Your November social calendar is officially sorted, with Ipswich turning up the excitement with a jam-packed lineup of events, experiences and festive fun this November! From getting into the Christmas spirit to catching incredible live music, browsing bustling markets, indulging in foodie favourites, farm adventures and soaking up inspiring art exhibitions, there’s something to suit every mood.Discover the magic of Christmas in IpswichGet ready to Jingle all the way to Ipswich because the city’s Christmas festivities are kicking off early! Running from late November right up to New Years Eve, this year’s Christmas in Ipswich program will be bigger and better than before! Highlights include the City Christmas Lights Competition, lighting of the City Tree, festive markets, community carols, plus much more! Visit the Ipswich Festival’s website to see the full program.To celebrate Santa’s arrival after his long journey from the North Pole, the team at Orion Springfield Central is rolling out the red carpet with a special welcome parade on November 7. Families can wave hello to the jolly man in red as he makes his way up Town Walk alongside some of his other delightful Christmas character friends. Be sure to be there early, as the parade kicks off at 9am.

Celebrate Christmas in Ipswich and get your gifts sorted with these great markets and events in the lead up to Christmas. Summer Land Camels Christmas MarketsExperience the best of a boutique country market and get a start on your Christmas shopping at the Summer Land Camels Christmas Markets on November 7.

Ghosts, ghouls, witches and warlocks are set to descend on Ipswich this Halloween, with a packed calendar of family-friendly events, haunted experiences, live entertainment and spooky celebrations taking place across the region throughout October.The Halloween festivities culminate on Saturday 31 October when the Ipswich Showgrounds transform into the Halloween Carnival of Screams Twilight Carnival (4pm-9pm). The event promises a night of thrills with a haunted house, spooky disco, trick-or-treating, carnival rides, food trucks, market stalls and a best-dressed competition. Little monsters can enjoy plenty of family fun while brave visitors test their nerves in the blood-curdling attractions.Families can also head to Tulmur Place in the Nicholas Street Precinct for the free Halloween Spooktacular Disco, where witches and warlocks will be treated to themed markets, craft workshops, trick-or-treating, dazzling light displays and a Halloween disco from 5pm to 9pm.

Haven't booked anywhere for Melbourne Cup day lunch?  Don't worry, we've got a list of venues that are hosting Melbourne Cup Lunches this year.Book a table, bring your friends and pick your horse for the big day, Tuesday November 3.Brothers Leagues ClubBook ahead to celebrate Melbourne Cup with Brothers Leagues Club. The event features Tommy Memphis live, fashions on the field, raffles, sweeps and lucky door prizes. Tickets include a complimentary pink gin spritz on arrival and a three-course lunch featuring smoked chicken salad as the entree, an alternate drop of oven roasted Barramundi or flame grilled grain fed porterhouse and a share plate of cheeses, petite fours, seasonal fruit and more.

As Spring rolls around every year, Jacaranda trees in the Heritage City and surrounding countryside start to bloom, adding a pop of colour to parks and reserves.Here are a few ways to experience the Ipswich Jacaranda season this year.Wander Timothy Molony ParkThe park is opposite St Mary's Church - a spectacular 1870s landmark which is one of the city's most photographed buildings - is fringed with Jacarandas blooming every Spring that eventually form a purple carpet on the grass below.

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!