For five decades, Roma has turned Easter into one of outback Queensland’s biggest celebrations — and this year’s 50th anniversary promises to be something special.
The iconic five-day Easter in the Country Festival returns from 1–6 April 2026, bringing rodeo thrills, headline music acts, family-friendly events, country markets, culinary experiences and plenty of outback hospitality to Roma. With something on offer for visitors of all ages and interests, it’s the perfect chance to soak up the town’s welcoming atmosphere and enjoy the best of Queensland’s outback culture.
From humble beginnings to 50 years
Roma’s Easter in the Country Festival’s journey began way back in the mid-1970s and was founded by Wattles Football Club President, Noel Miller, who presented the idea of a country and easter festival for raising funds to build a new clubhouse for the association. After a Sunday afternoon football match, Noel stood on a stool and announced to the bar that the festival would begin the following Easter in 1976.
The festival is now organised by Roma’s Easter in the Country Inc. The working committee comprises people from diverse backgrounds to ensure its continued success. Fifty years on, this event is truly a whole community event, with more than 22 small organisations involved in the activities.
Watch Aussie country music legends hit the stage at the Easter in the Country Festival
An outback Easter to remember
The Easter in the Country Festival is more than just a music event — it’s a five-day celebration of outback Queensland’s vibrant culture, community spirit and natural beauty. From rodeos to culinary delights and everything in between, the festival has something for every kind of traveller. As the sun sets over Bassett Park and the stage lights up, audiences are treated to an unforgettable evening of music under the vast outback sky, a moment that captures the essence of Queensland’s heritage and the magic of the outback.
Easter weekend highlights
Easter Thursday (2 April)
There’s plenty on offer over the course of the festival, but one of the much-anticipated highlights is the Outback Tucker Under the Stars dinner, hosted by Queensland’s own Matt Golinski — a celebrity chef, speaker, runner and aspiring rock star. The hero of the night is beef, and the dinner is held at the Roma Saleyards — the largest beef cattle selling venue in the southern hemisphere.
Good Friday (3 April)
Good Friday is prime time for families at the festival, with a monster afternoon planned at the Big Rig. There’ll be guest-star appearances with Bluey, Bingo and the Easter Bunny making the rounds, meeting children and playing games in the park. The Big Rig also includes a miniature train, Sunset Tower and Tree Walk.
The Easter Bunny will make an appearance on Good Friday
If you love casting a line, join the Fishing Competition at Neil Turner Weir to see the Maranoa region through an angler’s perspective.
Easter Saturday (4 April)
On Easter Saturday, make sure you check out the Street Parade and Music Festival featuring a lineup of live music, bringing youthful energy and fantastic live performances to the festival.
There’ll also be a country market, and Bluey and Bingo will take to the mainstage on Saturday morning.
Bluey and Bingo at the Street Parade
Saturday afternoon features racing of all sorts, including horses, speedway, drag racing and mud buggies.
The festival is also teaming up with the Australian BBQ Alliance and will be hosting a championship round of Low and Slow in conjunction with the Easter Saturday races. If you want to be part of the Smokin’ Hot Easter BBQ Challenge, you can join now for a chance to win prizes of up to $5000.
And, of course, Roma’s Easter in the Country wouldn’t be a true outback celebration without live country music, both traditional and contemporary. Don’t miss out on the Bush Ballads and Bush Poets at the RSL Hall featuring Golden Guitar winners Dean Perret and Jeff Brown. Marco Gilori and Neil McArthur will also be making an appearance.
Easter Sunday (5 April)
Easter Sunday is not to be missed, with a 12-hour day-long rodeo starting from 8am, with the best cowboys coming straight from the Sydney Royal Easter Show to put on a fantastic display.
After the rodeo, head straight back into the live music performances, with Kasey Chambers and Luke Geiger hitting the stage.
Even more to explore
We’ve only scratched the surface of the festival program, with plenty more on offer across the five days. Some other highlights include:
- Wife Carrying races on Sunday morning
- Country Garden tours
- Helicopter tours
- Easter Mud Derby
- Blacksmithing Workshop
- Monster waterslides
The Wife Carrying races on Sunday are a festival favourite
Outback art at its finest
Maranoa Artists are hosting the Easter Art Show, which boasts prize money of up to $10,000. Join the Maranoa Artists at the opening evening on the first day of the festival, Wednesday 1 April, where the winner will be announced.
St Paul’s Anglican Church will showcase the music of its historic organ on Easter Sunday, surrounded by the church’s renowned and beautiful stained-glass windows, along with a complimentary drink and nibbles on entry.
Rodeo action at its best
Nothing says country quite like a rodeo, and Roma’s Easter in the Country Festival delivers on that front.
On Good Friday (3 April) you’ve got Xtreme Bulls, where bull riders test their skills against top-quality stock for prize money up to $8000. Fresh from the Sydney Royal Easter Show, bull riders head to Roma to chase the big cash. Sponsored by MGA, the original Xtreme Sport is back for 2026!
Then on Easter Sunday you’ve got the XXXX Pro Rodeo. This is an event sanctioned by the Australian Professional Rodeo Association and starts at 8am. Running for 12 hours, this is the peak of rodeo action. The XXXX Pro Rodeo is in the top five rodeo events in Australia and attracts competitors from every Australian state as well as New Zealand, so make sure you don’t miss out.
Get your rodeo on at Roma's Easter in the Country Festival
Country music under the stars
Immediately after the rodeo, head over to the Outback Music Under the Stars concert with Kasey Chambers hitting the stage, supported by Queensland’s own Luke Geiger. This is a must-do activity while at the festival, so buy your day pass now.
Kasey Chambers has earned a rightful place among Australian country music royalty, and is renowned for her distinctive voice, heartfelt lyrics and world-class performances.
Luke Geiger’s passion for cowboy country music and his reputation for professional, nonstop, high-energy performances have made him one of the most sought-after country singers in Queensland, captivating audiences with his unique sound and dynamite live shows.
Kasey Chambers will be performing at the Outback Music Under the Stars concert
Make Roma your Easter destination
Whether you’re after rodeo action, fantastic live music, family-friendly fun or simply want to immerse yourself in the best of outback Queensland, then Roma’s Easter in the Country Festival is the place to be this April.
To view the full program, get info on accommodation options (including camping) and to buy tickets, head to the festival’s official website.
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