Your Guide To Cairns Festival 2024
The 2024 Cairns Festival takes place from the 23rd of August to 1st of September. The annual event transforms the city of Cairns into a vibrant hub of live entertainment, music and artistic expression. This year's festival promises a spectacular array of free and paid activities and shows that highlight the unique spirit, culture and creativity of the region.
Here's your guide to What's On at the Cairns Festival, including events schedule, venues, ticketing and more to help you plan what things to do!
Cairns Festival Event Schedule 2024
The Cairns Festival 2024 kicks off with a dazzling opening night line up featuring multiple events around the city. From live music and dance performances, to a grand parade, stunning lights shows and an epic fireworks display over the iconic Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. This week-long event has something for families and individuals looking for fun and entertaining activities filled with a festive and lively atmosphere. Make sure to book your tickets early at Ticketlink to ensure you don’t miss out!
| Category | Event | Date and Time | Location | Price |
| Plays and Theatre | ||||
| Fourteen by Shannon Molly | 23 Aug 7:30pm | CPAC Theatre |
Adult $55 |
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| Adrift (MA15+) | 29 Aug - 1 Sept 6:30pm | CPAC Studio | Adult $39 Concession $35 |
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| HOTMESS: In The Flesh (R18+) | 29 Aug 7:00pm | Tanks Art Centre, Tank 5 | Adult $40 Concession $35 |
|
| Dance and Ballet | ||||
| Angel Monster (MA15+) | 24 Aug 8:00pm | Tanks Art Centre, Tank 3 | General $37 Concession $35 |
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| Wayfinder | 30 - 31 Aug | CPAC Theatre | Adult $45 Child $30 Concession $40 |
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| Seed of Destiny | 29 -31 Aug 6:30pm | Bulmba-ja NorthSite Art Gallery | Adult $28 Child $14 Family of 4 $70 |
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| Festival Charity | ||||
| Mayor's Christmas Charity Swamill Soiree | 31 Aug 5:00pm | The Mill (Rankine Timber Mill) Stratford | General $280 | |
| Paid Live Music | ||||
| Tropical Soul Party ft The Bamboos + DJ Emma Peel (MA15+) | 23 Aug 6:00pm | Tanks Art Centre, Tank 5 | General $55 | |
| Telenova (MA15+) | 25 Aug 7:00pm | Tank Art Centre, Tank 5 | Adult $40 Youth $36 Concession $36 |
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| Jebediah and Magic Dirt (MA15+) | 30 Aug 7:30pm | Tanks Art Centre, Tank 5 | Pre-Purchase $69.20 Door Sale $75 |
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| Jazz Under the Stars | 31 Aug 5:30pm | Flecker Gardens, Cairns Botanic Gardens | Adult $20 Child Under 14 Free |
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| Free Live Music | ||||
| Sunday Sundown | 25 Aug 4:00pm | Court House Gallery, Front Lawn | Free | |
| Blues + Folk | 29 Aug 6:00pm | Court House Gallery, Front Lawn | Free | |
| World Beatz | 30 Aug 6:00pm | Court House Gallery, Front Lawn | Free | |
| Hometown Harmonies | 31 Aug 6:00pm | Court House Gallery, Front Lawn | Free | |
| Free Visual Arts Events | ||||
| Birdlife of the Cattana Wetlands | 30 Jul - 29 Sep | Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre | Free | |
| Cultural Narratives of the North | 22 Aug - 5 Oct | Court House Gallery | Free | |
| Janjari by Dr Fiona Foley | 22 Aug - 23 Nov | Court House Gallery | Free | |
| Voices of Our Past by Galbu Geth | 22 Aug - 5 Oct | Court House Gallery | Free | |
| SWEATBOX | 23 Aug - 19 Sep | Crate59 Gallery, 59 Sheridan Street | Free | |
| Season Four | 23 Aug - 19 Sep | Bulmba-ja NorthSite Art Gallery | Free | |
| Bloom by Bonemap | 23 Aug - 1 Sep | Court House Gallery, Front Lawn | Free | |
| ENERGY | 24 Aug - 29 Sep | Tanks Art Centre, Tank 4 | Free | |
| Free Main Events | ||||
| Festival Launch Party: A Cultural Rising | 23 Aug 6:00pm | Court House Gallery, Front Lawn | Free | |
| Reef Lights: Where the Rainforest Meets the Reef | 23 - 1st Sep 6:30pm | Esplanade and Eastern Events Lawn | Free | |
| Esplanade Main Stage | 24 Aug 12:00pm | Western Events Lawn | Free | |
| Grand Parade | 24 Aug 5:30pm | Cairns Esplanade | Free | |
| Fireworks Spectacular | 24 Aug 7:30pm | Cairns Esplanade | Free | |
| Carnival on Collins Market | 1st Sep 9:00am | Tanks Art Centre, Collins Avenue | Free | |
| Free Children Events | ||||
| HEXADECA | 23 Aug - 1 Sep | Cairns Esplanade Eastern Events Lawn | Free | |
| The Bubble Station | 23 Aug - 1 Sep | Cairns Esplanade, Lagoon Plaza | Free | |
| Aerobatic Aircraft Display | 23 Aug 3:30pm | Cairns Esplanade | Free |
Cairns Festival Grand Parade Road Closures
On Saturday 24th August The Cairns Festival Grand Parade will be marching down the Esplanade from around 5:00pm to 7:00pm. With over 25,000 people attending every year, the Grand Parade is one of the region's largest community events. Naturally, an event this big see's the closure of a few roads to cater to the Parade.
Road closures will impact the CBD area from 5:00am to 10:00pm. Affected roads include Pier Point Road (with no access to bus stops), The Esplanade from Spence Street to Minnie Street, Lake Street, Florence Street, and the Pier Carpark. If you have any concerns on the day, please seek assistance from a traffic controller.
Looking for more things to do during Cairns Festival? Check out these popular tours!
