Queensland is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, boasting major art galleries and prestigious cultural institutions. The Queensland Art Gallery and Queensland Gallery of Modern Art are central to the state’s artistic identity, while the Queensland Cultural Centre in Brisbane is home to iconic organizations such as the Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, Queensland Theatre Company, and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Queensland has also produced globally recognized musicians, including the Bee Gees, the Go-Betweens, and Savage Garden, as well as celebrated authors like David Malouf and Nick Earls.

The state hosts several major cultural events each year, with the Royal Queensland Exhibition, known locally as the Ekka, being one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in the country. Held each August at the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Ekka showcases Queensland's agricultural heritage. Another major event, the Brisbane Festival in September, features a variety of performances and one of the nation’s largest annual fireworks displays, 'Riverfire.'

In the realm of sports, Queensland is a hub for national and international competitions. Rugby league dominates the winter months, with the Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys, The Dolphins, and Gold Coast Titans all representing the state in the National Rugby League (NRL). The State of Origin series, where the Queensland Maroons face New South Wales, is a key fixture on the Queensland sporting calendar. Cricket also plays a major role, with the Queensland Bulls competing in the Sheffield Shield and Ryobi One Day Cup, while the Brisbane Heat are a strong contender in the Big Bash League.

Queensland is also home to the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL), and the Brisbane Roar FC in the A-League. In netball, the Queensland Firebirds are celebrated for their undefeated 2011 season and subsequent Grand Final win. The state also supports basketball teams like the Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans, both of which compete in the National Basketball League (NBL). Rugby union is represented by the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby, while swimming remains a hugely popular sport with many international medalists hailing from the state.

In the coming years, Brisbane will host the 2032 Summer Olympics, marking a significant milestone as the third time Australia has hosted the Games. Queensland regularly hosts major sporting events such as the Gold Coast 600 (motorsport), Gold Coast Marathon (athletics), and the NRL All Stars Game, cementing its reputation as a global sports destination.