’ shows, woodchopping competitions, vintage machinery displays, Brute Ute displays, delicious food trucks, and dazzling firework displays, you’ve got a weekend the whole family will remember.

Get a taste of country life at the Marburg Show

Show season is in full swing across Queensland, with the Marburg Show also scheduled for this month. Held on May 9 at the Marburg Showgrounds, highlights include amusement rides, showbags, a Ute muster, show jumping, LEGO displays, plus lots of prize-winning farm animals.

Rainbow colours to rain down on Ipswich

A rainbow explosion is set to hit Limestone Park on May 31 with the hugely popular Colour Frenzy Fun Run returning to Ipswich! Not only will you get covered in coloured powder at the five stations, but there will also be a bubble station, different obstacles to navigate, as well as an inflatable crawl station!

Big laughs and brilliant live acts take to the stage

Comedy chaos, live music, and a touch of the unexpected are all on the cards this month at the Ipswich Civic Centre and Studio 188, making for a big month of entertainment! One of the headline acts is renowned British comedian Ross Noble, who brings his latest show Cranium of Curiosities 2026 to the stage on May 28. Known for his wildly improvisational and delightfully surreal style, no two performances are ever the same. Tickets are also available for a Johhny Cash musical tribute show, The Hillbilly Goats Show, Nostalgia and Nonsense, The Spooky Men’s Chorale, and Stitch in the ‘Swich.

Grit meets glory at Ivory’s Rock

Some of the world’s toughest athletes are heading to Ivory’s Rock for the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) Community World Championships on May 21-22, but the challenge isn’t just for them. From explosive 80m sprints to gruelling 15km endurance tests, this fast-paced event also invites local to step up and race alongside the elite. With four formats on offer, including a 3km championship and a high-energy 6km relay, there’s a course for every level of ambition.

Test your limits at the Spartan Trifecta Weekend

Get ready to channel your inner warrior because the Spartan Trifecta Weekend is back at Ivory’s Rock on May 23-24. There will be plenty of mud, sweat and epic obstacles to overcome on each course (5km, 10km or 21km), and there’s even a Spartan Kids race with specially designed trails and obstacles to challenge 4-14-year-olds, meaning everyone in the family can take part!

Conquer the Hidden Vale running trails

If your idea of fun is exercising and getting out in nature, The Hidden Vale Trail Running Festival on May 3 is one workout you won’t want to miss! Set in the beautiful Grandchester countryside, the festival offers different courses (11km, 25km and 47km), catering for both first-time trail runners and experienced athletes. Each route showcases the region’s striking natural terrain, making every step as rewarding as it is challenging.

Test your ride at Powercruise

Queensland Raceway is set to shake on May 9 as hundreds of street cars roll in for Powerplay #54 – also known as Australia’s favourite cruising car show! Rev heads will love the chance to push their rides to the limit with powerskids, drifting, off-street racing, burnouts, dyno shootouts, the half-hour of power, and sound-off competitions - all guaranteed to get everyone’s motor running. But there’s more to see off the track with a Show n Shine, the crowning of Miss Powercruise, trade stalls, food trucks and live entertainment.

Trackside fun at the Ipswich Turf Club

Free rides, hobby horse races and a DJ spinning tunes trackside are just a few of the activities on offer at the free family race day at the Ipswich Turf Club on May 4, making for a fun outing on the Labour Day Public Holiday. If you would like to try your luck again, more race days will be held from 12pm-5pm on May 9, 13, 20 and 30.

Make Mother’s Day unforgettable with these dining experiences

Treat the special women in your life this Mother’s Day by celebrating with a memorable dining experience. It’s the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation, and plenty of local venues are ready to make the day effortless and enjoyable. From a sweet and savoury brunch boards at The Rusty Nail to breakfast at Brothers Leagues Club, buffets at the Orion Hotel or Club Services Ipswich, a four-course lunch at Homage, or a long table lunch at The Barn - there’s something to make every mum feel truly special.

Treat mum with a trip to The Handmade Expo

If your mum, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunty, carer, or any other special woman in your life love shopping at markets, The Handmade Expo’s Mega Mother’s Day event on May 9 is sure to wow them. Held at the Nicholas Street Precinct, there will be an abundance of local stalls to browse as well as a roaming bubble fairy, free face painting for the kids, lawn games, live music, food trucks and plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic.

Let your imagination shine at LightPlay

Step into the dazzling world of LightPlay, where imagination runs wild and curiosity sparks ideas into life. Now open at the Ipswich Art Gallery, this vibrant exhibition invites visitors to explore kaleidoscopic patterns, experiment with luminous construction, and investigate light through interactive boxes and projectors. You can even use your body to paint with light.

Put your thinking cap on for trivia

If you have binge watched the tv show Dexter multiple times, this is the trivia event for you! Featuring questions from the show’s run, the Dexter trivia night at the Orion Hotel on May 22 will have you reminiscing about the show’s best bits while challenging your friends for those all-important bragging rights!

Realign your mind, body and spirit at Trevallan

Looking to refresh your energy, gain intuitive insights, or simply find a moment of mindful balance? Travellan Lifestyle Centre offers a range of transformative experiences designed to realign your body, mind, and spirit such as tarot card readings plus different healing experiences like chakra balancing and Reiki.

Raise a glass to Queensland’s top flavours at Imbibis

Inspired by Queensland’s vibrant landscapes, local flavours, and unique flora, Imbibis Craft Distillery creates bespoke artisan spirits that capture the essence of the Sunshine State. Keen to taste for yourself? Chief distiller Jasan Hannay opens the cellar doors every Friday, offering guided tastings and behind-the-scenes tours that reveal the magic of small-batch distillation. From award-winning favourites to seasonal creations, it’s a hands-on experience for anyone curious about craft spirits.

Browse the many markets across the region

There’s something special about a market day in Ipswich where handcrafted goods, fresh local produce and bargain buys come together in a lively community atmosphere. The Springfield Markets pop up at Robelle Domain Parklands on the first Sunday of each month from 8am-1pm and again at the Orion Shopping Centre on the third Sunday from 9am-4pm. The Ripley Markets bring a twilight vibe to Providence on the second Saturday of each month from 3pm- 8pm, while the Riverlink Market Zone takes over the East Mall on the fourth Sunday from 8.30am-3pm. Wherever you go, don’t forget your reusable bags - there’s always something worth taking home.

Admire classic cars at this free car show

If you love muscle cars and motorbikes, there will be plenty of wheels for car enthusiasts to admire at the Muscle in Maculata Car Show on May 31. Hosted by the Riverview Neighbourhood Watch, the day will also feature a DJ, free rides, petting zoo, market stalls and a selection of food vans and trucks. All the fun will be held at Maculata Park on Mitchell Street in Riverview from 10am-2pm. It’s also free to enter your ride for others to gawk at.

A mix of nostalgia and new releases at Limelight Cinemas

Do you remember the first time you saw Top Gun at the movies? Well, it’s been 40 years since the movie was first released and to celebrate, Limelight Cinemas will be hosting a special screening of the hit movie on May 13. There will of course be a number of other great (and new) movies to entertain you throughout the month including the return of Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada 2, Hugh Jackman’s newest flick The Sheep Detectives, or you can kick back and relax with the next instalment of the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Treat yourself to a bespoke picnic

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to host a special occasion or just wanting to elevate your picnic game, why not treat yourself with a bespoke picnic inside the beautiful grounds of the Old Church in Marburg with The Soul Nook Collective. Picnics are available Monday to Saturday, with the option to choose from a simple picnic rug set up under the trees to full glam with beautiful bell tents and luxurious marquees.

For more ideas to help you plan your next trip to Ipswich, log onto www.discoveripswich.com.au

This blog was written for Discover Ipswich, with images courtesy of Discover Ipswich, local businesses and tourism operators.

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What’s on: 20 unmissable things to do in Ipswich this May