It’s holiday season in Cairns! Explore our guide for the top festive events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering your city or seeing it for the first time, our guide brings you the best of Cairns's festive season.
The Cairns Christmas Festival offers a fantastic start to the celebrations with dazzling lights and market stalls that capture the season's spirit. The harmonious voices at Carols by Candlelight, featuring community performances and sing-alongs, will warm your heart. And New Year's Eve Fireworks is something you definitely don't want to miss as the sky lights up with a spectacular display. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Cairns
- Cairns Christmas Festival
- Carols by Candlelight
- New Year's Eve Fireworks
- Christmas at the Cairns Esplanade
- Christmas Movie Night
- Cairns Christmas Craft Fair
- Christmas Lights Tour
- Christmas Dance Party
Cairns Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Tour
What to Expect:
Guided tour of eco-friendly and solar-powered Christmas light displays
Description:
Christmas Lights Tour in Cairns showcases the city's commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly and solar-powered light displays. The event highlights Cairns' progress in renewable energy adoption since the early 2000s. Visitors can learn about energy-efficient lighting technologies used in the displays. The tour includes a stop at a local solar farm decorated with thousands of LED lights. This innovative approach to holiday lighting demonstrates how Cairns balances festive cheer with environmental responsibility.
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Cairns Holiday Markets and Shopping
Cairns Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Tropical-inspired handmade crafts and artisanal goods
Description:
Cairns Christmas Craft Fair spotlights the creativity of local artisans inspired by the region's tropical environment. The event traces its origins to the arts and crafts movement of the 1970s in Far North Queensland. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional Aboriginal dot painting techniques. The fair buzzes with the sound of sewing machines as crafters create unique tropical-themed Christmas decorations. This celebration of local artistry offers a chance to find one-of-a-kind gifts that capture the essence of a Cairns Christmas.
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Cairns Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Carols by Candlelight
What to Expect:
Open-air caroling event in a lush botanical garden setting
Description:
Carols by Candlelight in Cairns illuminates the Flecker Botanical Gardens with thousands of flickering flames. The event traces its roots back to 19th century Australia when miners would gather on Christmas Eve. Attendees can participate in a lantern-making workshop before the singing begins. As the sun sets, the gardens come alive with the harmonious voices of local choirs echoing through the tropical foliage. This cherished tradition unites the community in a shared celebration of music and nature.
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Christmas Movie Night
What to Expect:
Outdoor cinema experience with inflatable screen on the beach
Description:
Christmas Movie Night in Cairns brings cinema to the shore with a giant inflatable screen on the beach. The event harkens back to the drive-in movie culture of 1950s Australia. Attendees can lounge on bean bags or picnic blankets while wiggling their toes in the sand. Local food vendors serve up tropical twists on classic movie snacks. As the sun sets, the gentle lapping of waves provides a soothing backdrop to beloved holiday films, creating a uniquely Australian outdoor cinema experience.
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Christmas Dance Party
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional and contemporary Australian Christmas music
Description:
Christmas Dance Party in Cairns pulses with a unique blend of traditional carols and modern Australian holiday tunes. The event celebrates the evolution of Australian Christmas music since the 1960s. Dancers can learn the steps to iconic Aussie Christmas line dances. Local DJs spin remixes of beloved carols, infusing them with tropical beats. This high-energy celebration captures the vibrant spirit of a Cairns Christmas, where traditional meets contemporary in a whirlwind of music and movement.
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Cairns Other Holiday Activities
Cairns Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Tropical Christmas celebration with beachside activities
Description:
Cairns Christmas Festival transforms the tropical city into a sun-soaked holiday haven. Palm trees adorned with twinkling lights line the shores as visitors build sandcastles instead of snowmen. The event honors the region's indigenous culture with traditional dance performances. You can join a beach volleyball tournament or sample local seafood delicacies from food stalls. The festival's unique blend of Australian summer and Christmas cheer creates an unforgettable experience under the southern stars.
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New Year's Eve Fireworks
What to Expect:
Dual fireworks displays over the Coral Sea and rainforest
Description:
Cairns New Year's Eve Fireworks spectacle ignites the sky from two distinct vantage points. The event pays homage to the city's unique position between reef and rainforest. Revelers can witness the dazzling pyrotechnics reflect off the calm waters of Trinity Inlet. Local Aboriginal elders perform a traditional smoking ceremony to welcome the new year. You'll find food trucks serving fusion cuisine that blends tropical and international flavors. The dual displays create a 360-degree experience unlike any other New Year's celebration.
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Christmas at the Cairns Esplanade
What to Expect:
Beachfront Christmas celebration with marine-themed decorations
Description:
Christmas at the Cairns Esplanade brings holiday cheer to the city's iconic waterfront. The event features a giant Christmas tree adorned with seashells and starfish. Visitors can participate in sandcastle-building contests judged by local artists. The Esplanade Lagoon hosts special "reindeer" paddleboard races, putting a tropical twist on holiday traditions. This celebration honors Cairns' maritime heritage while embracing the unique aspects of an Australian summer Christmas by the sea.
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Christmas at the Cairns Esplanade
Nearby Events
Kuranda Christmas Festival (Kuranda)
What to Expect:
Rainforest village Christmas celebration with artisan markets
Description:
Kuranda Christmas Festival nestles high in the Atherton Tablelands, offering a cooler alternative to coastal celebrations. The event showcases the village's bohemian spirit with pop-up galleries featuring local artists. Visitors can ride the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, decked out in holiday decor, to reach the festival. The air fills with the aroma of mulled wine and tropical fruits. This unique celebration blends rainforest charm with holiday cheer, creating a distinctly Australian mountain Christmas experience.
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Babinda Christmas Street Party (Babinda)
What to Expect:
Small-town street party with sugar cane-themed decorations
Description:
Babinda Christmas Street Party transforms the quaint sugar-milling town into a vibrant holiday hub. The event pays tribute to the area's agricultural roots with sugar cane-inspired decorations and treats. Local sugarcane farmers showcase their vintage tractors in a festive parade. You can join in traditional Aussie Christmas games like thong-throwing competitions. The street party captures the essence of rural Australian Christmas celebrations, offering a glimpse into the region's close-knit community spirit.
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Babinda Christmas Street Party
Atherton Christmas Carnival (Atherton)
What to Expect:
Agricultural town Christmas carnival with farm animal petting zoo
Description:
Atherton Christmas Carnival celebrates the holiday season with a distinctly rural flair. The event showcases the Tablelands' agricultural heritage through farm-themed activities and displays. Visitors can pet and feed friendly farm animals in a special Christmas petting zoo. Local dairy farms offer cheese-making demonstrations, highlighting the region's renowned dairy industry. The carnival captures the spirit of an Australian country Christmas, complete with hay bale mazes and tractor-pulled sleigh rides through the town.