The Impossible Dream

Audiences at the Shangri-La will enjoy a three-course meal as the love story of Jose and Margarita Paronella unfolds before them.

Sat 28 Aug

When the Wheels Fall off the World

Set in a dystopic future where the line between black and white is starkly defined, this love story speaks unflinchingly of reconciliation.

Sat 28 Aug

Blackbird

Blackbird tells the stories of six generations of women in Megan Sarmardin's family. This is an epic story told with song, about ordinary Australians doing extraordinary things.

Sat 28 Aug

Zennith: Nothin' to Lose Homecoming

The music traverses from laid-back reggae to up-tempo raw roots influenced tracks.

Sat 28 Aug

Lagau Dunalaig – Contemporary Printmaking by Brian Robinson and Joel Sam

Torres Strait Islander artists Brian Robinson and Joel Sam completed recent artist residencies at Djumbunji Press, the KickArts Fine Art Printmaking Studio.

Click 'More Info' for individual show times.

Blak Flair Creative Merchandising

Tue 10 Aug - Sat 28 Aug

Cairns Birding Tours

See the region and Cairns as one giant aviary. These bird watching tours and field trips proved very popular at last year’s Festival. They return to showcase the Cairns region and the spectacular bird life around us.

Fri 20 Aug - Sun 5 Sep

Keys to the City

Keys to the City returns for the 2010 Festival, and the city streets will again offer opportunities to make music and discover a spontaneous Mozart effect.

Fri 20 Aug - Sun 5 Sep

Keep it Wild Poster Competition

This community outreach project involves a poster competition for local schools, with students designing art around the “Keep it Wild” theme.

Fri 20 Aug - Sun 5 Sep

Esplanart

Ten local artists have designs on the Esplanade, and they’ll unleash their temporary public art ideas.

Sat 28 Aug

Street Star Buskers Competition

The Street Star Buskers Competition is all about strutting your stuff, showing off your talents, testing the waters and acheiving your goals.

Sat 28 Aug

Word of Mouth

A series of free, foodie chat sessions at the Shangri-La Hotel

Sat 28 Aug

Due North

Due North is an exhibition that celebrates the achievements of a select and diverse group of established landscape artists. Their work has captured the essence of the Far North—a region often in contrast to the archetypal Australian scene.

Sat 28 Aug

Pistols and Pavlova: Kristin Tennyson

Tennyson’s Pistols & Pavlova is a Cairns Regional Gallery LEAP (Loft Emerging Artists' Program) exhibition

Sat 28 Aug

Flags of an Imaginary Nation

Let’s pretend the far North became its own nation. Who would design the flag, and what iconic symbols and features might it incorporate?

Sat 28 Aug

Taste Paradise Cooking Theatre at the Pier

Join our own regional celebrity chefs at The Pier’s centre stage where they will cook their favourite recipes using tropical food ingredients in cooking demonstrations throughout the day.

Sat 28 Aug

Lunch for the Trades

An exhibition that extends tribute to those who work in the trades.

Sat 28 Aug

Colourful Icons of Cairns

An amazing new exhibition by Steve Rutherford reveals Cairns in an intriguing light.

Sat 28 Aug

Cooked In Cairns- Esplanade Stage

A fantastic opportunity for artists of all genres and all ages to showcase their talents at Cairns’ most high profile public venues.

Click 'More Info' for individual show times.

Cooked In Cairns- City Place Stage

Cooked In Cairns are giving all current and prospective entertainers the opportunity to be a part of the Esplanade and City Place festivities.

Sat 28 Aug

'Grape Devine' with a Taste of Paradise

Here’s a chance to taste and get to know some quality brand wines from around Australia, including wine tasting tutorials presented by local wine representatives.

Sat 28 Aug

Kids in the Kitchen with Thermomix at the Pier

Lot of fun for kids when local chefs and Thermomix give junior budding chefs the opportunity to learn about the principles of simple and delicious food preparation with some simple and nutritious recipes that can be replicated at home.

Sat 28 Aug

Family Fun Drive-In Movie Night

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime return to the last picture show

Sat 28 Aug

The First Astronomers?

Under the night sky, two worlds collide in this fascinating performance where scientific theory meets traditional belief.

Sat 28 Aug

Scared Weird Little Guys

“Talented disturbed Aussies...all the entertainment you could dream of...brash, hilarious, sharp.”

Sat 28 Aug

Mo-Fest Underground Music Series

Cairns Festival, in partnership with local creative hot shop, Merchants of Fine Objects, serves up three chances to investigate the musical underground of the far North. Tickets are affordable. The music is diverse wild, and free. And the vibe is pure Mofo...

Sat 28 Aug