Cairns Events

The Cairns climate is a dream come true for event organisers as they can be just about be guaranteed of year round balmy weather and clear skies. And if the weather does play havoc then Cairns has a lot of wet weather options function and event organisers can change their venue too. If you are planning your next holiday in Cairns try and make sure it coincides with one of the Cairns Events below to make your holiday with us just that bit extra special. Transport to and fro events in Cairns are normally well organised without too much fuss with a lot of events being within walking distance of you Cairns accommodation resort or hotel. Maybe ask your hotel concierge for a "Whats on Gig Guide" to help you to find out what is going on in Cairns.

Festival Cairns

Cairns comes alive during the annual seventeen fun filled days of food, fun, festivities and frivolity. With so many excellent events running in Cairns each day, it is hard to choose what to do and what to see. Perhaps catch a world famous singer performing at Tanks Art Center, wander along the Cairns waterfront Esplanade admiring the giant works of art on display, laugh at the world renowned buskers, or savor some fresh local produce as prepared by a world famous chef? As you can see you need to plan your calendar with care during Festival Cairns, as you do not want to miss out on any of the action.

Festival Cairns is designed to show off local artistic, musical, and culinary talents and crowds flock in their droves to participate or observe the exciting events. The Grand Toyota Parade, which kicks-off the festival, draws crowds of over 35,000 people. On this night the streets of Cairns are abuzz with revelers who watch the vibrant and colorful floats go by before turning their attention to the sky for a spectacular firework display on the waterfront.

For artists and musicians Festival Cairns is a great way to present their work to the world. The festival gives Indigenous artists a way of connecting with buyers whom they may not have ever met if it were not for the festival. During Festival Cairns 2009, over $800,000 worth of Indigenous art was sold to both local and international buyers.

While some Festival Cairns events do require tickets to be purchased, there are plenty of activities the whole family can enjoy for free. Last year there were plenty of free concerts including one featuring the talents of The Saltwater Band, buskers roamed the streets entertaining with their quirky antics, there were also numerous activities on the Cairns Esplanade including DIY workshops.

Festival Cairns is usually held at the end of July each year

Cairns Amateurs

For four days in early September, the entire city of Cairns stops to celebrate the Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival. The event began in 1959 as a small race meet, over the years it grew so steadily that today it is known as one of Australia's premier fun racing events. With race goers flocking to Cairns for the event from southern states and nearby towns, Cairns population swells by a few thousand over the fun filled weekend.

There are plenty of lead-up events to the Cairns Amateurs including the Cairns Amateurs Ball. On this magical night Cairns glitterati don their finest ball gowns and tuxedos and spend the evening feasting on a spread fit for a King, dancing the night away, and watching fireworks light up the sky as the event concludes. The Amateurs Ball has been an annual tradition since the race meet was first held in Cairns. However, its original location was held at a privately owned property in White Rock and in 1979 due to its growing poularity the event moved to Tobruk Pool to accommodate the 2,500 guests that flock to the event and add to the grandeur of the night.

As with any racing carnival, fashion plays a large role in the celebrations. One of the events held in the lead-up to the Cairns Amateurs is a fashion parade brunch where models hit the runway sporting local, national, and international designer outfits. The event is held in conjunction with a charity and there are usually plenty of decadent prizes to be won in one of the many raffles.

On race day the fashions on the field competition is fierce. The women and men who compete for the hefty prize swag may spend months designing or planning their outfits and the all important headwear. While cheering a winner you backed fly past the finish line is thrilling, so to is admiring the stunning fashions.

After each race day punters typically continue the celebrations until late into the evening. The race track, Cannon Park Racecourse, is located a quick ten minute drive from the Cairns CBD and there are always plenty of taxis waiting to whisk you back into town.

Cairns Amateurs race meets are usually held the first week of September each year

timeOUT Concert

Held in August each year

The annual timeOUT concert not only brings some major groups to Cairns to headline the gig, but showcases the talent of local bands for 10 hours of solid rock on the Cairns Esplanadecairns c. The 2009 timeOUT concert drew a crowd of over 7000 to watch big name bands such as the Hiltop Hoods, Grinspoon, and The Fumes as well as two local bands The Solemn Prophets and All Said and Done.

In the lead up to the timeOUT concert, local bands are given the opportunity to vie for a spot to support the major headliners. In weekly heats which culminate in a grand final, locals take to the stage and rock out as hard as they can. For them, appearing alongside their idols is a once in a lifetime opportunity and also a great way to break in to the music industry.

The timeOUT concert is generally held in the middle of August as one of the final celebrations for Festival Cairns. The timeOUT concert has been delighting audiences for the past three years and organisers say that they will continue to host the event here is Cairns.

The Great Pyramid Race

Once a year, local fitness enthusiasts gather together for the great Pyramid Race just south of Gordonvale. While some may find the idea of running up Walsh's Pyramid, a 922m high steep mountain located 20km south of Cairns, not very appealing, the fine tradition has been a well attended event for the past 50 years.

Named as such for its pyramid like appearance, Walsh's Pyramid generally takes experienced hikers between three and four hours to complete. The last winner of the Pyramid Race, did so in under one hour and twenty five minutes. The race record is one hour and fifteen minutes. The competition is fierce and the training is rigorous. Leading up to the race the Cairns Esplanade becomes busier than usual with dedicated runners putting themselves through their paces.

While race participants are usually number between 100 – 150, almost 6000 spectators and revelers come out to join in the celebrations. The race is incorporated with the Gordonvale County Fair. During this week or so, generally held from late July - August, the southern Cairns suburb comes alive with plenty of activities which culminates at the Pyramid Race. Other events held during the week are Golf tournaments, a country fair and barbeques.

The pyramid race is not for the faint hearted as the track is very rough with jagged rocks and Australian bush and when it is wet it can be treacherous in places so make sure your team is very well prepared for any accidents. If you are in Cairns during this time, the Gordonvale Country Fair and the Pyramid Race are well worth a look. Who knows, perhaps after a few training runs along the Cairns Esplanade you may be able to smash the record.

Cairns Show

It's all about bringing the country to the Cairns city folks. It's about teaching our children about animal management, its about teaching children that all food is grown in the ground or on a tree and then put into a handy packet. Of course there are also the extreme show rides for the teenagers and brave of heart,and side show alley for the little ones and grandma and grandpa to have a bit of fun. The food at the Cairns show is also a major drawcard with deep fried hot dogs dripping with tomatoe sauce,fairy floss, frozen slushies, hot chips, burgers, pies and lots more. The Cairns show makes children go heady and excited to be amongst the bustling crowd. Events to watch from the grandstand are the fancy breed cattle judging, beautifully presented horses and ponies of all types, showjumping, horse and coach trials,stockmans show, a Rolls Royce Blitz Flame jet truck, Aus Freestyle moto X and BMX performances.

Make sure you bring along plenty of money for side show alley and the scary rides and attractions that are on offer year after year at the Cairns show. The family will not be aloud to leave the showgrounds without at least two or three show bags if the children have there way that's for sure.

The Cairns Show is held in mid July of each year. Cairns Accommodation is at a premium at this time so we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

Babinda Harvest Festival

A week long celebration of the sugar cane harvest featuring a Harvest Queen Quest, a harvest cabaret,a Street Festival with a Grand Parade and float processions, a 10klm Babinda Boulders fun run, and from 3.30pm on the final day a big event at the showgrounds with show rides, a helicopter lolly drop, pony rides, stalls and displays of local goods and produce to purchase, all the sticky hot and cold food a child would just love to get their hands on with the grand finale of fireworks, and a live band and bar until midnight.

The Babinda Harvest festival is a time for locals and visitors to get together for some hard earn't fun and a chance to raise some funds for local charities so come along and join in for the Sugar harvest celebrations held in May each year.

Cairns has a number of ad hoc events thruought the year so just keep a look out to ensure you do not miss out on these fun Cairns events.