Plenty of things to do in Cairns in August and September
Plan for Cairns Festival
From a blistering bluegrass circus troupe to magnificent lightshows, world-class comedy, giant hot air balloon sculptures, and an outstanding live music line up, this year’s Cairns Festival is heating up the tropics.
Cairns is gearing up for a wave of festivities and tremendous talent across music, theatre, street performances, circus, cabaret, and comedy as the 60th birthday celebration of Cairns Festival kicks in its biggest program to date.
For 10 days from August 26 through to September 4th, a record 78 events are planned as part of the Cairns Festival’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, encompassing more than 1500 artists in a festival that celebrates arts and culture in the tropics. Taking full advantage of the balmy, tropical climate and the city’s party atmosphere, the Cairns Festival program brings many spectacular performances outdoors in a city just made for outdoors events.
This year will undoubtedly spark plenty of arts and culture excitement along the way, and we have pulled out our trusty red pens and circled quite a few treats in the Cairns Festival program. Here are 8 events we’re most looking forward to.
1. Bluegrass, Boxing and Acrobatics
Outlaw showmanship meets neo-vaudeville acrobatics backed by a ferocious bluegrass soundtrack as Le Coup brings you a wild night of entertainment! From sword swallowing to daring aerial feats, tap dancing and acrobatics, this ragtag troupe of traveling misfits astounding audiences as they duke it out against each other and the laws of physics.
Le Coup | CPAC | Sept 3 + 4 | $45
2. Under The Sea Immersion
The city of Cairns lights up in celebration of the Great Barrier Reef through a magnificent and immersive sensory light and laser experience. Under the creative direction and expertise of light artists, LASERVISION, ‘Reef Light’ is a virtual under-the-sea experience. Guests will encounter an impressive light journey that harnesses the magic of the reef and washes the city with a kaleidoscope of colour.
Reef Light | Esplanade & Foreshore | Aug 26 – Sept 4 | Free
3. An Orchestra Under the Stars
Following the Grand Parade and Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday 27 August, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra takes over Munro Martin Parklands on Sunday 28 August for its Superfamous show. For all those times you’ve recognised a tune but can’t quite remember what it’s called – this concert is for you. A non-stop romp of excerpts from some of the most famous pieces ever written.
QSO – Superfamous | Munro Martin Park | Aug 28 | $35
4. Lies With An Audience
Could you lie in front of an audience? Would you…? In the award-winning social experiment Truthmachine, biometric sensors and live voting systems test volunteers from the audience with the ultimate game of truth. Body responses and polygraphs convert into an intricate symphony of light and sound, while the interrogator probes for the hard, cold truth!
Truthmachine | The Court House | Sept 1 – 4 | $19
5. Hypnotic Dance
A rousing aural, visual and sensory trip, created by Amy Hollingsworth and Jack Lister, Aftermath is an electric collaboration performed by Australasian Dance Collective to a blistering original score performed live by the award-winning composer Danny Harley.
Aftermath | Tank 3 | Sept 1 + 2 | $30
6. Comedy Central
The grand dames of the Australian comedy circuit Judith Lucy and Denise Scot guarantee to make audiences ask themselves all the big questions while heaving with laughter with their CPAC show, Still Here. One night only, don’t disappoint yourself…
Jude & Scotty – Still Here | CPAC | Aug 31 | $69
7. Skyline Sculptures
Patricia Piccinini’s colossal artwork, Skywhales: Every Heart Sings, comes to the Tropical North Queensland skies on September 3. In conjunction with The National Gallery of Australia and the Cairns Art Gallery, the Cairns Festival invites you to bring the whole family to experience first-hand two giant hot air balloon sculptures suspended over the city from dawn.
Skywhales | Cairns Showgrounds | Sept 3 | Free
This of course is merely scratching the surface of the breadth of the event's packed program of arts, theatre, dance and more.
Tickets and more information can be found here: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/festival
More events to be announced mid-July