One of Brisbane’s biggest celebrations of Celtic heritage is set to return this October, with organisers promising another colourful day of music, dance, tradition and family fun at the 2026 Brisbane Celtic Festival.
Hosted by the Celtic Council of Australia (Queensland) Inc., the free community festival will take place on Sunday, 11 October, from 8.45am to 3.30pm at Moorlands Park, Auchenflower, surrounding Brisbane’s unique Celtic Nations Monument.
Now firmly established as an annual fixture on Queensland’s Celtic calendar, the festival celebrates the shared heritage of the eight Celtic nations—Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, the Isle of Man, Asturias and Galicia. Since its inaugural event in 2024, the festival has continued to grow, bringing together Celtic organisations, performers and families from across south-east Queensland for a day of culture, friendship and community.
Visitors can expect a full programme of live entertainment, with traditional Irish and Scottish music, Highland and Irish dancing, and the ever-popular Massed Pipe Bands filling Moorlands Park with the unmistakable sounds of the Celtic world.
For younger visitors, the Kids Celtic Games will once again provide plenty of excitement, with children encouraged to test their skills in traditional Celtic-inspired activities while learning about the cultures of their ancestors. The festival also continues its partnership with the Australian Scottish Community Queensland, which will celebrate International Tartan Day as part of the festivities.
Festival-goers are encouraged to wear their finest tartan or Celtic dress, with prizes awarded for the Best Celtic Dressed Man, Woman, Boy and Girl. Kilts, clan tartans, Irish county colours and Celtic-inspired outfits are all expected to feature in what has become one of the festival’s most colourful traditions.
As in previous years, food vendors and Celtic-themed market stalls will offer refreshments, gifts and crafts throughout the day, while visitors are welcome to bring picnic rugs, chairs and a packed lunch to enjoy in the riverside park. Organisers also recommend hats, water and umbrellas to ensure a comfortable day outdoors.
The festival’s central location makes it one of Brisbane’s most accessible cultural events. Moorlands Park is just a short walk from Auchenflower Railway Station, several Coronation Drive bus stops and the Regatta CityCat terminal, making public transport the easiest way to attend.
The Brisbane Celtic Festival has quickly become much more than a day of entertainment. It offers an opportunity for people of Celtic heritage—and anyone with an interest in Celtic culture—to come together in celebration of traditions that have helped shape Queensland’s multicultural story. From stirring pipe band performances and traditional dancing to children’s games and colourful displays of tartan, the festival reflects the enduring pride and vibrancy of Brisbane’s Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Breton, Manx, Asturian and Galician communities.
Entry to the festival is free.
2026 Brisbane Celtic Festival
When: Sunday, 11 October 2026, 8.45am–3.30pm
Where: Moorlands Park, Auchenflower, Brisbane
Admission: Free
For more information, contact CCAQ President Mavis Williams on (07) 3849 8271.
Irish Queenslander 