Caxton Street Archives - Milton Today

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Marks 75th Anniversary With Historic Four-Night Run at Milton’s Suncorp Stadium

More than 1,000 performers from 13 countries have descended on Milton this week as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings its 75th anniversary milestone show exclusively to Suncorp Stadium from February 12 to 15, marking the first time any act has delivered four consecutive nights at the iconic venue.

Over 800 musicians flew into Brisbane over the weekend to join the globally diverse cast for “The Heroes Who Made Us,” the Tattoo’s 75th anniversary production celebrating the heroes who have shaped and supported the iconic performance over 75 years. The four-night exclusive Brisbane season represents the Tattoo’s first visit to Queensland and one of its most ambitious international stadium productions to date.

Creative Director Alan Lane said transforming over 1,000 cast members into one seamless production in just a few days is the unique challenge that defines the Tattoo. The cast has been undertaking intensive full-scale rehearsals at Suncorp Stadium this week, bringing together military bands, cultural groups, dancers, drummers and pipers, many performing together for the very first time.

Record-Breaking Economic Impact for Milton and Brisbane

The 75th anniversary event is expected to deliver an estimated $39 million economic impact to Queensland, with over 38,000 Tattoo fans traveling from interstate and overseas to attend the Milton performances. Demand has remained exceptionally high, with new ticket releases made available as the show dates approach.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to Perform in Milton for 75th Anniversary — Photo Credit: RACQ

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the airport has never seen this much tartan on its tarmac, with the gateway playing a vital role in welcoming performers and supporting the logistics that make world-class cultural events possible.

Caxton Street Transforms Into Royal Mile

On Friday, February 13 at 5pm, Brisbane’s Caxton Street will transform into the Royal Mile as marchers from across Brisbane join pipers and drummers from the Tattoo in a ceremonial march down to Suncorp Stadium. The event kicks off at the top of Caxton Street with a big blow by the bagpipers at 6pm, creating a proper welcome for the 75th anniversary performances.

The march celebrates Brisbane hosting a world-record four shows of the Tattoo at Suncorp Stadium, an achievement that organisers say deserves proper fanfare. Residents and visitors are invited to bring energy and noise to make history alongside the international performers.

Globally Diverse Cast Brings 75th Anniversary Show to Life

More than 30 bands and cultural groups will perform in “The Heroes Who Made Us,” including UK Military Bands from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, the Combined Military Bands of the Australian Defence Force, Queensland Police Pipe Band, Western Australia Police Pipe Band, Australia’s Federation Guard, His Majesty the King of Norway’s Guard Band and Drill Team, Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band, His Majesty’s Armed Forces The Royal Corps of Musicians Tonga, Top Secret Drum Corps, United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band.

Representing Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States and more, the cast creates one of the most globally diverse lineups ever assembled for an international Tattoo production.

Brisbane’s First Hosting of Iconic Scottish Tradition

Renowned for stirring music, military precision, cultural displays and dramatic performances set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo draws over 230,000 spectators annually in Scotland and over 100 million more worldwide through international broadcasts. Hundreds of thousands attended previous Australian editions in Sydney (2005, 2010, 2019) and Melbourne (2016).

The 75th anniversary performances will draw visitors from across the country, deliver a boost for Milton businesses, and shine a global spotlight on Brisbane as Australia’s lifestyle capital.

The Brisbane season represents the Tattoo’s return to Australia for the first time since 2019. Cutting-edge lighting, immersive sound design and large-scale visual effects will elevate the performance, blending the timeless traditions of the British Armed Forces with modern storytelling and world-class production innovation.

Final tickets for the 75th anniversary performances on 12 February (Thursday), 13 February (Friday), 14 February (Saturday) and 15 February (Sunday) are available through Ticketek.

Published 11-February-2026.

How a Stadium Upgrade and Super Bar Will Redefine Brisbane Entertainment

Photo Credit: Suncorp Stadium

Backed by music promoters, sporting bodies, and the state government, a multi-million dollar plan to expand Suncorp Stadium and build an immersive new sports bar will reshape Milton into a major economic hub for live entertainment.

The push for this revitalisation has gained significant momentum, with the Queensland government confirming it will proceed with major upgrades to the iconic stadium. This decision follows widespread calls from community leaders and prominent figures in both the music and sporting industries.

The work is set to be completed before Brisbane hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, ensuring the precinct is ready for the world stage. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner supported the move, stating that an upgraded venue benefits not just sport but a whole range of events that bring the community together.

Answering the Call for Global Entertainment

For years, Brisbane music fans have watched major international tours bypass the city. Music industry leaders have identified Suncorp Stadium’s current capacity and infrastructure as significant hurdles. Promoters from giants like Live Nation and Frontier Touring explained that bringing blockbuster stadium tours to Australia is an expensive and challenging exercise.

They argue that an expanded Suncorp Stadium would make Brisbane a more financially sustainable and attractive destination. According to Frontier Touring CEO Dion Brant, increasing the number of seats and adding a roof would be crucial. Such enhancements would not only help offset the high costs of international tours but also reduce weather-related risks and insurance expenses for promoters. These changes would play a decisive role in convincing the world’s biggest artists to include Brisbane on their tour schedules, ensuring the city is no longer overlooked.

A Modern Fortress for Sport and Fans

The vision for the precinct extends beyond the stadium walls and into the heart of the community on Caxton Street. The National Rugby League is moving forward with plans to establish a cutting-edge sports bar at the site of the Beetson Hotel. ARL Commission chief Peter V’landys described the project as a future Mecca for sports fans, designed to be the best and biggest sports bar in the country.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo added that the venue will provide a completely immersive experience, using modern LED and sound technology to make patrons feel like they are at the game. This development complements the passionate calls from rugby league legends for the stadium itself to be upgraded. Former champion Johnathan Thurston suggested an expansion to 70,000 seats would be needed to keep pace with Queensland’s growth and its ability to host world-class events. Broncos captain Adam Reynolds also used a major public platform to call for a bigger stadium, reflecting the high demand from local fans.

Building a Precinct for Generations

The planned upgrades are being framed as more than just a renovation; they represent a long-term investment in the community’s future. Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, who oversaw the stadium’s last major revamp, stated that an expansion to 65,000 seats with a roof would cement its status as Australia’s premier rectangular venue. He believes such a move would create a forward-thinking image for Brisbane and allow it to genuinely compete with Sydney and Melbourne for major national events.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a lasting legacy from the 2032 Games that benefits Queenslanders for decades. By improving capacity, accessibility, and overall quality, the project aims to ensure the Milton precinct remains the spiritual home of sport and a vibrant centre for culture and entertainment for generations to come.

Published Date 16-October-2025

Will Caxton Street Be Turned Into a Pedestrian Mall Soon?

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Caxton Street could soon be closed to traffic in the evening and on weekends, if plans for the strip push through. Local business owners believe that the strip needs upgrading and enhancing pedestrian safety to draw more crowds into the area.

Local businesses are putting forward plans to turn the strip into a vibrant pedestrian mall that would span from Suncorp Stadium to the Barracks. A semi-permanent set-up may be considered for Council approval, consisting of retractable bollards that would allow the area to be closed in the evening and on weekends, making it much safer for visitors to move around.

Business owners are pushing for the revitalisation of the stretch so it can keep up with the ongoing developments in the city especially once the Olympics kicks in. Caxton Street is also expected to get busier beginning next year with several sporting events already lined up in 2023 including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Dolphins and the Broncos playing at Suncorp Stadium.

Whilst some residents welcome the proposal, others are concerned that the proposed project could worsen traffic around the area.

“Not good for the residents of Petrie Terrace as motorists will take the side streets to avoid. A better idea would be to enclose hale street into a tunnel and put parklands over the top as it used to be.” – N. Hall

Caxton Hotel | Photo Credit: The Caxton / caxton.com.au

“Closing off Caxton Street will make for a traffic nightmare on Waterworks road into the city. Only other options would be Samford Rd or Milton Rd. Neither or which are great runs.” – K. Hopkins

“I like it, but they need to do better traffic routing around it for game days. If they close milton rd as well it would be a nightmare.” – P. Rosenow

“Sounds like a safe and sound idea to me but not until later in the night.” – F. Lansley

“It’s a bus route. The diversion adds travel time.” – R. Turner

“I think it should be closed permanently. Would be better as a mall.” – J. Taylor

Named after English writer and merchant William Caxton, the precinct is home to some of Brisbane’s finest entertainment venues, pubs and restaurants including the iconic Caxton Hotel and the Lord Alfred Hotel. A popular entertainment and dining destination in the inner city, Caxton Street comes alive on weekends, particularly after an NRL or soccer game. Caxton Street is also known for its annual street party event, the Caxton Hotel Seafood Festival.