Getting a ticket to the Abbey Medieval Banquet is definitely not easy.
Held annually the week before the Abbey Medieval Festival and seating only 300 people, these highly sought-after tickets sell out within minutes. I’ve been trying to secure a spot at the banquet for years – ever since I first attended the medieval festival in fact. This year I finally got one and needless to say – I was very excted!
During the four hours of the banquet you’ll feast on generous medieval fare, drink mulled wine and mead, watch live entertainment, dance a few jigs and join hundreds of fellow guests dressed in everything from simple peasant outfits to elaborate gowns, armour and Viking costumes. It’s one of the most immersive themed events I’ve attended in Queensland.
Watch my video of the banquet here. And make sure you are following me on Instagram to stay on top of all my Queensland adventures!
The Setting
The Abbey Medieval Banquet is held in a hall in St Michael’s College, Caboolture. But you’ll soon forget about that as you step back in time 500 years.
In true medieval fashion, your hands are ceremonially washed before you take your seat. A warm cup of mulled wine is handed to each guest on arrival. Fragrant with spices and wonderfully warming, it reminded me of Christmas and was the perfect way to begin the evening.
Stepping inside, you’ll find long banquet tables stretching the length of the hall. On a stage at the top of the room sits the High Table, reserved for local nobility – in our case the Mayor of Moreton Bay and other honoured guests. Every time anyone passes the High Table – even the serving staff – you must stop to bow or curtsy and “pay courtesy” to those honoured guests.
With candlelight flickering across the tables, banners hanging from the walls and everyone dressed in medieval finery, it doesn’t take long to forget you’re sitting inside a modern college hall.
Check out my review of the Abbey Medieval Festival, held annually the weekend after the banquet.
The Feast
As you’d expect from a medieval banquet, nobody goes home hungry.
The meal is served gradually across two generous removes, followed by a final issue of cheese, fruit and cake.
The first remove included fresh bread, hearty soup, a chicken leg, pork pie, leg of lamb, spiced root vegetables and an almond tart. The pork pie, soup and lamb were particular standouts.
The second remove featured duck leg, roast pork with apple, beef stew, turnip gratin and a honey and walnut tartin. Finishing with zesty fruit cake alongside a platter of cheese, nuts and dried fruit.
The food arrives throughout the evening at a relaxed pace, so there’s never a sense of being rushed or that you’re waiting for the next course.
In keeping with medieval tradition, there are no plates. Instead, each guest receives an incredibly hard round of flatbread which serves as a trencher for your food.
Platters are placed in the centre of each table and shared with your neighbours. You’ll either pick up food with your fingers or spear it with your knife. There are no forks or serving spoons in sight. Authentic, remember?
The menu is definitely meat-focused, although vegetarian options are available.
Your cup of warm mulled wine is included in the ticket, but if you’d like something more to drink the tavern is open throughout the evening serving mead, sparkling apple cider and other beverages.
The Entertainment
A herald acts as master of ceremonies, keeping guests laughing with jokes and witty tales throughout the night. The rest of the entertainment consists of juggling, musicians, Turkish dancers and an impressive fire dancing display. You’ll hear many cries of “Huzzah!” as the guests enthusiastically get into the spirit of proceedings.
My favourite part of the entertainment came right at the end when everyone was invited onto the floor to learn a traditional medieval dance. This was heaps of fun and a great way to finish the evening on a high.
Keep reading to watch a video of the entertainment.
Dressing Up
Technically costumes are optional. But you should absolutely wear one.
Almost everyone embraces the theme, arriving in medieval gowns, tunics, cloaks, Viking outfits or chainmail. There were only a handful of people dressed in modern clothes and they stood out far more than anyone in a costume.
Half the fun is seeing everyone’s creativity and enthusiasm – the costumes help create an immersive atmosphere that wouldn’t exist otherwise.
The Atmosphere
You can really feel how much love has gone into every tiny detail of this banquet.
There’s a wonderful sense of community in the room too. People share platters with complete strangers, raise cups together and spend the evening immersed in a shared love of history and medieval culture.
Most of the entertainers and guards are also involved in the medieval festival. I got chatting to a knight who was at the first festival 30 years ago when only 20 people came (it’s a little different now!), and he told us how he made his own chainmail – meticulous work that took him 800 hours. This love of history and commitment to authenticity is what makes the medieval festival so highly regarded. And the medieval banquet captures that same spirit beautifully. No one does anything by halves here.
Looking for more unique experiences around Brisbane? I’ve got plenty of ideas here.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Tickets cost $155 per person.
- The event runs for approximately four hours.
- Wooden bench seating is authentic but not especially comfortable, so don’t be afraid to stand and stretch your legs occasionally.
- VIP tickets are available and include cushioned seating closer to the stage.
- Toilets are located some distance from the banquet hall, so allow a few minutes if you need to leave during the evening.
- Tickets sell out within minutes every year, so be ready as soon as bookings open.
Is the Abbey Medieval Banquet Worth It?
100% yes.
This is a very well-organised event, with everything running smoothly and efficiently. The attention to detail in the theming is superb, from the hand washing at the start, the drinks on offer in the tavern and the guards wearing authentic chainmail.
But what makes the Abbey Medieval Banquet so memorable isn’t just the food or entertainment or this incredible attention to detail. It’s the feeling of being completely immersed in another time. For four hours, everyone commits to the experience – from the costumes and traditions to the cries of “Huzzah!”. It’s rare to find an event where so many people throw themselves into the theme so wholeheartedly, and that’s exactly what makes this event so special.
Between the outstanding theming, generous feast, engaging entertainment and incredible atmosphere, it’s easy to see why this is one of Queensland’s hottest annual events.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience what a medieval celebration might have felt like, this is about as close as you’ll get. Just don’t wait to buy tickets. Chances are they’ll already be gone.
Check next year’s ticket release dates here.
Make a Weekend Of It
If you’re travelling to the medieval festival or banquet, consider staying nearby so you can enjoy the evening without the drive home. It’s worth it for that second cup of mulled wine.
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