Cairns Multicultural Month
Cairns Multicultural Month is the perfect time to acknowledge and celebrate that, while we come from different places and cultures, we all contribute to making Cairns a wonderful place to live. Multicultural month occurs August each year in line with the Queensland Government’s Multicultural Queensland Month.
Other events supported by Council
Council offers a number of Community Grants to support cultural associations, community service providers and organisations to deliver multicultural activities and events in Cairns.
The following events are supported by Cairns Regional Council:
Come on down to Fogarty Park to experience the Cairns Italian Festival – La Festa Food & Wine.
Organised by the Cairns Italian Festival Committee and supported by Cairns Regional Council.
For more information, visit the Cairns Italian Festival website.
The Cairns Japan Bon Dance Festival will be held at Fogarty Park.
Organised by The Japanese Society of Cairns and supported by Cairns Regional Council.
For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
The QGFHA Carpenter Cup 2026 - Festival of Irish Sport is a 7 aside Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie tournament, and will be held at Watson's Oval in Manunda.
Organised by The Cairns Chieftains and Queensland Gaelic Football & Hurling Association (QGFHA) and supported by the Cairns Regional Council.
For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
The Cairns Indian Festival is one of Cairns’ biggest celebrations of Indian culture, food, music, dance and community.will be held at Fogarty Park.
Organised by GOPIO Cairns and supported by Cairns Regional Council.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Cairns Indian Festival website.
Ganeshotsav 2026 is a celebration of devotion, joy, and togetherness, and will be held at Edge Hill State School.
Organised by Cairns Hindu Samaj - CHS and supported by Cairns Regional Council.
For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
The PNG Cultural & Family Day - 51st Independence Anniversary is a celebration of PNG cultural arts and crafts, food and traditional performances, including live musical performances. The event will be held at Fogarty Park.
Organised by Papua New Guinea & Wantoks Association Cairns Inc and supported by Cairns Regional Council.
For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
The Philippine Barrio Fiesta is bringing the vibrant spirit of Filipino culture back to Cairns for an even bigger and more exciting celebration! The event will be held at the Western Event Lawn Cairns Esplanade.
Organised by the Philippine Cultural Society of Cairns and supported by Cairns Regional Council.
For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
| When | Event | What | Where | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurs 28 July - Sun 7 Aug | Cairns Italian Festival | Experience Italy in Cairns with the finest Italian comedy, opera, food, movies, cocktails, art and Ferraris. | Various locations | Cairns Italian Festival |
| Sat 30 July 11am – 9:30pm | La Festa – food and wine | Feature event of the Cairns Italian Festival - A huge Italian extravaganza of food, dancing, entertainment and fireworks. Tickets from $17.90 | Fogarty Park, Esplanade, Cairns City | Cairns Italian Festival |
| Sat 6 August 10am – 2:30pm | How to run successful multicultural community groups workshop | Workshop for Multicultural Community groups, hosted by Council | Stratford Library, 11 Kamerunga Rd | Cairns Regional Council What’s On |
| Tues 9 August 5:30pm | Multicultural Community leaders evening | Meeting of multicultural community leaders in Cairns. | 212 McCormack St, Manunda | |
| Wed 10 August 6:30pm | Rosemary's way | A film that celebrates the remarkable Rosemary Kariuki (2021 Australian of the Year) and one of the groups of vulnerable migrant women of suburban Sydney whose lives she helps transform from isolation to connection. Tickets are $23 including booking fee. | Event Cinemas Earlville, 537 Mulgrave road, Cairns | FanForce | Rosemary’s Way BCC Cinemas Earlville (fan-force.com) |
| Sat 13 August 2pm – 8pm | Japanese Bon Dance festival | A showcase of Traditional Japanese cultural performances, dance and song by local community groups. Free | Western Lawn - The Esplanade, Cairns City | Japanese Society of Cairns |
| Sat 27 August 5:30pm – 7:30pm | Cairns Festival Grand Parade | Celebrate Cairns and its many communities at the Cairns Festival Grand Parade | Esplanade, Cairns City | Cairns Festival |
| Sat 3 September | Ganesh Utsav | An Indian cultural festival marking the birth of the elephant- headed deity Ganesha, featuring the installation of Ganesha clay idols, folk music, culinary delights and traditional dress | Edge Hill State School, 254 Pease St, Edge Hill | Cairns Hindu Samaj |
| Sat 10 September 9am – 10pm | CARMA Multicultural Festival | CARMA brings together many community groups in Cairns to share, conserve and promote the cultural diversity of the region. | Munro Martin Parklands, 123 Sheridan St, Cairns City | Cairns and Region Multicultural Association |
| Friday nights from 5pm | German Club Cairns Friday night festivities | German Club Cairns events in Aug and Sep and include a Big Bavaria Bash, and themed celebrations of onions, dachshunds and the Almabtrieb! | German Club 57 Winkworth Street Bungalow | German Club Cairns |
| Friday mornings 10am – 12:30pm | Multicultural Women Empowerment group | Join a workshop, learn a new skill, meet friends and get involved in your community | Uniting Church 2-6 Ravizza Drive, Edmonton | Uniting Church and Pacific Communities Council. Supported by Centacare |
| August - September | Storytime at Cairns Libraries | Stories of many cultures at Cairns Libraries for pre-school aged children. | Cairns Libraries branches | Cairns Libraries |
| August - September | Art exhibitions: FACELESS, and Dylan Mooney, a Story of my people | FACELESS is about Transforming identity Blak/Black artists from North Australia, and the African diaspora, and Dylan Moody’s exhibition is a tribute to Australian Indigenous and South Sea Islander people | Cairns Art Gallery, 40 Abbott St, Cairns City |
Gallery images from previous Cairns Multicultural Month:
Have an idea for Multicultural Month?
If you have any enquiries or suggestions for Multicultural Month, please contact Cairns Regional Council Multicultural Community Services Officer Phone: (07) 4044 3568 or email communityservices@cairns.qld.gov.au
Council offers a number of Community Grants to support cultural associations, community service providers and organisations to deliver multicultural activities and events in Cairns. If you’re interested in applying for a Community Partnership grant, please reach out to the Community Partnerships team: communitygrants@cairns.qld.gov.au
Keep an eye on Council's Upcoming events page for upcoming events.
Last Updated: 24 July 2026
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