We may have had a wet start to the Cairns Festival but things are looking up with some Spring sun set to peek through just in time for Skywhales and Carnival on Collins.

There's plenty else going on: Alex the Astronaut is playing the Tanks, there's Jazz under the Stars at the Botanic Gardens, and a range of other live performances around town.

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Wednesday 31 August

Denise Scott and Judith Lucy perform their lockdown inspired comedy show Still Here. Tickets can be purchased online. You can also find out more about the duo here. 

Thursday 1 September

TRUTHMACHINE is an award winning interactive theatre experience. Using a polygraph machine and live voting systems, the show will put you to the test. There's a range of showtimes running through to 4 September.

Aftermath is an electric collaboration performed by Australasian Dance Collective. This performance is set to be a rousing aural, visual and sensory trip, and you can catch it this Thursday and Friday only. 

The Cairns Museum is still going strong with its 1x4 exhibition which features unrelated objects, and explores the multiple stories associated with each. The exhibition runs until 12 November and makes for a perfect rainy day activity.

City Lights at the library and Reef Light - Illuminate the Tropics continue through to 4 September.

Love TV is a free interactive live art event that explores people’s relationships by sharing the most private conversations in the most public space.

There's live music at The Court House Lawn every day from 5pm, running through to 4 September.

Friday 2 September

Alex the Astronaut performs at The Tanks supported by Georgia X Byrne. Some tickets are still available and can be purchased online.

ENERGY is a showcase of young local artists sharing their creative energy and insights. A must-see exhibition, ENERGY opens a window into the astonishing talent of this region’s up-and-coming artists.

Saturday 3 September

It's worth an early start, Patricia Piccinini’s colossal artwork Skywhales will be inflated and, if all going well, take flight at the Showgrounds. This is a free event, but tickets are required and have sold out.

The Cairns Botanic Gardens is hosting Jazz Under The Stars. The curated event is set to bring you jazz of all kinds, all night long. Tickets can be purchased online for $15. Don't forget a rug, and maybe an umbrella.

Le Coup is on at CPAC with a raucous vaudevillian adventure. A unique circus experience that's set to be a guaranteed knockout. Tickets available for Saturday and Sunday.

Australian heavy music act In Hearts Wake are performing at Edge Hill Tavern as part of their national tour Green Is The New Black. Tickets available online from oztix.

Sunday 4 September

It's Father's Day, no matter the weather there's a few things for the whole family to get amongst and make the most out of the day.

Carnival on Collins is back for another year celebrating life in the tropics. Run as a street party, there'll be pop-up dance acts, street performers, and a range of stalls. Festivities begin at 9am - don't be late.

Hemingway’s Cairns Wharf is hosting its Sunday sesh live music from 2pm. 

If you're looking to get away, the Tolga markets are on every first Sunday of each month, 7am - 12pm.