October is shaping up to be a big month in Ipswich with festivals, live music, markets, family fun, art, sport and plenty of ways to enjoy the sunshine. Whether you’re planning a day out with the family or a road trip to the Heritage City, be sure to check out these great events.An enchanting night of musicEscape into an evening of beautiful music as Candlelight comes to St Mary’s Catholic Church on October 9, where the talented Paradiso Strings String Quartet will take audiences on two musical journeys throughout the evening. At 6pm, experience the timeless beauty of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons will play, followed by the dramatic and captivating sounds of The Best of Hans Zimmer at 8pm, with scores including the Pirates of the Caribbean Suite and other movies such as The Dark Knight, The Lion King and Madagascar.Entertainment worthy of a standing ovationLooking for something different to watch this month? Put down the remote and head to the Ipswich Civic Centre and Studio 188 for an exciting lineup of live entertainment. Music lovers can enjoy shows celebrating the hits of ABBA, Elvis, John Farnham, The Blues Brothers and Aretha Franklin, plus enjoy performances from Guy Sebastian, Opera Queensland, Medium Peter Williams, Anh Do – The Happiest Refugee, Australian Celtic Women and more.

The September school holidays are the perfect time to get outside, try something new and make unforgettable family memories.From roaring animatronic wildlife and live Dora the Explorer shows to creative workshops, active adventures and hands-on animal encounters, Ipswich is packed with activities to keep children of all ages entertained.Here are some of the top activities to add to your family's holiday checklist from 19 September to 5 October.

Feel like spending a long weekend indulging in delicious flavours, soaking up some heritage or just breathing fresh country air?  We've got you!Check out the Nicholas Street PrecinctThe award winning Nicholas Street Precinct features a movie cinema, restaurants and bars, activities for the kids and much more! The entertainment precinct has a MiniBounce for children 0-6 years old, a space for the bigger kids to enjoy with bowling and arcade games as well as great food and drinks at General Public and a Hoyts movie cinema.There's also a beautifully restored pub - Hotel Commonwealth that serves up tasty bites and drinks seven days a week. 

History isn't just something you see during Galvanized, it's something you can taste too. As you explore heritage homes, stroll historic streets and uncover stories from Ipswich's past, don't forget to pull up a chair and enjoy the special food and drink offerings created especially for Galvanized. From heritage-inspired curries and classic pub fare to nostalgic sweet treats, locally crafted brews and cocktails with a story to tell, Ipswich's cafes, restaurants, pubs, hotels and breweries are serving up a delicious journey through time.Brews with a BackstoryStony Creek Brewing: Limestone LagerFor Galvanized, Stony Creek Brewing has launched a brand-new brew with a story to tell.Limestone Lager pays tribute to the region's earliest days when Ipswich was known simply as Limestone, a rugged colonial outpost established in 1827. Inspired by the explorers, workers, settlers and pioneers who helped shape the region, this crisp local lager celebrates the determination and resilience that laid the foundations of one of Queensland's oldest regional cities.

If you have a day off this Ekka Show Day holiday (Wednesday August 12) – but don't want to face crowds, come out to Ipswich and see what’s on offer around the heritage city and its country surrounds...Taste local delicaciesStart your day with a coffee fix by visiting Ipswich Coffee Roasters – to try the city’s own locally roasted coffee in a warehouse at 31 Challinor Street Sadliers Crossing. Pick up a bag of beans or head to Elderflower Cafe, The Old Butcher Shop Cafe or Bootown Espresso to grab a cup and a tasty treat! Book in for dinner or lunch at The Q, where you can sample a delicious 250g rump steak for $20!

Welcome to Ipswich CMC Rocks!It’s CMC Rocks this March when 20,000+ country music fans come to Ipswich for the best round-up of country music anywhere right now.In honour of the stellar line-up of musicians and the fans in town for CMC Rocks - along with the good folk making this annual sold-out blockbuster happen - we’ve put together a handy list of breakfast options and matched each one with a song by a CMC Rocks artist. Welcome to town y’all!

The Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint returns to Ipswich again this August, at Queensland Raceway. It’s set to offer the most accessible trackside experience on the Ipswich calendar, promising a weekend packed full of action and experiences far beyond the track itself.Here are six reasons that are sure to have you sprinting for tickets, find out why the Ipswich SuperSprint is so much more than just a race.Feel the buzzEven the crowd close-ups you see on TV can’t capture the buzzing atmosphere you feel on-the-ground at the SuperSprint. Get wrapped up in the atmosphere with people from all walks of life, as you witness the thrills of motor racing and celebrate being a part of a major Queensland sporting event - all less than an hour from Brisbane’s CBD.

While Japan has cherry blossoms and the Netherlands have tulips, Ipswich has Jacaranda trees and there is no time more pretty than Spring in Ipswich, when the Jacaranda trees bloom and the landscape is dotted with splashes of purple.Native to South America, Jacaranda mimosifolia or as we commonly call them, Jacarandas, have made their home in Ipswich and each year put on a spectacular display from October through to November.During Spring parks, schools, backyards and footpaths bloom with purple but why not plan a visit to one of these locations for a truly magical display.

Wholesome, soulful music, a stellar line up and a seriously good venue. CMC is here!It’s time to suit up and get down, at one of the country’s biggest music festivals right here in Ipswich.But before you embark on your epic rockin’ journey at Willowbank this year, we have a few helpful hints so you can maximise the good times and minimise everything else.

The holidays are the perfect time to enjoy everything Ipswich has to offer.If you are craving sunny days full of perfect family memories, load up the car and head half-an-hour west of Brisbane to the historic town of Ipswich, which is brimming with activities and tourist attractions the whole family will love.From watching the sunrise while you soar high above the ground in a hot air balloon, to feeding a llama, having a picnic by the lagoon, learning more about historic steam engines and licking delectable ice cream flavours, Ipswich is the perfect place for families to explore.