The Easter long weekend means more to Sandgate than just some sweet treats – it’s Bluewater Festival time and it’s one of the most anticipated events on the bayside calendar.
This year, the festival kicks off on Thursday, 17 April, from 4pm at Moora Park in Shorncliffe with a range of food trucks, rides, face painting and entertainment.
This family-friendly festival is held annually and we cannot wait!. It’s been an annual tradition in the Sandgate area since 1997, when a creative local lady, Anne Hobbs, got together with friends and put on a festival celebrating the local area’s culture, artistry and music.
Today, the Bluewater Festival is a community-centric event, sponsored by local businesses with vendor opportunities for artists, artisans and others to sell their wares at the festival market on Good Friday. It’s a celebration of the community spirit of Sandgate, Shorncliffe and the surrounding area.
The Highlight of Bluewater Festival
One of the best parts about Bluewater Festival is the views of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race from Shorncliffe!
The Multihull Yachts start the race just off the Shorncliffe Pier on the Friday of the festival, and you can witness the fire-cannon start and watch these magnificent boats burst into action.
The race runs on Good Friday every year and covers a distance of 308 nautical miles.
Watch the start of the race as the yachters take off from Brisbane headed for Gladstone. You can stay as long as you like to watch your favourite yacht team or simply marvel at the spectacle.
Insider Tip: The Shorncliffe Pier offers the best vantage point but is also packed with race watchers and festival attendees; get there early to secure your spot!
What to Expect at the 2025 Bluewater Festival
Back to the festival, and whether you’re new to the area and you want a fun community event to get involved with or you’re a returning loyalist of the Bluewater Festival, here’s what you can expect this year.
Thursday, March 17th
The opening day of the Blue water Festival 2025 is always a huge hit, with families enjoying many live bands playing; whether Aussie acoustic is your vibe or something a little more upbeat, Bluewater Festival has music for every ear.
Usually kicking off in the late afternoon and running until late evening, the Thursday festivities are the perfect start to the Bluewater Festival. Festivalgoers can enjoy food trucks serving various delicious foods, both local and international. Festivalgoers should arrive sooner rather than later, as some vendors sell out quickly!
Thursday’s evening attractions feature live music, as those who plan to stay for both days prepare for the fun-filled Friday, when Bluewater Festival kicks into full gear.
Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce president, Bill Gollan, said one of the highlights of the weekend was the RE/MAX giant Ferris wheel.
“The Ferris wheel is back by popular demand and that will be there the whole Easter weekend with sweeping views of Moreton Bay,” he said.
The rides and sideshow alley will be running from Thursday through to Easter Saturday, while the giant Ferris wheel will stay in Upper Moora Park until Monday, 21 April.
Friday, March 18th
Friday’s Bluewater Festival kick off sharply at 9:30 am, as market stalls open for local vendors to sell their wares. If you’re looking for some unique Sandgate artist’s work to adorn your walls or want to enjoy a tasty treat from our talented foodies, then the morning market is the perfect way to kick off your Friday at Bluewater Festival.
Crowd favourite the Trackless Train will run from 10am to 5pm on Good Friday starting at the corner of Cliff Street and Flinders Parade, and running to the Shorncliffe Pier, all for a gold coin donation.
“There will be plenty of food and music, and we have more market stalls than last year, so there’s something for everyone,” Bill said.
“The Easter Bunny will be there for the little ones, and for the young and young at heart, we have rides and a sideshow alley.”
Starting at 11:15 is the opening ceremony of Bluewater Festival, celebrating this stalwart community gathering and the beginning of Easter. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance for the kids and then be around all afternoon for pictures and easter eggs!
The festival culminates on Friday night with a beach party and the Bayfire fireworks display, sponsored by The Full Moon Hotel.
Other Important Information!
- Entry is free to the Bluewater Festival!
- All ages are welcome, though there are height and age restrictions on some of the kids’ rides.
How Do I Get to The Bluewater Festival?
We understand that getting around during festival time can be a pain, so we’ve created this handy guide to help.
By Road:
If you’re coming in from Brisbane for the festival, you’ll need to leave the city early to secure parking in the areas surrounding Shorncliffe Pier. The drive from the Brisbane CBD to Shorncliffe Pier takes about half an hour, but expect traffic delays. Driving directions from the CBD can be found here.
On Foot:
If you’re already in the Shorncliffe Pier area and are walking to the festival, you can take a gorgeous stroll along Lover’s Walk from the Sandgate end (Cliff Street), or you can access the festival grounds via Park Parade.
By Train:
If accessing the festival by train from Central Station, Brisbane or another station, you’ll need to ride the Shorncliffe Line to Shorncliffe Station and then walk approximately 700m to the festival grounds. Why not walk? You can easily walk using these directions from Shorncliffe Station – here.
We’ll See You There!
As a community, we’re extremely proud of what the Bluewater Festival offers every year, whether it’s electric live music that gets people up and dancing or the beautiful surroundings of Shorncliffe Pier and Moreton Bay that provide the perfect place to relax. Families love the Bluewater Festival every year, and our diverse array of kids’ attractions continues to grow.
We hope to see you and your family at the Bluewater Festival this year! You don’t want to miss out on one of the best community-inspired events of the year in Sandgate.
- Thursday, 17 April, 4pm-8pm
- Friday, 18 April, 9.30am-8pm
- Upper and Lower Moora Park
- Park Parade, Shorncliffe.
To check out other festivals near Sandgate, click here.
Looking for Accommodation Near Sandgate?
Take a look at these options:
- Affordable: Cottage on the Bay or The Brighton Hotel
- Mid-range: Brighton Retreat or Modern Pool Oasis
- Luxury: Mon Komo
