Calling all young historians! Join us for a fun day of performances, discovery and play at Newstead House.

Celebrate the wondrous world at Brisbane’s oldest standing residence Newstead House. Come and enjoy heritage games, craft activities, musical performances, pop up theatre, circus and dance. The day is a fabulous way to experience life from a time gone by, cultivate curiosity, participate, learn and play.

Why not bring a picnic and enjoy the tasty food from some of Brisbane’s best food trucks as you enjoy the stunning winter sun.

Hula Hooping
Children and adults around the world have played with hoops throughout history – wooden, bamboo, metal even. See all the things that can happen when a hoop is twirled around a waist, a hand, a neck, a body, rolled or twisted, as a roving performer passes by with her hoop. Try your hand or waist at Hula Hooping with a hooping workshop for anyone. All sizes and ages can try to twirl a hoop. There will be two opportunities over the Festival to give this playful object manipulation a go.

Costumers
Get up close with our fabulous costumers as they promenade throughout the cultural precinct.  Have you ever wondered what Victorian women wore?  Now is your chance to discover the intricacies of ladies fashion 19th century style.

Washday Wonders
Washing clothes wasn’t always as simple as pressing a button.  Experience washing clothes the old fashion way with a bit of “elbow grease”.  Kids love exploring life pre-electricity.

Heritage Games
Come play with us on the green.  You can enjoy croquet, coits and other heritage games on the beautiful manicured gardens of Newstead House.

Pony Rides 
Come and meet our gentle ponies and enjoy the festival fun as you make dreams come true, as everyone young at heart loves a pony ride. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Food Trucks 
Make a day of it and enjoy a picnic in beautiful Newstead House with Brisbane’s best food trucks serving delicious flavours from around the world. From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Punch and Judy Show 
Punch and Judy shows were familiar sights on the streets throughout the 19th century, don’t miss your opportunity to experience one for yourself! 11:00 am and 1:00 pm

Newstead House 
Experience a world gone by as Brisbane’s oldest standing residence Newstead House invites you to step back in time and discover another world. From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Harris’ Family Treasure Hunt 
Mary makes all the treasure hunts for the Harris family, but now someone is sending her secret messages! She has created a special treasure so you can help her to find out who it is and to give them a secret message back! Explore Newstead House, solve puzzles, and learn about life in the 1860s. Fun for the whole family. From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

The Company
Brisbane’s finest bluegrass band The Company will perform original or arranged music that tells historical stories.  Boasting two Australian Bluegrass champions on guitar, fiddle and banjo, their passion for high-energy original and traditional acoustic music will have the family dancing and tapping their toes. From 2:00–3:00 pm.

Visit Newstead House website for the full program.

This event is part of the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Concerts program.