CAIRNS FESTIVAL OFFERS BIG WEEKEND OUT WITH LIVE MUSIC AND MORE

There is a big selection of free and ticketed live music, comedy, theatre and outdoor fun to be had this weekend as Cairns Festival continues to stake the city’s claim as the cultural capital of Tropical North Queensland.

There is family fun and joyful art for everyone, from The Jungle Giants at Munro Martin Parklands on Saturday night to the all-day Carnival on Collins on Sunday, the awe-inspiring Reef Lights’ rainforest and reef wonderland nightly along the Cairns Esplanade and lots of music and theatre in between.

The Jungle Giants hit the stage fresh from a tour of Canada and the United States with a dance-inspiring mix of pop and joyous vibe rolled into a high-energy performance not to be missed.

Top local support acts, food vans and a licensed bar combine to make a great night out, so grab your tickets online.

Join the Carnival on Collins annual street party celebrating life in the tropics as you wander through the leafy Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct at Edge Hill on Sunday.

This year, the festivities extend all the way to Greenslopes Street, promising even more fun and exploration with the Cominos House Open Day  and The Green Space education food garden in Jess Mitchell Park.

Pop-up dance acts, street performers and multi-cultural rhythms on the main stage combine with market stalls and free workshops to make Carnival on Collins a Cairns Father’s Day tradition and a Cairns Festival closing favourite.

Catch ‘Reframe’, Queensland regional Art Awards Exhibition at the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre all weekend from 8.30am, grab your tickets for Jazz Under the Stars at the Botanic Gardens on Saturday night and soak up the free live music and performances on the Festival HQ Stage at the Court House Gallery from 5pm Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.

Closing out Cairns Festival will be Harry Angus Duo with Harry James Angus from The Cat Empire and Australian drumming prodigy Freyja Hooper.

Taking to the stage at 6.30pm, this free concert promises Harry’s signature eclectic rhythms bringing jazz, funk and world music elements together.

Adding to the entertainment will be free immersive and interactive theatre and laughs with Bolster & Lee’s ‘The Knock ‘Em Downs’ on the Court House Gallery Lawn both days from 4.45pm.

Inside the gallery there is immersive culture of a different kind, with How We Relate, a Yalanji Arts Exhibition of contemporary ceramics and textiles, and Thomas Chen’s thought-provoking An Extension of Myself exhibition.

Tickets to The Jungle Giants Cairns Festival performance on September 2 cost $75 adults, $65 concession cardholders and youth (3-17 years).

Munro Martin Parklands gates open at 5.30pm and the show begins at 6.30pm. Food vans and a full bar service will be available. BYO picnic rugs or chairs.

Cairns Festival runs until Sunday, September 3. For the full program of music, theatre, film, dance and events and more information go to www.cairnsfest.com.au.