Cairns Festival gets underway tomorrow with free music on the Esplanade and a local comedy showdown at Cairns Performing Art Centre (CPAC).
The opening weekend Cairns Festival 2021 will be one of colour and celebration, with a mix of creative fun for the kids, live local music, and the spectacular Grand Parade and fireworks.
The 10-day program gets underway on the Cairns Esplanade tomorrow from 6pm with INTRODUCING… featuring live performances from the next generation of local musical talent, including Mehjaya Milne, Star Boys, John Land, Zander Digital, Crime Scene, Raphael, Amber Farnan and Jaguar Jonze.
Tomorrow night will also see the opening of the art installation Neon Reef by Carla O'Brien along the Cairns Esplanade.
This immersive underwater seascape of brightly coloured creatures is set to intrigue and entertain younger members of the family.
CPAC plays host to Hunt for the Funniest North Queenslander, a competition pitting local comedians in head to head combat to see who can claim the biggest laugh.
Meanwhile, the popular City Lights program will light up the Cairns City Library every evening of the festival.
Saturday is all about the Grand Parade, fireworks and more live music at the Esplanade.
The Cairns Festival Main Stage (next to the Lagoon) will feature a diverse range of local musicians, starting with Jelly Oshen at 1pm, and Bullhorn to round off the entertainment following the 7.30pm fireworks.
The Grand Parade will get underway at 5.30pm, and in a change for this year will travel in the reverse direction, starting at Fogarty Park, heading along the Esplanade and finishing at Minnie Street.
In a first, The Court House will play a starring role in this year's festival as it is transformed into Festival HQ, a one-stop information hub with live music every day from 5.30pm (except 1 September), a licenced bar, special guests and one-off immersive experiences.
Cairns Festival 2021 runs from Friday 27 August to Sunday 5 September, with an array of free and ticketed events at a range of locations across the Cairns region.
Visit www.cairnsfest.com.au for event details.
Road Closures associated with Cairns Festival 2021
Grand Parade (Cairns City) – Saturday 28 August
- Lake St, from Minnie St to Florence St: 5am-10pm
- Minnie St, from Lake St to the Esplanade: 2pm-10pm
- Cairns Esplanade, from Minnie St to Spence St: 5am-10pm
- Pier Point Rd, half road closure, no access to bus stops: 5am-10pm
- The Pier Car Park, western section only: 5am-10pm
Moody Creek Community Concert – Wednesday 1 September
- Marchant St, Manoora, from Papaya Cl to Rollinia Cl and all approaches: 10.30am-10.30pm
Carnival on Collins (Edge Hill) – Sunday 5 September
- Part Collins Ave, between McLean St and Mayers St: 5am-6pm
- McCormack St, between Collins Ave and Walsh St: 5am-6pm
- Goodwin St, between McCormack St and Macdonnel St: 5am-6pm
- Walsh St, between McCormack St and Macdonnel St: 5am-6pm
- Friend St, between Collins Ave and Walsh St: 5am-6pm
