Cairns Children's Festival 2024

Jessica Munro

Updated Tue 30 Apr 2024

The annual Cairns Children’s Festival is just around the corner, and preparations are well underway for a jam-packed weekend of kiddie fun. Hosted on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st of May 2024 at three arts venues across Cairns, a series of interactive workshops, activities and performances aim to celebrate and engage in the spirit of fun and imaginative creativity that is appreciated in children. 

If your looking for something to do with the kids in Cairns, this article is your guide to what’s on and when, so you can plan ahead for the lively two-day event! 

Photo: Cairns Children's Festival

A Guide To Cairns Children’s Festival

Unfolding across three vibrant venues; the Tanks Art Centre, Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), and the Cairns Courthouse Gallery, each space offers a unique display of free and paid events designed to captivate and inspire young minds to dream big. 

Below you’ll find a schedule of all the activities happening over the weekend including times, venues and entry fees.

Photo: Cairns Children's Festival

Cairns Children's Festival Events

Erth's Shark Dive: Come face-to-face with the doctors of the ocean as you delve into the realm of sharks. No diving experience required as you choose your own underwater adventure.

The One Who Planted Trees: Join a bandicoot, koala and a frilled-neck lizard as they share their story of a woman who plants hope and happiness into their world and the world around her. 

Tropical Punch Puppet Party: Come and play with master puppeteers and put on your silliest voices while telling funny stories in this interactive free play.

Beasties: Be intrigued and entertained by this petting zoo like no other with sights of unusual creatures like a one-eyed blue cat, a pig that squirts water and dancing carrots.

Pop Up Library: For the littlest of bookworms, this space has been designed for imaginative exploration and play.

Crazy Creatures Exhibition: A display of original artworks by young artists with a brief to create something that represents a real or imagined animal or creature. 

Pat Malone's Magic Garden: Join your tour guide Pat Malone on an all-ages adventure of inclusive performances with some of your favourite Aussie animals. 

Proudfoot & Friends: Grab a seat front row and centre and get ready to laugh, dance and sing along with Proudfoot and all his friends in this theatre spectacular.

Tinkering Tank: Put on your tinkering cap and prepare to get lost in a space of endless possibilities that feed your imagination, bursting with bright colours and ideas. 

Bulmba Gadigadigu: Return to country and participate in exciting cultural workshops and performances led by talented First Nations artists. 

Little Sprouts: Nurture little green thumbs in this hands-on space for kids to get their hands dirty and sow their own seeds.  

What's Brewing: Wombat Stew Story Walk: Take a walk with wombo as you get whisked away by suspense and adventure on this immersing story activity either self-paced or with a guide.

5 Minutes of Fame Stage: If you're a dancer, musician, actor, or any sort of performer, show us your talents and steal the limelight for 5 minutes on the stage.

ScreenPLAY: Chill out and relax into a comfy bean bag to watch an immersive display of junior filmmakers on the big screen. 

Photo: Cairns Children's Festival

Cairns Children’s Festival is a great opportunity to foster the upcoming generation's wild and imaginative sides, feed their unique personalities and allow them to freely express themselves in a safe, fun and encouraging environment. Mark the event on your calendar and inspire the next wave of talented young artists, thinkers, tinkerers and performers to come.

Visiting Cairns during the weekend of Cairns Children's Festival? Our team of online travel experts can help you make the most of your trip! Call +61 7 4082 7470 or chat with us online 24/7.