Your Guide To Cairns Festival 2025
The 2025 Cairns Festival takes place from the 29th of August to 7th 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 2025
The Cairns Festival 2025 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 10-day 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, Dance, and Theatre | ||||
| Madame After Dark presented by Buenos Nachos Productions |
Thursday 28 August - Saturday 30 August 8:30pm |
Bulmba-ja Arts Centre |
General Admission $39.50 |
|
| PRIMAL - Circus |
Thursday 4 September - Saturday 6 September 5:30pm |
Tanks Art Centre, Tank 3 |
Pre-Sale $59 Door Sales $65 |
|
| Duck Pond By Circa |
Friday 29 August - Saturday 30 August 7:30pm |
CPAC Theatre |
General $55 |
|
| Comedy | ||||
| Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition |
Thursday 4 September 7:00pm |
CPAC Studio | General $29 | |
| Luke McGregor Comedian - Okay, Wow |
Sunday 31 August 7:45pm |
Tanks Art Centre, Tank 5 | General $49 | |
| Merrick Watts - An Idiot's Guide To Wine |
Saturday 6 September 2:00pm |
Tanks Arts Centre - Tank 5 | Pre-Purchase $75 Door Sale $85 |
|
| Paid Live Music | ||||
| Hey DJ: A Hip Hop Party Jam |
Friday 29 August 8:30pm |
Tanks Art Centre, Tank 5 | General $59 | |
| The Cat Empire - Bird In Paradise Album Tour |
Sunday 31 August 5:30pm |
Munro Martin Parklands | Adult $89 Child $29 |
|
| Not On Your Rider |
Wednesday 3 September - Thursday 4 September 6:30pm |
Tanks Art Centre, Tank 5 | Pre-Purchase $40 Door Sale $45 |
|
| The Counterfeit |
Friday 5 September 7:45pm |
Tanks Arts Centre - Tank 5 | Pre-Purchase $55 Door Sale $60 |
|
| All Together Now! By Opera Queensland |
Saturday 6 September 7:00pm |
CPAC Studio |
Adult $40 Concession $35 Youth $30 |
|
| Free Visual Arts and Events | ||||
| The Bubble Emporium |
Friday 29 August - Saturday 6 September 6:20pm |
Esplanade Plaza Lawn | Free | |
| Canvas of Cairns |
Friday 29 August - Sunday 7 September 6:30pm |
Cairns Esplanade | Free | |
| Aerobatic Aircraft Display & Cairns Airport Careers Day |
Saturday 30 August - Sunday 31 August 4:00pm |
Cairns Esplanade & Cairns Aviation Skills Centre | Free | |
| Let's Organise Your Leisure |
Sunday 31 August 10:00am |
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon | Free | |
| Free Main Events | ||||
| Grand Parade |
Saturday 30 August 5:30pm |
Cairns Esplanade | Free | |
| Fireworks Spectacular |
Saturday 30 August 7:30pm |
Cairns Esplanade | Free | |
| Carnival on Collins |
Sunday 7 September 9:00am |
Tanks Arts Centre & Cairns Botanic Gardens, Collins Avenue | Free | |
| Free Children Events | ||||
| Creation Station: The Yarntree by Claire Heathcock |
Tuesday 2 September 10:00am |
Cairns Esplanade - Promenade | Free | |
| The Whale by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre |
Friday 29 August - Sunday 7 September 1:30pm |
Esplanade - Eastern Event Lawn | Free |
Cairns Festival Grand Parade Road Closures
On Saturday the 30th 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!
