Showcasing a blend of local and visiting talent, Cairns Festival 2024 had an estimated attendance of more than 136,000 over the 10-day program.
Held from 23 August to 1 September, the most popular events included the Grand Parade and fireworks (30,000 people), about 28,000 attended Carnival on Collins, and the spectacular Reef Lights at the Esplanade which attracted 26,000 visitors.
The popularity of Cairns Festival was driven by the quality and diversity of the program, as well as the abundance of free events.
Of the 188 performances and events included on the program, 144 (or 77%) were free and accounted for 97% of audience engagement.
The program also provided a strong platform for local performers, with 83% of the 650 performers and artists from the Far North.
Notably, the festival's success was supported by a dedicated team of 54 volunteers who collectively completed 126 shifts and contributed 375 hours.
2024 Program highlights included:
- Grand Parade and fireworks (attendance 30,000), on the Esplanade, which included a diverse parade of floats celebrating the essence of the Cairns community, concluding with a stunning fireworks display.
- Reef Lights (attendance 26,000) transformed the Esplanade (particularly the Lagoon) into a spectacle of light, with audiences taken on a journey of environmental stewardship, crafted by the talented young creative team from Indigenous Design Labs.
- Carnival on Collins (attendance 28,000) held on Father's Day at Tanks Arts Centre and Botanic Gardens featured more than 220 market stalls, free workshops, performances and activities.
The Bubble Station (attendance 16,200) at the Esplanade Lagoon Plaza was a spectacular installation that used hundreds of thousands of bubbles and creative lighting to delight audiences of all ages.- Exhibitions (attendance 13,100) played a significant role in the Cairns Festival program. The newly incorporated Mulgrave Gallery, in conjunction with the Court House Gallery, showcased the works of 15 First Nations artists. Additionally, the Tanks Arts Centre hosted an exhibition featuring 128 artworks created by Cairns-based school students/artists.
- Introducing… (attendance 2,000) on the main stage at the Esplanade Western Events Lawn featured a diverse range of emerging artists who had participated in capacity-building and developmental workshops through Creative Life's Flame program.
- Festival Stage (attendance 2,550) was held over five nights, with audiences enjoying music from local artists alongside a selection of established national musicians and renowned Triple J artists.
