Port Douglas Carnivale is set for a revamp in 2016 with a host of exciting new events and the added entertainment of Wonderland Spiegeltent as a feature festival hub venue.

Council has announced Knockout Events Australia as Carnivale event coordinator for 2016-17 with an amazing line-up of new events to complement festival favourites.

Knockout Events Australia will kick off Carnivale 2016 presenting a program of world-class music, stand-up comedy, burlesque and circus cabaret in the Spiegeltent from Saturday 14 May until Sunday 22 May.

Event coordinator Melissa Head said Knockout Events Australia was thrilled to be involved in Carnivale.

“We are so excited to be involved in this event in the most beautiful part of the world and will strive to make Carnivale a destination festival,” Ms Head said.

“We look forward to working with the community and stakeholders in Port Douglas.”

The official Carnivale program will begin with the Port On Your Fork lunch involving local restaurants on Thursday 19 May and a container art activation on Four Mile Esplanade showcasing local artists.

Friday 20 May will feature a pop-up restaurant in the rainforest as well as the annual street parade which will include fireworks, street food stalls, street entertainment, busking and a family concert.

The Beach Family Day Party on Saturday 21 May will boast sandcastle-making, beach volleyball, yoga, live mermaids, market stalls, face painting, family carnival including dodgem cars and amusement rides, a container art exhibition and a tropical music festival.

The Wonderland Spiegeltent will host the Carnivale gala show on the Saturday night with Carnivale 2016 to wrap up with the legendary Seafood Extravaganza and a music festival on Sunday 22 May.

Mayor Julia Leu said the involvement of Knockout Events Australia was a coup for Carnivale, with the fabulous new line-up of events providing the spark the revitalised festival needed.

“Knockout Events Australia has a wealth of experience in providing amazing festival experiences including the Docklands Blues Festival and Docklands Arts and Laughs Festival and also operate the Wonderland Spiegeltent and Fun Park on Melbourne’s Docklands,” Mayor Leu said.

“The new events and activities proposed for Carnivale 2016 are a perfect match for the festival and are sure to create plenty of excitement among locals and visitors while retaining the core community elements.

“The various events also provide amazing opportunities for local restaurants, food stalls, musicians and performers to be involved.”

Knockout Events Australia aims to open an administration and ticketing office in Port Douglas before the end of the year and will appoint someone locally to assist with social media and administration.