Tropic Weekender: Our guide to the best events and things to do in Cairns

Image: Cairns Festival

It's a big week as Cairns Fest celebrates 60 years with copious events, celebrations, and activities to get involved in. There are a few other big hitters with the Cairns Cup Carnival in its second weekend, Amy Shark at the Tanks, Midnight Oil at Munro Martin Parklands, Armour Fest, and don't forget the fireworks!

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Thursday 25 August

Midnight Oil are on at Munro Martin Parklands as part of their final tour. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketlink.

Friday 26 August

Cairns Fest kicks off with performances around the Esplanade. There's Trolleys - a highly physical, humorous outdoor spectacle - and The Tourists - a visual, interactive, non-intrusive and non-language dependent, unique form of roving theatre. 

There's live music at The Court House Lawn from 5pm with Stephanie Manoza, Danny Bani, Barry Morgan, and DJ MADAM MANANA.

The Esplanade main stage goes off from 5.30pm featuring emerging local musicians, songwriters, bands and performers, followed by Hope D at 8.30pm. 

City Lights are back again at the City Library, as well as newcomer Reef Light - Illuminate the Tropics along the Esplanade. Both are free and run through to 4 September.

There's also a City Light Party introducing the new catenary (curved) lighting on Shields St with tunes from DJ Will.

Cairns Cup Carnival continues with the Lawn Party & Calcutta. Tickets can be purchased through the Cairns Jockey Club.

The Aus Armour Fest is back for its seventh year running all weekend long. The museum is open daily, with a parade on Friday, and rides in iconic WWII vehicles on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday 27 August

Cairns Animal Rescue is holding an Adoption Day at PetBarn Westcourt. There will be dogs and puppies looking for their forever homes, 9.30am - 2pm.

Cairns Cup Carnival is back for round two with Luncheons, Beers and Bubbles, and yet another reason to get dressed up.

Cairns Fest continues to heat up with a bevy of events. There's roving Pelicans and theatre at the Esplanade, dance performances at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, and more live music at the Main Stage from 1pm. Following on with tradition, the Grand Parade is on from 5.30pm, followed by the Fireworks spectacular at 7.30pm, and even more live music with IZAK at The Court House from 9pm.

Fashique Runway by Murrii Quu Couture is also on, showcasing the latests collections from 14 local designers.

Image: Cairns Regional Council

Sunday 28 August

The Queensland Symphony Orchestra is playing under the stars at Munro Martin Parklands as part of Cairns Fest. Tickets can be purchase online - don't forget your chair.

Amy Shark's sold out show is on at the Tanks. Let's hope she's back again soon!

Live music is back on at The Court House with Mark Sartori, Kirsty Burchill, Barry Morgan, and a DJ set to keep those festy vibes strong, and that Sunday sesh long.

There's plenty more going on in conjunction with Cairns Fest so check online for all that's on throughout the week. Events include live music, exhibitions, suburban satellite shows, and theatre and dance performances.