About the Festival
About
The Gayndah Orange Festival honors the region’s citrus industry. It is a fun-filled family-friendly event. The Festival is held every second year. Commencing in 1957, the traditions and festivities are much anticipated at each festival. Come and join us for a great weekend of fun and celebrations. The 2027 theme will be announced soon.
17th April: Gala Ball – Gayndah Showgrounds, Spencer Street
30th April: Wine and Cheese Evening – Gayndah Town Hall, Capper Street
1 May: Festival Day – Markets, street procession, entertainment, competitions, Fielding Street
2 May: Fun Day – Gayndah Showgrounds, Spencer Street
The 2027 Festival Theme
The 2027 Gayndah Orange Festival Theme is: Gayndah Orange Festival Platinum Jubilee – Orange Through the Decades.
In 2027, the Gayndah Orange Festival celebrates an incredible milestone — 70 years of community, tradition and citrus pride.
Orange Through the Decades invites schools, businesses, community groups and festival participants to take a journey through time, showcasing their chosen decade through costumes, float designs, window displays and creative decorations. From the vibrant fashions of the 1950’s to the trends of today, this theme offers endless opportunities for imagination, colour and community spirit.
Join us as we celebrate seven decades of the Gayndah Orange Festival; creating a vibrant and visually spectacular festival experience for locals and visitors alike.
Theme: Gayndah Orange Festival Platinum Jubilee – Orange Through the Decades
Celebrating 70 Years of History, Community and Citrus Excellence 🍊
Competitions
The Gayndah Orange Festival competitions are a lot of fun! We very much look forward to viewing all the competition entries in the 2027 Gayndah Orange Festival. Info about the various competitions will be added to this page soon. Below is information about the competitions we held in 2025:
Magnificent Mullet Competition returns!
This competition is held on Festival Day (3 May 2025). Groom those magnificent mullets and be in the running to win $100 and hair care products. Proudly sponsored by Angela’s Hair and Beauty. Enter on the day at the Orange Festival office opposite the main stage. Judging will take place at 3pm at the main stage.
Decorated Float Competition
This competition is also held on Festival Day (3 May 2025). If you would like to enter a Decorated Float please click the below button to learn about the competition categories, fill out the entry form and read other important information.
Decorated Window Competition
If you would like to enter a Decorated Window, please click the below button to find out more and fill out the entry form.
Family Fun Day
Our orange throwing competition is on again! As always there will be a host of competitions and games during our Family Fun Day held on the 4th of May 2025 at the Gayndah Showgrounds. Please note: The food stalls will open at 8am. The events kick-off at 9am.
The New Street Procession Route
The 2027 Orange Festival Procession starts at 12pm on Saturday the 1st of May. Come and see the decorated floats and the procession of our Queen entrants who take centre stage. Our new procession route will commence in the park, corner of Anzac Parade and Simon Street. Floats will proceed down Anzac Parade, right into Fielding Street and left into Meson Street.
The Festival Program
The 2027 Orange Festival Event Program will be available closer to the event date.
The Festival 'Site Map'
The site map for the Festival Day on Saturday the 1st May 2027 will be available closer to the event date.
What if it Rains?
If it rains during the 2027 Gayndah Orange Festival we will update this section of the website and announce a ‘Plan B’ if needed. We’ll also post on our Facebook page. Hopefully though, the weather will be great.
More info about the 2027 Festival
We have included lots more quick-to-read information about the 2027 Gayndah Orange Festival on our website home page. It also includes information about the Featured Events during the festival.
History of the Festival
(The below text is extracted from: Gayndah Orange Festival Silver Jubilee book, June, 1983)
The origins of the Orange Festival go back to the mid fifties when Mr John Smith Senior suggested that Gayndah hold an ‘Orange Blossom Festival’. The idea was taken up and promoted among local organisations by the Chamber of Commerce. It was eventually resolved to hold an “Orange Festival” on the Queen’s birthday weekend in 1957.
The purpose of the original festival was to promote the Gayndah district and its industries. The ‘orange’ theme was chosen because citrus was one of Gayndah’s major industries at the time and because of its natural colour and attractiveness.
Twelve contestants took part in the first Queen competition. The honour of being the first Orange Festival Queen went to Miss M Yappa now Mrs M Cook. The crowning of the Queen remains the highlight of the festival.
In 1959 a competition was conducted to find a name for the Orange Man symbol. 231 entries were received from far and wide, and the eventual winner was Mrs Heather Ping of Gayndah who titled him “Gay Dan”.
The only occasion when the festival was not held on schedule was in 1971, due mainly to the lack of public support. However, after that Mr R.D (Sam) Weller accepted the job of president for the 1973 festival.