Events & festivals
Upcoming events
Explore the great range of upcoming community events in the Cairns Regional Council area.
Annual events
Celebrate Christmas in the tropics with Cairns' biggest carols event - Carols in the Park. Featuring an on-stage showcase of local talent and plenty of opportunity to sing along
Understory Film Festival
Lights. Camera. Far North Queensland. As Far North Queensland’s premier short film festival, Understory celebrates the creativity, stories and screen talent of our region. A must-attend event for film lovers, creatives and supporters of regional arts and culture.
Cairns celebrates 150 years
Cairns is celebrating 150 years in 2026, with a program of milestones and community events taking place throughout the year.
Markets
Looking for some amazing local products straight from the artisans? Check out our Council-run markets.
Cairns Festival (AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER)
Cairns Festival is an annual 10-day celebration of art, culture and the beauty of living in Tropical North Queensland. Cairns Festival proudly hosts a kaleidoscope of culture, arts, music, comedy, visual arts, and family events celebrating the beauty and rich cultural heritage of living where the sun and sand meet the city.
Moving Picture Nights
Sit under the stars with family at one of our free Moving Picture nights throughout Cairns suburbs, beaches and parks.
Ticketlink
Visit Ticketlink to explore the events calendar and buy tickets to a live performance, play or music gig.
List your community event
Do you have an event, festival, celebration or important date that the Cairns regional community would like to know about? List it in Council's What's On directory, available on the MyCairns App and Councils website.
Submit your event Read our terms and conditions
- Visit Councils Grants webpage to find out about funding opportunities for Major Events, Community Events and Economic Partnership grants.
Showcase your food business at upcoming events
Register your details via the Food Vendor registration form to be considered for future trading opportunities.
Last Updated: 14 January 2026
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