More than 180 illustrators, comic artists, zine makers and independent creatives will take over the Brisbane Showgrounds when the Brisbane Illustration Fair returns in July
The two-day fair will be held at the John Reid Pavilion in Bowen Hills from 10am to 4pm on July 18 and 19.
Entry is $2, with children under 12 admitted free.
The Brisbane Illustration Fair brings together local and national artists working across digital and traditional illustration, graphic design, comics, prints, zines and publishing.
Visitors will be able to browse original artwork, limited-edition prints, books, badges, stickers and other artist-made merchandise across the weekend.
The fair was created in 2023 by Brisbane illustrators Joanna and Jenaya, who saw a lack of dedicated spaces for illustration and wanted to give artists a place to connect, share and sell their work.
More than an art market
A free creative zone will give visitors the chance to make their own work during the fair.
Activities will include zine making, still-life drawing, colouring and postcard illustration, with paper and drawing materials supplied.
Visitors can also bring their own sketchbooks and pencils.
The fair’s merchandise table will stock Brisbane Illustration Fair badges, stickers and previous editions of its art zine, while members of the organising team will be available to discuss future events.
The July event will be the fair’s second outing of 2026 and marks a move to the more central Brisbane Showgrounds location.
Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley train stations are both less than a 10-minute walk from the venue, with bus services and paid parking also available nearby.
Artist applications open
Applications are open to illustrators, graphic designers, comic-book artists, zine and print makers, paper-based artists and publishers selling illustrated books or zines.
Applications are expected to close at 11am on July 1, or earlier if the organisers receive more than 300 submissions.
The event poster was designed and illustrated by Serpents Sun.
The Brisbane Illustration Fair is sponsored by The T-Shirt Co and Bar Gusto Brisbane.
Brisbane Illustration Fair
July 18 and 19, 2026
10am to 4pm
John Reid Pavilion, Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Entry is $2. Children under 12 enter free.
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