Goodna’s events calendar is anchored by one of South East Queensland’s most-loved community festivals — the Goodna Jacaranda Festival each October — but the suburb plays host to a year-round program of school events, sporting fixtures, ANZAC Day services, market days, and cultural celebrations.
Here’s the local guide to what’s on, when, and how to get involved.
The Goodna Jacaranda Festival
If Goodna had a single signature event, this is it. Running annually since 1968, the Goodna Jacaranda Festival is held every October at Evan Marginson Park, when the suburb’s iconic jacaranda trees explode into purple bloom. It’s South East Queensland’s most-loved community celebration, drawing 10,000+ visitors each year for music, food, market stalls, sideshow alley rides, cultural performances and dazzling fireworks.
Goodna Jacaranda Festival 2025 — at a glance
When: Friday 24 October 2025 (4pm–10pm) and Saturday 25 October 2025 (8am–10pm). Where: Evan Marginson Park, 6 Layard St / Woogaroo St, Goodna QLD 4300. Cost: 2-day passes — Adults $10, Seniors $7, Teens (13–17) $5, Children under 13 free. Phone: 07 3737 3529. Web: goodnajacarandafestival.com.
The 2025 edition broke new ground by becoming a two-day festival for the first time — opening Friday evening with live music, market stalls, food trucks and a stunning sunset under the purple canopy, then continuing through Saturday with a full-day cultural program.
What to expect at the festival
Live music & main stage
Local artists, school choirs, headline acts and the famous Battle of the Bands competition.
Quest for Talent
Annual performing arts competition for emerging singers, dancers and performers — judged by industry professionals.
Sideshow alley
Rides and games delivered by Kay Dee Amusements — including the legendary Dance Party 360.
Food trucks & market stalls
Eat your way around the world — reflecting Goodna’s wonderfully diverse community.
Fireworks
Up-close spectacular fireworks displays produced by All Fired Up — a festival highlight.
Cultural showcases
Samoan dance, Pacific Islander performances, school cultural groups and more.
The trees along Brisbane Terrace have once again heralded spring and the coming of the Goodna Jacaranda Festival.
Other annual events in Goodna
Ipswich 100 Bike Ride
April. Goodna is the major rest point for this 50+ km charity ride from Brisbane Mall to Ipswich, attracting around 1,000 riders raising funds for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation and Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
ANZAC Day Dawn Service
25 April. Held at the Diggers Rest War Memorial on the corner of Queen and Church Streets — dedicated in September 1921. A solemn community gathering.
Rugby League season
March–September. Junior and senior fixtures at the Goodna and District Rugby League Football Club, RJ Richardson Park.
Christmas in Goodna
December. Local schools, churches and community groups host Christmas events, carols and family festivities.
Multicultural & cultural celebrations
Year-round. Pacific Islander cultural events, Vietnamese New Year (Tết), Filipino community gatherings and more.
School fetes & events
Various dates. Goodna State School, St Francis Xavier and Westside Christian College all run public fetes and events.
How to get involved
The Jacaranda Festival especially is volunteer-powered. Whether you can help for a few hours, sponsor a section, or run a stall, the Goodna Community Association would love to hear from you:
- Become a volunteer — set-up, pack-down, gate, hospitality, performance support.
- Run a stall — community group, market stall, food vendor or charity stall opportunities.
- Sponsor the festival — multiple sponsorship tiers from local-business level up to major sponsor.
- Enter a competition — Quest for Talent, Battle of the Bands, school choirs and bands competitions.
- Just turn up — bring family and friends, buy a ticket, and soak in the atmosphere.
Want your event listed?
If you’re organising an event in Goodna — community fundraiser, sporting fixture, school fete, cultural celebration — get in touch via our contact page and we’ll add you to the events page.