Cairns Children's Festival

Get ready for a blast of kiddie craziness at the Cairns Children's Festival 2024 – the ultimate fiesta for little legends aged 12 and under! Step into our magical realm where pint-sized Picasso's steal the spotlight, and families dive into a sea of imagination and creativity.

Mark your calendars for the most epic kid-centric weekend ever – Saturday 18 May and Sunday 19 May 2024 – as we turn the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Court House Gallery, Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Botanic Gardens into a wonderland of giggles, exploration and outrageous fun!

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Erth Shark Dive

Play it safe or take a risk. It's your choice!

Plunge into the world of sharks and choose your own audio adventure as you dive below the surface and come face-to-face with these majestic creatures.

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Full Program

View the full program of events spread over three venues across two days, during Cairns Children's Festival.

Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 May!

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The One Who Planted Trees

Bandicoot, Koala and a very fun-loving Frill Necked Lizard regale their story - part truth, part myth but mostly inspiration - of a woman who transforms her world to bring about hope and happiness for herself and the world around her.

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Saturday 18 May | Cairns Children's Festival Events

Beasties by Kinetic Theatre

Court House Gallery | Beasties, the petting zoo with a difference! Prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary never before sights of a square cow that quacks for biscuits, a pig that squirts water, a one-eyed blue cat, dancing carrots, and a giant roaming poo.

Crazy Creatures Exhibition

Court House Gallery | See what happens when children’s crazy imaginations run into the animal kingdom. Every year, Court House Gallery has hosted an exhibition for young artists, now one of the highlights of Cairns Children’s Festival.

Erth's Shark Dive

Tanks | Play it safe or take a risk. It's your choice! Plunge into the world of sharks and choose your own audio adventure as you dive below the surface and come face-to-face with these majestic creatures.

Pop Up Little Library

Court House Gallery | Our Little Library has BIG surprises at every turn, so strap in and get ready to blast off and discover the wonder of more than just books!

The One Who Planted Trees

CPAC | Bandicoot, Koala and a very fun-loving Frill Necked Lizard regale their story - part truth, part myth but mostly inspiration - of a woman who transforms her world to bring about hope and happiness for herself and the world around her.

Tropical Punch Puppet Party

CPAC | There’s a puppet party coming and YOU’RE invited! So, break out your best silly voices, unleash the creative think tank, and come play with the Tropical Punch Puppeteers!

Sunday 19 May | Cairns Children's Festival Events

5 Minutes of Fame Stage

Tanks | Step into the spotlight and shine bright on the 5 Minutes of Fame Stage, where every budding performer gets their chance to sparkle!

Beasties by Kinetic Theatre

Tanks | Prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary never before sights of a square cow that quacks for biscuits, a pig that squirts water, a one-eyed blue cat, dancing carrots, and a giant roaming poo.

Bulmba Gadigadigu (A Place for Kids)

Cairns Botanic Gardens | A captivating journey through our region's diverse heritage, featuring mesmerising performances, interactive workshops, and delightful surprises!

Creation Station: Botanical Lanterns

Join us for an enchanting kids' art workshop where imagination takes root and botanical-themed lanterns come to life.

Creation Station: It’s Alive!

Everywhere you look, things are coming alive! All it takes is a pair of peeping eyes and a set of chompy teeth to transform an everyday object and awaken it to life.

Creation Station: Paint Like Picasso

Budding artists are invited to unleash their creativity with painting easels and sticks, ready for instant masterpieces to take home.

Creation Station: Rainbow Yarn

Using buckets brimming with vibrant yarn, children are encouraged to unleash their creativity, wrapping every inch of furniture until the once-bland room bursts into a riot of colourful hues.

Erth's Shark Dive

Little Sprouts

Cairns Botanic Gardens | Embark yourself in a green journey, sowing seeds in eco-friendly pots and nurturing them into flourishing plants.

Pat Malone's Magic Garden

Cairns Botanic Gardens | An all-ages adventure into a wonderland of interactive performances starring some iconic Australian animal characters and an intrepid tour guide.

Proudfoot & Friends

Tanks | Get ready for the foot-stomping, rib-tickling, toe-tapping time of your life at the Proudfoot & Friends stage show spectacular!

Tinkering Tank: Cairns Children's Museum

Tanks | Set sail on an adventure alongside Roy G. Biv, exploring a kaleidoscope of STEAM activities amidst Cairns' colourful landscapes.

What's Brewing: Wombat Stew Story Walk

Cairns Botanic Gardens | An immersive adventure for families, blending literature, nature, and imagination, as children become part of the story of 'Wombat Stew'.

screenPLAY

Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre | Film buffs, get ready for a cinematic adventure with screenPLAY, where the freshest creations from Cairns' budding young filmmakers await your eager eyes!

Opportunities

Call Out: Volunteer Superstars

We want you!

Cairns Children’s Festival puts our youngest creatives in the spotlight in a safe and fun environment for families to explore, create and imagine... and we’re calling for a dedicated team of volunteers to get involved and be part of the festival fun!

We thank our sponsors Pacific Toyota and STAR FM for their support during the Cairns Children's Festival 2024: