Cairns Children’s Festival returns for 12th year

Cairns Children’s Festival returns on 16–17 May 2026 with a weekend of performances, workshops and interactive experiences for children aged 12 and under, bringing families into some of the city’s best arts and cultural spaces.

Designed to spark creativity and curiosity in young minds, Cairns Children’s Festival, which is now in its 12^th year, promises a whole lot of entertainment, education and inspiration, with ticketed events at Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) and Cairns City Library on Saturday, followed by a free activity program at Tanks Arts Centre and the Botanic Gardens on Sunday.

A highlight of this year’s program is Night at the Library: The Unwritten Story by Box Jelly Theatre Co, created especially for Cairns Children’s Festival.

For the first time, Cairns City Library will open in the evening for the magical, interactive roving theatre event, giving children access to parts of the library never before seen as they become heroes on a mission to restore the magic of stories.

Rachel Terry, writer and producer of Night at the Library, said The Unwritten Story was a special experience because children helped drive the story forward while exploring behind-the-scenes spaces in the library.

“They can expect to step into a magical world where storytelling and books are celebrated and are the gateway to the imagination,” she said.

“I really cannot give away too much as that will ruin the surprises along the way, but this is not a sit down and watch the show theatrical experience. It is immersive theatre, where children follow the figurative breadcrumbs.”

Terry said Cairns Children’s Festival was a natural fit for the production, with Box Jelly based in Cairns and working with regional children of all ages through drama.

“It is a story that celebrates children, is for children and was created with children,” she said.

“We also believe in the power of creativity and storytelling to change lives and give us a sense of belonging.”

The festival program continues across CPAC with a series of performances designed for younger audiences, alongside interactive experiences and workshops at Tanks Arts Centre and the surrounding Botanic Gardens, offering families a full weekend of accessible arts and cultural experiences.

At CPAC on Saturday, the program opens with POD, a multi-sensory, sensory-friendly performance designed for younger audiences, following a seed pod on a journey through the Top End seasons using live music, puppetry and interactive projections.

Also taking to the stage is The Alphabet of Awesome Science, where Professor Lexi Con and Professor Noel Edge race through 26 science experiments in 52 minutes, delivering a fast-paced and interactive experience for children aged 5–12.

Between performances, the CPAC foyer will host the TINCAIRNS150 Creation Station, where children can experiment with paper craft and contribute to a community zine.

Sunday’s free program at Tanks Arts Centre and the Botanic Gardens expands the festival into a full day of hands-on activities, performances and creative play for families.

A highlight is Neon Space Garden in Tank 5, an interactive UV installation by local artist Dilja Thorpe, inviting children to explore, move through and engage with the space in unexpected ways.

In Tank 4, the Tinkering Tank will form part of the festival’s creative program, led by local artist Hayley Gillespie. The interactive workshop experience invites children to contribute to a growing reef-inspired installation, encouraging experimentation, collaboration and hands-on making in the lead-up to the festival in May.

Across the precinct, a series of Creation Stations will give children the opportunity to build, plant and create. The program also includes live performances such as Bunktopia by Bunk Puppets and The Magnificent Danny and Dazzle in Flecker Gardens, alongside a Mini Makers Market featuring stalls run by children, as well as food vans and family-friendly activities throughout the day.

For the full program and to purchase tickets, visit the Cairns Children’s Festival website.