Tropic Weekender: Your curated guide to the best events across the Cairns region this weekend


Christmas is around the corner, and with that comes more and more markets to pick up locally-crafted gifts. 

This weekend will also bring Busby Marou to the city, as well as the last WNBL matches in Cairns and some unique art exhibitions. 

There's only a couple of small showers forecast across the weekend, with max temps of 32. 



Friday 11th December

The annual By Myself Solo Series launch tonight at Tanks Art Centre from 6pm, showcasing the colourful work of Scotia Hennessy and Matthew Rundle. The free exhibition is a collaboration between Tanks and ARC Disability Services, running until mid January. 

The last Cairns WNBL matches are on tonight, and it’s another back-to-back lineup. Melbourne Boomers v Bendigo Spirit from 5pm and Townsville Fire v Adelaide Lightning from 7pm.

Hit FM’s Cavalcade of Lights kicks off at the Cairns Showgrounds, an annual, all-inclusive car convoy to see the city’s best Christmas lights all the way from Edmonton to Kewarra Beach.

Saturday 12th December

Make sure your produce pit stop coincides with Rusty’s Markets Mega Christmas Giveaway this Saturday. Santa will appear at about 9:30am to sell raffle tickets with over 50 local prizes up for grabs, from reef trips to restaurant vouchers, island escapes to massages and everything in between. Tickets are $5 with all proceeds donated to Children’s Services at the Cairns Hospital. 

Join Nu Nu Restaurant’s Nick Holloway for his My Tropical Christmas masterclass from 10:30am. Limited tickets include a welcome drink, a three-course lunch, and tips on taking a tropical spin on tradition this season. 

NorthSite Contemporary Arts will host a Ceramic Art Market over the coming weeks. Be among the first to collect unique one-of-a-kind ceramic platters made by local artists, with Jelly Oshen tunes and coffee to accompany the market launch from 10am.

Busby Marou are stopping in at Tanks tonight, as part of their ‘Back on the Tools’ string of intimate shows. Local artist Leanne Tennant will open the night from 7:30pm.

Sunday 13th December

Sunday morning seems to be the time to go market-hopping and stocking-filling. There’ll be coffee, crafts and Christmas wares across Holloways Beach, Port Douglas Markets Christmas Spectacular and Cairns Local Christmas Market at the Showgrounds.

Nu Nu’s has appeared here again, you’re right – and no, we won’t apologise. Their grills will be ablaze from midday for Eats Beats & Christmas Treats, with festive dress not encouraged, but required.

Back in Cairns the weekend will come to a close with Community Carols at the Showgrounds from 5 to 9pm.