PORT Douglas Carnivale celebrations will be held one week later in 2017 to minimise the potential for rain impacting festivities and avoid the clash with the Noosa Food & Wine Festival.

Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu hailed Carnivale 2016 a success despite record rainfall putting a dampener on some events, with the new three-day format embraced by the community.

Carnivale 2017 will be held from Friday 26 May to Sunday 28 May.

“It makes sense to avoid clashing with the Noosa Food & Wine Festival which is hugely popular with similar audiences we are trying to target with Carnivale,” Leu said.

“That extra week may also improve our prospects of beautiful sunny skies for the duration of Carnivale so there’s nothing holding us back from celebrating our fabulous community and luring more visitors here during our shoulder season.”

Event manager Melissa Head from Knockout Events said feedback received from this year’s Carnivale proved the new shortened format was a winner and audiences really appreciated the world-class performers involved.

“It all worked really well this year although we were unlucky with the weather on some days,” Head said.

“Overall guests of Carnivale 2016 were thrilled with the exciting line-up of events and activities and people were dancing in the rain.

“Ticket sales were very strong with great numbers from outside the region, we had a fantastic street parade with excellent participation and attendance, people embraced the Wonderland Spiegeltent and there was plenty of involvement from the local community."