Cairns Festival Exhibition - Celebrating 60 Years

Cairns Festival Turns 60 Exhbition Image
Fun in the Sun Parade - Martians Protest. Photographer Les Pearson, 1966. Image courtesy of Cairns Historical Society

3 August – 10 September


View the dynamic soul of our city through curiosity, creativity, and culture, celebrating 60 years of the Cairns Festival - a journey through the archives.

The city’s very first festival was founded by the Cairns City Council on 26th May 1962, then named Fun in the Sun, the highlight event being the grand opening of a new jetty on Green Island. A street parade and the inaugural crowning of ‘Miss Cairns’ were also amongst highlights, firmly cementing the event in tourism calendars.

Bringing together all elements of tourism, arts, culture, and lifestyle, Cairns Festival is now recognised as one of Queensland’s most significant and fastest growing cultural events.

Last Updated: 4 March 2023

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