News
29 November, 2025
Medieval fun takes the gold
The Abbey Medieval Festival has been named Queensland’s best festival and event, having taken home Gold in the Festivals and Events category at the 2025 Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Tourism Awards on November 14.
The Abbey Medieval Festival has been named Queensland’s best festival and event, having taken home Gold in the Festivals and Events category at the 2025 Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Tourism Awards on November 14.
The achievement recognises the impact of the largest medieval festival in the southern hemisphere of the world and Australia’s largest medieval living history event.
Since returning in 2022 after two consecutive years of COVID shutdowns, the Abbey Medieval Festival has gone from strength to strength, growing its audiences, expanding accessibility initiatives, and strengthening community engagement across the Moreton Bay Region.
The 2025 recognition marks a major milestone as the Festival looks ahead to celebrating its 35th year in 2026 and representing Moreton Bay at the Australian Tourism Awards in March.
Festival and Events Director, Joel Stephens, said the win is testament to the enduring commitment of the Museum and its supporters:
“This award reflects the collective effort of our small but dedicated team, our 300+ volunteers, more than 1,000 passionate reenactors, performers and speciality stallholders, and the 30,000 visitors who make the pilgrimage to Abbeystowe every July,” he said.
“It’s an honour to share this recognition with all who make the Festival such a cherished part of Queensland’s cultural landscape.”
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, said this year’s awards celebration added to the industry highlight reel for 2025, from a record $6.8bn international visitor spend for the year to June 2025, to a record $1bn tourism budget over four years.
“Our top tourism businesses, including Abbey Medieval Festival in Caboolture, are shining examples of what Queensland’s tourism industry has to offer the world,” he said.
The 2026 Medieval Festival will take place Friday July 10, Saturday July 11, and Sunday July 12.
