Tropic Weekender: Our curated guide to the best upcoming events around Cairns
While the ridiculously wet weather may dampen any plans to head outdoors this long weekend, Tropic Now is here with our weekly guide to what's happening (mostly indoors) across Cairns.
Find all you need to know on local ANZAC dawn services, as well as a commemoration event on frontier wars a little closer to home.
There's also a stack of live music events to enjoy this weekend, plus a home Taipans match with an exciting new recruit.
Thursday 22 April
Local singer Roz Pappalardo is set to launch her new single, Won’t Be Quiet, at Brother Jenkins tonight from 6:30pm. While the show’s at capacity, head to the event page for a chance to snag a last minute ticket.
Who’s a Carole King fan? CPAC will host a stunning tribute to the artist 50 years on from her landmark album, Tapestry. Esther Hannaford joins an all-star band to deliver this show, starting at 6:30pm. Tickets here.
Friday 23 April
The Savannah Summer Series Pool Party starts today, and it’s prepped for all kinds of Cairns weather! Thirsty Merc is headlining Friday’s set, while country favourite Adam Brand tops the lineup tomorrow. Find the full schedule and details on special locals’ tickets here.
True Vibenation and its multi-instrumentalist trio is playing at Tanks tonight. The electric live show will feature big beats, big bass and big horns. 7:30pm start, tickets sold out but head to the event page for any last minute re-sales.
Saturday 24 April
Yungaburra Markets have rolled around again. Head down to the biggest and oldest markets on the Tablelands to stick up on fresh produce and sweets for the long weekend. 7:30am till midday.
Ahead of ANZAC Day, the Gimuy Walubara Yidindji people and local non-Indigenous friends will present the Cairns’ Frontier Wars Commemoration at the Cruise Liner Terminal. A mixture of dance, music, story-telling and poetry will remember the first battles in the Gimuy tropical rainforest and coastal areas, only 145 years ago. 4pm start.
The good news: The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow makes its way to Cairns’ CPAC this weekend. The bad news: It’s sold out. Head to the event page for any chance of scoring reselling tickets.
Sunday 25 April
ANZAC Day is here again, as well as the dawn services many missed last year due to COVID. Cairns RSL will start its service bright and early with a gunfire breakfast at 4:30am, while Edge Hill, Edmonton and Stratford will also host services across the city. Head to our friends at Triple M Cairns for a full list of dawn services across the Cairns region.
Escape the wild weather this Sunday and throw some support behind the Cairns Taipans. The Snakes are set to play the Perth Wildcats from 5pm, along with new recruit Venky Jois. Get your tickets here.
Guilt Free Comedy has come to Cairns again, this time bringing Evan Hocking (a former Port local) to Stratford Deli on Sunday and Macalister Brewing Co. on Saturday. Ask “Hocko” what he loves doing and he’ll say “making people laugh and having a cold one after”. Tickets available here.
