The Burdekin Water Festival includes a wide range of community events including the Tastes of the Burdekin food festival, an Ambassador program, gala events and a Street Parade & Mardi Gras.

The Burdekin Water Festival is one of the longest running festivals in Queensland. It was the dream of William Morley (Bob) Saxby Snr who had been to Toowoomba and had experienced the Carnival of Flowers in 1957. Upon his return to Ayr, he approached the Shire Chairman at the time to discuss what the Burdekin could do to promote its underground water supply.