THE Ipswich Civic Centre capped off 2025 as one of the most significant years in its history, marking its 50th anniversary with a landmark program that celebrated local talent, community connection and five decades of cultural impact.
The golden anniversary year brought together audiences, artists and community groups from across the region, reaffirming the Civic Centre’s role as a cornerstone of Ipswich’s arts and cultural life.
In 2025 alone, the Ipswich Civic Centre delivered 3826 creative and cultural activations, with an impressive 67 per cent dedicated to supporting local community artists and groups – a strong reflection of the venue’s ongoing commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.
Audience engagement remained strong throughout the year, with 22,014 tickets sold, connecting people with live experiences that inspired, entertained and brought the community together. In addition, 51,837 people attended eisteddfods and dance competitions, celebrating artistry, passion and the joy of performance across generations.
Central to the anniversary celebrations was a special milestone program featuring 237 local artists, community groups and headline acts, showcasing the depth and diversity of creativity thriving in the city.
The program culminated in HipsSwich! – a large-scale, community-led performance produced and directed by Gold Coast-based company Everybody Now!, which transformed the Civic Centre into a living reflection of Ipswich’s stories, people and shared identity.
Originally opened on July 19, 1975, the Ipswich Civic Centre has hosted generations of performers and audiences, evolving alongside the city itself.
The 50th anniversary celebrations honoured this rich legacy while also shining a spotlight on the venue’s evolving role as an inclusive, accessible hub for creativity and performance.
Throughout the year, the Civic Centre continued to deliver a diverse calendar of performances, workshops
and community events, supported by its sister venues Studio 188 and Fire Station 101.
Together, these spaces provided vital platforms for emerging artists, established performers, touring productions and grassroots community groups.
Behind the scenes, Box Office and venue teams played a crucial role in supporting local creatives, touring artists and audiences, ensuring events were delivered with professionalism, care and a strong focus on community connection.
The Ipswich Civic Centre and Studio 188 will reopen on Monday, January 19, before launching into a new year of performances and programming in 2026.
