FAQs
Planning your trip to the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival? We have compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to help you prepare for an incredible weekend at the Home Hill Showgrounds. Whether you need details on securing your festival tickets, local camping and accommodation options in the Burdekin region, what food and drink facilities are available on-site, or our pet-friendly guidelines, you will find all the essential visitor information right here. Browse our event FAQs below to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and unforgettable North Queensland festival experience!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Absolutely! The Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival is a family-friendly festival with something for everyone to enjoy from live music and performances, delicious food, market stalls, vintage machinery displays, a fully stocked bar and so much more. There’s plenty for the kids to do with free entertainment, face painting, rides, performances, arts and crafts and more. Check out the program to find out what’s on offer at the festival!
The festival operates primarily as a cashless event. Entry tickets, merchandise and bar purchases can only be purchased using EFTPOS. Some food and market stallholders may accept cash, so it’s handy to bring both payment options if you want.
May is one of the most pleasant times of year in the Burdekin, with warm days and cooler evenings. As weather conditions can vary, we recommend checking the forecast closer to the festival and dressing comfortably for both day and evening. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen and a light jacket for the evening.
There will be plenty of free parking along Sixth Avenue, Fifth Avenue and Sixth Street across both days. Traffic control will be on-site to help keep things moving smoothly. If you need to drop off passengers closer to the entrance, a designated drop-off zone will be available at the front of the entry gates on Sixth Avenue.
TICKETS
What is a Weekend Pass?
We recommend purchasing your tickets online before the festival for fast and seamless entry through our Pre-Paid Express Lane. Tickets can also be purchased at the entry gate using EFTPOS only.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the entry gate using EFTPOS only. We recommend purchasing your tickets online for fast and seamless entry into the festival through our Pre-Paid Express Lane. When purchasing tickets, be sure to secure tickets for everyone attending, including free kids’ tickets, so your whole group can breeze through the entry hassle-free.
A Weekend Pass gives you access to both Friday and Saturday events at a discounted price, saving you $5 compared to purchasing individual event tickets. Weekend Passes can be purchased online in advance or at the entry gate via EFTPOS only.
While entry is free for anyone under 18, we still ask that you book a free ticket for each child attending when purchasing your tickets online. This helps us accurately track attendance and plan festival facilities, activities and services to ensure everyone has a great experience. Booking free kids’ tickets also means your whole group can use the Pre-Paid Express Lane, helping you get through the entry gate faster and straight into the festival fun.
FOOD AND DRINKS
We will have a great range of food vendors at both festival events. On Friday night, the Burdekin Cultural Fair featuring First Fire will offer a diverse selection of cuisines, taking your taste buds on a journey around the world. On Saturday, you’ll find plenty of delicious options to choose from, whether you’re looking for lunch, a quick snack, or a sweet treat. There’s something to satisfy every appetite inside the festival grounds.
No outside food or drinks are allowed inside the festival grounds but don’t worry, our food stalls have you covered with plenty of tasty options over both events.
PETS AND DOGS
We love our furry friends but pets are not allowed inside the festival grounds unless they’re a certified service or medical assistance animal.
Yes, accredited assistance animals are welcome inside the festival grounds. If your assistance animal is not easily identifiable, staff may ask for reasonable evidence that the animal is a trained assistance animal, such as an identity card, harness, accreditation or other documentation. Assistance animals must remain under the handler’s control at all times within the festival grounds.
CAMPING AND ACCOMMODATION
Camping is not available within the festival grounds. If you’d like to stay within walking distance of the festival, camping is available adjacent to the festival grounds at the Home Hill Showgrounds Caravan Park. To book a site, please contact the Showgrounds caretaker directly. There are also several caravan parks and accommodation options throughout the Burdekin. Visit our Where to Stay page for more information and to find an option that best suits your visit.
The Burdekin offers a variety of accommodation options to suit every style and budget, including caravan parks, campgrounds, motels, Airbnbs and farm stays. You’ll find plenty of comfortable places to base yourself while enjoying the festival and exploring the region. Visit our Where to Stay page for a full list of accommodation options. We recommend booking early, as accommodation can fill up quickly during festival weekend.
ACCESSIBILITY
We want everyone to enjoy the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival and are committed to making the festival as accessible as possible. For information about accessible parking, amenities, pathways, seating and other accessibility services, please contact our team directly on (07) 4783 9800 or sweetdays@burdekin.qld.gov.au. If you have specific accessibility requirements or need assistance planning your visit, please contact our team before the event and we’ll be happy to help.
Yes, we accept Companion Cards at the entry. Companion Card holders are entitled to one free ticket for their companion or support worker. The Companion Card holder is still required to purchase their own festival ticket.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any more questions, please contact the festival organisers, Burdekin Shire Council on (07) 4783 9800 or sweetdays@burdekin.qld.gov.au.
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