Cairns Events and Festivals

A number of events and festivals are held in and around the Cairns area, with the tourism industry seizing every opportunity to place visitors in direct contact with local culture. A number of annual festivals highlight the region's long-standing indigenous heritage.

Yacht Club Anniversary Regatta: the Yacht Club features a variety of events throughout the year. One of Cairns' first events of the year is the annual regatta, but the Yacht Club also hosts several monthly events including junior races and dinghy and keel boat races.

Reef and Rainforest Carnivale: this 10-day event held in Port Douglas, Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Mossman is characterised by vibrant colours and raucous celebration. A myriad of games and events centred on the region's natural endowments is backed by vendors selling snacks, handicrafts and artwork—most of which are connected to the reef and rainforest themes.

Port Douglas Carnival: this annual event held in Port Douglas is highlighted by a six-day regatta. One of the six days is set aside for those not accustomed to sailing, when the ships open their decks to curious visitors. Several sporting events, musical performances and a few staged events are also on the schedule.

The Dreaming: a four-day festival held in Queensland near Brisbane. This is a celebration of indigenous culture in all its forms. During this time, visitors can take part in Australia's Aboriginal heritage in a number of ways. Artists are showcased, several workshops are held, healing ceremonies are performed and Dreamtime stories are related around campfires. Attendees are well catered for with food vendors and stalls selling indigenous arts and crafts.

Didgeridoo Festival: this new event premiered in 2007 at Gin Gin sees a number of workshops and staged performances that encourage visitors to learn more about this popular musical instrument. Aboriginal dancers, boomerang-throwing contests and indigenous arts and crafts exhibitions are also on the agenda. Event organisers hope to foster cross-cultural connections between Australia's indigenous communities and the region's visitors.

Festival Cairns: this action-packed festival spans three weeks between late August and early September. During this time, visitors and locals revel in a series of planned activities that include a variety of musical performances, several theatre events and the wildly popular Sportsfest. Most of these events take place on or near the Esplanade, within walking distance of most of Cairns' facilities.

Cairns Amateur Racing Carnival: a thoroughbred racing event that draws an impressive turnout from across the country, this two-day festival hosts 15 races and awards hundreds of thousands of dollars. Against the backdrop of old-world class, you're sure to see plenty of well-dressed socialites at the races.

Lizard Island Black Marlin Class: a week-long competition pitting the world's best big-game anglers against one another. The Marlin Fishing Classic is also held around this time. Those who would like to cast a line and try their luck can arrange a charter fishing boat through any one of the local travel agencies.

Cairns Art Society Exhibition: an annual exhibition held for a month and a half from mid-October to the last Sunday in November. The selection of artwork profiles artists from Northern Queensland and prizes are awarded to the best artwork on display. Visitors are encouraged not only to view the variety of work, but also to purchase art directly from the artists.

Postcard Show: this fundraiser sees postcard-sized art produced by Australian artists. The event is hosted at Cairns Regional Gallery, and the funds are raised through an auction that follows the exhibition.

Woodford Folk Festival: an annual event held near Brisbane, the folk festival is held in a wooded setting on land owned by the Queensland Folk Federation. Music, dancing and theatre are held over the course of several days, culminating in an explosive New Year’s Day celebration when a celebratory fire is lit.