Christmas magic set to light up the city

• Cairns lights up with a full festive program including the Christmas Tree Light Switch-On, Twilight Markets, Let It Snow activation, Carols in the Park, and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
• Free, family-friendly events run from 30 November to 31 December across the Cairns CBD and suburbs.
• Highlights include snow in the tropics, over 20 carols performances, markets, Santa appearances, and fireworks in Cairns, Palm Cove, and Edmonton.

The countdown to Christmas is officially on and Council is set to bring festive cheer across the city all season long, with twinkling lights and bustling markets, snowy surprises, carols and fireworks, the Christmas spirit will be shining brightly right across the region.

The celebrations begin on Sunday 30 November with the city’s much-loved Christmas Tree Light Switch-On and Twilight Christmas Markets.

Families are invited to gather at Lagoon Plaza for Dusty the Christmas Beetle and Friends, a joyful stage play running several shows between 4:45pm and 8pm, before the giant Christmas Tree is illuminated at 7pm.

Over at Shields Street Plaza, the Twilight Christmas Markets will showcase local makers, festive foods, and handmade gifts from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, creating the perfect opportunity to find something special for under the tree.

Adding to the excitement, the Let It Snow - Tropical Winter Wonderland will transform the Esplanade into a magical winter wonderland, with flurries of snow falling at 7:00pm and again at 8:00pm.

The Let It Snow activation continues to run Thursdays to Sundays, at 6:00pm and 7:00pm, from 30 November to 14 December at Lagoon Plaza Lawn.

Visitors can experience the wonder of snow in the tropics, surrounded by festive carols, twinkling lights, Santa’s sleigh, and plenty of holiday cheer under the night sky.

CAROLS IN THE PARK

The city’s Christmas celebrations wouldn’t be complete without the annual Carols in the Park at Munro Martin Parklands on Sunday 14 December.

Gates open at 4:00pm with the Carols show starting at 6:30pm, featuring more than twenty live performances, a special visit from Santa, and a selection of food trucks to keep families fuelled for a night of festive singing and joy.

For those who prefer to stay cool, the full event will be live-streamed from the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), bringing the carols experience indoors for a comfortable and air-conditioned evening of community celebration.

NEW YEARS EVE

The year will end with a bang at the Cairns Esplanade, where New Year’s Eve festivities will also launch Cairns’ 150 Years program, a celebration of 150 years of the official founding of Cairns.

Taking place on Wednesday 31 December from 5:00pm to 9:30pm at the Western Events Lawn, the free family concert will feature local performers, live entertainment, and two spectacular fireworks displays at 8:30pm and midnight.

Fireworks will also light up Palm Cove and Edmonton at 8:30pm, ensuring families across the region can enjoy the celebrations together.

All events are free, family-friendly, and filled with opportunities to celebrate local this Christmas.

For full event details, visit cairns.qld.gov.au/experience-cairns/events/annual-events/christmas-tree-lights