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Events, exhibitions and markets · 2026

What’s on in Hervey Bay: 2026 events and planning calendar

Find Hervey Bay events, exhibitions and markets, with upcoming 2026 dates, venue details and direct links to the organisers.

Updated 28 September 2026 9 min read Editorial method Report a change
Humpback whale flippers and flukes near K’gari
Photo: denisbin from Adelaide, Australia · CC0
On this page 9 sections

Find your next day out

Events worth adding to your visit

  • Art: see Sound-Forms: Whale Song at the Regional Gallery.
  • A coastal view: take a ride on the seasonal Skyline Ferris Wheel.
  • School holidays: check the live Hervey Bay Library programme for free family sessions and booked teen workshops.
  • 13–15 December: the verified Tackers 1 sailing course is open to water-confident children aged 7–12, with registration listed to close on 6 December.
  • October and November: plan for free Council events, Seniors Month dates and the Lines in the Sand festival.
  • 17 October: book an A3 acrylic Painting Pelicans workshop in Maryborough.
  • A market morning: check the recurring Pier and Nikenbah market schedules below.

Choose a date below, then confirm opening times and any tickets with the organiser. For more dates, browse the Council’s current calendar.

Seasonal attractions and exhibitions

These seasonal attractions and exhibitions continue beyond a single day. Check your chosen date before setting out.

29 August–4 October 2026 · Free

Sound-Forms: Whale Song

Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, Pialba

See how artist Sammy Hawker explores humpback whale recordings through visual art. A relaxed indoor stop to pair with a Pialba day.

Exhibition details and gallery hours →

Dates and venue checked 5 September 2026.

19 June–11 October 2026 · Ticketed

Skyline Ferris Wheel

426 Esplanade, Torquay

Enjoy a different view of the bay from the seasonal Ferris wheel. Operation depends on the weather; check the current hours before you go.

Hours and visitor information → · Dates and tickets

Operator and ticket listing checked 5 September 2026.

Until 31 December 2026 · Free · No booking

Scribbly-Doodah Kids at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery

166 Old Maryborough Road, Pialba

Families can use the gallery’s self-guided art activities during opening hours. The gallery lists Tuesday–Friday 10 am–4 pm and weekends 10 am–2 pm, and is closed Mondays.

Activity details → · Check current gallery hours

Programme and opening hours checked 25 September 2026. Confirm public-holiday hours before travelling.

Upcoming event dates

Listed in date order. Check each organiser for available places before you travel.

21 September–2 October 2026 · Free sessions

Hervey Bay Library school-holiday activities

Hervey Bay Library, 23 Main Street, Pialba

The current programme includes free family performances and Youth Creators workshops for ages 12–17. Some activities are drop-in and others require booking, so check the live listing for each session.

School-holiday programme → · Youth Creators dates and bookings

Library programme checked 25 September 2026. Check the live listing for session availability and any age, supervision or access requirements before setting out.

29 September–3 October 2026 · 10 am–2 pm daily · Free

Treat Town school-holiday decorating

Outside Kmart, Stockland Hervey Bay

Drop in for biscuit decorating on Tuesday, cupcakes on Wednesday, donuts on Thursday, marshmallow sandwiches on Friday and pikelet faces on Saturday. Stockland says no booking is needed, with space for up to 120 children per day. A parent or guardian must stay and supervise.

Have a backup activity if capacity is reached; ask the centre about ingredients if allergies affect your visit.

Check the activity and conditions →

Centre programme checked 28 September 2026.

Friday 2 October 2026 · 9 am–2 pm · Free

Over 50s Lifestyle Expo

Hervey Bay Baptist Church Hall, 20 Nikenbah–Dundowran Road

Part of Seniors Month. Council advertises free door-to-door transport by prior booking; confirm eligibility and availability directly. This transport offer does not establish full venue accessibility.

Expo details and transport →

Council listing checked 16 September 2026.

Tuesday 6 October 2026 · 11 am–1 pm · Free

Mayor’s Picnic

Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum, 13 Zephyr Street, Scarness

A Seniors Month event. Check the Council listing for current arrangements before travelling.

Picnic details → · Seniors Month programme

Council listing checked 16 September 2026.

Friday 9 October 2026 · 4–9 pm · Free

Food n Groove Fridays — Get Ready Hervey Bay

Seafront Oval, Pialba

A free evening of live music, street food, market stalls and emergency-service displays. Council says under-18s must attend with a parent or guardian, assistance animals only are permitted, and BYO alcohol is not allowed.

Current Council date and visitor details →

Latest Council announcement checked 16 September 2026. An older destination listing shows a different date, so use the linked Council announcement and recheck before travelling.

Saturday 17 October 2026 · 10 am–4 pm · A$80

Painting Pelicans workshop

Kent Street Studio, 345 Kent Street, Maryborough

Create an A3 acrylic pelican painting in a guided workshop with artist Lee-Ann Handley. The studio lists all materials and refreshments as included, with an individual table and easel in an air-conditioned workshop.

Workshop details and booking →

Details checked 8 September 2026. The booking page does not state age or skill requirements, physical access, capacity or cancellation terms; ask the studio about anything you need before paying.

13–15 November 2026 · Free · Bookings required

Lines in the Sand Festival

Hervey Bay Library and Maryborough Library

A three-day literary programme with author talks, workshops and creative activities for different ages. The Hervey Bay opening showcase is listed for Friday 13 November, 5–7 pm, at Hervey Bay Library, 23 Main Street, Pialba.

Live programme and bookings → · Hervey Bay opening showcase

Council announcement and library programme checked 16 September 2026. Choose and book individual sessions through the live programme.

20–22 November 2026

Hundy Festival and Hervey Bay 100

Scarness foreshore and the Esplanade

A weekend of endurance sport, with the Hervey Bay 100 scheduled for Sunday 22 November. Spectators and competitors should check the programme and road changes before travelling.

Festival programme → · Hervey Bay 100 details

Programme and main race date checked 5 September 2026.

Saturday 28 November 2026 · 6 pm · A$59 · 18+

90s and 00s singalong paint-and-sip

Hervey Bay Hotel, 249 Charlton Esplanade, Pialba

Paint Juicy lists a guided paint-and-sip session with singalong music, starting at 6 pm and running for up to three hours. Tickets are sold online; the organiser says the event is for adults and does not allow BYO drinks.

Event details and tickets →

Organiser and venue pages checked 18 September 2026. Confirm availability, arrival instructions and venue access before paying.

Saturday 12 December 2026 · 7 am–noon

Burrum Heads Community Markets

Neighbourhood Centre, Unit 3–4 Ivor Drive, Burrum Heads

The next published quarterly market after September. Confirm the current stall and visitor arrangements with the organiser.

December market details →

Schedule checked 5 September 2026.

13–15 December 2026 · A$495 · Register by 6 December

Tackers 1 school-holiday sailing camp

Maryborough Sailing Club, 677 Esplanade, Scarness

Fraser Coast Sailing Academy lists a three-day introductory course for children aged 7–12 who are confident in the water. No prior sailing experience is required, and boats, lifejackets and safety equipment are supplied. A$200 Play On Sports Vouchers are accepted as part payment.

Course details → · Registration

Course and registration pages checked 25 September 2026. Registration is listed to close at 11 pm on 6 December, and places may fill earlier. Inclement-weather backup dates are 17–18 December. Confirm availability, the final amount payable and individual access needs before paying.

Taking part in Barge2Beach on 21 November? The organiser’s race and festival pages show different check-in and start times. Confirm your final race instructions with the organiser.

Regular markets and more local events

Markets at the Pier

The organiser publishes Wednesday and Saturday markets from 7 am to 12.30 pm at Pier Park, Pilot Street, Urangan. Pair a browse with the pier and a nearby café. Check the current market notice before travelling, especially in unsettled weather. Schedule last checked 31 August 2026.

Nikenbah Markets

The official public page lists the first, third and fifth Sunday of the month at 14 Nikenbah–Dundowran Road. Check the organiser’s current date and trading time; a fifth Sunday occurs only in some months. Schedule last checked 20 August 2026.

For community events, workshops and newly announced dates, search the Fraser Coast Council calendar.

Make a day or weekend of it

For Seafront Oval events, look at Pialba; for the Hundy Festival, consider Scarness. Stay near the venue if early starts or road closures affect your plans.

Find somewhere to eat nearby and allow time between the event and any fixed dinner booking. If you are staying longer, build a Hervey Bay trip around your event day.

Plan the spring school holidays

Choose a dated session above, checking age and booking rules, or use the family guide for everyday activities. The rainy-day guide includes addresses, opening hours and closed-day alternatives.

Past one-off listings have been removed from this calendar. A previous edition does not confirm that an event will return.

About these dates

This selection was updated on 27 September 2026. Each event links to the responsible organiser, and source-check dates appear beside the listings or below. It is a curated guide, not a live feed: dates, opening hours, tickets and cancellations can change.

Before you go

  • Confirm the date, venue and opening or start time.
  • Check tickets, age requirements and cancellation terms.
  • Look for parking, access or road-closure updates.
  • Keep an alternative local day out in mind if the weather changes.

Straight answers

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 Whale Festival?

The main 2026 festival concluded on 30 August. No later festival date has been verified; use the organiser for future announcements.

Where can I find events this weekend?

Use the Fraser Coast Council live events calendar, then verify the organiser page.

Should I book accommodation early?

For a specific festival or sporting weekend, yes for the most convenient area/room type. Avoid assuming the whole city is full.

Are events free?

Some components may be free and others ticketed. Use the current program.

How current is this page?

The event selection was updated 27 September 2026. Individual source-check dates are shown with each listing; details should always be rechecked before travel.

Sources and last checked

Time-sensitive details were checked against operator-owned or official sources. Prices and operating details can change; recheck before paying.

View 31 sources and check dates

Keep planning

Keep this guide handy

Save a link in this browser, copy it, or print a copy for offline use. Check opening hours and conditions again before you go.

Check live conditionsAsk a visitor centreView saved guides

Keep planning

Related Hervey Bay guides

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Hervey Bay Whale Festival 2026: dated archive
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When to visit Hervey Bay: weather, whales and events by month
Seasonal

Hervey Bay at Christmas: summer holiday guide