Simply having outlandish Christmastime? Get ready for the strangest and most exciting event of the year as The Oddities & Curiosities Expo, the ultimate celebration of all things peculiar and extraordinary, makes its highly anticipated comeback to Brisbane on November 29 and 30!
This one-of-a-kind traveling showcase brings together hundreds of vendors and artists of all kinds of knick-knacks and gizmos from across the country, creating a playground for the strange and unusual! A wonderful collection of the weird, curious, and downright bizarre, the expo provides a platform for anyone with a niche product or art piece to sell, those looking to buy, and all like-minded individuals.
Browse and shop for rare and unique items, including taxidermy, preserved animal specimens, dark artistry, original horror and Halloween-inspired artwork, antiques, metaphysical accoutrements, handcrafted oddities, skulls, bones, and even funeral collectibles!
If you’re more of a window shopper and are not looking to give a taxidermied animal a new home, the expo’s still worth paying a visit. Beyond shopping, it’s an immersive experience with photo opportunities,
tarot readings, sideshow performances, and more!
Founded in Oklahoma by Michelle and Tony Cozzaglio, The Oddities and Curiosities Expo has become a travelling event after hosting hundreds of events across North America, recognizing a growing demand abroad for this unique large-scale gathering.
Michelle said, “We are so incredibly excited to return to Australia […] We were absolutely shocked at the interest for our first tour there in 2023 and look forward to returning bigger and better this year as we expand room sizes, add more vendors and add one new city! We met so many amazing people within the Australian oddities community last year and we can’t wait to bring everyone together again.”
And because nothing can bring people together like learning something new, in addition to general tickets, Brisbanite oddity enthusiasts will be able to book a taxidermy class! Hosted by The Sleeping Sirens on both Saturday and Sunday, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to embark on your taxidermy journey, mounting a North American oppossum head on Saturday and a ratalope —a large rat shoulder mount with antlers — on Sunday.
If creepy crawlers fascinate you, there will be an entomology class on both days as well. You will learn the foundational knowledge of hands-on entomology, and will be guided step-by-step in creating your own perfectly pinned specimens — a butterfly on Saturday and a beetle on Sunday — ready to be displayed as your very own oddity!
Finally, if biological preservation intrigues you, you’ll want to attend Sunday’s Wet Specimen Preservation Workshop. Discover how to create striking wet specimens that showcase the beauty and complexity of the natural world in an educational experience that combines art, science, and a deep appreciation for biodiversity. At the end of it, you’ll have a stunning preserved to take home.
Most importantly, all animals and specimens used in the classes and other parts of the show are sourced ethically and died of natural causes.
Practical information
The Oddities and Curiosities Expo will be coming to Brisbane on November 29 and 30 from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
The Taxidermy Class on Satuday will take place from 10am to 4pm, and costs $500. Sunday’s class will go from 1:30pm to 4pm, and will run you $250.
The Entomology classes both start at 1:30pm and are $235, and the Wet Specimen Class will take place from 10am to 12pm and cost $250.
All workshop tickets include general admission.
General admission tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. You can get all types of tickets here.
📍BCEC, Grey St, South Brisbane